Erik M. - Shell Songs - Kora

Norwegian musician and photographer Erik M. returns to the Oslo-based Kora imprint with his second LP, once again exploring the realm of mesmerizing ambient and trippy experimental music. Since 2020, Erik Mowinckel has been a vibrant presence in the electronic underground of Norway’s capital. Over the years, he has released several cassette tapes, including material with his duo project Dachs. Following his 2025 vinyl debut Soft Wish on Simon Borresen’s Kora label under his Erik M. alias, Shell Songs continues his inspiring approach of drawing ideas, methods, and gear from left, right, and center to craft a truly singular sound.

Opening track to those who try welcomes listeners with warm drones alongside time-stretched vocal and choral samples. alter follows with flickering synthesizers set over meditative percussion, using subtle volume automation to build an immersive listening experience. A striking, two-part, organ-reminiscent bassline carries the track let alone, framed by warm, understated soundscapes and bleeps. Careful, repetitive rhythmic sketches on never let you draw the listener deep into an ambience forged by enveloping bass and chime-like melodies. Meanwhile, the glitchy, shifting bleeps on safe & sound build tension over a bed of piano-sampled ambient textures.
The vinyl crackle, seemingly random bass hits, and subtle bleeps on slip introduce a dynamic pulse around constantly swelling ambient soundscapes, pushing the experimental narrative forward. low sung then returns to a soothing mood with choral samples wrapped in warm, Caretaker-esque layers of crackle. touch soft —anchored by chords, strings, and woodwind-like textures—delivers a moment of beautifully pulsating relaxation. Finally, the album's outro, oh, leaves the listener with a sense of closure as playful synth arpeggios weave around melancholic chords to draw the curtain.

It is a wonderfully immersive LP to soak up the last bits of summer while preparing for the colder months ahead.