[We receive a lot of quality electronic-music releases at The Stranger—way more than we can cover in the paper itself. With that in mind, I hope to frequently post brief reviews on Line Out of electronic-oriented albums and EPs that I think deserve your attention.]

What is the least 4th of July-like music imaginable? One contender would be Brock Van Wey’s new White Clouds Drift On and On (Echospace). The San Francisco producer (aka bvdub) has created six pieces that could compete for becoming the national anthem of Antarctica. Think Brian Eno’s Discreet Music remixed by Basic Channel—on the South Pole.

This is gentle ambience seasoned with the faintest wisps of symphonic grandeur murmuring in the distance. It’s the sound of icebergs hissing and glistening, augmented by what could be Liz Fraser of Cocteau Twins’ voice atomizing while a stiff-limbed orchestra somberly tunes up a quarter mile away. It is elegant sonic beauty crystallizing and drifting to a sublime stillpoint. Listen and feel your internal temp chill by at least 10 degrees by the end of it. (The bonus disc features Stephen Hitchell, aka Intrusion and Echospace, remixing all six tracks for a dubbier, chubbier listening experience.)

So, White Clouds Drift On and On is the opposite of rowdy, fireworks-watching tuneage. Perversely, this is what I want to hear as fools let off firecrackers and shoot guns skyward (may they be crowned by their own bullets) in celebration of the Greatest County in the History of the World’s birthday. This music is peace, grace, and stately beauty. Aren’t those ideals to which America should aspire? Fuck, I guess I'm patriotic after all…