møl–Jord Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal, Post Rock FFO: Deafheaven, Wolves in the Throne Room, Ghostbath
Deafheaven‘s Sunbather was a cultural phenomenon. While they weren’t necessarily the pioneers of the “blackgaze” movement, there is no doubt that their sophomore LP helped bring said musical style to the mainstream spotlight.
Many bands have made their attempt to recreate Sunbather‘s success, and few have succeeded. The movement has sadly become saturated in my humble opinion, and it has proven difficult to find hidden gems in the shuffle.
Denmark’s møl are the band I was searching for. Their debut LP is a brilliant, mesmerizing piece of music that doesn’t try to hard to be different but instead offers some of the finest, strongest, most-well written tunes the genre has to offer.
Our Place of Worship is Silence–With Inexorable Suffering Genre: Death Metal, Black Metal FFO: Behemoth, Morbid Angel, Spectral Voice
Los Angeles act Our Place of Worship is Silence offers listeners a pulverizing experience that fits comfortably in the mold of classic acts such as Entombed or Obituary.
With Inexorable Suffering is everything a Blackened Death record should be and then some.
Rolo Tomassi–Time Will Die & Love Will Bury It Genre: Experimental Rock, Post Rock, Dream Pop, Mathcore, Grindcore, Screamo FFO: Converge, Oathbreaker, Pity Sex
The UK outfit known as Rolo Tomassi has released record after record of intense, unpredictable, brutality. They have never allowed themselves to be pigeon-holed to a particular genre and boast a sound full of twists and turns.
Time Will Die & Love Will Bury It is the group’s latest and most mature, well-written LP. The transitions between Rolo‘s soft and most aggressive tendencies are smooth and continuous.
Eva’s vocal presence can be viewed as charming, sugary, and sweat and absolutely horrifying within seconds. The instrumentation can be described as euphoric dreamy indie pop one moment and suddenly find itself exemplifying math-enhanced, blackened Grindcore along the lines of Converge or Oathbreaker the next with subtle and effective usage of synth.
Be sure to give the new Rolo Tomassi record a spin if you’re looking to add something new and unpredictable to your palette.
Wrong–Feels Great Genre: Alt Metal, Groove Metal FFO: Helmet, Snapcase, Torche
Featuring members of Torche, Kylesa, and Capsule, Miami’s WRONG proves quite clearly with their sophomore LP they are not just another Helmet imitation band. They are better at being Helmet than Helmet has been at being Helmet in decades.
Feels Great showcases each member bringing their “A game” honing in each element that made their previous bands so great.
Prepare yourselves for eleven groovy yet crushing jams.
The Amazing–In Transit Genre: Indie Rock, Dream Pop, Shoegazing FFO: Slowdive, Brian Eno, The Smiths
The Swedish five piece ambitiously known as The Amazing treat listeners to a sixth LP that noticeably shifts the group’s sound in a far more hazy, atmospheric direction.
From the opening track, there were vibes I found pleasantly similar to Souvlaki with angelic vocals floating gracefully over powerful soundscapes.
Make sure to stream The Amazing’s latest record via the link below!
Drowse–Cold Air Genre: Shoegazing, Drone, Dream Pop, Post Punk, Post Rock, Experimental Rock, Electronic, Ambient FFO: My Bloody Valentine, Weekend, Planning for Burial
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, a particular bedroom project known as Drowse crafts a personal, anxiety-ridden sophomore record.
Cold Air implements the use of droney, ambient Shoegazing with subtle elements of Post Punk, Slowcore, and many other genres to serve as a fitting backdrop for tormenting, depressing lyrical presentation.
The project’s Bandcamp’s bio advises fans to listen “Before bed lay on your back with headphones on—or play loud on big speakers.”
Dallas, Texas-based multi-instrumentalist, Will Kraus, takes a second stab at generating the sound of a full Shoegaze band all by himself with his latest record. Path is a loud, exceptionally noisy, sonic journey utilizing a vast plethora of sonic experimentation.
I highly recommend this LP to any fans of the Scene That Celebrates Itself.
I decided going forward to reserve a special post for those looking for releases that stick to more laid back yet intimate formula primarily encompassing acoustic instrumentation.
Here are a couple extremely talented artists of that style that deserve some love:
Haley-Heynderickx–I Need to Start a Garden Genre: Indie Folk, Indie Pop FFO: Tegan & Sara, Big Thief, S.Carey
Portland, Oregon-based singer/songwriter, Haley Heynderickx, proves with her debut LP she is truly an artist to watch out for.
I Need to Start a Garden is a beautiful mix of warm, intimate folk and quirky indie pop. Within seconds of the first track, listeners will be caught in a trance of awe and admiration of Haley’s complex finger picking style as well as her enchanting, honest vocal performance.
Sam Moss–neon Genre: Folk, Alt Country FFO: Wilco, Fleet Foxes, Iron & Wine
Representing Boston, Massachusetts, folk artist Sam Moss presents an alluring, fourth addition to his discography.
neon seamlessly blends folk with subtle, ambient electric instrumentation. Fans of Fleet Foxes and the more stripped down releases by Wilco will surely gravitate towards’s this intriguing release.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I will grouping things by genre style to ensure I reach the right demographic and better organize my time. If you’re a metal head, you’ve come to the right place.
Here are 9 incredible new releases of the Metal variety that may have slipped beneath your musical radar:
Conjurer–Mire Genre: Sludge Metal, Post Metal, Death Metal FFO: Isis, Amenra, Primitive Man
The up and coming British act known as Conjurer present an LP encompassing everything a debut should be and more.
Mire contains powerfully executed tunes one would assume a legendary collective would produce at the peak of their career.
Slow, gritty, atmospheric Sludge that packs a serious punch. Stream below!
Dautha–Brethren of the Black Soil Genre: Doom Metal FFO: Candlemass, Pallbearer, My Dying Bride
Featuring ex members of Scar Symmetry, Terrorama, and Wardenclyffe, this Swedish Doom quintet births a promising career with Candlemass worship with heavily Gothic undertones.
