What is it?
First in vogue in the '70s alongside Krautrock, kosmische musik strayed away heavier, psych-rock leanings and zeroed in on ambient, synth-fuelled atmospheres.
Why is it called that?
The term gained popularity when German experimentalists like Popol Vuh (pictured) and Tangerine Dream started incorporating more electronic and "cosmic" textures into their sound.
Who's doing it?
U.S. artists like Oneohtrix Point Never, Rene Hell, Sam Goldberg (aka Radio People) and Forma, with Cleveland, OH's Emeralds and their myriad side-projects leading the way.
Where Should I Start?
Manuel Göttsching's essential Dream & Desire (1977); Bureau B's Sky Records' reissues like Roedelius's Wenn Der Südwind Weht (1981); Emeralds' Does It Look Like I'm Here? (2010); Tangerine Dream's Pheadra (1974).
What's next?
Look out for the Kranky debut by Emeralds' Steve Hauschildt, Le Révélateur's Fictions, Sinoia Caves' long-in-the-works second album, and releases on the Spectrum Spools imprint.
Listen to the Exclaim! Kosmische playlist at rdio.
First in vogue in the '70s alongside Krautrock, kosmische musik strayed away heavier, psych-rock leanings and zeroed in on ambient, synth-fuelled atmospheres.
Why is it called that?
The term gained popularity when German experimentalists like Popol Vuh (pictured) and Tangerine Dream started incorporating more electronic and "cosmic" textures into their sound.
Who's doing it?
U.S. artists like Oneohtrix Point Never, Rene Hell, Sam Goldberg (aka Radio People) and Forma, with Cleveland, OH's Emeralds and their myriad side-projects leading the way.
Where Should I Start?
Manuel Göttsching's essential Dream & Desire (1977); Bureau B's Sky Records' reissues like Roedelius's Wenn Der Südwind Weht (1981); Emeralds' Does It Look Like I'm Here? (2010); Tangerine Dream's Pheadra (1974).
What's next?
Look out for the Kranky debut by Emeralds' Steve Hauschildt, Le Révélateur's Fictions, Sinoia Caves' long-in-the-works second album, and releases on the Spectrum Spools imprint.
Listen to the Exclaim! Kosmische playlist at rdio.
