Pop Ambient returns. Kompakt's beloved series. This is our other arena of bliss, always curated and carefully compiled by label co-owner Wolfgang Voigt (aka GAS).

Somber times call for more introspective sound scapes - “Pop Ambient 2011” continues it's mission to slowly persuade it's signature sound introduced over a decade ago. This year we see the series leaning towards a slightly darker complexion than it's predecessors.

We launch with a selection from one of Voigt's favourite albums of 2010 - the impeccable “Bernsteinzimmer” from ANBB aka Carsten Nicolai/Alva Noto from Raster Noton and the legendary Blixa Bargeld of Einstürzende Neubauten. Marsen Jules aka Krill.Minima brings classical composition to soothing synthetic reality with “Once In A Moment”. Triola is the ambient voice of legendary Cologne producer Jörg Burger aka The Modernist. His track "Dunkelraum", refers to the psychomotoric concept of learning and interacting in a completely dark room. Compared to the melancholic but soothing and light Triola-signature-sound, “Dunkelraum” is a rather dark and epic maelstrom.

Wolfgang Voigt chooses to remain unveiled this year as he presents an exclusive track on “Pop Ambient 2011”. “Rückverzauberung 1” his new PROFAN concept. Emotive, GAS-eous harmony that glows and leaves you wanting more. Bhutan Tiger Rescue is the surprising duo of October and Ewan Pearson. They debut with a sleigh bell melodic drone tune that ominously breaks down in a sea of noise.

Kompakt co-founder Jürgen Paape recalls the vintage beauty of “Ambient 4” Eno together compelling vocals and horns to sooth the way. Bvdub is one of today's most revered musicians and we're pleased to welcome him back with his seemingly endless layers of depth. Crato could be Pop Ambient's answer to black metal - a most unholy matrimony but exceptionally executed! Fellow Cologne conspirator Daniel Ansorge aka Barnt made waves in 2010 with his debut on the Magazin imprint alongside Crato and takes the sound of the chime to astounding levels.

Mikkel Metal of Copenhagen returns after a very successful run of releases on Echocord contributing a masterful synth-pop excursion. Jens-Uwe Beyer may be known to many as Popnoname and has remained a highlight of past editions of Pop Ambient. This year he thrills us with a guitar treatment with “Volax” - sincerely Beyer's, he evokes a talent not unlike Tim Hecker.

Finally, we leave you this year with a production of epic proportions. In October, 2010 The Orb's own Thomas Fehlmann performed together with select members of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kent Nagano. We present an exclusive, alternative Fehlmann “solo” take of “Symphony No. 1” aka “Titan” by Gustav Mahler. The “Pop Ambient 2011” version is an exclusive solo version of this classical recording. The live recordings from this one-off collaboration shall be released on 12” limited edition, hand numbered vinyl as “Titan One” (KOM 224) on January 31, 2011