ASIP - Reflection on 2024

As with all my previous ‘Reflection’ year-end mixes, I begin with a collection of albums, EPs, and compilations that resonated with me over the past year. From there, I curate tracks to build the mix—a process that’s as much about omission as inclusion. Inevitably, many of my favorite tracks and albums don’t make the final cut, simply because they don’t fit the flow of the mix or get lost along the way. There are plenty of albums I played on repeat that aren’t included here, but I enjoy this process much more than creating lists.

As I remind myself each year, this isn’t meant to be a definitive “best-of” list. Instead, it’s a snapshot of some of my favorite music from the year, distilled into one cohesive and listenable format. Compiling these mixes under self-imposed restrictions is my way of revisiting and celebrating the music I’ve loved critically, while sharing it with you in a way that’s both meaningful and accessible. For me, listening back to these mixes is like flipping through an audio photograph, capturing the essence of my year in music and invoking memories from special moments.

I encourage you to use this mix as a jumping-off point—dive into each artist, explore their albums in full, and check out the labels behind the music. You can find a Buy Music Club list linked below to help you dig deeper. If you’re curious about the broader scope of music I’ve supported this year, my Bandcamp collection is always up to date. And for the ASIP year-end label compilation, you can find the feature and mix here.

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Starting this year’s mix was no easy task. It’s been a whirlwind of a year, with my family relocating from Los Angeles back to Oregon. For a significant stretch, my ideal listening setup was in flux, and I wasn’t commuting to work as much—two key times I’d normally dive deep into the music I’d collected.

That said, I still managed to accumulate a fair share of vinyl this year (probably too much), so that became my starting point. I began shortlisting from my unsorted crate—my go-to spot for new acquisitions—despite knowing the mix would eventually be recorded digitally I always intend on ripping some vinyl-only releases. Since most of my purchases are through Bandcamp, I typically have digital files ready to go, but there are still a few frustrating cases where I’ve had to double-dip and buy the digital files separately (labels, let’s get those Bandcamp download codes in vinyl sleeves—it’s almost 2025!).

This year’s shortlist started with over 80 artists/tracks from albums I’ve loved, which I eventually narrowed down to 40 for the final mix. It’s a good representation of what’s been on heavy rotation for me. As always, I stuck to my usual self-imposed rule of no ASIP artist related tracks. I’d easily fill an entire mix with their music if that rule weren’t in place (also that’s what 9128.live is good for). I like to take this time to highlight other incredible, often overlooked releases that haven’t made the rounds in our circles, or through the usual “best of” lists.

I intended to rip some of my vinyl-only releases for this mix as a few really stood out this year, but time wasn’t on my side, and no digital was available. On the bright side, nearly all the music included here is readily available on Bandcamp for you to support.

A few callouts as you skim through the tracklist.

The latest Röyksopp album leans heavily into ambient tropes, but it’s undeniably comforting—a continuous flow reminiscent of the classic Art of Chill mixes, blending atmospheric textures with accessible pop crossovers. It nails that sweet spot, and I’m not one to turn my nose up at that.

Isabel Pine, whose demo first landed in my inbox some time ago, continues to impress—her latest release is an absolute gem. Aja’s ‘Lullaby’ is pure sweetness, so addictive I often found myself hitting repeat. C.K. didn’t drop any new ambient projects this year, but he did finally upload his phenomenal catalog to Bandcamp The track I included serves from his only 2024 release as an ambient counterpart to his more techno-focused album from this year.

Music From Memory’s Virtual Dreams compilation was a highlight for me—every track on it felt like a guaranteed vibe, no matter the mood (#1 on my HHV list). Casino Versus Japan’s comeback might just be his finest work yet, even if it hasn’t made it onto other lists out there. Its stripped-back, raw quality made it a challenge to incorporate into this mix without it becoming the centerpiece.

Minotaur Shock was a standout discovery in 2024, offering a blend of IDM-infused drum-oriented sounds. This track, in particular, is one of his most melodic. Another new find was Civilistjävel!, courtesy of Juan (OKRAA), who introduced me to the record while we were record shopping in New York. Florian T M Zeisig made waves with a ’90s-inspired album, consistently impressing with his inventive approaches (and even debuting a new alias).

nthng remains a regular on my year-end mixes, and deservedly so. My favorite track of his this year was ‘Echo Track,’ though it didn’t quite fit into this mix. Synkro returned as Ovïd with a mesmerizing slice of gaseous dub-techno—I even let it run long to max out its hypnotic qualities in the mix. Brian Grainger and his aliases are extremely productive, so it’s hard to cut through sometimes, but I always gravitate to his Coppice Halifax output.

Vril delivered an audio-sensory onslaught with his new album. While my favorite track didn’t make this mix, the entire release is excellent. I bent one of my own rules by including two tracks from Daniel[i]—a testament to the quality of that record. Rising Sun also deserves a mention. Even though his uploads this year were from his back catalog, the music is as timeless as ever (and I have a special memory of hearing this amazing track at Public Records, cementing a solid 2024 core memory).

