Mysteries Compilation · Chapter Three

Mysteries of the Deep has released its third and final compilation, rounding out the three-part seasonal series that began earlier this year. Each has been distinct and reflective of the season of its release; the first, released in spring, leaned towards the organic and ethereal. The second — a summer release — was oriented towards rhythmic vitality. And the third installment, like the winter season, is deep, dark, and contemplative: a call to turn inwards.

The thread that connects each track in Chapter Three is mood: each one of these tracks brings to mind the inward spaces of winter. From the smoky, ghost-like vocals of Xexzy's 'Lost' to the percussive fervor of Birds of Prey's 'Escapement,' this compilation offers a dynamic range of sounds while remaining sonically coherent.

Much of this work seems to reflect the end of a long, chaotic year — often these arrangements are stark, unsettling and dystopian, like Push for Night's tense 'Fingering the Fuse' and Israel Vines' 'Shallow Pursuits.' But, as within any bleak, snowy landscape, there's the occasional sheen of light: Joachim Spieth's 'Luna' and Rhaeticus' 'Standing on Concrete' are heightened and emotionally rich. The third release grounds itself in an identity distinct from the first two chapters, and simultaneously completes the arc of the series, which has showcased over three dozen artists.