As some of us here at the label are avid video gamers but with little time to spare, we keep a close eye on the independent video game scene as it often yields a higher creativity-to-time ratio than most other videogames. It was with piqued interest that we watched a game called AudioSurf move from almost-finished to the rare "completed" status just a month or two ago. The game takes an MP3 or CD and turns it into a playable video game level, with colored blocks appropriately tied to the tempo of the song. Its integration of pure color on visual dimension with the experience of sound into one unified, synesthesia game space seemed quite fascinating. And plus, it was really fun.

We decided to round-up a few friends of the label and put together a compilation designed especially for play in AudioSurf.  The call was quickly answered by signed and unsigned alike, including folks from Anticon Records, Sounds Are Active, and imputor.  The end result is a driving, definitive, compilation comprised of previously released and some unreleased material that is cohesive if only because our criteria was playability in addition to quality. Apparently, there is a mathematical and musical beauty in that.

We’re releasing it for free as a digital download, to be enjoyed with AudioSurf, or without. Download it here, or stream from AKradio here. If you have a Windows PC, you can play a demo of AudioSurf here, or buy it for a mere $10 here. You can also read a review of AudioSurf from Nathan Smart, our in-house video games correspondent, right here.