11/100 Video - "Everything You Do Is A Balloon" – Boards of Canada (1996)

The two brothers that make up this enigmatic group have said the name for "Boards of Canada" originates from educational videos made by the Canadian National Film Board in the 1960s and 70s. We Gen-X-ers will recall these films were once shown to us on a real projector in the elementary school AV room.

These short films tend to feature a lot of analog synth sounds, another core foundation of the BOC sound.

Although there are no lyrics for "Everything You Do Is A Balloon", the ambiguous title itself makes you think of endless interpretations.

The video makes me think of my carefree childhood, despite the ominous fates of most of the kids riding bicycles in a nameless suburb of Middle America. 

The clip fits so perfectly with the epic progressive of the synths and percussion. 

And the retro animation is super haunting and nostalgic. Like a twisted, after-hours episode of Sesame Street.

I was blown away to learn that the video was not originally made by the artist, but rather sampled from a 1963 bicycle safety movie called "One Got Fat".

46/100 Video - "Dayvan Cowboy" - Boards of Canada (2005)

My morning breakfast consists of one slice of toast and a banana. I put on headphones and sip a cup of dark roast. On some days I start the day with this track.

For a slow tempo song, "Dayvan Cowboy" sure is lush, ideal for day dreaming. 

If you enjoy ambient psychedelic electronica, this may be your jam. 

The video is all space, sky, sea and surf. 

The track opens with a majestic intro, before leading into the incredible second half in which the melody soars, accompanied by measured, reverby acoustic strums and spine-tingling cymbal crashes. 

I've found this tune is super soothing while flying, so calming, as the textured guitars, drums and synths simulate what it may sound like while drifting in space.