It's unclear whether he likes John Tesh and Yanni, but Daniel Lopatin is likely the first bearded Brooklynite to defend the ginger-infused balm of New Age music. An heir of Brian Eno, Lopatin records as Oneohtrix Point Never, and after the deserved acclaim for his 2011 ambient thriller Replica, he has compiled three hours of music he recorded or released in prior years. More than most electronic instrumentals, Lopatin's shifting layers of beatless pulses seem to have a plot; they're as forlorn as they are chilly, as though accompanying a scene where WALL-E pines for EVE. New Age is meant to pacify us, but the gentle tones of Rifts depict calm as a lonely and uncertain state.

“More Than a Feeling”

Boston mastermind Tom Scholz was as surprised by anyone when he sent his unsolicited demo to record labels and got back a positive response. Scholz said, “I couldn’t believe it. Nobody knew who we were, so I wouldn’t even say we were struggling. It was groveling.” Part of the credit for the interest must go to the anthemic rock number "More Than a Feeling." Inspired by the Left Banke's 1966 hit "Walk Away Renee," Scholz worked on the song for five years in his basement studio before it was released on this album.