Best of 2023!

 

Welcome to my year end list. This has been a banner year for Hiphop, droned out guitar rock and triphop influenced stuff. Below is my favorite LPs, EPs, singles and reissues! Hope you discover something you dig and inspires you. This also doubles as a bandcamp recommendation for this weeks BCF. See you in 2024

LP's :

Danny Brown X Jpegmafia - Scaring The Hoes

This might be my album of the year. Bonkers production that goes from bombastic glitchy beat switches to totally blissed out euphoric melodic alls of sound. Danny and Peggy trade verses, both bringing different flows, often with hilarious ywt thoughtful bars through out the whole LP. I havent liked a hiphop record this much since Loojis album from a couple years go. This is just such a fun, twisted, avant rap record that sees two of the best making banger after banger. 

https://jpegmafia.bandcamp.com/album/scaring-the-hoes

Icecoldbishop - Generational Curse 

A harrowing hiphop record that I feel like I am not the right person to talk about, but i do love it and its story telling. Like Danny Brown and Kendrick ICB has a very flamboyant and expressive vocal delivery. The beats mix g funk, trap, boombap and psychedelic hiphop into a brutal yet hooky debut. The strain in ICB voice whens he trying to squeeze out his bars cuz its just a pure release of his inner monolog. This isnt fake at all, its so real. Like Biggies debut. (Not on bandcamp)

A.S.O. - Self Titled

This whole record rules. Its a surprisingly dynamic record unlike...alot of records ingeneral. Taking elements of triphop, house, 90s r&b, dream pop and Sophisti-pop into their sticky melodies and interesting production choices. The crown jewel of the record is "True", its one of the more emotionally resonate songs I've heard in a minute, and the vocals reallllly soar with that Beth Gibbons vibrato, along with "Hunter" kinda vibe. The songs are hella catchy, it doesnt over stay its welcome, its fun.....This record will likely be in my top 5 of the year. It's rare that I feel cooler when listening to music but this makes me feel cool lol. Also, love the subtle nodes to soul there are.

https://itsaso.bandcamp.com/album/a-s-o

Water Damage - 2 Songs 

If it's not obvious from my Twitter or IG, but Water Damage has become one of my favorite current bands. Droned out minimalist rock music that is just so soothing but I don't think for most, this will be the case lol. First track is similar to what they were doing on last year's "Repeater" buuuut their are strange wild edits(?) Or pauses jump out that really gives this track an off kilter vibe. Theres another lil thing is that there are these random snare hits with reverb that make it sound HARD. The B-side pushed their sound into a interesting direction with the vibraphone or xylophone, with Steve Reich like repetition and just grows from there, it's quite mesmerizing. MAN, this shit just hits, obvi if you dig Tony Conrad, Faust, Bardo Pond or Jessamine....you'll love.

https://waterdamage12xu.bandcamp.com/album/2-songs

Yo La Tengo - This Stupid World 

Truly absurd a band 30 years into their career can make such a adventurous piece of work thay doesnt betray their sound. Next to Low, YLT might be the only other 90s indie band that still pushes forward. Tracks range from Tony Conrad drone feedback minimalism, noise pop, idm, folk, free rock and NZ pop. Each song is its own lil world but all work in congress to make a haunting, modern and cohesive listen that shows age doesnt matter if yr a real one.

https://yolatengo.bandcamp.com/album/this-stupid-world

Lewsberg - Out and About

Much has been said about Lewsberg mellowing out, but with this mellowing they actually sound less like VU. On their new LP they fold in new sounds, moods and colors. Expanding the vocals adds new textures to their minimalist but lovely songs. Feeling closer to post crazy rhythm era Feelies, Yo La Tengo at their most sweet and even alil Belle and Sebastian. Its beautiful music made by freaks. The only "issue" is i wish lead guitarist went off leash alil. But regardless this record rules. 

