Friday, March 8, 2024

Writhing Squares - Mythology

Kevin Nickles / Daniel Provenzano


Just a heads-up on an upcoming release from Writhing Squares; 'Mythology' comes out on April 26th.  Excited to see where this duo goes next, following their last double-album 'Chart For The Solution'.  The track "Barbarians" is available to check out now.








Friday, July 21, 2023

Azat - Cycle Time


Was perusing my bandcamp 'following' section and realized Azat released a new track, "Cycle Time", his first release since 2017.  Thought I'd re-emerge from the internet depths to spread the word.  His entire discography is on sale for 25% off (I think it was ~$35)...a pretty good deal considering the amount of releases (around 5 of them are basically full lengths).

Good sign to come, show some support at his bandcamp if able (all his releases are digital).





Thursday, March 24, 2022

Gospel - The Loser


'From the upcoming album "The Loser" out [redacted] on [redacted]'


The only thing better than news of a new Gospel album?  It's produced by Kurt Ballou again...and he plays saxophone on it?!  I'm here for it.


*** Released on May 13th
** Is rly good



Thursday, October 7, 2021

H E X - HEX

 


H E X are from Geneva, Switzerland.  Their self-titled debut released in 2018, and I've frequently re-visited the four tracks that are a brilliant blend of electronic/post-rock/industrial stylings.  I'd first heard of the band through my admiration for Shora, whom years after their defunct status announced a new project featuring the former guitarist (H E X).  

Shora was a hardcore/noisy screamo group also from Switzerland who relatively flew under the radar, even while having a split record with noise staple Merzbow.  The final album in Shora's lifespan was a departure from their previous records -- the singer had left the group making concluding 'Malval' a foray into instrumental, electronic-driven post-rock.  While also massively overlooked in post-rock circles, the debut album from H E X seems to have in large part picked up the reins of where Shora left off.  The difference being that H E X has a bit of a darker edge, occupying the same futuristic electronic space but in a much more grimy and industrial landscape and sound.  There are flashes of vocals throughout the four tracks, great drumming, and overall just a cool mixture of electronic and industrial tropes within the frame of guitar-backed post-rock nuances.

The vinyl and CD/merch can be found on Hummus Records, who recently acquired publishing rights and released Shora's two hardcore records (minus their demo) on vinyl for the first time ever.  The digital album is also available on Bandcamp as a name-your-price release, but definitely show them some love if you like what you hear.  I have a hunch you will, as like Shora they are definitely fiercely unique to their associated genres.










Tuesday, September 21, 2021

N0V3l - NON-FICTION




"N0V3L’s debut full-length, NON-FICTION, comprises 11 tracks that function as a treatise on modern existence and the perverse parameters within which it’s experienced. It’s a collection of agile, carefully-constructed post-punk, new wave, funk, and garage rock that’s been zapped and warped by an opioid overdose crisis, mental illness, populism, and the merciless onward march of time. Intimate sadnesses and structural violences are blurred to the jagged quirk of sharp guitars, commanding bass, acrid saxophone, and mournful keys, all propelled ever forward by nimble drumming. It’s dark and occasionally danceable, a macabre late-capitalist disco under a pall of confusion.

NON-FICTION was written between 2017 and 2020, and recorded on a Tascam-388 in the band’s since-torn-down rental home. Bryce Cloghesy (Military Genius, Crack Cloud) produced and mixed the record, which trades in the first EP’s martial rigidity for a broader approach to actualizing the band’s tensions. The Vancouver tear-down, previously the band’s headquarters for producing music, videos, and clothing, was slowly evacuated, as members moved out in advance of the inevitable; another casualty of Vancouver’s merciless housing market. N0V3L, once a concentrated machine, is now spread across the western province of British Columbia." - Bandcamp

Cool post-punk/new-wave album from Vancouver, B.C.  Have especially had the single "FALLING IN LINE" on repeat listens, but the entire album is solid.  The album released in May, but only a few tracks are available for preview on their Bandcamp/YT, but I imagine the whole album can be listened to on Spotify.  Only two current vinyl copies remain if looking for a physical copy.











Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Maya B - B[1]

 

Maya B is a promising singer/songwriter (artist) and multi instrumentalist based in Los Angeles, California.  Her debut EP 'B[1]' released in 2021 as a pop/R&B hybrid that stands out for its lyricism and smooth voice.  The seven tracks touch on self-empowerment from within, as opposed to achieving it through the belittling or bravado over other people, and likewise rising above those negative projections (the metaphorical "Balloon Bitch").  Accompanied by other topics like the often fakeness surrounding social media and materialism, the subject matter is a refreshing listen, administered by an accessible and honest voice.


Listen/Download









Wednesday, May 12, 2021

TORIENA - PURE FIRE

 

TORIENA (Fujimoto Sae) is a chiptune-based artist from Kyoto, Japan.  She has been releasing albums since 2012, among a myriad of compilations, some of which she herself distributed as the co-owner of Mad Milky Records in Tokyo (supposedly the very first chiptune label in Japan).  Like her artist/co-owner counterpart NNNNNNNNNN, she primarily composes her music using LSDj through the interface of a Nintendo Game Boy.  She has had commercial success in Japan as well, contributing to the Team Sonic Racing soundtrack, anime, and literal commercials.

Her latest album 'PURE FIRE' is more hardcore EDM with strong chiptune overtones, accompanied by TORIENA's own vocals.  Admittedly this isn't a musical realm I'm too involved or familiar with (about the only chiptune artist I can reference is early Anamanaguchi), but after running the album back a second time it really started to click for me as being something unique and enjoyable, further appreciated I think by recognizing the means in which it was created.  As far as I can tell this album and potentially her entire catalogue is only available to purchase digitally, which might be apt when you hear her music.



Digital