The vocal performance of Brethren of the Black Soil is a very theatrical, and the riffage is simple yet crushingly catchy.
Stream Dautha‘s debut LP below.
Hell to Pay–bliss. Genre: Grindcore, Crust Punk, Powerviolence, Death Metal, Noise, Drone FFO: Entombed, Nails, Full of Hell
Pennsylvania quartet, Hell to Pay, provide listeners with a punishing debut LP.
Featuring members of Jesus Piece, it comes as little surprise bliss. is an intensely powerful-sounding record. Droney noise along the lines Merzbow effortlessly meshes with the traditional “Deathgrind” sound the group offers reminiscent of ’90’s era Death Metal.
Illsa–Corpse Fortress Genre: Doom, Sludge, Death FFO: Seven Sisters of Sleep, Hooded Menace, Coffins
Representing Washington, DC, Illsa makes a dazzling return for their Relapse Records debut. Corpse Fortress marks the fifth’s tally for the band’s catalog hitting all the high marks for the expected sounds on a Relapse release.
Stream the link below for some devastating, groove-induced Doom.
Of Feather & Bone–Bestial Hymns of Perversion Genre: Death Metal, Grindcore FFO: Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Napalm Death
It seems Colorado’s Of Feather and Bone have stepped away from their Blackened Crust roots and have thrown all their chips in towards a more straightforward Death Metal sound.
The good news is Bestial Hymns of Perversion proves this trio has scored the jackpot.
These six, horrifying hymns zero in on the brutality of past releases and turns the brutality knobs up to 11.
Stream below!
Rites of Thy Degringolade–The Blade Philosophical Genre: Black Metal FFO: Immortal, Darkthrone, Blood Incantation
It seems the present trend of Black Metal is to initiate a merging of another unlikely genre.
The legendary Canadian trio known as Rites of Thy Degringolade strike back with their first album in 13 years solidifying their traditional approach to Black Metal.
Stream The Blade Philosophical below!
Slaves BC–Lo, and I Am Burning Genre: Black Metal, Hardcore Punk FFO: Burzum, Young and in the Way, Ramlord
Pittburg’s Slave BC release a sinister new addition to their catalog as they continue to hone their craft of uniting Hardcore Punk with the malevolent forces of Blackened Metal.
Lo, and I Am Burning wears its anguish on its sleeve presenting track after track of intense, heart-wrenching chaos in its most depraved form.
Stream the horror below!
Sojourner–The Shadowed Road Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal, Folk Metal FFO: Agalloch, Panopticon, Harikiri for the Sky
New Zealand Black Metal collective, Sojourner, present an alluring sophomore record that improves upon its predecessor in every category.
The atmospheric aspect calls upon folk influenced-pieces influenced by pagan lore intertwining with elements of fantasy. This concept may sound corny or contrived, but Sojourner manages to execute it flawlessly in the vein of Alcest.
Trna–Earthcult Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal, Post Rock, Instrumental FFO: Deafheaven, Ghostbath, Alcest
Allow Trna‘s four alluring, passionate movements to paint strokes of radiant, visceral soundscapes throughout your mind’s canvas.
What Earthcult may lack in a vocal performance is regained tenfold in skilled musicianship found throughout each mammoth piece dancing between the 15 and 20 minute mark.
Stream this Russian trio’s third LP in the link below and immerse yourself in a record that represents the standard every act in the “Blackgaze” movement aspires to achieve.
Bittermelon-“Bittermelon” Genre: Alternative Rock, Indie Rock FFO: Dinosaur Jr., The Lemonheads, Sebadoh
Formed from the ashes of various DIY Hardcore acts including Dead End Path and Our Side, Bittermelon offers four fuzzy, melancholic anthems of pure ’90s nostalgia-laced Rock n’ Roll.
Each track offers a listener a euphoric experience ideal to unwind to despite complex, layered instrumentation.
Be sure to stream their self titled release in the link below.
Current Joys–A Different Age Genre: Indie Rock, Bedroom Pop FFO: American Pleasure Club, Frankie Cosmos, Surf Curse
Nevada-born artist, Nicholas Rattigan, invites listeners back a third time to explore the deepest confines of his heart and mind. Using the stage name Current Joys, Rattigan presents beautiful, haunting, and emotionally heart-wrenching lyricism and soundscapes via his latest LP.
A Different Age is (by every sense of the definition) an intimate experience. Rattigan wears his heart on his sleeve in the most profound way and offers listeners a self-recorded release using only a guitar, drum set, loop pedal, and laptop.
Donovan Wolfington–Waves Genre: Alternative Rock, Pop Punk, Emo, Noise Rock, Post Hardcore FFO: Drive Like Jehu, You Blew It!, Modern Baseball
New Orleans punk collective, Donovan Wolfington, go out with a bang with their third and (sadly) final LP. Waves is unique primarily in the ways it can seamlessly shifts between genres in one, single track.
The group ushers listeners through Punk Rock, Emo, Indie Rock, Melodic Hardcore, Sludge Metal, and back to Punk Rock in a span of four minutes while somehow maintaining cohesive structure.
Donovan Wolfington‘s final record is easily their most mature and captivating performance, and it is truly a shame they decided to throw in the towel prior to its release.
Send them off the right way and be sure to stream Waves in its entirety in the link below.
Moaning–Moaning Genre: Alternative Rock, Post Punk FFO: New Order, Iceage, Ceremony
Finding its origins in the LA’s DIY music scene, Moaning is a fresh Post Punk trio crafting tunes centered in both groove and droney atmosphere. The trio’s debut self-titled release on will leave you lost in thought as well as sweating on the dance floor.
Check out Moaning-out now via Sub Pop.
Stream in the link below!
Ritualz–Doom Genre: Electronic, Industrial, Darkwave, Witch House FFO: Nine Inch Nails, Crystal Castles, Zola Jesus
For those who don’t remember, the late 2000’s brought about a massive trend in pop culture dubbed as “Witch House.” The genre encompassed an occult-themed aesthetic as well as a melting pot of unlikely genres such as Hip Hop, Industrial, and Noise.
