Press

87 reviews, 24 interviews and 84 news items on Lackluster / Esa Ruoho, 2000–2025. Links go to the original publication where available, otherwise to the archived copy on lackluster.org.

Generated programmatically from sources ingested into this vault — do not hand-edit; re-run _publish/generate_music.py.

Reviews

2023

• Lackluster: Alley: Cyclic Defrost Review · 2023-08-06 · cyclic defrost · read
• Lackluster: Alley: DasFilter PlattenReview · 2023-07-21 · DasFilter · read
• Lackluster: Alley: SilenceAndSound Review · 2023-06-04 · SilenceAndSound Review · read
• Lackluster: Alley: Igloomag Review · 2023-05-24 · Igloomag Review · read
• Lackluster: Alley: Data.Wave Review · 2023-04-18 · Data.Wave link · read

2022

• HLER: LGM-1: GonzoCircus Review · 2022-09-01 · GonzoCircus LGM-1 Review · read
• V/A: The Dystopian World of J.G. Ballard: The Sound Projector Review · 2022-08-03 · The Sound Projector review · read
• V/A: The Dystopian World of J.G. Ballard: Avant Music News Review · 2022-06-27 · Avant Music News review · read

2021

• HLER: LGM-1: This Is Darkness Review · 2021-01-26 · ThisIsDarkness URL · read
• V/A: Music For Abandoned Cold War Places: Merchants of Air Review · 2021-01-20 · Merchants of Air review · read
• V/A: Music For Abandoned Cold War Places: Side-Line Reviews · 2021-01-17
• V/A: Music For Abandoned Cold War Places: AmbientBlog Review · 2021-01-16 · AmbientBlog review · read

2020

• HLER: LGM-1: Igloomag Review · 2020-12-05 · Igloo-Mag Review · read
• V/A: Music For Abandoned Cold War Places: NocoVision Review · 2020-10-10 · NocoVision Review · read
• HLER: LGM-1: Side-Line Reviews · 2020-05-29 · Side-Line Reviews · read
• HLER: LGM-1: AmbientBlog Review · 2020-05-03 · AmbientBlog review · read
• HLER: LGM-1: Streetclip Review · 2020-02-21 · Streetclip review · read
• HLER: LGM-1: Head-Banger Review · 2020-02-14 · Head-banger reviews of HLER: LGM-1 · read

2019

• HLER: HLER: Cassette Gods Review · 2019-08-21 · Cassette Gods review of HLER: Tape · read
• V/A: Drone Islands - Land Raising: Merchants of Air Review · 2019-05-05 · Merchants of Air page with review of Drone Islands - Land Raising · read

2018

• Hydroton - a Model of Cold Fusion: Original Soundtrack & HLER Tape: IndieRockMag Review · 2018-07-10 · IndieRockMag Review (WWW) · read

2017

• Lackluster: Lax Ep: IndieRockMag Review · 2017-07-27 · IndieRockMag Review (WWW) · read

2015

• Lackluster: Lexicon of Goods: Culturamas Review · 2015-11-29 · read
• Esa Ruoho: Parched Throat: Vital Weekly Review · 2015-06-19 · read
• Lackluster: Lexicon of Goods: Igloomag Review · 2015-02-15 · read

2014

• Lackluster: Container: Donal Dineen's Sunken Treasures Review (Irish Times) · 2014-10-17 · Irish Times: Donal Dineen's Sunken Treasures · read
• V/A: Irrecoverated: Yeah I Know It Sucks review · 2014-03-21 · read
• Lackluster: Moments: Buenos Aliens quick Review · 2014-03-03 · Buenos Aliens link · read

2012

• Esa Ruoho: On the Hangar of Spaceship Earth: Recent Music Heroes Review · 2012-09-01 · read
• Esa Ruoho: Riversmouth: The Sound Projector Review · 2012-07-24 · read
• Esa Ruoho: Riversmouth: Igloomag Review · 2012-02-01 · read

2011

• Esa Ruoho: Riversmouth: Bad Alchemy review · 2011-11-05 · Bad Alchemy #71 · read
• Kaneel / Lackluster Split Ep: Headphone Commute Sound Bytes Review · 2011-06-05 · Headphonecommute: Sound Bytes · read
• Xurba: Xurbatronics System 3: Remixes: Igloomag Review · 2011-01-14 · read

2010

• Antimatter: Alternative Matter: Imperiumi Review (FIN) · 2010-11-25 · read
• Anodyne: The Remixes EP 12": PlaygroundMag Review · 2010-10-20 · read
• Anodyne: The Remixes EP 12": Normanrecords Review · 2010-10-04 · read
• Anodyne: The Remixes: I Heart AU Review · 2010-10-04 · read
• Anodyne: The Remixes EP 12": Resident Advisor Review · 2010-09-15 · read
• Anodyne: The Remixes EP 12": Cyclic Defrost Review · 2010-07-19 · read
• Lackluster: Proof of Concept Ep: Recent Music Heroes Review · 2010-07-04 · read

