Sky Council Recordings' own producer and label owner, T.H. White, has dropped a brand new ambient-inspired trip hop LP titled Since You Left under his moniker Van Exel, and if you have an affinity for artists such as Tycho and Pretty Lights, then this newest release is right up your alley.
The new album serves as the New York City artist's sophomore release, following his Sci-Fi debut under the new name, Constellation X, which dropped only a mere six months ago after a prior three-year hiatus.
While staying true to some of the fundamentals laid forth by his predecessors and biggest musical influences, including DJ Shadow, Exel's individuality and modern approach shines through with a driving continuity that carries from start-to-finish, through all seven tracks. The album's final track "All Days Down" is truly unique, however, seemingly taking its own groovy turn.
HBO, SyFy and Showtime have all featured Van Exel tracks on multiple shows, all the while White chips away at some remixes for Sky Council artists such as Meet Me in Orbit and Orchids at the new studio location for his Sony imprint right next to Long Island City's MoMa PS1.
In a press release, the label head spoke of the LP's newer direction. "After the highly involved concept LP of Constellation X last summer, I gravitated towards a much freer approach in the studio for SYL," he stated. "The tracks are more open and flowing, yet they still thump and groove. I feel like this album has a shoe gaze undercurrent. I love to juxtapose that airy gentleness with grimy beats and street tones."
Since You Left is currently available in stores (as of November 5th) and is also available for digital download via iTunes.