Many would say Crystal Castles pioneered the said movement, and even Deftone‘s frontman, Chino Moreno, took a crack at the genre with a solo LP via the Crosses moniker.
Originating from Mexico City, JC Lobo (more famously known as Ritualz) has been actively contributing to the genre since the beginning up to the present despite the rise and fall of its peak popularity.
After a large collection of demos and EPs, Ritualz unsheathes his debut LP titled Doom. Despite having a more polished sound, Doom remains far from radio friendly and takes the listener on a horrifying, dark journey.
Ruru–Far Out Genre: Indie Pop, Bedroom Pop, Jangle Pop, Jazz, R&B FFO: Mac DeMarco, Hoops, Lylo
Ru Quimbo is a Manila-based artist in immediate need of your attention. Her latest release via her Ruru stage-name consists of seven euphoric, thought-provoking tracks.
Far Out is a relaxing, feel-good journey through the clever, witty mind of Quimbo. The sounds of Jangle Pop, Jazz, and R&B compliment each other harmoniously via the Lo-Fi, intimate setting provided.
Relax, unwind, and stream Far Out below.
Teenage Wrist–Chrome Neon Jesus Genre: Alternative Rock FFO: Swervedriver, Starflyer 59, Superheaven
In few years past, we’ve seen bands emerging from the Pop Punk/Emo scene shifting to a more saturated, empty Alt Rock sound hoping to gain a spot on TRL a few years too late.
I won’t name names, but the LA trio known as Teenage Wrist is one of the few to execute this sound correctly.
Chrome Neon Jesus boasts eleven tracks of dreamy, distortion-heavy, Alternative Rock. No trends, no gimmicks. Just fun, catchy, nostalgic rock done right.
I typically try to post the Month In Review section a week earlier than this in an effort to ensure the newer tunes I’m posting about maintain relevancy in this lightning-fast industry.
I apologize to anyone that reads this, but I just landed a new job working at a Newspaper in the middle of February so I admittedly had other deadlines to meet with higher priority.
I will still be keeping up with this and will attempt to meet my deadlines as much as possible. This also happened to be the most biggest month for new music since 2016 so there is a lot of ground to cover.
Anyways, let’s get started.
Hopefully you’ll skim through this list and find something perfect for you!
American Nightmare-“American Nightmare” Genre: Hardcore Punk, Post Punk FFO: The Suicide File, The Hope Conspiracy, Modern Life is War
I usually tend to reserve the “Month In Review” section for lesser known bands whose releases receive less buzz than deserved, but I still feel compelled to talk about this record.
Comeback albums are always a risk (I’ll admit my first play through was interrupted by revisiting Background Music), but the Boston-based quartet keep their legacy alive sticking tight to their established formula while subtly branching into darker territory.
The newfound Christian Death and Bauhaus influences come as a very small surprise considering the more goth-like soundscapes and aesthetic frontman Wes Eisold (Cold Cave) has explored since AN’s disbandment in 2004, but these influences remain subdued. This is still a hardcore record through and through.
Many fans reacted negatively to We’re Down Til We’re Underground, yet it is now considered a classic alongside its predecessor. American Nightmare takes the experimentation found there and pushes it the next logical step forward without missing a beat despite the 15 year gap.
Check out the lyric video for “The World is Blue” below!
American Pleasure Club-“A Whole Fucking Lifetime for This” Genre: Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, Emo, Lofi, Dream Pop, Pyschadelic Rock, Noise Pop, Indie Folk FFO: Modern Baseball, Elvis Depressedly, Coma Cinema
The artists formerly known as Teen Suicide return for a third studio album with a noticeably much brighter sound.
For those unfamiliar, the Baltimore outfit’s catalog has typically yielded a bizarre, inconsistent melting pot (or “honey pot”, if you will) of genres ranging from lofi bedroom folk to fuzzy pysch rock to samples with no necessary rhyme or reason.
Frontman Sam Ray continues this trend despite the name change and his happily married life. Ray still channels his anxieties flawlessly through his lyricism, but something about A Whole Fucking Lifetime for This certainly feels more focused and accessible.
Stream the record in it’s entirely below!
Burden-“Maker//Breaker” EP Genre: Metalcore FFO: Hatebreed, Terror, Since the Flood
Hailing from the South Shore of Massachusetts, the Metalcore outfit known as Burden returns for a sophomore EP.
Nothing in Return treated listeners to an unholy matrimony of crushing Doom and beatdown Hardcore, but Maker//Breaker takes things a step further with faster tempos, improved drumwork, and lightning-fast riffage.
The doom influences remain present but feature a more sparing yet effective execution.
Stream the EP below!
Cosmic Child-“Blue” Genre: Indie Rock, Dream Pop FFO: The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Life on Venus, Kindling
Singaporean quintet, Cosmic Child, pleasantly grace ear drums this February with a dreamy sophomore LP guaranteed to take your ear drums on a beautiful adventure.
Blue features a more mature, full sound than untitled featuring layers of synth, walls of sound, and lush soundscapes reminiscent of a day dream.
Stream the entire album in the link below!
The Dead Mantra-“Saudade Forever” Genre: Noise Rock, Post Punk, Cold Wave, Shoegazing, Stoner Rock FFO: A Place to Bury Strangers, True Widow, Planning for Burial
French noise Dead Mantra act deliver a hauntingly beautiful sophomore LP that presents a matured, darker sound.
Unfortunately, it appears the group is calling (or has called it) it quits after Saudade Forever, but it is still worth a listen by every imaginable standard.
Get lost in the haunting mixture of atmospheric drone borrowing influences from cold wave, post punk, and shoegazing.
Erdve is a brand new Lithuanian four piece that successfully blends Hardcore, Sludge Metal, and Atmospheric Drone in a refreshing way.