Solar Alliance saw me bending another rule, as this is technically from the Ute collective but for anyone into '90s-style trance and downtempo- not to be missed. Xylitol, another new artist on my radar, delivered a release perfectly aligned with its Planet Mu home—think Aphex-inspired IDM with breaks and bass. Metamatics took an unexpected turn, dropping a drum’n’bass album with a '90s vibe featuring vocal samples from the emotional worlds normally assigned to DJ Healer or Rising Sun.

Finally, the closer comes from Mortal—a 1997 gem I only discovered in 2024. Though technically from December 2023, it missed last year's mix and felt like the perfect way to wrap up this year’s edition.

astrangelyisolatedplace · ASIP - Reflection on 2024

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Tracklist:

01. Chihei Hatakeyama - Insects Chirping At Night (Field Recs)
02. CHANTSSSS - Lose My (Theory Therapy)
03. Endless Trains & Taennya - Lifeless Place (Archives)
04. Röyksopp (Feat. Alison Goldfrapp) - We Enter (Self Released)
05. Merely & Malibu - outlanders intro (Year 0001)
06. anthéne - Crimson (Floralia Editions)
07. Isabel Pine - Silhouettes (Where The Flowers Grow)
08. Old Amica - Klorofyll (Self Released)
09. Aja - Absolune (Grand Musique Management)
10. Winter Silhouette - Solidarity (Peak)
11. C.K - We Share The Skies (Private Recording System)
12. Dub Squad - Blown Fruit (Music From Memory)
13. Shokunin - Darlands (Bonse1)
14. Li Yilei - Yip, Yip, Yip (Métron Records)
15. Voyage Futur - Marina Botany (Vill4in)
16. Casino Versus Japan - Licht (Self Released)
17. Minotaur Shock - With Me? (Bytes)
18. Civilistjävel! - XII (Felt)
19. Ear To Ear - Live Recordings D (Astral Industries)
20. Strategy - Numeros (Community Library)
21. Florian T M Zeisig - Wave Guide (Stroom)
22. nthng - Dont Be Scared (Self Released)
23. Brendon Moeller - Pressure (Quiet Details)
24. Lb Honne - Musium (Project Indigo)
25. Priori ft. Sabola - Learn To Fly (Naff Recordings)
26. Ovïd - Dream Sequence (Fauxpas Musik)
27. Coppice Halifax - Ceremonial (Milieu Music)
28. pondlicker - orchid media (Naff Recordings)
29. Daniel[i] - Jobkas Dom (Muzan Editions)
30. Vril - Pneuma (Omnidisc)
31. Low End Activist - Airdrop 02 (Yarnton Rd 2 Cassington) (Peak Oil)
32. Daniel[i] - Dom Amb (Muzan Editions)
33. Wardown - 5 It Is The Mercy (Blu Mar Ten)
34. Rising Sun - The Ascend (Original) (Self Released)
35. Vera Logdanidi - Euphoria (Semantica)
36. Donato Dozzy - Lucrezia (Spazio Disponibile)
37. Solar Alliance - Tri-Mind (Self Released)
38. Xylitol - Monte Mare (Planet Mu)
39. Metamatics - A Second Chance Is Rare (Self Released)
40. Mortal - Minus One (Sunny Crypt)

Buy Music Club List

Collected: Vol 4

Gi Gi - Dreamliner

Gi Gi’s Lumino Pleco from 2021 was a big fave of mine, and this new album represents an updated approach from the Texan producer. The distant smudged vocals and heart-pouring strings are gone, and more structured drums and downtempo is in - but Gi Gi still retains a delicate and approachable palette that would suit any 90’s chillout room.

nthng - Echo Track

Yes, I am a nthng super fan, and pretty much everything he touches turns to gold in one way or another. He hits that sweet deep, melodic and pure techno touch, (as well as doing ambient just as good) and the second piece of music on this EP is nothing short of simple perfection. Echo Track is the type of music you want to hear in a big dark basement with good friends.

Solar Alliance - HAMMAR​Ö​-​23

It may take some digging, especially as these guys don’t exactly pour out news on social media, but this new collective consists of our very own Mikkel Rev, his Omformer partner Filip Storsveen, and Ute cofounder, Teo Bachs Larsen. So, of course, expect some forward-thinking trance in both chugging and high-energy level forms from the Norwegian experts.

Starterra - Transformation Cycles

It’s not easy to come across Berlin-school space ambient, that echoes that of our very own Merrin Karras, or 36. But this 2022 album by Starterra, is up there with the best of them, especially the track ‘Celestial Intellect’. There’s enough movement to keep it entertaining, and enough atmosphere to fly. For listeners of the aforementioned artists, and of course legends like Carbon Based Lifeforms, Tangerine Dream and even Jean-Michel Jarre.

Neutron 9000 - Lady Burning Sky

A classic from 1994 and the days of Rising High Records, this one no doubt skipped past many; unless you were really in it to win it back then. As you would expect purely by mentioning the words “1994 and “Rising High”, this is a seminal electronic album with touches of acid, trance and classic ambient house. KLF in variety, James Bernard acid in inflection. A must-have 3LP reissued by Tiga’s Turbo Recordings (?!) and even boasting a Daniel Avery remix on this reissue version.

Find these albums and many more over on my Bandcamp Collection.