It's been few months since last Bandcamp Friday, I leave for Europe Monday, so this is a quick run down of some recs I have to spend yr cash on.
Lifeguard - Crowd Can Talk
Spent 6 days with these 3 phreaks on tour, so obviously I am a little biased, but I truly believe in a year or so they will be talk of the music world. These 4 tracks show a band getting a handle on their craft and refining it to the sharpest of sonic daggers. Taking bits of noise rock, post hardcore, post punk and SST indie rock, Lifeguard grinds you into submission. Subtle hooks creep out on multiple listens, with mature beyond their years dynamics, it's confounding how well this music is written. For fans of Marbled Eye, Pardoner, Metz...and just rock music that rules.
https://lifeguardband100.bandcamp.com/album/crowd-can-talk
Post Office Winter - Music Box
Obviously there's something in the water in Chicago right now, with Horsegirl, the after mentioned Lifeguard and this fantastic tape by Post Office Winter. Treading closer to Elephant 6 vibes with its homespun recording, and more outwardly emotional songwriting, POW sets it self apart. The recording has alot of lovely little moments where auxiliary instruments come in, add to the ramshackle feel. The forlorn atmosphere is heightened by the vocal delivery and lyrics. It all feels slightly haunted and well.... wintery. Beautiful record.
https://postofficewinter.bandcamp.com/album/music-box
George Theodorakis - Rules Of The Game
Wild, immersive Greek electronic music recorded from mid 70s to mid 90s. Reminiscent of alot of cool stuff on Music From Memory. I guess it's a collection of unreleased stuff from George, who's father was a famous Greek composer that i knew zero about. The 2nd song on this rules, it's like Ashra meets Tim Buckley! This feels very unique and deeply fucking cool. A mix of funk, electronic, rock, jazz and ambient atmospheres. It's very forward moving and thinking, clearly lots of time went into his sound design. Mark from Dummy showed me this on tour and was instantly smitten with it.
https://into-the-light.bandcamp.com/album/the-rules-of-the-game-original-studio-recordings-1978-1996
Bitchin Bajas - Bajascillators
Anytime B B releases something, I buy it....I stan. This 4 song tape/ep is pretty mellow, very Japanese ambient/Steve Reich influenced but also playful. It's Bitchin Bajas, it rules and you know yr getting : high quality kosmiche so stfu and buy it.
https://bitchinbajas.bandcamp.com/album/bajascillators
The Sheaves - Excess Death Cult Time
Janky post punk from Phoenix, AZ, damn I hope Dummy can play with this band in the future. Really enjoying this weirdo shit, especially the guitar tone and the quick decents into chaos. It's all a bit warped and outta focus. The vocals sounds like a mad man, oddly bandcamp called this krautrock influenced, which I'm not so sure but I'm glad I checked it out cuz I kinda love it.
https://sheaves.bandcamp.com/album/excess-death-cult-time
Horse Lords - Comradely Objects
I fully admit, I've never been on the Horse Lords train, I've seen them live multiple times, and I know I SHOULD like it, but it's never clicked until....this first single off their upcoming album which I can full say rules and I'm stoked to hear the rest. They've always been called krautrock....which I don't get but this song is a hypnotic piece or Avant-garde rock and yea...it rules. The production is great, especially the mixing, it's very thoughtful with how it is conveying the dynamics. Get some
https://horselords.bandcamp.com/album/comradely-objects-2
The Koreatown Oddity - ISTHISFORREAL?
Hallucinatory hiphop from LA, in similar vein as Milo, Quelle or Doom. This LP is very new to me, so I'm still taking it in but it's on Stones Throw...so you know it's gonna be pretty damn good. Definitely gonna be one of my fav hiphop releases of the year for sure.
https://thekoreatownoddity.bandcamp.com/album/isthisforreal
Knifeplay - Animal Drowning
Knifeplay has been around for a long time chugging along in their own lane of dream pop, shoegaze, and slowcore, staples of the philly/smoking room scene. But, their new LP will be dropping on the veteran genre less label Topshelf Records. First single dropped, and it's a punisher of a track that it's a maximilists dream rock song. The best moment is when that sax comes in and blasts yr ear drums.
https://knifeplayforever.bandcamp.com/album/animal-drowning