Vaitojimas is a passionate, angry, and devastatingly crushing debut LP that immediately deserves your attention.
Stream the album in its entirety below!
ESOCTRILIHUM–Pandemonium (Forbidden Formulas To Awaken The Blind Sovereigns Of Nothingness) Genre: Blackened Death Metal, Doom Metal FFO: Behemoth, Dark Sermon, Cathedral
Heavily influenced by the cosmogony and aesthetic of the works of H.P. Lovecraft, French act Esoctrilihum present a massively layered, apocalyptic sophomore LP.
Similar to the stylistic tendencies of legendary Polish act Behemoth, Pandemonium consists of a horrifying summoning of both Black and Death Metal with some Doomy seasoning.
Stream this monolith of a record in the provided link below!
Frigs–Basic Behaviour Genre: Noise Rock, Garage Rock, Post Punk, Psychedelic Pop FFO: Sonic Youth, Bikini Kill, The Jesus Lizard
Toronto-based quartet Frigs summon the psychedelic noise of Sonic Youth and the rawness of Jesus Lizard together on their debut LP.
Basic Behaviour encompassed a unique recording process featuring a split between home recordings and Toronto’s Union Sound Company. The balance of rawness and sterilization attributes to the group’s overall sonic footprint.
Stream the record in it’s entirety in the link below!
Cambridge two-piece Greber unleash a sickening, dark third LP fusing together crushing doom and horrifying Grindcore.
Despite only being instrumentally comprised of drums and bass, the duo present a dynamic, innovative, full-sounding record.
Cemetery Preston is a vicious, punishing listen for fans of any type of Metal.
Stream it in the link below!
Harikiri for the Sky–Arson Genre: Black Metal, Post Metal FFO: Deafheaven, Agalloch, Ghostbath
Austria’s Harikiri for the Sky have managed to do almost everything but disappoint. I posted in 2016 about how blown away I was by III: Trauma and luckily, Arson delivered the same authenticity two years later.
Emotional, melancholic tracks of Black Metal movements embody this record’s tracklisting with an atmosphere enveloped by an earthy, nature-fueled aesthetic and folk-inspired breaks.
I feel this duo in particular have remained one of the strongest, most unprecedented groups in the “Blackgaze” movement, and LP#4 reinforces this idea tenfold.
Insect Ark–Marrow Hymns Genre: Doom Metal, Post Metal, Experimental Rock FFO: Neurosis, Pelican, Aluk Todolo
Just when you think you there possibly couldn’t be another two piece Doom Metal act releasing a fantastic record this month, New York’s Insect Ark goes ahead and does just that.
The Doomy duo presents listeners with an textured, theatrical, and instrumental journey titled Marrow Hymns out now on Profound Lore.
Kal Marks–Universal Care
Genre: Indie Rock, Noise Rock, Post Punk
FFO: Modest Mouse, Guerilla Toss, Pile
Another band from my neck of the woods dropped their third LP this past month.
The Boston trio known as Kal Marks has amassed a decade’s worth of chaotic, abrasive, and raw material and their latest work adds to this trend tenfold.
Universal Care is a dirty, noise-driven ride of a record with surprising twists and turns.
Stream it below!
Lord Lu C N–The U Album Genre: Hip Hop, Rap FFO: Vince Staples, Denzel Curry, JK The Reaper
Floridian producer Lord Lu C N presents a solid debut LP featuring the talents and wordplay of various, highly-involved MCs including Denzel Curry, J.K. the Reaper, and more.
The beats/production are top tier and compliment the stylistic execution and flow of whomever is featured on the specific track creating a variety yet cohesive units of feel good tunes.
Stream it in its entirety on Soundcloud below!
Low Anthem–The Salt Doll Went to Measure the Depths of the Sea Genre: Indie Folk
FFO: The Decemberists, Fleet Foxes, Deer Tick
The Rhode Island-dwelling indie folk quartet known as Low Anthem resurfaces with a fifth LP.
The Salt Doll Went to Measure the Depths of the Sea is an aquatic, chamber folk record drawing upon an old Buddhist fable for its conceptual influence.
Stream the whole album below!
Onra–Nobody Has to Know Genre: Hip Hop, Electronica FFO: Flume, Flying Lotus, The Drive Soundtrack
French beat producer Arnaud Bernard (known better by his stage name Onra) enchants listeners with his latest release perfectly suiting for those yearning for pure ’80s era nostalgia.
Nobody Has to Know is an instrumental journey through bright, glossy soundscapes with the help of various guests performances.
Stream it in full via the link below.
Problem of Pain–I Will Always Want To Let Go EP Genre: Hardcore Punk, Powerviolence FFO: Nails, Full of Hell, Dwell
With a band name based after what I’m assuming is the critically acclaimed novel by C.S. Lewis, Michigan’s Problem of Pain violently bursts into the scene with an emotionally-charged EP on Blood & Ink Records.
I Will Always Want to Let Go features four brief yet powerful tracks of bludgeoning, sludgey, blackened hardcore.
Did I mention they are a two piece? That appears to be a trend this month.
Stream it below.
Qual–The Ultimate Climax Genre: Post Punk, Industrial Rock, Electronic, Experimental FFO: Nine Inch Nails, Kraftwerk, Throbbing Gristel
William Maybelline releases his third solo LP under the Qual moniker embracing a bizarre, gothic, noise-driven sound reminiscent of legendary EBM artists including Kraftwerk or Throbbing Gristel.
Stream it via the link below.
Ride–Tomorrow’s Shores EP Genre: Alternative Rock, Dream Pop FFO: Oasis, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Lush
The Legendary British act known as Ride are famous for being vastly underrated. Nowhere sonically pushed the shoegazing boundaries in ways few could imagine a full year before Loveless closed the book on the genre.
Decades later, Ride released a solid comeback record titled Weather Diaries that picked up where Going Blank Again left off (I tend to convince myself the two records in between never actually existed).
Tomorrow’s Shores serves as an extra batch of leftover songs from Weather Diaries proving that Ride not only mastered their established sound, but proves they can hold their own against contemporary contenders.
