Album Review: Erased Tapes Collection IV

Album Rating: A-

It's perfect really, not only is Erased Tapes Collection IV a wonderful record in its own right, but it's a beautiful entry point into one of music's most endearing labels.  You see, Erased Tapes is about as "indie" as a label could possibly get.  However, they specialize in some of the most blissfully organic and enchanting music; post-rock and instrumental rock imbued with a certain poetic beauty.  Such artists include: Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, and A Winged Victory for the Sullen.  These artists are at the very top of their respective areas of music.  And you know what?  Each of them-and more-are present on Erased Tapes Collection IV.

Album Review: A Winged Victory for the Sullen - A Winged Victory for the Sullen

An up and coming ambient/classical act, A Winged Victory for the Sullen has quite the charming and intriguing pedigree. The duo is made up of Adam Wiltzie (Stars of the Lid) and Dustin O'Halloran (Devics), two of the genre's heavy hitters. Stars of the Lid alone should perk up some ears, as that duo defined 2000's ambient scene with their two groundbreaking releases. A Winged Victory for the Sullen has big shoes to fill, with the aforementioned pedigree being both a gift and a hindrance.

Too many people will check out the band's self-titled debut with an unfortunate amount of per-connotations. But this isn't Stars of the Lid nor is it Devics. This is something else, but at the same time it is a logical amalgamation of either artist's sounds and abilities. It's piano driven, courtesy of O'Halloran, and very straightforward in its ambiance, thanks to Wiltzie. It's a beautifully composed meshing of minimalism and contemporary classical, offering a healthy dose of ridiculously pretty chords and lush swells and timbre.