"Arms Out" and "Panic" by Forest Swords

Forest Swords (the nom de musique of English composer/producer/artist/graphic designer Matthew Barnes) just released a new recording, "Compassion," and here are two songs from that release. "Arms Out" is a unique, shifting piece with a lovely string section. And "Panic" is, as its name suggests, a throbbing, nervous affair. Both pieces have a vague, ethnically ambiguous sound I just love but I wonder if I am being influenced by the minimalist, nearly-Asian look of the art direction in the videos. But music magazine The Fader said Forest Swords' music "exists in that sweet spot of musical influence between everything and nothing." So, it's not just me. See if you agree...

http://www.forestswords.co.uk/