https://lewsberg12xu.bandcamp.com/album/out-and-about

XV - On The Creekbeds On The Thrones

Great Detroit weirdo rock, from members of Shells, Deadbeat Beat and Tyvek. Idk how to properly describe this record, it's kinda raw, it's kinda psychedelic, alil dub and alil avant. Too my dum dum ears it's a mix between Raincoats, Red Krayola and Movietone 🤷. It's really cool, and I feel cool listening too it. Disorienting production, detached vocals at times but then there is a playfulness too....very distinctive band. "Fresh Lettuce" is so odd, otherworldly. If you dig Mope Grooves, Maximum Joy and freak flags flying.

https://thexv.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-creekbeds-on-the-thrones

IE - Junkbody 

Their last record was on a toneburst favorite label Moon Glyph . This continues their meditative brand of kosmiche. If you can imagine it, it's like if Faust made a minimalist ambient record inside of the punishing drone feedback jams. The vocals pop in sometimes to add an even more haunting hypnosis. The amount of space they use to create such trance inducing worlds of sound. Highly recommend esp if you dig early Smoke Below or VU at their mellowest. The song "Mels Hole" is top 5 songs of the year, drone pop by way of Shangri-las. Perfect tune.

https://iesounds.bandcamp.com/album/junk-body

Water From Your Eyes - Everybodys Crushed

Nothing makes me happier than seeing a couple freaks crystallize their sound into a cohesive piece of work that marries pop and avant-garde. These songs twist n turn from pop bangers to noise rock freak outs that never hold yr hand. Its as if Cornelius didnt drift into more ambient direction and just kept going harder into the noise pop he explored earlier in his output. Very excited to see where they go next cuz this shows so much promise ontop of being so realized. Rachel's vocals are at times crushingly beautiful & emotive and sometimes flip to a deadpan distance. Nates guitars are jagged and punishing. Hopefully more labels will take chances of more left of center indie music based off this.

https://waterfromyoureyes.bandcamp.com/album/everyones-crushed

Omni Gardens - Golden Pear

Im a huge fan of Steve and his label Moon Glyph by evidence of how often the label shows up here on the blog. He returns with his solo work under Omni Gardens which continues to explore beauty and inner peace. This record feels like floating on a river of bliss at the golden hour while yr on a mild shroom trip. Purely immersing you in the drifting synth arpeggios and low frequency drones. I love how this music makes me feel.

https://omnigardens.bandcamp.com/album/golden-pear

Billy Woods and Kenny Segal - Maps

Imo Billys best LP yet, flows, word play and just the pure sniper focus of his bars are awe inspiring. The production compliments the vibe of each song perfectly. It goes from boom bap jazz infused beats to more far out abstract psychedelic beats that circle dark ambience. Billys words often dense, hilarious and profound all in one tune. Theres so many funny one liners that make me run the track back like from opening track, a line i deeply relate to "Every time things going good or having a laugh, Have to remember God's a hater". The guest verses are all uniformly dope but have to say Danny Browns is a real stand out with how patient and calm his delivery is, he knows how to weave words and cadence w pure mastery. 

https://billywoods.bandcamp.com/album/maps

Weak Signal - War and War

So if i had to give a neanderthal elevator pitch to describe WS sound it would be what if The Melvins and The Vaselines were jamming in a very well dark smoke filled room. That maybe be silly but thats how it unfolds to me. Effortless songs, dense guitars, drums and bass pound with lovely coed vocal melodies that hook ya in. "Consolation" is song of the fall. Stoned pop at its best. Is 12xu best undergroundrocklabel right now?(Aware it was out digitally in 2022, but idc, 12xu released vinyl in June). 

https://weareweaksignal.bandcamp.com/album/war-war

Hysterical Love Project  - Lashes

I really enjoy listening to this record late at night while very stoned. Its what in the old days you'd call it a grower. They blend Love Spirals Downward, Sneaker Pimps, Bowery Electric, and Aphex Twin into a LP of subtle dreamy pop tunes. The production is soooooooo good, feels studied but not overly referential. I could imagine HLP playing The Bronze during a forlorned moment between Angel & Buffy. Its sick.

https://motionward.bandcamp.com/album/hysterical-love-project-lashes

Daisies - Great Big Open Sky 

Daisies are the most underrated pop group in the US. Val's voice and storytelling are so welcoming and empathetic with hooks galore. Pair that with Chris's production and guitar playing.....hes a lowkey genius. This is a more contemplative release for the group that brings their 90s dance pop / adult contemporary influences more upfront than the more indie pop early LPs. Its no secret i love this band and if the world was just theyd be huge. THIS IS POP MUSIC LOSERS. 

