We are half way through 2024, we love a list of music that is good. Dummy will have a record out in the fall, so that will probably end up on yr year end ;) but in no particular order here we go.
Water Damage - In E
Current rulers of minimalist crushing rock music. I love that a band is making drone music that feels purpolsive and muscular without being overly masculine. All the sounds play in (dis)harmony that creates washes of pounding frequencies that are part alienating and part welcoming. It's never feels stuffy/ over intellectual like so much avant music can. If Neu was the sound of flowing water, than W D is the sound of flowing lava. Love this band, and these 4 tunes.
https://waterdamage12xu.bandcamp.com/album/in-e
Broadcast - Distant Calls / Spell Blanket
Any new music from Broadcast is clearly a gift, and I do wish James had it in him to finish whatever that supposed record they were working on but here we have 2 documents of the duos genius to unpack. Distant Calls is really an interesting listen becuz of how many classic tunes just start off with simple chords and melodies, that evolve into completely different sonic backdrops. Endlessly fascinating stuff. Spell Blanket is definitely a mixed bag of almost fleshed out or fleshed out tunes with some more tossed off ideas. I wish they would have kinda mixed the 2 releases together in a cohesive release (like I do on my ipod) but there's alot to love and it plays more like a stretched out " mother is the milky way "which I loved. Obviously we r lucky too have these documents and I hope James gained some peace from releasing.
https://broadcast.bandcamp.com/album/spell-blanket-collected-demos-2006-2009
Florian T M Zeisig - Planet Inc
Swirling dub techno from Florian T M Zeisig. Best known for their "Music For Parents" an equally great droney ambient record that introduced me to Florian. This record feels alpt more modern comparatively, alil cooler soundind, not as warm. Alot of dub techno can sound pretty samey but this record is fairly dynamic between more ambeint stuff and stuff with more of a beat/groove to latch into. Been listening to this a ton in the car. I think its one of the best of the year so far.
https://stroomtv.bandcamp.com/album/planet-inc
Lockslip - S/T
Brutal metalcore that is, I think, one of the best examples of the genre in YEARS. Sounding like Curl Up and Die, early Converge and A Life Once Lost, and Eyes Upon Separation swirled into a raw punchy and fun EP. Sara's vocals are on some other level of rage and passion, you instantly believe her anger. Dont sleep on this up and coming band. Lockslip has alot of potential, I hope they add some Isis / Neurosis clean vocals to the mix, and get into bands like Ire, Breach and Knut along the way.
https://lockslip.bandcamp.com/album/lockslip
Mountain Movers - Walking After Dark
TiM every year has that ONE release that just knocks me over, and this year it's MM new record. With each release MM seem to push their sound to new highs and new experimentation. Some tunes sound like VU/Yo La Tengo songs stretched out to Popol Vuh lengths, so much space to bring you in on their wavelength. Along with some that seem like lil tangential experiments in the practice spaces. It all works together in a harmonic atmosphere that feels like their own. Fans of Magnog, Bardo Pond, Headroom or Cosmic Jokers.
https://themountainmovers.bandcamp.com/album/walking-after-dark
Jessica Pratt - Here's The Pitch
Jessica Pratt is a national treasure at this point. She smokes allllllllllllllll current singer songwriters. Her lyrics, her production and melodies all feel singular. I had heard her new record was adding drums and tbh I was worried (shouldn't have been) cuz often when folk artists add more instruments it ends up losing something but Jessica understands is nuance, and uses these newish elements to elevate already amazing songs. Melding bossa nova, ambient, 70s psych folk, 60s Phil Spector pop and honestly Cocteau Twins. I love her. We are lucky to have her right now
https://jessicapratt.bandcamp.com/album/here-in-the-pitch
Pot Pot - Going Insane
Like favs Lewsburg, Pot Pot worships at the alter of the Velvet Underground while folding in other elements that elevate it to some new and cool. Pot Pot hails from Ireland, I found out about them when my bud Mariana was writing about music from there. This new mini LP(?) has elements of Spectrum, Faust, Tony Conrad, Spacemen 3 and Labradford. Pounding drone rock that feels extremely urgent in 2024.
Winged Wheel - Big Hotel
The 2nd 12xu release on this list is the avant diy rock super group Winged Wheels sophomore LP. This record is more far out, alive yet still retains a aura of mystery. This sounds like classic Kranky type stuff, washes of droned out guitars, subtle vocals and forward moving kosmiche. Imagine if Wendy and Carl made a full on rock band or if Helen wasn't focused on pop tunes. It rules.
https://wingedwheel.bandcamp.com/album/big-hotel
Twin Coast - noie! noie! noie!
Twin Coast are one the best noise pop, gazey noise rock band. Chicago produces so so so many good young songwriter, sound designers, noise makers and this is no secret. This ep furthers them into the realm of pure caustic noise with sweet melodies. Think alil more lucid Astrobrite or a more coherent Swirlies. Love this band. Dont sleep all you indie pop nerds.
https://twincoast.bandcamp.com/album/noie-noie-noie-3
Geo - Out Of Body
This is a great band, true freaks making ass shaking dance punk that mixes the sounds Liquid Liquid and Crash Course in Science while still understand space within the sonic field. The lyrics are surreal, creating a paranoid world of Out OF Body. The guitar are dissonant and stabby, beats are layered, bass lays a sixk groove and everything works in harmony to make one of the most exciting debuts of the year.
https://erstetheketontraeger.bandcamp.com/album/ett-113-geo-out-of-body-lp
Cats Miaow - Skipping Stone : The Cassette Years
Just a great collection of lofi jangle indie pop from their cassette years, following up last year's amazing other collection.
https://thecatsmiaow.bandcamp.com/album/skipping-stones-the-cassette-years-92-93
GMO - Repeat/Rewind
One of my favorite new bands in LA, who make the ideal middle ground between Broadcast and Aphex Twin. "Tap" is the real charmer cuz it reminds me of the minimalism of Tender Buttoms with that slight crispy tones on the synthns and driving beats. Other songs feel more for the dance floor. I'm hyped to see where this band goes next, leaning on which direction?
https://gmogmo.bandcamp.com/album/repeat-rewind-3
Lost Paradise: Blissed Out Breakbeat Hardcore 1991-94
Insane collection of ambient meets pounding breakbeats. The banger on this record is "Inesse" by DJ Mayhem, goddamn WHAT A FUCKING TRACK. Slow build of beautiful new agey textures and than the beat blasts in and ot makes you wanna lose yr mind.
https://blankmindlabel.bandcamp.com/album/lost-paradise-blissed-out-breakbeat-hardcore-1991-94
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