We’ve just started playing with 8tracks in the hope of getting regular mixes published for your listening pleasure. We’ll test the platform out a little more and if it feels good then expect more of these to come. Here’s something gentle and exploratory to start the show.

Check out the latest edition of the wonderful Inside The Label show at New York’s awesome Breakthru Radio (home of the mighty DJ Mojo!). The show features an hour of tracks selected from across the Hidden Shoal catalogue. Lurvly!

You’ll have to excuse some lagging posts from all the press we got in December (reviews, best of 2009′s etc) – we’re slowly getting to it all. One such is the inclusion of RL/VL’s Chagrin in Dan Weiss’s (writer for Resident Advisor, Stylus, Pitchfork and more) top 10 of 2009 list. Check out the list at Dan’s blog and read his review of Chagrin at Resident Advisor.

Preview and buy this utterly sublime long player at the Hidden Shoal Store.

RL/VL – Kweens  RL/VL – Kweens

Hidden Shoal Recordings is pleased to announce the official release of compilation album Crushed and Reminded, the fifth installment in its free sampler album series. Whilst the keen eyed amongst you may have already noted that this has has been available for a few weeks now, we thought we’d allow some breathing space before making the official announcement (busy month!!!)

Crushed and Reminded takes the listener on a multi-dimensional sonic rollercoaster ride, showcasing tracks from recent 2009 HSR releases. Moving from bitcrushed remixes through cinematic instrumental rock to deliciously mellow ambient electronica, Crushed and Reminded shines a new light across the breadth and depth of the Hidden Shoal landscape.

It includes stunning songs from 11 Hidden Shoal artists and bands: The Caribbean, HC-B, Sankt Otten, Hotels, Down Review, Tangled Star, Apricot Rail, Tarcutta, Sleeping Me, Elisa Luu and Jumpel. Dip in, then explore each artist’s album and EP releases to experience their full splendour.

“a gripping, adventurous and touching journey across their catalogue of ambient, shoegaze, post-rock and indie-rock releases. The perfect introduction for the artists and bands, or alternatively, the perfect sampler for those who cannot decide which of these fantastic bands to pay attention to at the moment” – Post Rock Community review of Limit of Maps, volume 3 in the free sampler album series.

Crushed and Reminded is available for free download from the Hidden Shoal Store, along with volumes 1 to 4.