Mix of the Day: Sad City for Dummy

Sometimes a pop song is not going to do it. Sometimes an immediate, overly familiar hook can stifle you, limiting you to a time and place. These are the times your brain wants to explore new sonic turfs; submit to the urge. Today’s a great day to do just that – Gary Caruth, the man behind the Scottish deep house-leaning Sad City project, has crafted a gorgeous mix for Dummy that derives its tranquility straight from the elements. Much the way some of the artists included in the mix – Chris Watson and Biosphere, in particular – have demonstrated a passion for capturing and manipulating organic sounds into a kind of haunting vapor, Caruth clearly thinks in similar terms, but coaxes his palette into a warmer, more Balearic direction. Manuel Göttsching and Cluster are particularly nice kosmische entries, while fans of Brian Eno and Robert Fripp’s collaborative work will find something special to treasure here, too. Dive in and melt.