Hidden Shoal Recordings today announced the release of Each Paradise is a Lost Paradise, the new EP by English ambient drone architect Stray Ghost.

On his latest EP, Anthony Saggers works his magic in reverse. Rather than begin at the bottom, exploring the depths of melancholy, Each Paradise is a Lost Paradise is dominated by waves of rich, major-key chords, which seem to be simultaneously advancing and receding, suspending the listener. It is perhaps one of the most light-filled and hopeful of the Stray Ghost releases thus far. However, Each Paradise is a Lost Paradise is still frayed at the edges and cut through with vulnerability. Although reinforced by glowing, enveloping drones, there’s ever the sense that everything is about to fall apart – albeit beautifully.

Ten-minute opener ‘La Belle Semaine’ blossoms into life with wavering Mellotrons and blankets of rich synths. Halfway through, the music begins to disappear, before shimmering back into life with a tremolo pulse. Shorter centrepiece ‘Au Revoir à la Belle Semaine’ reprises the wavering Mellotron, but fractured by metallic tones and distant ringing. Finally, ‘Réminiscences Et Rêves De Beauté’ takes all the elements of the preceding tracks, aerates them, then sends the tape loop disintegrating into nothingness across another ten spellbinding minutes.

“Of all the daring new punks giving old ambient stalwarts a run for their money, Saggers is at the top of the heap, a prime example of the refreshing and beautiful ambient renaissance of the past few years” – Jack Britton, The Silent Ballet

Each Paradise is a Lost Paradise is the first in a special new series of digital-only releases by Hidden Shoal Recordings. The EP is available now in all digital formats, including lossless. For all availability information, visit the Hidden Shoal Store. The release of Each Paradise is a Lost Paradise is a precursor to the epic full-length reply to Stray Ghost’s 2008 masterpiece Losthilde, to be released by Hidden Shoal on January 27th, 2010.

Read a full press release here.

Stray Ghost – Au Revoir à la Belle Semaine   Stray Ghost – Au Revoir à la Belle Semaine  

Be sure to head over to Foxy Digitalis to read a glowing review of Sleeping Me’s stunning debut album Cradlesongs and then head straight to the HSR Store and grab yourself a copy.  Easy!

“One thing I like about reviewing records is that I can usually count on getting at least one really good sleeping record every time I get a package from the ol’ Foxy D headquarters. Not that I’m expecting a Stars Of The Lid album every time, but I usually end up with a gem on par with this one from Sleeping Me (Clayton McEvoy).

This album consists of 10 melodic, focused instrumental guitar pieces. There’s plenty of reverb and sweeping background effects, but this doesn’t feel like a mere “drone” record, the songs feel alive and breathing. As far as I can tell, all of the music (aside from some keyboard stabs on one track) was created solely by guitar, which makes the lush, oceanic feel all the more impressive. And yes, even though I already pegged this album as a record that sounds great while you’re trying to doze off, there’s really a lot going on if you pay attention.

You definitely won’t regret seeking this disc out, but if you want a quick taste, there’s a Sleeping Me EP release called “Lamenter” at archive.org for your listening pleasure. 8/10″

Foxy Digitalis

We almost missed this one even though we’re a big fan of the Losing Today zine. Head over to Losing Today to read a lovely review of the incredibly addictive new City of Satellites single ‘Stranger Than Fiction’. Then when you’re done head to the HSR Store where you can download the single for free ahead of the debut City of Satellite album set for digital release next week.

Can you feel the love in the air?