Various Artists Northern Ambient Lights Volume II

Subtitled 'Chilled Beats and Horizontal Moods' this is another album from the burgeoning VA market. Dipping into a few of these releases, many of which hit you in the face as you enter the High Street shops, has reinforced that there's some fantastic music available, much heavily smattered with EM references. Northern Ambient Lights is one of the more EM oriented offerings and does come laden with chugging beats, ethnic samples and "groovy sounds". Some tracks really did click, but I have to admit I expected to like this more. Many of the tracks left me "cold" rather than chilled, especially compared with some of the more commercial dance which, with it's melody and hook, seems to appeal more at present. Maybe I'm getting old. (GG)

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