***SMM: Context is the first release in Ghostly Internationalʼs new yearly compilation series of evocative, open-ended music. The artists on Context span the globe, straddling the intersection between classical minimalism, electronic and drone composition, film soundtracks, and fragile imaginary landscapes. In other words, SMM: Context relies on its listener to fill in the blanks, providing real-world context for its darkly emotional sounds. Falling as it does under the umbrella of the enigmatic Ghostly-coined non-genre of “SMM”, Context traffics in slowmoving, texture-focused compositions, simple in instrumentation but infinitely complex in execution. SVARTE GREINER’s “Halves” creates a David Lynch-ian dreamscape out of slowly undulating drones and distant creaks and scratches. Wire magazine favorite LEYLAND KIRBY contributes “Polaroid,” a wide-open vista of barely plucked nylon strings and deep synthesizer swells. Guitar-and-turntables duo THE FUN YEARS patiently fold loops and spy-guitar noodles into “Cornelia Amygdaloid,” a patient, minimalist take on psychedelia. RAFAEL ANTON IRISARRI (aka THE SIGHT BELOW, the compilationʼs lone Ghostly artist) tips his hat to “furniture music” pioneer Erik Satie in “Moments Descend on My Windowpane,” a soulful piano-and-noise meditation. Context closes with PETER BRODERICK’s “Pause,” a time-stopping slice of acoustic-guitar melancholia. The songs on SMM: Context do their work in a multitude of ways, seeming to change depending on when and how theyʼre listened to, providing a backdrop for lifeʼs small movies, or—if youʼre not into the whole “ambient as life soundtrack” thing—acting as their own context, existing simply as elegant, heartbreakingly beautiful music. CD limited to 1,500 copies. 180-gram double vinyl limited to 800 copies. No Exports Outside North America. (STREET DATE - 3/01/2011)