Wisconsin native, Sean Carey (S. Carey), is best known as the drummer and backup vocalist of the iconic musical collective Bon Iver. Not many know, however, that Carey crafts music of his own.
Hundred Acres proves to be just as-if not-more beautiful than the (at least recent) efforts of his flagship project. The tracks found throughout feature soulful chamber folk brimming with lush atmosphere and complex acoustic guitar-work.
Stream some of the tracks here, but seriously buy the record. This is already a year end contender.
Sitcom–Be the One You Love Genre: Hip Hop, Rap FFO: Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, Swan Lingo, Lil Peep
Philadelphia’s Jake Lazovic (Sitcom) tackles anxiety, depression, and existential dread in an LP flawlessly reflecting his own alias.
Be the One You Love presents a form of comfort in its lyricism through forms of light-hearted parody and satire. The record is a carefree, fun, and often silly adventure providing charm and humor in the darkest of times.
Stream this bright record packed with good vibes below.
The Soft Moon–Criminal Genre: Post Punk, New Wave FFO: Cold Cave, Drab Majesty, A Place to Bury Strangers
San Francisco artist, Luis Vasquez (The Soft Moon), unleashes his fourth full length record blasting above the mix in a brutal, newfound fury.
Criminal packs a more abrasive execution shying away from the mystifying drone found in previous releases. Check the stream below for ten tracks of passionate, noisy, industrialized Post Punk.
Swan Lingo–Wonder What Genre: Hip Hop, Rap, Ambient FFO: Sitcom, Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, Craft Spells
Swan Lingo is a new, up-and-coming MC from Washington, DC worth your attention if you’re looking for a more relaxed, chilled out, and atmospheric approach to Hip Hop.
The collaborative efforts of Lingo himself, D33J, Shlomo and Craft Spells help create production consisting of relaxing, dreamy ambience.
Catch Swan Lingo‘s soundcloud below and be sure to check out Wonder What!
Trail of Lies–W.A.R Genre: Metalcore FFO: Earth Crisis, All Out War, Blistered
W.A.R is a debut LP containing eight pummeling tracks of pure Syracuse Straight Edge Hardcore.
Featuring a roster of members previously appearing in acts such as Naysayer or Malfunction, Trail of Lies demonstrates their cunning ability to let their paths converge at a point where their take on Hardcore could perhaps not be heavier if it tried.
Stream W.A.R in it’s entirety below!
Wake–Misery Rites Genre: Death Metal , Grindcore, Sludge Metal FFO: Napalm Death, The Red Chord, Pig Destroyer
Canadian deathgrind collective, Wake, punish ear drums with a sophomore LP that flawlessly locates the sweet spot between intense grindcore and Droney Sludge.
Misery Rites is an important release for any human that enjoys banging their head; regardless of speed.
2018 started off right with endless amounts of new music for our listening pleasure. I have compiled a list of eleven albums (covering a wide variety of genres) released this past January that may have slipped beneath your radar.
A Pregnant Light–Lucky All My Life Genre: Black Metal, Post Rock, Hardcore Punk FFO: Deafheaven, Wolves in the Throne Room, Askumite
The Michigan-based artist known as “Damian Master” maintains a tendency to flawlessly blend opposing genres in mysterious ways throughout all of his projects.
For those who have been following this blog since the beginning, I did a piece a few years back praising a record Master had released under the Askumite moniker titled Rubber Room. I was heavily impressed by the way the record presented a Hardcore Punk sound with enough elements of Black Metal to make the record unique and more engaging.
With his latest offering, listeners find Master this time revisiting the surname A Pregnant Light; illustrating a similar reunion of Black Metal and Punk in what has been self-described as “Purple Metal.”
Lucky All My Life features Blackened Post Rock with aggressive, Punk-like moments any fan of aggressive is sure to love.
Florida quartet, Bloodbather, start the year off with a sophomore EP sure to please fans of the modern, trending beatdown scene known for lately incorporating elements of early 2000s Metalcore a long the lines of Disembodied.
Pressure is a seven song collection of punishing brutality guaranteed to please the hearts of crowd-killing youth across the globe.
Picture Knocked Loose with with more bite and less bark.
Closer–All This Will Be Genre: Post Hardcore, Screamo FFO: Circle Takes the Square, Orchid, Loma Prieta
Closer is a New York-based ensemble that thankfully succeeds in keeping up 2018’s momentum for solid aggressive releases.
All This Will Be is a marvelous debut finding that sweet spot equilibrium between lush melody and raw passion.
Poetic, agonizing hardcore punk embraces pristine, Post Rock movements inevitably bringing to mind legendary acts such as Circle Takes the Square or City of Caterpillar.
Evidence–Weather or Not Genre: Rap, Hip Hop FFO: Masta Ace, The Alchemist, Dilated Peoples
Dilated People’s very own Evidence keeps the “Boom Bap” take on Hip Hop alive with a third solo offering.
“Weather or Not” is a fun, nostalgic journey with clever lyricism and top tier production.
Bedroom indie folk artist Mitch Welling (aka Flatsound) presents an EP basked in minimalism whilst preserving a hauntingly intimate atmosphere.
Hummingbird carries seven tracks of eerie yet warm acoustic indie folk ideal for a listening experience on a cold, winter night by the fire.
Ghost Music–I Was Hoping You’d Pass By Here Genre: Indie Rock, Alternative Country FFO: Mazzy Star, Mojave 3, Kurt Vile
I Was Hoping You’d Pass By Here is a delightful debut record composed by a new quartet of musicians hailing from Southend.
Ghost Music shines primarily in their seamless mastery of songwriting. Each individual tune comfortably fits around the three minute mark embellishing warm, dreamy guitar pop with a Southend twang.
Fans of Mazzy Star, The National, Beck, Galaxie 500, and Kurt Vile will find a soothing sense of familiarity upon giving I Was Hoping You’d Pass By Here a spin.