https://daisies.bandcamp.com/album/great-big-open-sky

EP'S :

Forever ☆ - 3 Series 

Easily the most impressive and exciting shoegaze coming out right now despite what big indie will tell you. Breakbeats, blown out guitars and haunting vocals. MORE OF THIS PLEASE. Its like Curve on speed.

https://foreverstar.bandcamp.com/album/3-series

Tara Clerkin Trio - On The Turning Ground

Bristol just knows whats up. This fantastic ep that melds jazz, triphop, ambient, drone, field recordings, modern classical into a dreamy swirl. They feel like they are picking up where Broadcast left off with Noise Made By People with the soft, layered and production forward pop that isnt holding yr hand. The vocals r so transportative, with the loops and melodies. I just love this ep. WORLD OF ECHO STRIKES AGAIN.

https://taraclerkintrio.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-turning-ground

Pablo Volt Y JGG - Mordida

Gorgeous exotica. Immersive rhythms and fantastic production. Flawless ep

https://edicionespopulares.bandcamp.com/album/mordida

Present Electric - Self Titled 

I am such a huge fan of Paisley Undergrounds founder Kevin Linns P E. This new mini album/ep continues to tread in weirdo post VU jammers and janky post punk nuggets. The record is Bursting with cool ideas, experiments and tunes. If you dig Lewsberg, Drinks and The Sheaves you'll love this. 

https://paisleyshirtrecords.bandcamp.com/album/present-electric

pot-pot "Ode To A"

Hitting a similar vibe to Water Damage, Irelands pot-pot play zoned out drone rock that pulses like yr digging through miles of dirt trying to get to the hallow earth to see some primordial monsters dook it out. They also have a new song out that kicks ass that sounds like "waiting for my man" but harder.

https://potpot.bandcamp.com/album/ode-to-a

Purelink - To / Deep

Chicagos Purelink are the current dub techno ambeint kings and this EP is sonic perfection. Just listen to "Maintain the Bliss".....ok yr back? Was i wrong? Ok, now go buy it and read a book.

https://purelink.bandcamp.com/album/to-deep

Reissues :

Hydroplane - Selected Songs 1997 to 2003

Hydroplane has been probs my favorite discoveries since finding Pram like 6 years ago. Like Pram, Hydroplane makes pop music but of the avant variety. Mixing indie pop, triphop, ambient, electronic dance, and shoegaze but with odd production. The songs can be catchy, or maximum droned out. They use effects and synths in subtlety adventurous ways, more studio as an instrument. This is a comp of tracks across thier whole discograpy with couple new tracks through on. Its just very idiocratic pop music which is very much my shit

https://hydroplaneband.bandcamp.com/album/selected-songs-1997-2003

The Woods - So Long Before Now

My ideal jangle pop. Sounding like Twice As Much meets Feelies meets Rain Parade but rougher around the edges. I cannot Recommend this enough

https://woodsmodernharmonic.bandcamp.com/album/so-long-before-now

Don Cherry / Jean Shcwarz - Roundtrip (1977)

Extremely far out free jazz /electronic fusion from the master Don Cherry. Some of the most propulsive/explosive jazz ive ever heard. The grooves are odd, psychedelic and at times punishing. The electronics can be spacey but also abrasive in the best way. I cannot Recommend this one enough, just so emmersive and confounding.

https://transversales.bandcamp.com/album/roundtrip-1977

Richter Band  - Smetana 

This haunting collection of Popol Vuh inspired quiet music that has been reissue from this i think mostly unknown group from 1990 according to discogs. Combining kalimba, synths and guitar to create this beautiful alien sounds that use human hands to make. Its easy to get lost in this world they created, there is just something so genuinely special about these little discoveries labels make and we are so lucky to hear they gorgeous home spun sounds of 3 people playing together in such a harmonious way.

