Category Archives: Switched On

New music – Cephas Azariah: conditions for observing light (Anjunachill)

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by Ben Hogwood, from the press release

British-Indian composer, producer, and pianist Cephas Azariah returns with his highly anticipated sophomore album, conditions for observing light, out 3rd September.

Always drawn to classical composition, Cephas studied Music Theology and the Arts at Middlesex University and began composing film and TV soundtracks immediately upon graduating. His debut LP, Joy Paradox, was released in late 2024, drawing on the full spectrum of his influences. It marked his introduction to the neo-classical, ambient, and electronic space, receiving heavy support from the likes of BBC 6 Music, KEXP, Wonderland, CLASH, and Ólafur Arnalds.

Taking a philosophical approach to society and culture, the new LP finds Azariah contemplating where radiance can be found in an increasingly dark world. Across ten immersive tracks, he explores light in all its forms, from the natural energy of the sun and lightning to the intimate glow of a candle and human-made artificial light.

Written between his home studio and the secluded wilderness of Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park, Azariah (above) spent months recording textures that represent light-related phenomena, weaving them into ambient soundscapes. Cephas presents light on this album as a way of understanding ourselves and illuminating the world around us: “It reveals both the light and dark of our environment, and marks the beginning of a journey towards something brighter.”

This evolution is mirrored in the album’s sonic journey. Early moments like ‘sakura’ and ‘faint (a short story)’ lean into light-hearted piano work reminiscent of the first blossoms of spring, while the latter half of the record scales in sound toward something more euphoric. The title track, inspired by the expansive minimalism of Jon Hopkins, serves as the album’s finale, gradually building from sparse fragments into a wall of lush legato strings and driving percussion.

The project is also a celebration of collaboration, welcoming a cohort of talented artists. Cephas joins forces with London-based producer Kidnap on ‘lightning’, a dark, cinematic production that captures the restless tension of a storm. “I remember being in the studio with Kidnap; we began to write a piece with a more upbeat feel, but once the piano and synths were down, I had the idea of writing two versions, one with a beat, and one that was more low-key and cinematic,” Cephas recalls. “This version is darker and resembles the tension within dark skies and lightning strikes.”

The album also features his second collaboration with British electronic duo josh & sam who are twins. The trio explores the principle of “coherence” – a physics concept where waves fall into sync and reinforce one another, reimagined here as a warm, upbeat track reflecting the gentle shift from spring into summer through rhythmic pianos and synths.

On ‘nova’, Cephas collaborates with Colorado-based ambient composer Be Still the Earth. Mirroring the life cycle of a star, the track moves from a delicate beginning into a rich swell of arpeggios and analogue Juno tones before gradually fading away. “Everything has its time – even the light, even stars, even in space,” he notes.

Seoul-born pianist-composer Yujin Baek joins Cephas to close the project with their delicate offering ‘if time could rewind us’, which first debuted on Anjunachill’s World Piano Day 2026.

At the heart of the LP lies ‘2.22pm wishyouwerestillhere’, a poignant piece of storytelling rooted in a childhood memory. The timestamp marks the exact moment Azariah learned of his grandmother’s passing; using spacious sounds and melancholic guitars, it encourages the listener to ponder the heavy, quiet chapters that define a life.

”Emotions are vast and varied when you consider the light and shade of society – the good and the bad. The album as a whole sounds darker, and while there are many soft moments, the project leans into the cinematic drama of light,” Cephas says.

Cephas Azariah’s brand new album, conditions for observing light, is available to pre-order now via the Anjunastore.

Published post no.2,947 – Tuesday 14 July 2026

Switched On – Danalogue: Teleportations (Castles in Space)

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Reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is the first solo LP from Dan Leavers, a founding member of The Comet Is Coming and half of Soccer96, better known as Danalogue.

That name implies a healthy sense of humour, though there is a serious point behind his debut, too, as the press release informs us. “Conceived as a continuous, journey-based piece, Teleportations is a warm, playful and immersive album that transforms endings, grief and personal upheaval into a vivid science-fictional voyage of escape, healing and renewal.”

It taps into a musical upbringing or enormous variety, while being inspired by a number of Science fiction sources, including “astral travel, theta brainwaves, collective consciousness, the artist Jean Giraud, the writer Ernst Bloch and the film maker Miyazaki”.

What’s the music like?

This is a really enjoyable album, and fulfils Leavers’ wish to make a positive, warm-hearted record. This one has a cosmic tint to it, as well, with a number of the tracks making room for semi-improvised thoughts that are given just the right amount of room to breathe.

Showing off his versatility – though not for the sake of it – Leavers includes a slow, yacht-rock inspired jam (Far Beyond The Sun) and colourful, funky poolside house (Moebius Triptych) in the album’s early moments, allowing room in the latter for more extensive synthesizer noodling. Arrival At Rho Ophiuchi could be the theme to your newest sci-fi binge, while postlude Earth Remembrance Day is a deep blue ocean of sound.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HvuDDxA15I Theta Wave Convergence is especially good, a warm bath of minimal keyboard riffs tripping along on the deeper side of house, the synths bubbling just beneath the surface. In fact the Danalogue house credentials are strong, as the ebullient Onto The Next Dimension shows.

