by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Ambient music is often about keeping a constant flow of continuity, so that any changes occurring don’t upset the musical applecart.

Few things are as consistent in this area than Kompakt’s own Pop Ambient series, the compilation pushing on beyond a quarter-century as it looks to showcase the best ambient music to come the way of the Cologne label in the preceding year.

This collection offers 19 tracks, that, in the label’s words, are looking forward. “Joining good friends from the early days and reliable confidants are some new additions to the non-hierarchical charts of contemplative rapture culture.”

They describe their principal additions as “Micå, a Japanese electronic musician whose finely chiselled, graceful musical style has made it onto the new collection with two pieces. Also making his debut is Richard Ojijo, a seasoned sound engineer known, among other things, for his long-standing collaboration with the artist Marcel Odenbach and the Cologne-based label Magazine. Oskø aka Max Hytrek, a multi-talented newcomer to Kompakt and the music scene, debuts with his rapturously ecstatic piece Ar Vag. He’s followed by Sebastian Mullaert, appearing for the second time—this time teamed up with Sebastian Lilja aka Hush Forever. After his surprise return last year after a 20 year hiatus, we are delighted that Tetsuo Sakae aka Pass Into Silence is back again this year with one of his distinctive sound gems. As are Dirk Leyers (Closer Musik) and Mikkel Metal.”

What’s the music like?

Seasoned listeners will know exactly what to expect from this sort of compilation – and they won’t be disappointed with the unhurried selection on offer.

There is rich, restful ambience from the off in the shape of the new Micå addition Echoes Of Blue, while among the many highlights are the comforting waves of string sound on Segensklang’s Schauer der Musen, contrasting nicely with the more flighty Pale Blue Dot by Pass Into Silence.

Ümit Han provides a lovely combination of movement and stillness on Eines Tages, while the vast spaces become apparent in the weather-beaten music of Richard Ojijo and Luis Reich. An intriguing, woozy accordion number from Morgan Wurde brings accordion and brass into sonorous opposition, while Dirk Leyers’ Regolith goes stock still with the addition of some nocturnal voices.

Joachim Spieth goes darker with Onset, while the open spaces of the desert can be sensed once again in Blank Gloss’s Hairpin, Mikkel Metal’s Moss is like a sound wave lapping at a soft shore, while the last word goes to the quasi-orchestral Erlösung (translating as ‘Salvation’) from Segensklang, a study akin to watching a rowing boat, with hefty strokes from the strings above a watery drone.

Does it all work?

It does. Kompakt are past masters at this sort of compilation, and everything works in beautiful harmony and structure.

Is it recommended?

It certainly is. In such changeable times the ability of Pop Ambient to remain unaltered is a cause for celebration, providing musical balm for the soul.

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,749 – Monday 15 December 2025