Hooded Menace–Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed Genre: Funeral Doom, Sludge Metal Death Metal FFO: Bell Witch, Unearthly Trance, Lycus
Finnish Death Doom act Hooded Menace triumphantly return for a fifth full length record.
Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed continues the group’s streak of melding crushing Funeral Doom with upbeat Entombed-era Death Metal sprinkled in.
If you are familiar with Fulfill the Curse, Never Cross The Dead, or Darkness Drips Forth, you already know this one is a doozy.
Lylo–Post Era Genre: Indie Rock, Jangle Pop, Post Punk, Jazz FFO: The Cure, Killing Joke, Hoops
Lylo is a Glaswegian three piece that brings new flavor to the current trend of jangley guitar pop.
Post Era presents seven tracks of Post Punk with a funky edge allowing the trio to stand out like a sore thumb. Layers of synth and complimentary saxaphone leads add to the melting pot of musical styles Lylo proudly experiments with including (but not limited to) Funk, R&B, and Jazz Fusion.
Post Era is without a doubt the stand out release for January 2018. Give it a listen!
Scallops Hotel-Sovereign Nose of Your Arrogant Face Genre: Hip Hop/Rap FFO: Earl Sweatshirt, Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock
Maine-based MC milo (AKA Scallops Hotel) presents a bizarre LP filled clever lyricism, unorthodox flow, and top-tier production.
Sovereign Nose of Your Arrogant Face serves as the second installment of Scallop’s trilogy of records he describes as “art rap” pulling on abstract imagery to delve into the human psyche and further explore his own “mythoverse.”
If you’re into Hip Hop and yearn for something truly unique, “scallops hotel is the building.”
Shame–Songs of Praise Genre: Indie Rock, Post Punk FFO: Fucked Up, Pissed Jeans, Protomartyr
UK rock group, Shame, turn heads with a debut record balancing melody and aggression.
Songs of Praise is a diverse collection of angry, youthful anthems with clever lyricism and distinctive instrumentation.
Twin Oaks–Living Rooms Genre: Indie Folk FFO: Mazzy Star, Angel Olsen, Cigarettes After Sex
LA duo, Twin Oaks, deliver a hospitable collection of tracks this month guaranteed to melt your anxieties away.
The group chose to record five songs (one of which had previously appeared on the Collapse EP) in spacious rooms using minimal recording equipment.
Living Rooms is a beautiful, intimate collection of music I strongly recommend to anyone.
December is an interesting month for music releases.
Many listeners become distracted by Holiday music and crafting their year end lists to the point where they become more likely to miss those hidden gems I have documented.
Here are three awesome new releases you may have missed for the month of December:
The Beautiful Ones–Beautiful Crü
Genre: Hardcore Punk, Alternative Rock, Dream Pop
FFO: Title Fight, Turnstile, War Hungry
The bipolar personality of Arizona-based collective The Beautiful Ones has always managed to catch my attention. The past few years has seen these hardworking, young musicians push for a split sound entertaining a floral, dreamy presence while attempting to maintain the raw edge of Metallic Hardcore.
Beautiful Crü serves as this month’s surprise EP following up their debut LP Jaded Love back in 2015, and illustrates a separated yet somehow fluid, advanced step in their writing.
Half of the track-listing consists of straight-forward, hard-hitting Hardcore and those that remain push towards the mature, Dreamy rock direction as opposed to trying to meld the two.
I’m not sure if the foundation of Hardcore/Metal is like a security blanket The Beautiful Ones refuses to let go of or if the key to understanding them lies in the striking juxtaposition of the two contrasting sounds.
The fact remains they have a tendency to slay in both areas and successfully recorded a record that somehow succeeds in having these drastically different musical styles flow smoothly.
Minors–Atrophy Genre: Powerviolence, Blackened Crust Punk, Sludge Metal FFO: Converge, Cursed, Young & In The Way
Minors storm the scene with a devastating debut LP leaving no traces of life in its path.
The Canadian quartet assaults the ear drums of listeners with a harsh yet ideally crafted mixture of Hardcore, Sludge, Crust Punk, Black Metal. The record’s writing and tempo shifts not only stand out as being seamless but also instrumentally jaw-dropping in every aspect.
Atrophy blows me away not only because it is a powerfully chaotic listening experience, but it
also illustrates a band introducing themselves to the world with an already mastered formula.
Soda Lilies–Sleep Reel Genre: Psyche Rock, Garage Rock, Lo-Fi, Shoegazing FFO: My Bloody Valentine, Ty Segall, Wavves
Dallas-based Lo-Fi project Soda Lilies released quite the hidden gem this month.
Sleep Reel contains seven reverb-drenched tunes of pure rock n’ roll recorded in an old, dark apartment free of electricity via extension cords (for some reason).
Special Explosion–To Infinity Genre: Indie Rock, Emo FFO: Death Cab for Cutie, Minus the Bear, The Thermals
You have have missed the latest LP from the Seattle ensemble known as Special Explosion. Released this month through Topshelf Records, To Infinity provides a charming, warm listening experience.
Special Explosion utilize a standard Indie Rock sound similar to the likes of Death Cab for Cutie as its sonic foundation whilst toying with subtle influences of various other genres.
Noisey walls of sound, twinkely math rock, and Emo sounds compliment the delicate harmonies provided by sibling vocalists Andy & Lizzy Costello.
To Infinity is a solid, refreshing listen and branches out in unique ways allowing the group to stand out in a sea of bands channeling the same musical styles.
The following 15 records were my favorite releases of 2017 contributing to the extremely broad genre of Pop/Rock.
This includes the likes of Alternative Rock, Shoegazing, Dream Pop, Jangle Pop, Synthpop, Funk, Indie Folk, Blues, Experimental Rock, & many more.
#15)
Star Tropics-Lost World
Chicago-based trio Star Tropics grace our ear drums this year with a beautiful record blending enchanting vocals with pristine licks that would undoubtedly flatter Johnny Marr.
