Island House Recordings never ceases to surprise and entertain, but these two tapes from late 2024 are especially choice, and might even be some of the best albums the label’s released yet.

Ultisol – Precession of the Equinox

Ultisol is one of the great everything-but-the-kitchen-sink records of the last year that spirals out deep into the grey areas that exist between established genres and styles. This ear catching soundscape takes multiple left turns into unexpected territories that keep you interested and excited even after dozens of close listens.

From hazy droning atmospheres of white noise decorated with passionate yet sparse acoustic fingerpicking to swooping pedal steel (provided by the great J.R. Bohannon) melting into waves of processed field recordings, baroque strings and pummeling electric fuzz, Daniel Lamb’s project is a meditative and immersive mutation of Americana music in all of its many forms. Blending rootsy folk music with ambient and post-rock elements with a psychedelic-inspired approach, Lamb and his many guest collaborators produced a hallucinatory record that feels positively alive, with plenty of focus on texture, space and color. The music here seems so much like a full world unto itself, it’s like you could climb into this album and explore it on foot.

This should be known as an instant classic for those who love the music of The Olivia Tremor Control, Ash Ra Tempel and Pelt equally. 

Swim Ignorant Fire – s/t

I love a record that is full of different styles, modes and sonic horizons, as you could tell by the last review, and this album has an endless supply of all of the above.

From pedal steel ambient abstractions to transmogrified exotica and Gamelan bell meditations, this is a tape that will give your ears something wholly new, surprising and utterly distinctive. Every song has its own unique flavor, so if a particular vibe doesn’t click for you right away, just try the next track (although, I’m sure all regular RCU readers would find the entire album to be outstanding).

Rich with a jazzy sense of freedom, gilded melodies and a warm cosmic atmosphere, this is an album that can submerge you in waves of hopeful and serene energy. If you need a dreamy, pleasant listen to escape into, this is it.

-KH