2009

• V/A: Before We Melt: Cyclic Defrost Review · 2009-09-10 · Cyclic Defrost: Before We Melt -review by Chris Downton · read
• V/A: Before We Melt: Vital Weekly Review · 2009-05-25 · read

2008

• Robert Graff: This Moment (Lackluster Remix): Beatportal Review · 2008-05-01 · read
• Lackluster: Repulsine EP: Cyclic Defrost Review · 2008-03-16 · read
• Lackluster: Repulsine EP: Textura Review · 2008-03-03 · read

2007

• Lackluster: Repulsine EP: Heathen Harvest Review · 2007-12-07 · read
• Lackluster: Repulsine EP: Mixmag Review · 2007-09-03 · read

2006

• Lackluster: Slice: Textura Review · 2006-01-01 · read

2005

• Lackluster: Slice: Igloomag Review · 2005-12-22 · read
• Lackluster: What You Want Isn't What You Need: Textura Review · 2005-12-01 · read
• Lackluster: What You Want Isn't What You Need: Gridface Review · 2005-10-20 · read

2004

• Lackluster: Showcase: Grooves Review · 2004-10-05 · read
• Lackluster: Remixselection_One: XLR8R Review · 2004-09-28 · read
• Lackluster: R U Oho?: Igloomag Review · 2004-09-23 · read
• Lackluster: Remixselection_One: Igloomag Review · 2004-09-21 · read
• Lackluster: Remixselection_One: Raveline Review (GER) · 2004-08-05 · read
• Lackluster: Remixselection_One: Hotpress Review · 2004-07-14 · read
• Lackluster: Remixselection_One: Boomkat Review · 2004-07-02 · read
• Lackluster: Showcase: The Wire Review · 2004-03-05 · read

2003

• Lackluster: Showcase: Themilkfactory Review · 2003-09-05 · read
• Lackluster: Showcase: XLR8R Review · 2003-08-13 · read
• Lackluster: Wrapping: Igloomag Review · 2003-07-24 · read
• Lackluster: Showcase: Resurface Review · 2003-07-08 · read
• Lackluster: Showcase: De-Bug Review (GER) · 2003-06-07 · read
• Lackluster: Showcase Igloomag Review · 2003-04-24 · Igloomag review · read

2002

• Lackluster: Wrapping: Boomkat Review · 2002-10-11 · read
• Lackluster: Rikos005 7": Aviisi Review (FIN) · 2002-09-01 · read
• Lackluster: A Lackluster Remixer: URB Review · 2002-08-13 · read
• Lackluster: R U Oho?: DJ Mag Review · 2002-07-29 · read

2001

• Lackluster: Zealectronic Purple 7": Igloomag Review · 2001-07-18 · read
• Lackluster: Container: Hotpress Review · 2001-03-01 · read

2000

• Lackluster: Container: Igloomag Review · 2000-11-25 · read
• Lackluster: Container: All Music Guide Review · 2000-10-01 · read
• Lackluster: Container: URB Review · 2000-09-01 · read
• V/A: Squadron: Grooves Magazine Review · 2000-08-13 · read
• V/A: A Beginner's Guide to Rikos: Voima Review · 2000-07-07 · read
• Lackluster: Container: Muzik Review · 2000-07-01 · read
• Lackluster: Container: Wax Review · 2000-06-01 · read
• Lackluster: Container: 7 mag Review · 2000-05-17 · read
• Lackluster: R U Oho?: Overload Magazine Review · 2000-05-02 · read
• Lackluster: FOC349: Jockey Slut Review · 2000-05-01 · read
• Lackluster: FOC349: Muzik Review · 2000-05-01 · read
• Lackluster: FOC349: URB Review · 2000-05-01 · read
• Lackluster: Container: Overload Media Review · 2000-04-30 · read
• Lackluster: FOC349: 7 Mag Review · 2000-04-12 · read
• Lackluster: FOC349: DJMag Review · 2000-04-05 · read

Interviews

2019

• Kontula Electronic Blog: Esa Ruoho alias Lackluster – demoskenestä äänisfääreihin · 2019-05-05 · Kontula Electronic Blog: Esa Ruoho alias Lackluster – demoskenestä äänisfääreihin · read

2018

• Cyclic Defrost Interview · 2018-08-24 · Cyclic Defrost article · read

2016

• Data.Wave Interview · 2016-07-03 · read

2012

• EGG BOX 001 featuring LACKLUSTER aka ESA RUOHO · 2012-03-03 · read

2011

• RelevantBCN: The Module Hunter - Lackluster Interview · 2011-02-01 · read

2009

• Irresistible District -writeup · 2009-09-01 · read
• Pate Creme interview · 2009-01-20 · read
• New Music Community Q&A · 2009-01-03 · read

