surut - Surut

 

surut is self-described "blackened experimental hardcore" from Tampere, Finland.  The five-piece made an impressive debut with their 2020 self-titled album 'Surut'.  The four-track release clocks in around 20 minutes, showcasing an impressive range with an all around solid dynamic and consistency.  Fans of screamo/post metal will likely find this a gem and worth checking back on.

Digital

Physical/Merch

Ocean Wisdom - Stay Sane

Latest album from Ocean Wisdom, released 3/26.  Can get it on vinyl or signed CD from his website, in a variety of bundles or digital.  'Stay Sane' sounds a lot more mellow compared to his previous releases on a surface level, but underneath exhibits a deeper understanding and scope lyrically.  The concluding track "Can't Breathe Either" is the exclamation point statement on a more subdued yet refined great album.

Links

'68 - Give One Take One

Josh Scogin & Nikko Yamada

'68 are a duo from Atlanta, Georgia consisting of Josh Scogin (guitar, vocals) & Nikko Yamada (drums), who replaced Michael McClellan after the group's first two albums.  The band formed after the dissolvement of Scogin's former metalcore band The Chariot, which followed Scogin's early exit as an original member of Norma Jean (who are still releasing albums with none of the founding members remaining).

While the prior two projects were often compared to bands like Botch, '68 sounds like if Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl decided they didn't need a bass player.  This dynamic might have changed with Yamada on board, as I'm speaking from my only foray into the group with their 2014 debut 'In Humor & Sadness'.  Impressively, they managed to fool me into thinking the debut was with a full band, as a band like Lightning Bolt is a pretty good comparison for the amount of chaos (and intricacy) '68 generates as a duo.

'Give One Take One' released today as the band's third full length, and I'm excited to see how much their sound has changed with Yamada on drums, and whether or not Scogin could still fool people he has unreleased Nirvana material.  Light joking aside, Scogin has proved he has a pretty impressive palette of creative skills, and I would bet with this new release that trajectory is still booming.

Bandcamp

Moderator - Midnight Madness

 

Moderator is an Athens, Greece based instrumentalist with a hip/trip hop skeleton, fusing everything from psychedelic to soul on the surface.  I'd first heard of him through his 2013 album 'The Trip' -- drawn in by the album's artwork, similarly how I've been reintroduced to the newest 2021 release 'Midnight Madness'.  His latest is a little darker tinged than I remembered his sound being, with the all encompassing takeaway being that this is simply a 'cool' sounding record; whatever your background of preferences are I think you'll find it difficult to not vibe out to the big beats and polished production.  The entire album just sounds massive and layered and that impact feels immediate and fluid throughout.

'Midnight Madness' and all of his digital releases on his bandcamp go for $1 a piece, which is somewhere between a steal and a gift.  Due to the influx of demand more vinyl won't be available until June, but it seems like a good idea with the artwork put together by 'Irefaels'.

Bandcamp

moderatormusic.com

La Dame Blanche - Bajo El Mismo Cielo

'Cuban singer and flautist Yaité Ramos-Rodriguez, aka La Dame Blanche (French for The White Lady), was born into an impressive musical cauldron.
Daughter of trombonist Jesús "Aguaje" Ramos, artistic director of Buena Vista Social Club, La Dame Blanche creates her very own path, with an explosive mix of hip hop, cumbia, dancehall and reggae.'

I discovered her a few months ago and this write-up is the catalyst for me finally purchasing her newest (2018) album 'Bajo El Mismo Cielo'.  I've gone back to her singles numerous times (see below), and I'm convinced her unique styles will propel her to future success.

Check her out further here:

Bandcamp

Facebook

Discogs

Tracklist

1.  Una Copa Llena
2.  Ave Maria
3.  Mentira
4.  No Da Para Na
5.  Olvidate
6.  Bajo El Mismo Cielo
7.  No Puedo Loco
8.  Dos Caras
9.  El Sumo Sacerdote
10.  Fana

Jesca Hoop - Stonechild

'Good People. Today I get to announce that I have a new record coming out and it is set for release this coming July 5th. The album's title is Stonechild. Yep... Stonechild. I have to say it's a moody little guy and she's definitely on a trip....dressed in something dark and rich. I can't wait for you to put it on.... turn it up and fill your house with Hoop.
Now there are many ways to preorder your copy here:
http://smarturl.it/stonechild

There is a very fine Dinked Edition, limited to 600 copies, coming in a mirror board sleeve, on 180g white and black vinyl, with a signed, numbered, Jesca Hoop scribble print lyric sheet, and a flexidisc featuring non-album track 'Waking Andreas'
Or if you prefer to order direct, you can head to my store, where you can preorder on white and black marble vinyl, CD, download and cassette, plus pick up an exclusive tea towel so you can dry the dishes while you listen to Stonechild.
Well, that seems enough info to be going on with for now.
yours truly
hoop
x'

Hey Douglas - Marşandiz

Hey Douglas (or 'HEY! Douglas') is a project name for the work of Istanbul based DJ, sound artist and sampler E. Yasin Vural. VEYasin produced his first album at 18 and has produced many more inside and outside Turkey, and other projects include Mode XL, with some of those tracks attracting over 7.7m Youtube views.

I first heard about him through another Turkish artist Azat, and have continued to follow his singles and mixes leading up to his newly released 'Marşandiz' (Merchandise) full length.  His music is pretty punchy and dance-club esque, but his Turkish flavor and spin on it produces a lot of interesting results.  Also accompanying his mixing and producing is the addition of live instruments, featuring Trombone & Trumpet: Ekin Eti, Clarinet: Hasan Daglar, Flute: Richard Laniepce, Guitar & Saz: Tolga Boyuk, and Guitar (Randevu) : Alper Sariogl. 

Cool stuff.  His entire album can be streamed from Bandcamp and the $7 price tag seems more than reasonable for the 10 tracks.  Definitely check out his prior releases too if this doesn't immediately grab you -- he's got a very diverse range of stuff.