Matthew Barlow‘s Preservation début is the second installment in the label’s limited edition Circa 2014 series, which is intended to introduce the listeners to new ‘underground’ artists. This is is precisely the reason why I turn to Preservation for its hard work in ‘unearthing’ new sounds. In the last couple of years, Bandcamp has proliferated the output of independent musicians to the maximum levels of saturation. So it is the independent labels that provide that ‘filtering’ service, if you will, by investing their time [and money] into something truly special, something more than a point and click. Sun Showers is a four-piece album, inspired by “porch life living in the mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina,” featuring meadow field recordings, distant bustling city sounds, and warm palette of ambiance and din. On the title track synth echoes shine through the hazy hues, until a light shuffling rhythm rolls in, reminiscent of early 90s ambiance, à la Trance Europe Express compilations (I’m thinking of The Orb, Pete Namlook and Scanner here). The numerous bird calls are prevalent throughout the pieces, capturing the Southeastern US environment among Barlow’s pensive piano and guitar. The overall atmosphere draws upon many organic ambient elements, which makes Sun Showers a perfect candidate in Preservation’s Circa series. The album was originally released as a two-track limited cassette, and if you’re really into the whole analogue audio tape movement [or rather, why aren't you yet?], be sure to check out Barlow’s own Twin Springs Tapes label, which is “connecting listener with artist, music with experience, and medium with message.”