The Greatest Boards of Canada Songs

Boards of Canada is an electronic band from Scotland. Their actual name came from the documentaries of the National Film Board of Canada.
Their first album is from 1995. In those 20 years, they only released 6 albums.
They apparently go for quality and not quantity. And it shows. Oh man, does it show!

Their sound is filled with nostalgia and existentialism. Sometimes haunted and dark, other times warm and emotional.

One of my favorite electronic bands of all time, along with Plaid.
I'll be releasing another top list for Plaid tracks soon enough :)

For this best-of list, I ditched any numbering. It's impossible for me to say which one I like most since all of them are exceptional.

Without further a due, here are my absolute favorite top BOC tracks

Chinook - Music70 - ths017: Boc Maxima

I discovered Boards of Canada during my experimental music phase. Must have been somewhere around 2005-2006.
At that time I was heavily into breakcore and jungle. This song was my introduction to them.
A lot of Autechre influence in this song. But their unique style is already there.
Much faster and experimental than their newer songs.

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Amo Bishop Roden - Warp Records - wap144: In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country

My favorite BOC song of all time. The flowy feel and intense
One of the few songs I always carry with my when I'm flying. Looking over the clouds when listening to it is my idea of perfection.
Particularly with a nice glass of red wine or brandy.

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Turquoise Hexagon Sun - Warp Records - warplp55: Music Has The Right To Children

This one, along with Amo Bishop Roden, is on the top of the list for good reason.
Both tracks take you on a trip through your mind. Every transition is in its correct place, every sound is just where it needs to be.
Close your eyes, relax, go and lie down. Put on some headphones and listen to this masterpiece.
It's like an orgasm for your ears!

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Music is math - Warp Records - warpcd101 - Geogaddi

Another absolute classic. This hypnotizing tune makes some people feel uneasy.
Although it's relatively emotional and nostalgic at first, it shifts to a more eery feeling in the last minute and a half.
A perfect example of the brilliance of these two Scottish lads and their stunning ability to put emotions into their music.

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Reach for the Dead - Warp Records - WARPCD257: Tomorrow's Harvest

The BOC's guys went on a hiatus after 2005. But in 2013 they returned to the IDM scene with the album 'Tomorrow's Harvest'.
And what a return it was. People were skeptical at first, but they proved the pundits wrong. A fantastic album, with a more matured sound.
This song reminds me of post-apocalyptic threats and gives me feelings of dread and despair.
Which then slowly shifts to a more serene tune, weaving in emotions with every carefully laid out sound.
Reminds me of John Carpenter sometimes. Melancholy mixed with existential angst.

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Everything you do is a balloon - Skam Records - SKA008: Hi Scores

Originally featured on their second album called Boc Maxima. Released under their own studio in 1996.
Skam Records picked it up, and they released their first EP called 'Hi Scores.'
The song was later featured on their album 'Music has the right to Children' on the legendary Warp Records label.

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I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Boards of Canada and the wondrous world of IDM or Electronica.
It's one of my favorite genres in electronic music. And I'll be sharing a few other artists with you soon.

Mike Paradinas, Autechre, Plaid, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, and Amon Tobin come to mind.

If you have any other artists you'd like to see featured in a list, let me know in the comments.