The Body–No One Deserves Happiness
Genre: Doom Metal, Industrial, Noise
FFO: Thou, Sandworm, Neurosis
I discovered the Rhode Island-based bearded duo The Body via their collaborative effort with Louisiana’s Thou.
The strength and diversity and of the multi-layered You, Whom I Always Hated compelled me to discover the unique yet entirely different angles the two bands take on Doom.
The Body applies an industrial-heavy formula in their latest LP making a gross, pop-influenced, noisey mess.
No One Deserves Happiness is a remarkably distinctive experience that your ear drums must be prepared for. There is spine-chilling elegance to be found in the crushing muck and mire.
Boris/Merzbow–Gensho
Genre: Noise, Drone Metal
FFO: Sunn O))), Earth, Jesu
Gensho is the name given to the newborn baby of happily married Boris and Merzbow.
Gensho is a two part mammoth of a pill that is all but easy to swallow, combining the sludgey, experimental avant-garde stylings of Boris with the harsh, ear-piecing drone Merzbow is known for.
There is even a beautifully haunting cover of “Sometimes” by My Bloody Valentine found within Gensho‘s noisey walls.
Daddy–Let Me Get What I Want
Genre: New Wave, Post Punk
FFO: The Smiths, The Cure
When I first heard the Slowdive-esque single “Lime Green Dress” and was informed James Franco was the mind behind it, I just simply couldn’t believe it.
I struggled associating the comedic celebrity with such poetic, hazy, post punk. But alas, Daddy is the shared art project of THE James Franco and his college buddy Tim O’ Keefe.
Their debut LP, Let Me Get What I Want, is so heavily inspired by The Smiths, they even managed to get Andy Rourke to provide bass duties. This strange debut is beyond worthy of a spin if you’re ready for it.
Koi Child–Self Titled
Genre: Jazz, Hip Hop
FFO: Hiatus Kaiyote, The Roots, Kamasi Washington
After receiving the attention of Kevin Parker from Tame Impala fame, the seven piece jazz/hip hop outfit from Australia known as Koi Child had the opportunity to open a few shows for them.
Parker saw so much potential he even produced their self titled debut which hit stores this week. Sharp flow backed by free jazz instrumentation filled with seamless sax solos make this the feel good album of the spring you must check out asap.
The Magnetic North–Prospect of Skelmersdale
Genre: Folk, Post Rock
FFO: Sufjan Stevens
The Magnetic North is the brainchild of England’s Simon Tong with the assistance of his chums Gawain Erland Cooper and Hannah Peel.
Their sophmore effort Prospect of Skelmersdale is a beautiful, orchestral concept album centered in Tong’s upbringing.
The utilization of authentic orchestral instruments aids the album creating vibrant, captivating soundscapes sucking listener’s into Tong’s world.
Telstar Sound Drone–Magical Solutions to Everyday Struggles
Genre: Psychadelic Rock, Shoegazing, Drone
FFO: Creepoid, Swervedriver
Copenhagen’s Telestar Sound Drone proves with their sophomore LP they are forced to be reckoned with.
Isolated in the confines of a World War II air raid shelter, the three piece spend long nights crafting what we now know as Magical Solutions to Every Day Struggles.
The album is a multi-layered, tranquil, hazy, yet unrelentlessly loud monster that bites hard when threatened. Immerse yourself in this bipolar piece of unique, droney instrumentation.