Theta Wave Convergence is especially good, a warm bath of minimal keyboard riffs tripping along on the deeper side of house, the synths bubbling just beneath the surface. In fact the Danalogue house credentials are strong, as the ebullient Onto The Next Dimension also shows.

Does it all work?

It does – and proves equally enjoyable when enjoyed in snippets or in one single span.

Is it recommended?

Enthusiastically. A reminder that electronic music can be a lot of fun, delivering more endorphins than we have a right to expect from a debut album. Music to put a smile on the listener’s face!

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,946 – Monday 13 July 2026

New music – Michael Brook: Cobalt Blue / Live At The Aquarium (4AD)

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by Ben Hogwood, from the press release

Today, Canadian musician Michael Brook, Grammy-nominated film composer (Heat, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Into the Wild) and inventor of the ‘infinite guitar’, releases the first vinyl reissue of his 1992 4AD record Cobalt Blue and the vinyl debut of Live at the Aquarium.

These underrated gems from the 4AD catalogue have been newly remastered by Rashad Becker and are presented on Crystal Clear 2×LP and 2CD with artwork by Alison Fielding based on the original v23 designs.

Cobalt Blue is a timeless and quietly stunning collection of instrumental pieces and shimmering dreamscapes, featuring contributions from ambient music pioneer Brian Eno, composer & multi-instrumentalist Roger Eno, and Grammy-winning producer Daniel Lanois. Recorded later that year, Live at the Aquarium captures Brook’s rare solo performance in London, highlighting the hypnotic sustain and atmosphere that define his work. 

Michael Brook’s Cobalt Blue & Live at the Aquarium is available from today, 10 July, digitally, on Crystal Clear 2xLP and 2xCD. To order, and for more information, head HERE.

Published post no.2,943 – Friday 10 July 2026

Switched On – Pye Corner Audio – More Songs About The Sun (Sonic Cathedral)

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Reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The second Pye Corner Audio studio album for the excellent Sonic Cathedral label is a sequel to Let’s Emerge!, the long player with which he took his bow in 2022. Martin Jenkins, the prolific writer behind the pseudonym, moves further into Balearic warmth with the addition of guitars by Andy Bell, whose work has been enjoyed in this parish for a number of years.

Talking about the album, Jenkins says, “I wanted the whole record to be awash with distortion and saturation, but not in a blown-out guitar amp kind of way. Almost every element has been subject to some form of saturation.”

What’s the music like?

As you might expect, heat-soaked! The album is an ideal blend of electronica and shoegaze, topped off with some restrained euphoria in the form of vocals from Andy Bell and Ian Rankin. Bell proves an ideal match for the dreamy textures of Analogue Dreams, while Cycle goes through the gears with a strong electro bassline. Bell knows when to add propulsion in just the right measure, with a touch of Krautrock here and dubby house there.

Rankin’s involvement is a joy, his spoken word bringing a real frisson to The Breath Of Now, with its low-slung groove right out of the early 1990s. Towards the end of the album the temperature dips, the music cooler to the touch and exploring more shoegaze territory, but the move complements the first half nicely.

Does it all work?

It does – with More Songs About The Sun proving the ideal counterpart to its predecessor.

Is it recommended?

For sure. A hot weather beauty!

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,941 – Wednesday 8 July 2026

Switched On – Marconi Union: Multiforms: Ambient Transmissions Vol. 3 (Just Music)

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Reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Marconi Union add another notch to their Multiforms: Ambient Transmissions series with a third volume, accompanied by a full-length A/V visualiser.

It is now 23 years since the Manchester group gave notice of their talents in ambient music with Under Wires and Searchlights. Yet it is 14 years since the second in their Ambient Transmissions series, Weightless – itself a year after Beautifully Falling Apart. In the words of the press release, “There are no standout tracks by design; instead, the album invites full immersion, encouraging the listener to drift through shifting atmospheres, serene soundscapes and quietly evolving emotional states. It is both expansive and intimate, designed for deep listening.”

What’s the music like?

Very easy on the ear. Marconi Union’s music takes its own sweet time to volve, shifting gradually but steadily into live. With warm ambience, Multiform I sets the scene, before Multiform II gets real depth with a sonorous bass note. The progression is smooth, through to Multiform V which provides the sonic equivalent of warm water lapping at the shore of a sandy beach, with nobody in sight. As idyllic as it sounds. The final movement of the suite, Multiform VI, returns to earth with soft piano chords.

The visualiser, which you can watch below, provides the ultimate calming experience.

Does it all work?

Yes, with plenty to spare – and with minimum effort on the part of the listener!

Is it recommended?

It is indeed – Marconi Union devotees will not be hesitating, and neither should the rest of us! Providing the opportunity to pause for thought, Multiform is the ideal comedown from busy times.

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,938 – Sunday 5 July 2026