Salamanda – Ashbalkum

Upon first listening to Seoul-based electronic production duo Salamanda’s Ashbalkum, I was briefly taken over with memories of my childhood neighborhood. The days of exploring trails, jumping fences, and allowing the mundane to feel magical. The perfect storm of minimal arrangements, friendly rhythms, and sweet melodic lines may have initiated the trip down memory lane. Glowing tones feel as though they’re wrapped in blankets, gently vibrating in a round, buoyant manner. The drum programming is masterful in the way that they retain a casual organic feel. While absorbing these ten tracks, it’s easy to imagine a day of laying in the grass picking shapes out of the clouds, and snacking on gummy bears. Uman and Yetsuby’s productions are playful yet sincere, and how they maintain that balance makes each repeated listen more enjoyable.

Recommended – Full Listen