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LP
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UNSEENRE 005LP
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Originally released in 2008 on Type Recordings, Caesura by Helios aka Keith Kenniff returns in a new 2022 edition vinyl re-release, remastered by Taylor Deupree. Keith Kenniff had been with Type from the very beginning, and in the fifth year of the label he offered his fifth gorgeous release. In those five years Keith's style had evolved constantly, with his drifting piano compositions taking the Goldmund label and the Helios sound moving out from underneath the clipped beat-heavy electronics of Unomia (UNSEENRE 001LP) and into a more unique place, even incorporating vocals on the Ayres mini album. Caesura however was his "proper" follow-up to the acclaimed Eingya, and has seen Keith return to the instrumental sound he knows so well. In fact, in many ways Caesura is a more electronic work than its predecessors, blending layer upon layer of synthesizer and adding his assured drumming to come up with the perfect meeting of indie-pop and ambient music. The haunting cinematic element is still present of course, but these songs are more rounded and confident than any in Keith's career to that point. From the delicate bliss of "Hope Valley Hill" which opens up the album with gauzy nostalgia and, as the title promised, hope, through the chunky pop of "Come With Nothings" it is clear that Keith's music is as arresting as it ever was. Taking cues from the lilting indie-electronics of Ulrich Schnauss and the unfussy ambience of Brian Eno, Keith manages to inject this with his knowledge as a composer. The epic harmonies of "Backlight" for instance reveal a lightness of touch rarely heard in the genre with sweeping synthesized chords buzzing alongside Keith's signature guitar. Accompanied by more gorgeous artwork from Matthew Woodson, Caesura still is a glowing record for the winter months, and a glimmer of hope to keep the seasons at bay. First time on vinyl since its original release in 2008. Includes download code; edition of 500.
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UNSEENRE 006LP
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Originally released in 2012 on the artist's own Unseen label only in digital formats, Moiety by Helios aka Keith Kenniff gets a well-deserved physical release in a new 2022 vinyl edition, remastered by Taylor Deupree. In 2012, Kenniff shared this free, digital-only collection called Moiety, which marked a notable shift in pace, both in output and style. Slower, more meditative than past work, Moiety honed in on Kenniff's proclivity as an ambient producer. Moiety is a stunning piece of work, largely instrumental with vocals as an instrument rather than a voice. It's a visceral listen with cinematic scope. No surprise that the opener "Nothing It Can" is one of Helios' most streamed tracks in his whole catalog. First time vinyl edition of this previously digital only release. Includes download code; edition of 500. 45 rpm.
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UNSEENRE 003LP
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2022 repress; vinyl reissue of Helios's breakthrough album, Eingya, originally released in 2006. Eingya by Helios, aka Keith Kenniff, returns in a new 2021 edition vinyl re-release, remastered by Taylor Deupree. Beginning the album on a high with the pastoral beauty of "Bless This Morning Year", Kenniff showcases of what he does best: heartbreaking guitar and piano melodies punctuated by crumbling beats and backed by the most atmospheric synthesizer sounds this side of Eno's Apollo. The appetizing "Halving The Compass" blends subtle field recording with the kind of piano melodies so beautiful they could be compared to Virginia Astley or Harold Budd. This is followed by the album's clear highlight, "Dragonfly Across An Ancient Sky". It's an unsurpassable folk guitar piece with a decomposing percussive background and the sort of melodies that would turn evil tyrants into weeping babies. An album that could appeal as easily to fans of Nick Drake as to fans of Boards of Canada or even early Air, this truly has something for everyone. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, Kenniff put out Helios's 2004 debut album, Unomia (UNSEENRE 001LP), while studying percussion at Boston's Berklee College of Music. Since then, he's released six more albums as Helios, in addition to collaborating with his wife Hollie Kenniff in the shoegaze-inspired pop duo Mint Julep and composing music for films and archival use. "A protracted sunset of an album guaranteed to see you through the longest days of summer and into the twilight of the autumn." --The Wire "A soundtrack of molasses-sweet, midsummer sunset melancholy and pastoral mellifluence." --Tinymixtapes. Includes download code.
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UNSEENRE 001LP
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First time vinyl issue of the debut album by Helios, Unomia, originally released in 2004. Keith Kenniff's debut album under his Helios moniker. Originally only released on CD in 2004 via Miami based Merck Records, this album of hazy ambient electronica is now presented as a vinyl edition for the first time. Includes download code.
