Moby has announced the release of a new album titled “Ambient 23”. Writing on Instagram, the musician outlined that the 2.5 hour album was made to help anxiety, and shared his hopes that the coming year would be a less anxious one for all.
Ambient 23
Citing the LP had been inspired by musical influences including Brian Eno, Jean-Michel Jarre, Will Sergeant and Martyn Ware, the 16-track release dropped on New Year’s Day 2023, kicking off the year in a chilled state of mind. The full Instagram caption read:
“I’m finishing a new ambient album, to be released on January 1, 2023. It’s called ‘ambient 23’ for obvious and oddball reasons (23 is an interesting number). It’s a bit different than some of my more recent Ambient records because it’s almost exclusively made with weird old drum machines and old synths like the ones pictured here… of course inspired by my early ambient heroes… @waremartyn @brianeno@jeanmicheljarre @willsergeant“
The new ambient offerings from Moby are divided into four parts:
- Live ambient improvised recordings volume I
- Hotel ambient
- Long ambients 2
- Long ambients 1
Moby Ambient
The accompanying information on the website states:
“The music and videos are as undemanding as the listener/viewer wants them to be. I presumptuously hope that if someone pays attention to the music/videos they’ll get something out of them, and I also hope that if someone just has the music/video playing quietly in the background that it will help create a feeling of calm and peace.”
While the artist is known for numerous floor-fillers back in the 90s-00s, Moby’s sound effortlessly transitions from dance floor to living room floor, and a use of chilled musical elements that makes his distinctive sound chameleon-like. Very often associated with a softer and dreamier musical sound, the ambient genre feels like a natural home to the vegan, anti-capitalist creator.
The new album isn’t the only thing Moby has been working on – he also has the website Moby Gratis, which is a resource for independent and non-profit filmmakers, film students, and anyone in need of free music for their independent, non-profit film, video, or short.
Moby explains:
“I’ve made a selection of over 200 tracks, some unreleased, some from my back catalogue and new releases, available to licence for free via a simple online application system.
To begin just browse the catalog. Once you have found the right piece just click the download icon and fill in a simple application telling us a bit about yourself and the way you are using the music. You will receive a high quality AIFF download via email instantly to use in your edit, along with a copy of the mobygratis Non Commercial Licence Agreement.
I hope you find the music you are looking for and whatever you are working on ends up being great… Moby”
About Moby
Richard Melville Hall (born September 11, 1965), known professionally as Moby, is an American musician, songwriter, singer, producer, and animal rights activist. He has sold 20 million records worldwide. AllMusic considers him to be “among the most important dance music figures of the early 1990s, helping bring dance music to a mainstream audience both in the United States and the United Kingdom”.
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