https://infiniteexpanse.bandcamp.com/album/smetana

Blue Smiley - Return

Thank the heavens this got reissued becuz its easily one of the most important shoegaze releases since the OG's. The profound influence on diy music of the noisey guitar variety. Every song kicks ass, emotionally satisfying and production is perfectly on point. Just stfu and listen to the best shoegaze record since Loveless. 

https://bluesmiley.bandcamp.com/album/return

Dorothy Carter  - Wailee Wailee

Cosmic folk at its finest, this reissue is a treasured discovery in 2024. Haunting combo of Celtic, Appalachian folk with new age / avant-garde drone mixed together. Its like Malvina Reynolds jamming with Laraaji. Its just truly other worldly.

https://paltoflats.bandcamp.com/album/waillee-waillee-2

Singles :

Newjeans "Super Shy"

Best pop song of the year hands down.

Fievel is Glauque "Dark Dancing"

Fievel continue to hone and experiment, this song is a banger with new lil production trix.

Hoodie x james k "Scorpio"

Zoned out triphop ala Bowery Electric mixed with Cocteaus

Twin Coasts " Scatch on You"

This Chicago band is showing great promose with 2 killer singles this year that blend bent noise pop and drone ambient peices like Loveliescrushing 

Mo Dotti  - For Anyone and You

Obviously I am biased but Mo Dotti is the best traditionally leaning shoegaze band right. Hands down understand song first, sound design second which tbh is how it should always be. This new single will be on their debut LP i believe and its a catchy pummel pop number with Ginas beautiful voice, Guys swirling guitars and Andrew (drummerl does a great job on production on both tunes. B side is more of a mood peice thats kinda like Jefre Cantu Ledsema meets Beach House.

Cole Pulice  - If I Don’t See You in the Future, I’ll See You in the Pasture

22 minute single from Toneburst/Dummy homie collaborator Cole Pulice whos music means alot to all of us. This long form tune is a caccoon droning saxophones or synths or both that have a somber tone though out its runtime. Cole bends their sax into different forms and sounds that are so beautifully alien. Get it

Sept 1 BCF recommendations

 

Quick and dirty BCF recs for yr cute ears

Twin Coasts - Single & Self Titled EP

Young Chicago band that makes great noisy pop tunes with some ambient/ drone mixed in. Fuck these phreaks for being so good at such a young age. I'm blown away by the songwriting on "Scratch On You". If you dig the gazey side of Dummy or Astrobrite you will love this.

https://twincoast.bandcamp.com

Forever ☆ - 3 Series

Another young/new shoegaze band that is doing very interesting stuff with blown out guitars, frantic electronic beats and haunting melodies. This 3 song tape is a must buy esp if you dig Curve, Guitar and Garbage at their more noisy 

https://foreverstar.bandcamp.com/album/3-series

Greg Foat &  Gigi Mason - Dolphin

Stunningly gorgeous album, the opening track "Lee" is worth the price alone. Gigi Mason of Gaussian Curve fame join Greg Foat for a collection of kosmiche, jazz, new age and ambient fusion. It's achely beautiful smooth music that is perfect for laying down, stoned in bed shutting out the horrible ass world

https://gregfoat.bandcamp.com/album/dolphin

Fantastic Palace - Ringlets and Gaskets

Homespun psychedelic patch work collection that has an extremely weird sense of production (meaning following zero rules). Loving how odd this massive releases it, it's like 60s pysch guitar work stripped down to its barest bones. It's reminiscent of R Stevie Moore, Woo, the most far out parts of elepahnt 6and idk 2000s outsider tape artists. It's really cool.

https://fantasticpalace.bandcamp.com/album/ringlets-gaskets-the-catskills-tape-expanded-edition

Sprain - The Lamb As Effigy

Sprain is one of the best live bands in the world right now, I'm not being hyperbolic cuz I hate everything. One they do here is far more ambitious than most bands ever do across a whole career. This isn't "easy" music, but it is beautiful, has integrity and pure catharsis. It'd heavy, it's dramatic, has subtle hooks and blasts yr ears and soul. This has so much care, spirrit and effort......Anyone who digs Swans, Black Midi, This Heat or Faust.

https://sprain.bandcamp.com/album/the-lamb-as-effigy

August BCF recs

 

Tomorrow is the holy day of BCF, here's some recommendations for yr ears holes.