All Music review by Joshua Glazer: "Those who mistake ambient music for an endless tapestry of unwavering atmosphere, pleasant yet indistinguishable, should be handed as an argument to the contrary this album by a recent signee to Merck's rapidly expanding roster. Through 13 tracks of inarguably pretty music, Keith Kenniff displays the musical equivalent of a genius screen actor, able to send a million moods and messages with the most subtle of facial gestures. The opening pair of songs, 'Velius' and 'Cullin Hill,' point to a blissful treat which sits on just the right side of new age symmetry (particularly given the former's live glistening piano treatment). But only eight beats into 'Nine Black Alps,' the sensation is irreversibly altered by a single, mournful bass note which rumbles like Hades against the bucolic tone that lead up to it. Unshackled, Kenniff continues to roam, drifting into circular beats on 'Two Mark' before wandering off into weightless asphyxiation on 'Samsara.' He even allows for the organic sound of faint acoustic guitar and piano to join his endless travels, giving a moment of real-world clarity at the eye of this hallucinogenic work. Few could get away with a singular ghostly voice transmission without implying a stretch for ideas, but by the time he reaches the song, 'Suns That Circling Go,' Kenniff is so recognized as an explorer that you cannot be surprised by where he may arrive next."
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UNSEEN 008LP
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Limited restock. LP version. Yume takes its title from the Japanese word for "dream" and delivers an otherworldly ambient-electronic hybrid that's cinematic in scope yet intimate in emotion. In making the album, composer and multi-instrumentalist Keith Kenniff (the sole artist behind Helios) has created a warm sonic tapestry from luminous guitar lines, elegant piano work, ingeniously-crafted rhythms, and lo-fi electronic elements. Though Kenniff's graceful maneuvering of mood and tone lends Yume a journey-like quality, the album offers pieces as captivatingly disparate as "Pearls" (which blends heavy beats and lilting piano melodies; cascading guitar riffs and airy atmospherics) and "Embrace" (which closes out the album with a glimmering expanse of sound). Built from both electronic experimentation and live instrumentation, Yume also constructs its richly-detailed textures by drawing from a repertoire of sound that ranges from toy tambourines to serendipitously-recorded environmental noises. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, Kenniff put out Helios's 2004 debut album Unomia while studying percussion at Boston's Berklee College of Music. Since then, he's released five more albums as Helios, in addition to collaborating with his wife Hollie Kenniff in the shoegaze-inspired pop duo Mint Julep and composing music for such clients as Paramount Pictures, Apple, Facebook, and Google. CD includes two extra tracks.
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CD
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UNSEEN 008CD
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Yume takes its title from the Japanese word for "dream" and delivers an otherworldly ambient-electronic hybrid that's cinematic in scope yet intimate in emotion. In making the album, composer and multi-instrumentalist Keith Kenniff (the sole artist behind Helios) has created a warm sonic tapestry from luminous guitar lines, elegant piano work, ingeniously-crafted rhythms, and lo-fi electronic elements. Though Kenniff's graceful maneuvering of mood and tone lends Yume a journey-like quality, the album offers pieces as captivatingly disparate as "Pearls" (which blends heavy beats and lilting piano melodies; cascading guitar riffs and airy atmospherics) and "Embrace" (which closes out the album with a glimmering expanse of sound). Built from both electronic experimentation and live instrumentation, Yume also constructs its richly-detailed textures by drawing from a repertoire of sound that ranges from toy tambourines to serendipitously-recorded environmental noises. Raised in rural Pennsylvania, Kenniff put out Helios's 2004 debut album Unomia while studying percussion at Boston's Berklee College of Music. Since then, he's released five more albums as Helios, in addition to collaborating with his wife Hollie Kenniff in the shoegaze-inspired pop duo Mint Julep and composing music for such clients as Paramount Pictures, Apple, Facebook, and Google. CD includes two extra tracks.