2008

• The Questionnaire · 2008-01-01 · read

2006

• Electronic Ireland Interview · 2006-01-01 · read

2005

• Foggy Notions Interview · 2005-09-02 · read

2004

• Hotpress interview · 2004-07-01 · read
• Anorak interview · 2004-06-01 · read
• Enooze interview · 2004-01-01 · read

2003

• Mor Festival Q&A · 2003-07-01 · read
• Sutemos interview · 2003-06-03 · read
• Freestyle Grooves interview · 2003-01-02 · read

2001

• U-cover Q&A · 2001-09-06 · read
• Remote Induction interview · 2001-07-01 · read
• Grooves interview · 2001-01-03 · read
• FAQT interview · 2001-01-02 · read

2000

• Igloomag interview · 2000-11-22 · Igloomag interview · read
• Rumba: Lackluster - "ota rahat ja juokse" · 2000-08-18 · read
• Pissdead interview · 2000-01-01 · read

News

2025

• V/A: Tour de Traum 30 - with Lackluster: Spindrift on it · 2025-12-04
• HLER: Ancient Grounds, coming out on 13th June 2025 on Signature Dark label · 2025-06-01
• Lackluster: Dew and Smog Ep out on Traum Schallplatten · 2025-04-04 · Bandcamp · read

2020

• Lackluster Data:Wave jam + interview now available · 2020-05-29
• Lackluster 50% off code 'unexpected', valid till 4th of April 2020 · 2020-03-21
• HLER: LGM-1 released on ZeroK records! · 2020-01-31 · LGM-1 on Zero K · read

2019

• Electronic Frequencies did a Lackluster special · 2019-09-18
• Lackluster goes cryptocrazy · 2019-07-13
• Esa interviewed for Kontula Electronic Blog in Finnish! · 2019-05-05 · Kontula Electronic Blog: Esa Ruoho alias Lackluster – demoskenestä äänisfääreihin · read
• HLER: Realignment (digital/tape) released on Luola Records · 2019-04-17 · Bandcamp · read
• Booking Esa Ruoho / Lackluster / HLER · 2019-01-07

2018

• Repulsine EP back in stock! Grab yours now :) · 2018-12-15 · Repulsine EP on CD here! · read
• HLER appears on a brand new ambient drone compilation · 2018-12-03 · 100 on Bandcamp · read
• Esa Ruoho: Collage released · 2018-09-10 · Collage on Bandcamp · read
• Lackluster interviewed for Cyclic Defrost · 2018-08-27
• Hydroton - a Model of Cold Fusion: Original Soundtrack released. · 2018-05-06
• HLERtape is out! Limited to 50 copies. · 2018-04-25 · HLER Tape on Bandcamp · read
• Scattered Harvest & Cold Trail Ep now on Spotify/Apple Music/TiDAL/the rest · 2018-04-06 · Scattered Harvest Ep on Apple Music · read

2017

• Hydroton - A Model of Cold Fusion with soundtrack by Esa Ruoho · 2017-08-17
• Can'o'Lard: None of that EP now on Bandcamp · 2017-07-11
• V/A: Cottage Industries 6 released with exclusive track "Hihatsh2" by Lackluster! · 2017-04-16 · read
• Ambidextrous Records release LAX by Lackluster! · 2017-04-16 · read
• Sapphirine Phlant: Spacedust Polymorph (with Lackluster remix) out now on Detroit Underground! · 2017-03-30 · read
• Now available on Discogs! Esa Ruoho 55 minute chrome cassette tape! · 2017-01-12 · read

2016

• Esa Ruoho live in Pori, Tampere and Turku · 2016-11-09 · read
• Esa Ruoho live at Kaukana Väijyy Ystäviä in Putte's Bar & Pizza, 24th September 2016 · 2016-09-19 · read
• V/A: High Grade Media -compilation to be released on the 19th of September 2016! · 2016-09-13 · read
• Lackluster & Esa Ruoho Live at Kohina Ambient Music Festival in Kokkola, Finland! · 2016-09-07 · read
• Unexplained Sounds Group: The First Annual Report · 2016-07-21 · read
• Lackluster Live at Kontula Electronic 2016 · 2016-04-10 · read
• Oh hai guys · 2016-03-17 · read
• Lackluster Live at Myllikän Elektroillat · 2016-01-27 · read