Present Electric - Self Titled 

Present Electric is the experimental side project of Kevin Linn, who runs the great label Paisley Shirt and Sad Eyed Beatniks. His previous release under P E was a favorite of mine couple years ago with its ramshackled VU / Lewsberg vibes. Here with the new cassette it evokes some new sounds with some dub. It somewhat reminds me of Flaming Tunes and Solid Space. It honestly rules, even Alex likes it. Immersive lofi weirdo shit that still feels fun/essy to listen to, and I just love the exploratory nature of it. P

https://paisleyshirtrecords.bandcamp.com/album/present-electric

Friends Below Zero - End Of Tunes

Brian from Botch posted this on IG, and when he posts something I tend to check it cuz he has damn good taste. FBZ makes blown out noise pop of the bedroom variety. The recordings fate back to the 90s but were recently finished for whatever reason. It's a sick collection of pop tunes with weird production choices, fucked up guitar sounds and catchy lil hooks. I've been listening to this a ton cuz stuff like this just isn't really happening rn. If you dig Black Tambourine, Henry's Dress and stuff happening in Philadelphia. 

https://friendsbelowzero.bandcamp.com/album/end-of-tunes-2

Forever ☆ - Your Angel Speaks

Likely one of the best "shoegaze" Singles you'll hear this year with layers of noise, breakbeats and beautiful vocals....this just HITS. Kinda similar to what MBV was doing on the last 3 tracks of their self titled record. 

https://foreverstar.bandcamp.com/album/your-angel-speaks

Bulbils - Map

Not sure how I came across this record, and it's a MONSTER in terms of its length, so I can imagine anyone listening in one sitting but it is a really dense collection of koshmiche in the vein of Cluster, Woo and Faust. It's got a ton of sick sound play, aromopsheres and beats. Really cool stuff to just let play while you record or work.

https://torpress.bandcamp.com/album/map

Dissolve  - That That Is

My current obsession with Roy Montgomery is all incompassing. Pin Group, Dadamah, solo stuff and this gem by duo Dissolve. I love how the guitar is utilized in a few different ways from melodies, with sounds and drones. It's stripped to it bare parts and creates such an amazing feel and atmosphere. The vocals complement the tracks, in a weird way this stuff reminds me of gonggongong or the offsets. Just primitive guitar stuff that rules. It's also on Kranky so u know it's gonna hit.

https://roymontgomery.bandcamp.com/album/that-that-is-is-not

Jonny Nash - Point of Entry

Gorgeous collection of ambient folk from the founder of the dope label Melody as Truth. I love this sorta guitar centered atmosphereic music that reminds me of Steve Hiett and Durutti Column.  It's almost the other side of the coin for stuff like Dissolve, this is the "chill" version of that. It's hard to make this stuff sick, and not just feel like guitar loop wanking but Jonny really hurdles any hints of that. Great music to hike too or chill am work.

https://jonnynash.bandcamp.com/album/point-of-entry

Best of 2023 so far......

 

As the title says this is my list of fav releases so far in 2023. I worked PR for a few that I think are great like Mystic 100s, Spiral XP, The Drin and RJF but I only included Daisies on my best of list

Water Damage - 2 Songs

As I said in a previous post, Water Damage kicks ass, pummeling drone rock that ascends me to the cosmos.

https://waterdamage12xu.bandcamp.com/album/2-songs

Water From Your Eyes - Everyone's Crushed

My heart swells with all the love this record is getting becuz it's rules. Mutated noise pop that feels like if Cornelius went harder into the aggro side. Happy bigger indies are fucking with weird music again. 

https://waterfromyoureyes.bandcamp.com/album/everyones-crushed

Danny Brown X Jpegmafia - Scaring The Hoes 

I love this warped hiphop record by two of the best out there. Bonkers production obviously cuz Jpeg is the king of that shit. Hilarious lyrics from both doods, but damn Dannny is slaying on these beats. I've listened to this so so so much. It's a fun record that makes me wanna bang my head.