The writing here specifically brings the obscure Strawberry Wine-My Bloody Valentine era to mind sandwiched between their humble post punk flops and their signature sound. Lost World offers 9 tracks of pure dreamy, euphoric pop music.
#14)
Drab Majesty-The Demonstration
California’s up-and-coming, gender neutral goth project Drab Majesty returns for a sophomore LP basking in ’80s era darkened, synth pop.
The Demonstration boasts Deb Demure’s songwriting talents proudly wearing nostalgic influences on their sleeve with modern, atmospheric seasoning.
#13)
Japanese Breakfast–Soft Sounds From Another Planet
Little Big League frontwoman Michelle Zauner returns to her (in my opinion) vastly superior solo effort, Japanese Breakfast, for a charming sophomore LP.
Soft Sounds From Another Planet features twelve layered, pleasant, and dreamy pop tunes making use of her delicate vocals and songwriting in the best possible way.
#12)
Ryan Adams-Prisoner
I have admittedly never referred to myself as a fan of Ryan Adam’s catalogue but something about this record in particular sticks.
Adam’s breakup with Mandy Moore inspires his most intimate, emotional, powerful, and memorable work (in my opinion).
Despite the fact the majority of his work has nearly put me to sleep, Prisoner contains twelve well-written, solid tracks of pure Rock n’ Roll. Simple as that.
#11)
Crushed Stars–Displaced Sleeper
Dallas-based Indie rock outfit Crushed Stars return with their fourth entry balancing cold, distant ambiance with warm, intimate acoustic instrumentation.
Displaced Sleeper will comfortably fit on the record players of Mazzy Star fans around the globe that prefer dreamy, ethereal presence in their Alternative Country.
#10)
King Krule–The Ooz
Archy Marshall aka Zoo Kid aka Kid Krule releases his third (second under the KK moniker) LP blending the various unique influences his various projects have illustrated.
Marshall’s baritone vocals accompany his unorthodox soundscapes ranging from Hip Hop to Post Punk to Jazz Fusion to Trip Hop, and many more.
The Ooz feels like a smooth meeting ground for Six Feet Beneath the Moon and A New Place 2 Drown (his more Hip Hop-oriented LP released under the name Archy Marshall).
#09)
Night Sins–Dancing Chrome
LP#3 from Philadelphia Goth Rock/Post Punk outfit Night Sins is not necessarily groundbreaking or genre-bending, but they still remain damn good at what they do and Dancing Chrome fully illustrates their mastery of the craft.
They remain pone of the better modern acts recapturing the magic of Eldritch and their usage of synthesized layers on this record and overall darker yet upbeat tones make this record a somber yet fun listen.
If you like bands like Sisters of Mercy, Type O Negative, or Bauhaus you would be an absolutely fool to not give these young musicians your attention.
#08)
Quiet–Infinite Regress
I felt like Brand New’s Science Fiction was a boring, sloppy disappointment of a record far before the accusations of Jesse Lacey began to surface.
The only two things I ever felt the group accomplished was worth noting included The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Of Me and remaining relevant despite an eight year album gap.
The good news is LA-based up and coming Post Hardcore act Quiet released a debut LP this year that sounds identical to how I had hoped Science Fiction would sound.
The vocals are eerily similar to Lacey without the creepy child predator undertones and the instrumentation retains an emo-esque foundation while experimenting with droney Post Rock and pummeling gazey walls of sound.
It’s like a better Brand New without the guilt.
#07)
Hoops–Routines
Hoops began as a bedroom project of Indiana-based musician Drew Auscherman utilizing four tracks and tape reels to achieve a warm, nostalgic, sound.
Years have passed and their debut LP Routines basks in studio magic but finds the band at high points in terms of their writing. Twinkly, harmonizing leads mend well with Auscherman’s pristine vocal performance channeling the trending Jangle Pop comeback movement Mac DeMarco appears to be partially responsible for starting.
Routines is an ironic title as it appears to be absent of the routines the group previously utilized to record their music, but the makeover works in the favor delivering track after track of fun, upbeat, summery jams.
#06)
Airiel–Molten Young Lovers
Despite a full decade passing since their debut LP, Chicago Shoegaze act Airiel deliver a beautiful sophomore LP illustrating how they haven’t missed a step.
Molten Young Lovers explores the wonders of adolescent romance through a fun collection of layered, upbeat tracks. Frontman/Bassist Cory Osbourne brings a unique set of pipes to the genre I personally find strongly reminiscent of Ben Gibbard.
I recommend this record to any Death Cab fans that appreciate Shoegaze and want a new album to dance to.
#05)
Ride–Weather Diaries
British rock icons Ride got a bad break.
The quartet stormed the scene that celebrates itself in the late ’80s and eventually released a flawless Shoegaze opus on Creation Records known as Nowhere– predating even Loveless.
As many shoegazers are well aware, the success of label-mates Oasis saw a lot of bands under the genre/Creation label forced to shift towards a more Brit Pop-oriented sound and Ride’s attempt at such lead to nowhere (heh.)
2017 celebrates a revitalized, confident variation of Ride. They have learned from their mistakes and have used their decades apart to correct them to the fullest extent.
Weather Diaries feels like the true successor to Leave Them All Behind blending a now successful attempt at the Brit Pop genre coupled with the reverb-soaked tone that led us to love them in the first place.
The record additionally offers subtle influences of Post Punk, Goth Rock, Synth Pop, and other genres not yet toyed with delivering a reunion record managing to push forward instead of solely glorifying the days of old.
#04)
Thundercat–Drunk
Stephen Bruner (known better by his stagename Thundercat) is one of the most interesting characters in the modern music industry.
From my sole observation, he is quite possibly one of the most skilled bass players alive today and maintains musical resume ranging from humble beginnings in a boy band, slapping the bass for crossover thrash titans Suicidal Tendencies, and participating as one of the major creative forces behind the production of well-known artists including Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, and Kamashi Washington.
Drunk serves as his third solo effort utilizing his sense of humor to assist him in the struggles of his daily life.
