Over the course of 12 years, Evan Shornstein has been dipping his toes in various corners of the electronic music pool as Photay—less so experimenting with different genres than with different moods. While his sound has evolved to incorporate elements of wonky synth music, folktronica, plunderphonics, and ambient house—all before teaming up with Carlos Niño for a pair of spiritual ambient records in 2021 and 2022—it somehow feels wrong using this terminology for something that often feels too abstract for classification.
This tradition continues on his latest LP Windswept, his first solo recording since 2020’s Waking Hours. As the title suggests, these nine compositions whisk you along with as much new-age influence in the feather-light synths as there is casual homage paid to the Low End Theory scene in its hip-hop beats. Which feels apt for the time of year we’re entering—as we’re all shifting into soup mode, Windswept feels like the perfect soundtrack for the breeze picking up on the first afternoon in months that you realize you’ve underdressed for the day.
Now that the album’s finally here (and presumably summer temps will subside any day now), Shornstein has accompanied the release with a playlist of songs that feel apt “for cooling and circulating air,” in his words. Check out Windswept here, and tap into the playlist below for further listening/cool-temps manifesting.
Silvana Simone, “Dimensione Ritmo”
Cooling drums and celestial vocals. This song always brings me peace.
Sharada Shashidhar, “Soft Echoes”
Sharada is amazing! This piece is like an autumn breeze swirling leaves around you.
The Future Sound of London, “Papua New Guinea” (Blue States Full Length Mix)
I bought this CD when I was 10 years old, and as of late, I’ve been loving it again. The remix is like the original cool-down music—loungy, dreamy trip-hop.
Rejoicer & Nitai Hershkovits, “Side Sidemi”
Incredible arrangement. Smooth with so many surprises. This one feels seasonal…shifting…changing air.
Basement Jaxx, “Distractionz”
A masterpiece. I’ve always loved how this track flows, despite the insane amount of detail. An intricate breeze.
Arnheim, “Extension”
This piano is locked in, but pushing the pocket.
Joyce Moreno, “Aldeia De Ogum”
Timeless, legendary, and never ceasing to uplift. Joyce…what a gift.
Phlash, “1471”
Such a breezy tune. I love how this follows a familiar house beat—reminds me of Lil Louis, but pushed into expanded cosmic zones.
The Sylvers, “I Know Myself”
The harmonies in this tune will take you to the stratosphere and back!
MPU101, “SYS1FinMwitch”
This piece takes me outside. I’m under the spell of these sequenced oscillators. This voltage feels free and expansive.
Loidis, “Why Do”
I keep running this one back. The whole album stays within this narrow fidelity, keeping you locked in, calm, and collected.
Peter Davison, “Glide VI”
Soaring high above the clouds. This is an encouraging opus to close out our sonic journey. After listening to this one, you may feel as though “you can do it,” or “can you believe how far you’ve come?” How beautiful.
