Audiopile Review: One of our favourite labels of all time is Silent Season, the dub techno, ambient and spacey electronica imprint run from the nearby Comox Valley for the past 17 years. While we’ve eagerly awaited for a new vinyl release from them (heck, would love to see some reissues too), it seems that the label has decided to remain dormant for the time being. That said, a new sub-label has now popped up in its stead, a newly minted “small format” imprint named Moon Garden. The maiden voyage comes courtesy of Japanese ambient/dub techno/experimental producer Silentwave, who has been a low-key but prolific figure in the electronic underground for a decade now. With dozens of releases across every format, the producer (real name Yoshinori Noguchi) has been on a particularly noteworthy run over the past year or so, issuing releases for cult labels like Nouvelle Gaze and Greyscale. Never settling on any one genre, he fluidly moves between styles, always angling for an immersive experience with whatever he decides to tackle. And for Moon Garden’s debut release, Noguchi does indeed go deep. Reeeeally deep. The tape is two side long pieces that run at approximately 40 minutes each, Noguchi using the luxurious, uninterrupted length allowed on a cassette release to create a truly enveloping work. The A-side, “Fire”, is a densely layered epic of bliss-y, angelic drones, recalling Stars of the Lid at their most ascendent, while the B-side reflects a more subdued approach, its series of sustained tones slowly rising and falling like galactic breath, an easy comedown after the hair-raising grandeur of “Fire”. An incredible start to Moon Garden and the newest win from Silentwave. Stayed tuned for a few more Silentwave cassette releases coming your way over the next few weeks. Also keep your eyes peeled for a forthcoming Moon Garden 7” from the atmospheric dub duo Hidden Sequence!

“We’re happy to share our first tape in a new series for Moon Garden that brings deep meditative vibes on tape into your heart and home.”