2015

• Samuel James: Soul Deep Remixed (with Lackluster Remix) released! · 2015-11-09 · read
• Lackluster Newsletter#007 released! · 2015-11-02 · read
• Lackluster Newsletter#006 released! · 2015-09-13 · read
• deFocus Package released! Nenormalizm compilation released. · 2015-09-02 · read
• Lackluster Newsletter#005 released! · 2015-08-06 · read
• Lackluster on Apple Music Connect · 2015-07-13 · read
• CDBaby amazement! · 2015-05-26 · read
• Three Lackluster albums added to iTunes!!! · 2015-05-21 · read
• Kahvi Collective releases Lackluster: Swansong EP · 2015-04-25 · read
• Lackluster: Zealectronic Purple now on FLAC/MP3 on Bandcamp · 2015-03-31 · read
• Esa Ruoho: Parched Throat now out on Bandcamp and 1 copy CDr. Order now! · 2015-03-22 · read
• V/A: Tensegrity now out on ...txt Recordings · 2015-03-19 · read
• Lackluster: The Stationary Trout Ep now on Bandcamp! · 2015-03-18 · read
• Less than 21 hours to go on the indiegogo campaign. · 2015-03-03 · read
• Lackluster: Merck Package released! · 2015-02-04 · read
• Unbelievable. With 29 days to go, we just reached $999! · 2015-02-03 · read
• Take part in reclaiming Slice from oblivion by helping Lackluster with a crowdfunding effort! · 2015-01-23 · read

2014

• Lackluster: Lexicon of Goods is now released on JellyFish Frequency Recordings! · 2014-12-17 · read
• V/A: Touched Two released · 2014-11-28 · read
• Subscribe to Lackluster Newsletter · 2014-10-21 · read
• Merck/Lackluster/EsaRuoho cds + vinyl for sale · 2014-09-30 · read
• Lackluster Wavplayer set at Fulldozer Festival, St. Petersburg, 27.09.2014 02:00-02:45 · 2014-09-27 · read
• V/A: Cryptobeat Volume One released with 2 previously unreleased Lackluster tracks · 2014-06-20 · read
• T.43 & Ulottumaton Symbioosi Mini-sites · 2014-05-29 · read
• Massive Behind-the-scenes updates · 2014-05-22 · read
• V/A: Irregulated released! · 2014-04-08 · read
• Lackluster: Moments - out on Igloo-Pop 1st of April 2014! · 2014-04-01 · read
• V/A: Irrecoverated out now · 2014-02-28 · read
• V/A: No Dead Seas: No Red Seas Vol. 2 - Charity compilation released · 2014-02-20 · read
• 2013 Recap · 2014-01-01 · read

2013

• Lackluster/Esa Ruoho now Pay-What-You-Want on Bandcamp till end of 2013 · 2013-08-10 · read
• Lackluster remixes Mantrakid's "The Merchant" for Neferiu Records final release · 2013-08-03 · read
• 2012 Recap · 2013-01-01 · read

2012

• Esa Ruoho: On the Hangar of Spaceship Earth released on Mahorka Net-label on the 10th of July 2012, Nikola Tesla's birthday · 2012-07-11 · read
• New Lackluster blend on The Egg Box 001 · 2012-03-13 · read

2011

• Attenuation Circuit (GER) release Esa Ruoho: Riversmouth (3" minicd-r in mini-dvd-case) · 2011-12-05 · read
• V/A: Terraform released, V/A: Neferiu Sampler 2011 released. · 2011-11-08 · read
• Happy 155th Birthday - Nikola Tesla! · 2011-07-11 · read
• Kaneel/Lackluster Split-3" EP on Awkward Silence Records (UK) · 2011-05-22 · read
• Lackluster: Detro EP released, video extravaganza · 2011-04-29 · read
• Lackluster Q&A Back in full effect. · 2011-03-27 · read
• Lackluster: Fgxjklö released on I, Absentee compilation V/A: Truth Serum · 2011-02-06 · read
• The Module Hunter - Lackluster Interview Written by Guillermo Cimadevilla · 2011-01-17 · read
• Lackluster remix of Anodyne selected for Bleep's Top 100 tracks of 2010 · 2011-01-10 · read

2010

• Brawdcast's new EP "3 Amigos" with remixes by Lackluster and Anodyne and Gel-Sol and CutTooth · 2010-11-14 · read
• free MP3 - Live at Toldi, July 2010, Budapest, Hungary · 2010-11-14 · read
• V/A: Secret Games now out on Kahvi Collective · 2010-10-09 · read
• V/A: Light Fields compilation released with Lackluster: Linger on it · 2010-08-25 · read
• left: 9 Repulsine CDs, 3 Slice CDs, 3 Wrapping CDs, 4 Spaces CDs, 1 V/A: Mission Statement, 1 V/A: One Point Two, 1 V/A: Mioku, 1 V/A: Merck Mix2 left. · 2010-06-28 · read
• Irish artist Anodyne gets remixes by The Black Dog, Autechre and Lackluster · 2010-06-28 · read
• Albums now on Bandcamp · 2010-05-16 · read

2009

• JunoDownload availability of Lackluster/Esa Ruoho releases · 2009-10-03 · read