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CD
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UNSEEN 006CD
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Unseen Music presents an album of exclusive, previously-unreleased remixes of tracks by ambient/electronic artist Keith Kenniff aka Helios (also records as Goldmund and with Mint Julep). In curating a remix album, Kenniff reached out to a handful of his fellow musicians who have been influential to him over the years. Instead of a remix album based on a particular release, the idea was for artists to choose any song from the Helios discography and interpret this in their own style. The result is a refreshingly cohesive album showcasing beautiful renditions by acclaimed composers such as Ulrich Schnauss (joined by Mark Peters of Engineers), Ben Boysen (aka Hecq), Hammock, Rhian Sheehan, Rafael Anton Irisarri, Arms And Sleepers, and his brother Colin Kenniff (who has toured alongside Keith as part of the Helios live band). Each musician's strength shines through the remixes, from Ben Boysen's hauntingly beautiful remix of "Every Hair On Your Head," to Hammock's signature brand of epic, reverb-laden guitars shimmering through their interpretation of "The Obesiant Vine." Ulrich Schnauss and Mark Peters' uplifting bouncy electronic remix of "Falling in Swirls" (a song Keith released on his website for free in 2002), and Arms And Sleepers' beautifully layered synths and percussion in "Hope Valley Hill" serve to add a wonderful dynamic lift to the album, while Rafael Anton Irissari's own brand of engaging soundscapes on "Hollie" envelop the listener in a sonic warm blanket. Rounding out the album are two beautiful and emotional remixes by award-winning New Zealand-based composer Rhian Sheehan, on the song "Halving the Compass," and Keith's brother Colin, creating a lush acoustic rendition of the song "First Dream Called Ocean."
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UNSEEN 002CD
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Since 2003, multi-instrumentalist and composer Keith Kenniff (aka Helios) has been a mainstay in the electronic music/IDM community with releases on influential labels such as Merck Records and Type Records as well as countless remixes and compilation appearances. His signature blending of electronics, ambience and found-sounds have garnered attention from some of the top music critics in the industry. Kenniff's cinematic soundscapes have also caught the ear of the film world both under Helios and his piano-based alter-ego Goldmund, with music appearing in feature films such as Mister Lonely by acclaimed director Harmony Korine, documentaries for the BBC and a trailer for the film Revolutionary Road. Each year, the Decibel Festival brings artists from all over the world to participate in several days of music taking place at various venues in Seattle, Washington. Shortly after the release of his album Caesura (TYPE 042CD/LP) in 2008, Helios was asked to perform at the ambient music showcase along with fellow artists Eluvium, Deaf Center and Brian McBride. Performing on this night as a venerable one-man-band, Helios' live set features Kenniff constantly switching off on instruments, looping keyboards, guitar, and playing live drums, often pulling double duty on two instruments at once. Live At The Triple Door compiles material heard on his past albums, Unomia, Eingya (TYPE 011CD/LP) and Caesura, as well as previously-unreleased material. Professionally recorded and re-mastered, this recording (originally released as a limited CD-R-only pressing) captures a rare and special night of Helios' music, with the sounds of nature swirling in and out of Kenniff's signature brand of soothing, sun-soaked ambient electronica reminiscent of artists such as Boards Of Canada, Sigur Rós and early Brian Eno.
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UNSEEN 001CD
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Since 2003, multi-instrumentalist and composer Keith Kenniff (aka Helios) has been a mainstay in the electronic music/IDM community with releases on influential labels such as Merck Records and Type Records as well as countless remixes and compilation appearances. His signature blending of electronics, ambience and found-sounds have garnered attention from some of the top music critics in the industry. Kenniff's cinematic soundscapes have also caught the ear of the film world both under Helios and his piano-based alter-ego Goldmund, with music appearing in feature films such as Mister Lonely by acclaimed director Harmony Korine, documentaries for the BBC and a trailer for the film Revolutionary Road. Following the release of the 2008 album, Caesura (TYPE 042CD/LP), on Type Records, Helios returns with Unleft, a collection of previously-unreleased material from his past four releases spanning almost a decade. Songs range in style from the Boards of Canada-influenced "Bounce Dive" to the slow-moving ambient drone of "The Jaguar Sun" to the earthy beats and quietly enveloping melodies of songs like "Carry With Us" that have become part of Helios' signature sound. As with his previous albums, Helios' music evokes a certain lost nostalgia from the listener; melancholic and contemplative yet hopeful as the sun's rays shine in through the clouds. Those already familiar with Keith's music will find familiar threads leading back to the previous four albums, while giving newcomers a good introduction to his prolific body of work.
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