Amidst all of the EDM that is constantly bombarded to us (especially in America), it is quite rare to find tunes of this caliber in genres not normally well known to the general public. Today on Unsung Heroes, we take a look at the calmer, more gentle side of EDM with Ambiant music. Ambiant is a tricky genre to put into words, as many different sounds can be incorporated into this single placement. Ambiant entails a calm, musically styled piece with lots of experimentation and expressive outlets of the artist’s mind with retaining non-physical four-on-the-floor beats, but a stasis of musical freedom and unrestrained, emotional feeling. One of the albums that has been widely regarded as one of the best Ambient albums of all time was an artist named Henrik B, with Kryoniks. In each track of the album, he not only creates a musical track, but manages to expertly incorperate artisitc motions and forward thinking ideas in each as well. One of the best tracks of the album was a piece simply entitled, Drifting. Aptly named, it is the closest representation of the listener in question floating in space, with nothing around for thousands of miles.
Truthfully, not much can be said about this piece, aesthetically. It is a very simple piece, with no serious musical complexity noticed in it. However, this simplicity is where the real beauty resides, as this piece is minimal in nature and in intent. The main synth is very detached and airy, existing purely for its tones and not for its intent. These chord progressions have nothing to prove or to hide; they simply exist for existentialisms’ sake. As they sit there without time or space dictating their actions, we hear bubbling of someone or something underwater, giving us the sense of being in the water where everything is remotely silent. To follow with this nautical theme, we occasionally hear a slight radar blip blinking away under heavily reverbed duress. As the piece exists onward, we start to hear another line conjure up from the darkness; (however, Henrik B keeps the minimalism at heart and only introduces one new line after minutes of the same material). More and more of the nautical lines become prevalent, as the thin line between a listener underwater and a listener in space becomes eerily similar in nature and atmosphere. Drifting is subtle, to the point where you can hear the blank ring of silence amidst the murky cloud of presense and let yourself go as the listener floats along without time or reason. 
Henrik B is a revolutionary in incorporating both art and music into a medium that can be enjoyed by both analysists and casual listeners by heart. Even though it was created back in 2003, Kryoniks is still a landmark album that has aged significantly well even up to today. This is a great track for those that would like to start meditating, sleep or even to sort through ones thoughts. But listen a little bit deeper, and you can really pick out the absolute intricacy that was essential to the creation of this track. I personally regard this as one of the best tracks of all time for EDM, because it completely steps out of the comfort zone of peak highs and hands-in-the-air moments and creates music that almost transcends our perceived, cultured notion of it. It takes electronic music and elevates it to life altering results and is the most prevalent example of an artist truly expressing himself (as each track in the album had a story or a vision behind it). As of right now, the only available vinyls are sold out, but enjoy the video that is above for the beauty that it is.
Keep the music alive. -Q
Unsung Heroes is a weekly segment where we take a look back at an amazing production and bring it back into the light for older and newer fans alike. These tracks were often overlooked, overshadowed by a huge release or are just not that well known to the public here in America. Here, you can find all the hidden gems in many genres and find a new favorite track (or another tool/weapon for aspiring DJ’s).
