Mixtape #118

A tremendously talented multi-instrumentalist and composer, Julie Carpenter‘s musical involvements include performing, recording and collaborating with an array of bands and projects, including Brian Jonestown Massacre, Eels and The Autumns, amongst others. Her move to Joshua Tree from LA, paired with her orchestral experience and electronica influences, gave birth to Less Bells, her sublime ambient orchestral project. She has just released her second album, Mourning Jewelry, an utterly engrossing and beautiful record that is both ominous and melancholic as well as contemplative and joyful. So it’s with immense pleasure that we present the mixtape Less Bells cooked up for us. Press play and let the magic happen.

  1. Bulgarian State Radio Choir – Polegnala e Todora [Elektra Nonesuch]
  2. Magnet & Paul Giovanni – Willow’s Song [Trunk / Silva Screen]
  3. The Lickets – Crowd of Pimps in the Rain [International Corporation]
  4. The Books – Take Time [Tomlab / Temporary Residence]
  5. Welcome to The Heart of Gold – The Hitch-hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy radio play
  6. Marshweed – Je t’adore, Fyodor
  7. Insides – Bent Double [4AD / Guernica]
  8. BBC Radiophonic Workshop – Sutekh Time Tunnel – Pyramid of Mars (Dr. Who)
  9. Love – Andmoreagain [Elektra]
  10. Crime & the City Solution – Six Bells Chime [Mute]
  11. Deerhoof – Mothball the Fleet [joyful Noise / Polyvinyl]
  12. Dionne Warwick – Don’t Make Me Over [Scepter Records]
  13. Alvvays – Forget About Life [Polyvinyl / Transgressive]
  14. Pauline Oliveros – Crossing the Sands [hatOLOGY]
  15. Dorian Wood – Glassellalia [Antigen]

Less Bells announces second album, Mourning Jewelry, and shares lead single ‘Fiery Wings’

Photo: Baha H. Danesh

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Julie Carpenter has worked and recorded with various artists including Brian Jonestown Massacre, Eels and The Autumns. Less Bells, her ambient orchestral project, was ignited by her move from LA to Joshua Tree, and in 2018 she released her debut album Solifuge. Two years on, Carpenter presents her somophore album entitled Mourning Jewelry. Set for release on August 21st through Kranky, Mourning Jewelry circles around the feelings of loss and grief and the resulting change. As the press release describes, the album “stir[s] ornamental laments born from a need to “create beauty out of grief.” Weaving together strings, synthesisers, and choirs, the pieces on Mourning Jewelry “ascend and descend in grand, glimmering arcs,” delivering an emotive and haunting palette of beautiful and delicate orchestral textures.

Lead single ‘Fiery Wings’ is now available to stream and it serves as a sublime introduction to the album. Take a listen now.