Season 5

Aes Dana

Season 5

Ultimae (France)

I love Ultimae, and not just because they think to mention yours truly in their “thanks” section of the sleevenotes (other labels take note: I desperately fear a life with no legacy at the end.) Their output is consistently stunning, and if you know the flavour of their Farenheit Project releases then chances are you know what to expect: tender, soothing psychedelic ambient with a warming, spiritual tone. Season 5 is perhaps Ultimae’s most accomplished individual album to date, and the way the tunes ease effortlessly into each other is literally outstanding, including Gatewick which was recorded at London’s Gatwick Airport (and if you can record something there and make it sound good, something seriously special must be going on.) The sounds used are incredibly skunk-friendly, and the intelligence and attention piled into engineering them into coherent, standalone tracks is delightful and fills you with a sense that, as long as someone’s making music like this, the planet’s going to be okay. In fact, somebody send this to Bush and Blair and see how that changes the political climate of this messy rock we’re on. Season 5 is a rare moment of sublime peace that you need to add to your life.

5/5