Kendrick, Kenny Logins, Wiz Khalifa, Pharrell and various other guests lend their creative skills to compliment the record’s bizarre recipe of Pop, Jazz Fusion, Hip Hop, and Electronic music.
Drunk is undoubtedly the most engaging, relatable, and overall fun release from Bruner’s catalog, and I strongly recommend it to fans of any genre.
#03)
Life on Venus–Encounters
Russian quintet Life on Venus channel exceptional songwriting as well as lush, dreamy soundscapes with their debut LP.
Encounters balances melds crushing walls of sounds akin to the stylings of Kevin Shields with well-written, pop tunes similar to the likes of Nothing, Pity Sex, and other trending Shoegaze/Alt-Rock acts.
#02)
Fleet Foxes–The Crack Up
It’s hard to not compare the third and latest LP from Seattle’s indie folk collective Fleet Foxes to the latest solo LP from ex-member Father John Misty.
Pure Comedy and Fear Fun are both deeply layered, ballad-heavy listens straying from the pop sensibilities both projects are known for.
Robin Pecknold’s writing takes an intimate dive inward with each song feeling like beautiful, folk-driven movements only suitable for a front- to-back listen.
The Simon & Garfunkle worship is as strong as ever but remains well-executed and far more progressively written.
The Crack Up is the ideal record of the year to compliment an early winter morning cup of coffee and deep meditation.
#01)
Slowdive–Slowdive
The Shoegazing pioneers known as Slowdive grace the ear drums of listeners with a triumphant comeback worthy of scoring my number spot of the year for Rock/Pop albums.
The Reading-based quintet illustrate a marvelous return to form (similar to the likes of their counterparts My Bloody Valentine) offering a self-titled masterpiece calling upon the sonic spectrum their entire discography.
Despite a 22 year album gap, Slowdive feels like an authentic return to form and fully avoids becoming a saturated backward glance.
I understand that the year end list for this particular genre is noticeable shorter than my previous post regarding the year’s conclusion.
This stems from nothing more than the fact that 2017 had an underwhelming amount of selections that stood out for me in particular. There was undoubtedly a large selection of rap albums I found were good, but not necessarily great. This blog runs entirely on my abrasively honest opinion. Here are five Hip Hop albums in particular I felt stood out in 2017.
#5)
Joey Bada$$-All Amerikkkan Bada$$
Hailing from Brooklyn, 22-year-old Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott (aka Joey Bada$$) delivers a sophomore LP illustrating an interested parallel between him and Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar.
For those who followed this blog around the time it started, I praised Scott’s debut as the “Illmatic of 2015.” B4Da$$ absorbed the sentimentalities of 90’s East Coast Boom Bap like a sponge and easily remains my favorite Hip Hop/Rap release of that year.
As the title implies, All Amerikkkan Bada$$ dives head first into politics in the vein of To Pimp a Butterfly.
Scott’s lyricism here is more simplistic and abrasive covering issues such as police brutality, racial identity, and the horrors regarding the normalization of white supremacy in America.
#4)
Raekwon–The Wild
Raekwon needs no introduction.
The Wu Tang veteran dropped his seventh solo LP earlier this year (and first absent of features from fellow Wu Tang members.) The Wild proves beyond a shadow of a doubt the Brooklyn-based MC can hold his own while progressing forward and allowing his flow to evolve with the times.
#3)
Kendrick Lamar–DAMN.
Compton-based MC, Kendrick Lamar, scores three for three delivering a third LP proving yet again he can follow up a classic with another classic.
DAMN relies less on nostalgia slightly distancing itself from the jazzy, boom bap production found on To Pimp a Butterfly.
While still heavily dabbling in political lyricism, DAMN feels less like a cultural rally than his previous effort and more like a personal narrative. The album provides a much more modern, radio-friendly appeal akin to his debut, but Lamar’s flow and tempo-shifting bars remain as unique, unpredictable, and impressive as records past.
#2)
Dälek–Endangered Philosophy
Jersey-based hip hop group Dälek remain far more obscure than they should be despite six fantastic records spanning across two decades experimenting with Hip Hop/Rap in ways most artists could barely dream of.
Perhaps such obscurity is self-inflicted due to constant genre-blending and boundary pushing dabbling in Shoegazing and harsh, industrial drone.
Endangered Philosophy is a politically-centered record utilizing droney production to invoke a sense of spacious atmosphere.
#1)
Lulls in Traffic–Rabbit in the Snare
I’ve been patiently waiting for this album for six years and I am pleased that it exceeded all of m expectations and stands as my favorite Hip Hop/Rap album of the year.
For those of you unaware, Lulls in Traffic is a musical duo consisting of Copeland’s Aaron Marsh performing vocals/instrumentals/production alongside Russian MC Ivan Ives.
Ever since Copeland released You Are My Sunshine (which I consider to be their magnum opus) it became clear Marsh’s pipes we’re the group’s biggest strength. I remember thinking to myself the first time I heard his stellar falsetto on “Should You Return” how incredible it would be if Marsh channeled his vocals skills and songwriting abilities into a solo R&B/Pop record.
After Copeland split in 2009 and Marsh focused on production, my pipedream became more and more real. In 2011, Lulls released their first single “The Rope to Pull Yourself Together” and I had been in deep anticipation ever since.
Rabbit in the Snare is a masterpiece honing in on all the strengths that made Copeland’s later work so memorable. I hear a lot of complaints about Ive’s vocal performance being underwhelming in comparison and waving the album down, but his lyrical content far outweighs what many consider to be a lackluster flow. I view Ive’s work on this LP more as delicate spoken word gently coinciding with the beautiful ambience Aaron generates.
Highly recommend this record to anyone that loves Copeland, the “PBR&B” movement (Frank Ocean, Inc no world, How to Dress Well, etc.) and Post Rock/Indie acts such as Foxing or Caspian. The composition here is outstanding, and Marsh still remains one of my favorite current songwriters.
