Lo Recordings have released two new additions to their serene ‘S-P-A-C-I-O-U-S-N-E-S-S’ series. The first entries were compilations, which collected largely exclusive work from a wide range of artists, both established and emerging. Where a long list of legendary names like Suzanne Ciani, JD Emmanuel, Iasos, Ariel Kalma, Laraaji, Gigi Masin, and Susumu Yokota, sat side by side with relative newcomers such as IKSRE, Matthewdavid, Abul Mogard, Precipitation, and Yamaneko. Together they demonstrated the connections between ambient, deep listening, new age, and post classical. These latest instalments, however, are solo projects, by Coral Sea and Lecu. 

Plymouth-based producer Leo Cunningham is Lecu. Employing a mixture of modular and soft synths he makes marvellous mid-90s IDM-referencing, new age-nuanced electronica. Digital bubblebaths of bubbling bleeps, beatless ambient techno balm, whose flickering glitches harbour sources that sound like assorted hand-percussion, sanza / kalimba, and such. Busy, but bucolic, with looped bells and chimes. The rapid ringing, cycling, circling, and trippy, trance-y in places. His circuitry chattering, chirruping like silicon cicadas. Emitting wildlife-like whistles and warbles, surrounded by sampled water, waves – from the Devonshire coast – and birdsong. Keys come in cascades, or Satie-esque gymnopedies. Guitar generates a gentle grainy wash.

Helpers is a standout, cutting a more rhythmic rug than its neighbours, rocking more obvious African references. Ritualistic, ceremonial, like something ancient, sacred, reimagined. Head-nodding, but chilled, hypnotic. The closing Secret Door is designer drone. Harmonic buzz and hum. Its fizzing phase gradually growing to a lush, Laraaji-like, zither-esque shimmer.  

Lecu’s Leck is out now on Lo Recordings.