What a strange year, recorded, released and played shows for an LP after 18 months of pure hell. It's been a weird year for music, lots of failed follow ups for major artists but a good year for weird rock music. Here's my list of favorite things that came out, that includes new stuff and reissues, in no particular order.
Smoke Bellow - Open For Business
One of the best bands currently active, I have fawned over this band for years. This new LP pushes their sound in a more accessible and minimalist directions. If you dig minimal post punk, afrobeat guitar/drum wiggle and droning organs or just trust my taste... buy this.
https://smokebellow.bandcamp.com/album/open-for-business-2
Flat out, this is an amazing record and a true accomplishment for Spellling, I don't envy having to follow this up. It's densely layer with something like 30 different musicians creating walls of psychedelic sound. The vocals are so expressive, bold and unselfconscious. Its got hooooooks galore. Its great, probs best of the year.
https://spellling.bandcamp.com/album/the-turning-wheel
This is the first Wiki record I've gotten super into, and I think it's his more consistent and rewarding to date. The production is dynamic and varied, swinging from atmospheric beatless jams, boom bap, jazz/soul loops and fantastic lyrics, HOLY. Definitely some of the best lyrics ive heard all year, and at times having a similar vocal tone as Kendrick. All produced by the equally fantastic Navy Blue with features from Earl, Navy and Mike. Its a great hiphop record with subtle hooks. "The Business" is one of my favorite songs of the year.
https://wiksetnyc.bandcamp.com/album/half-god
I mean, damn, why isn't this amazing band in the post punk history book, for a band ahead of their time, far to few people have heard this band from early 80s Tampa FL. Oscillating between jagged jangle, dancey rhythm and soaring vocals. Creative guitar work, with spots of jammy experimentation, that is always unexpected. Listening to this album is thrilling, and everyone I've played it for is blown away. Imagine is B52s and Feelies had a love child....fuck so good.
https://the-stick-figures.bandcamp.com/album/archeology
Moon Glyph is the best, and this my favorite thing they released this year. Truly a bizzaro mix of kosmische, jazz, psych pop, lounge and alil Suicide. Love the warm drum machine sound weaved within the immersive mixing, truly a late year contender for album of the year. The song "Under the Dark Moon" is a certifiable bop.
https://realamericancream.bandcamp.com/album/dark-hemisphere
The best way I have seen April Magazine's music described is "Fog Pop" with its dimly lit psychedelic songs and lo-fi recording production it all feels hazy and surrounds you. I've spoken previously that they sound like a current iteration of the rural psychedelic movement from Bristol in early 90s like a less abrasive Flying Saucer Attack/Light or a more dreamy/less jazzy Movietone. This LP feels like a culmination, of great songs and great production.
https://aprilmagazine.bandcamp.com/album/sunday-music-for-an-overpass
Label mates, who make droney, circular experimental post punk in a simar vein as early Pram and Moonshake. This was an early in the year favorite. Circular post punk, with elements of drone, krautrock, post rock that collectively makes its own little world to live in.
https://nightshiftgroup.bandcamp.com/album/z-e
Punishing power violence informed hardcore thats catchy as hell. There's some songs that give off Melvins vibe, and the final track I wish went on longer the the Neurosisy layered drums but its all killer, no filler.
https://regionaljusticecenter.bandcamp.com/album/crime-and-punishment
I mean, nothing I can say will add to whats already been said about this blast of an album. I think the thing I MOST appreciate/enjoy about this record is how blissful and alive it is. So much popular music right now is down in the dumps and sllllllllooowwwwww. They choose the euphoric side of music, and I relate to that with my own music. If you don't know, Turnstile combine 90s alternative metal, nyc hardcore, nu metal, with hints of dream pop and Go Go to create pure energy.
Golden Hallway Music - Rules and Chance Vol 2
Lovely kosmische dreamscapes from New York City, so easy to get lost in the organ flutters and synth washes. Very simple, sometimes with a lilttle beat to keep things moving. Super lush and well done.
https://goldenhallwaymusic.bandcamp.com/album/rules-chance-vol-2
Honestly, most indie pop to me, at this point is flaccid, unadventurous and boring. So leave it too a bunch of preteens from 30 years ago to make some of the best indie pop ive heard in years. The songwriting at times is genius leave, with interesting use of synths, sax and interesting production flourishes. There are like 5 stone cold classics on this, that rival any Sarah or Flying Nun hits. The only issue really is sometimes vocals are really unpleasant lol, but otherwise I love this collection.
https://tangledshoelaces.bandcamp.com/album/turn-my-dial-the-m-squared-recordings-and-more-1981-84
For what seems like a somewhat tossed off affair, this is a great collection of minimalist post punk lofi freak shit from dood who runs on of the country's best labels Paisley Shirt. All recorded at home, testing out gear, their is a kinda stream of conscious feel to how the songs unfold. Love the weaving guitar parts, and the clanging nature of the instrumentation. This just deeply appeals to me.
https://paisleyshirtrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-continuous-monument
Time Wharp - Ingenue and 10 Year Warranty
Alex and I are big fans of Time Wharps new agey/ambient tape "Feel No Pain" so when it was announced she was joining Leaving Records we were super hyped for her. These 2 digital singles hopefully a sign of a more krauty direction for next LP. All 4 songs are well crafted kosmische mellow bangers. Its a small but killer sampling hopefully what is to come
https://timewharp.bandcamp.com/album/ingenue
Colleen is fabulous, to be fair though, I only got into her off her last LP "A Flame My Love, A Frequency". Her new LP, feels like what if Beach House went avant- guarde, with warm organs, skittering drum machines and ethereal vocals. The songs are deeply hypnotic, subtle hooks abound and the sound design is top notch. What I appreciate about Colleen is her creative restlessness and this record continues her singular journey.
https://colleencolleen.bandcamp.com/album/the-tunnel-and-the-clearing
Ummmm best mainstream pop song of the year easy.
The Same - Synch or Swim
I've written about this twice, once on here and once on Dummys "Big Ups". It rules, just listen.
https://rimarimba.bandcamp.com/album/sync-or-swim
Bitchin Bajas - Switched On Ra and Cuts IV
Best band releasing some inbetween stuff before hopefully next full length! First released was Cuts IV, which is more droned out kosmische that they kill, and the other is a comp of Sun Ra interpretations which is also dope. It's one of my favorite bands and I wish Dummy was playing with em in Chicago 😭.
https://bitchinbajas.bandcamp.com/album/switched-on-ra
Two groups to look out for music when they release it, and were two of my favorite sets I've seen in a LONG time:
RX - weirdo sardonic post punk that wiggles and writhes.
Cupid&pysche - what if Durrti Column and Blue Nile was just two doods and a drum machine.
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