Hi hi hi hi, here's some recommendations for yr bandcamp day purchases. Hope yr ok, hope yr well, and hope yr mind isn't fully melted by dread.
Media Jeweler - The Sublime Sculpture of Being Alive
Just saw Media Jeweler at a generator show on the LA river, it was the 2nd of two shows they played in LA to celebrate the release of this LP but also sadly last shows for atleast 6 months according to them. The easiest way to describe this record is controlled chaos. The vocals are classic theatrical post punk vocals, commanding yr attention. The music itself its guitars slamming against each other, clanging, wiggling and pummeling. The LP is so dynamic, and the final track ends things on this climax of experimental free jazz note, repeating the mantra "smile, yr on camera" with an ominous tone. This is a fun and exciting record to listen too, don't sleep.
https://mediajeweler.bandcamp.com/album/the-sublime-sculpture-of-being-alive
YL Hooie - Untitled
Another great under heard Australian release, weird! Originally released on cassette but reissued this year on Efficient Space (who put out the great Sky Girl comp, Singing Dust, and Steve Hiett records). The LP, with its dubby, hypnotic and nocturnal vibes reward multiple listens. It at first holds you at a distance for first three tracks, but by track four "W/O Love" yr hazily bopping. It's a very inner space, its a vibe. It in a similar lane to Jonnine, HTRK, Anika and Broadcast at their most woozy. They actually cowrote or produced a song on the Jonnine EP. Anyway its gooood.
https://ylhooi.bandcamp.com/album/untitled-2
Guitar - Sunkissed
I had totally forgot about this fantastic record until came across it on one of my favorite blogs "Opium Hum". I remember vividly when I first heard this, i was very stoned, listening to it very loud and was taken in by its hypnotic pull. Its pretty much is indebted to the MBV eps "Glider" and "Tremelo" but its constructed not like a rock band but more electronic music. The songs feel like sample based, but sampling themselves, and adding layers in and out to create dynamic shifts. The vocals are light and airy, adding subtle hooks to keep you engaged while the music pulses away. Thankfully this LP is mostly upbeat, gets noisy and isn't just like weightless like most dreamy/gazey pop. Its great album to listen to while driving or cleaning.
https://guitarsunkissed.bandcamp.com/album/sunkissed
Time Wharp - Ingenue
Yes, new Time Wharp with the announcement that they will be releasing a new LP on Leaving Records in 2022. If these two songs are a taste of what to come, this just jump to top of my most anticipated albums list for next year (i don't have a list). These two songs such fantastic examples of modern day kosmische, that show different sides of same coin. The title track is similar Ashra but lose the guitars and add a sax, and the second track is a wonderful Neu! worship jam, but using lap steel (or slide) guitar to add a new texture to this kind of song. Am/was a huge fan of their more New Age focused cassette tape "Feel No Pain" which I also highly recommend. Get into it!
https://timewharp.bandcamp.com/album/ingenue
ME & E - RAP
This is the sole release so far by this hip hop Duo from Chicago. It combines hard hitting beats, that take influence from house/techno with ambient/atmospheric synth pads swirling underneath. The vocals are confident and commanding over the instrumentals, keeping with the urgency created by the duo. This is one of the most unique hip hop releases I've ever heard, and there is so much energy, excitement in the music, its truly explosive and really inspiring. I hope we hear more.
https://me-and-e.bandcamp.com/album/rap
