Search Results for: sven

Natura Morta (A Sven Wunder Mixtape)

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Snapping at the heels of last year’s Eastern Flowers and Wabi Sabi lps, prolific polymath Sven Wunder returns this June with his third full-lengh, Natura Morta. In anticipation, Wunder recorded the following vinyl mix for AD, via his home studio in Sweden, leaning into aesthetic influences and inspiration.

Sven Wunder :: The Aquarium Drunkard Interview

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Following Sven Wunder’s Lagniappe Session from July — with his interpretations of traditional Japanese songs — we had the opportunity to catch up with the enigmatic musician. Dig in as we discuss the ideas behind the beguiling project, including working under a pseudonym, the unexpected success of the albums, how Sweden funds music projects, how their musical journey became a learning experience, and the endlessly complicated debate over cultural appropriation.

The Lagniappe Sessions :: Sven Wunder

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… two vibrant, cinematic interpretations of traditional Japanese songs. “Tōryanse,” a children’s song typically played as crosswalk music, is reimagined here with a Yamasuki Singers-style choir over a lush and propulsive arrangement not dissimilar to the music on Wunder’s excellent Wabi Sabi LP. “Sakura,” which is customarily performed during Cherry Blossom season, finds the enigmatic maestro going wild on the harpsichord amidst swelling strings, traditional instrumentation and one of his signature breakbeats.

Sven Wunder :: Wabi Sabi

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The enigmatic Sven Wunder is already back again with another internet-breaking LP of Eastern flavored grooves. “Yūgen” opens Wabi Sabi with the ringing of a gong, which initiates a resonating surge of Japanese-inspired flute, Chinese zither, and Tanpura.

Sven Wunder :: Eastern Flowers

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The brilliant debut from the mysterious Sven Wunder came out of nowhere and left all the heads spinnin’ and scramblin’ to find an LP copy, which are currently few and far between. Eastern Flowers is brimming with gnarly bass and guitars, big drum breaks, and hairy synths, all of which are projected through a kaleidoscopic filter of modern and traditional Eastern sounds. This is one of the best albums you will hear this year.

Pulp Jazz: Twenty-First Century Groove Music (A Mixtape)

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Pulp Jazz draws on long-traduced, sometimes crassly commercial, musical forms—jazz-funk, exotica, new age, sci-fi schlock, lounge music and library—and channels it all into deeply funky, low-key psychedelic groove music. More than that, like the best pulp, it somehow comes out sexy as hell, slinky and dangerous. Aquarium Drunkard has been here for it. The world could stand to be a shade groovier. And when we were asked for a mixtape of the primo stuff, we were more than happy to oblige. It’s what we do.

Let’s hope this fresh wave of fusion doesn’t reignite the jazz wars of old. But we’re down to fight if it comes to that.

Aquarium Drunkard :: 2023 Year in Review

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Looking back to look ahead. It’s our Year In Review 2023. As always, our list is unranked and unruly. Let it blurb.

Aquarium Drunkard exists because of the passion of its contributors and the support of its generous Patreon community, so consider pledging your support as we ring in the new year. If Aquarium Drunkard improves your listening life, the Patreon is the best way to reciprocate. Only the good shit, now, then, and the unspecified moments in-between.