Night Clerk Radio: Haunted Music Reviews

Virtual Utopian Genres

Episode Summary

In this episode, we’re tackling the popular vaporwave subgenre of Utopian Virtual with a discussion that is as much topic-driven as it is album-driven. We refine our discussions on the nature of genre in vaporwave and how the cheerful optimism of utopian virtual overlaps and contrasts similar subgenres such as corporate vaporwave and muzakcore. We then discuss and reevaluate two classic albums of the genre.

Episode Notes

SOME NEWS
The Kickstarter for “Ludonarrative Dissidents,” Ross’s RPG podcast, is still going strong and crushing stretch goals. Check it out!

Check it out here: Ludonarrative Dissidents Podcast: Season 2

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In this episode, we’re tackling the popular vaporwave subgenre of Utopian Virtual with a discussion that is as much topic-driven as it is album-driven. We refine our discussions on the nature of genre in vaporwave and how the cheerful optimism of utopian virtual overlaps and contrasts similar subgenres such as corporate vaporwave and muzakcore. We then discuss and reevaluate two classic albums of the genre.

Albums Discussed

High Fashion Mood Music
by Eyeliner

GooglePlex Bionetwork
by Pyravid

Additional Links

The Surrealist Roots of the “Vaporwave” Genre
"Vaporwave Is (Not) a Critique of Capitalism": Genre Work in An Online Music Scene
Comment: Vaporwave and the pop-art of the virtual plaza
Comment: “Distroid” – the muscular music of hi-DEF doom
The "Perfect" Music Genre? (Utopian Virtual)
Interview: Five Questions For Eyeliner
Sonemic Interview: Luke Rowell (Eyeliner / Disasteradio)

Credits

Music by: 2Mello
Artwork by: Patsy McDowell
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Birk on Twitter
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