https://jpegmafia.bandcamp.com/album/scaring-the-hoes

Daisies - Great Big Open Sky

One of my favorite current bands. 90s techno, 90s adult contemporary  and indie pop all mixed together into a euphorically fun record. I HATE ALL YOU WRITERS FOR SLEEPING ON THIS, with love.

https://daisies.bandcamp.com/album/great-big-open-sky

Yo La Tengo  - This Stupid World

Best record since " And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-out straight up, and I love There's A Riot.

a.s.o  - s/t

Triphop is back in a big way on this one. Fantastically crafted pop tunes with killer production that blends Portishead, Blue Nile and hints of ambient music. Great Great record esp if you dig Laika and Bowery Electric.

https://itsaso.bandcamp.com/album/a-s-o

IE - Junk Body 

Ambient drone "rock" that never rocks. More chill, ritualistic and meditative with beautiful expressive vocals. The final track "Mel's Hole" is one of my fav tunes of the year, it's like Julee Cruise meets Popol Vuh. Insanely gorgeous song.

https://iesounds.bandcamp.com/album/junk-body

Loopsel - Öga for Öga 

Loopsel is emerging as one of my fav up and coming artists, She is involved with a couple killer bands in Monokultur and Skiftande Enheter. On her own she makes I guess "psychedelic folk" in a vague sense, her early shit kinda gave some Flying Saucer Attack vibes but this record is much more lucid. It feels like Antena meets Troth meets Jessica Pratt.

https://mammasmysteriskajukebox.bandcamp.com/album/ga-f-r-ga-eye-for-an-eye

XV - On The Creekbeds On The Thrones

 Too my dum dum ears it's a mix between Raincoats, Red Krayola and Movietone 🤷. It's really cool, and I feel cool listening too it. Disorienting production, detached vocals at times but then there is a playfulness too....very distinctive band. "Fresh Lettuce" is so odd, otherworldly. If you dig Mope Grooves, Maximum Joy and freak flags flying.

https://thexv.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-creekbeds-on-the-thrones

Khanate - To Be Cruel 

My god, what a masterpiece of disgusting foul drone "metal". Dynamic vocals, far out lyrics and tones that test the boundaries of space n time. Makes me yern for the days of Loss and Otesanek.

https://khanate.bandcamp.com/album/to-be-cruel

Landon Caldwell  - Desire Paths

Huge Landon stan, this record is beautiful ambient, new age, kosmiche and spiritual jazz all kinda swirling together in perfect harmony.

https://obsoletestaircases.bandcamp.com/album/desire-paths

Stuck - Freak Frequency

Stuck is handily one of the best US post punk bands, that mever forget the PUNK side of they equation. Nerves out, guitar wizards, banging rhythm section fun/dynamic vocals with hooks! Should be huge smh

https://futureshockrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/freak-frequency

Hysterical Love Project  - Lashes

Finally, like aso above, HLP makes killer triphop, though less sonically dynamic (not shade) still fully immersive sound scapes with great subtle hooks. Love Spirals Downward, Bowery Electric and Cocteau Twins fans unite.

https://motionward.bandcamp.com/album/hysterical-love-project-lashes

June Bandcamp friday recs

 

Howdy howdy howdy! June BCF is upon us and Dummy is going out on tour for first time in 6 months. Been sitting still for too oooof long, but have been able to devour more music than I did all last year .

Water Damage  - 2 Songs

If it's not obvious from my Twitter or IG, but Water Damage has become one of my favorite current bands. Droned out minimalist rock music that is for me atleast, is soothing but I don't think for most, this will be the case lol. First track is similar to what they were doing on last year's "Repeater" buuuut their are strange wild edits(?) Or pauses jump out that really gives this track an off kilter vibe. Theres another lil thing is that there are these random snare hits with reverb that make it sound HARD. The B-side pushed their sound into a interesting direction with the vibraphone or xylophone, with Steve Reich like repetition and just grows from there, it's quite mesmerizing. MAN, this shit just hits, obvi if you dig Tony Conrad, Faust, Bardo Pond or Jessamine....you'll love.

https://waterdamage12xu.bandcamp.com/album/2-songs

Loopsel - Öga for Öga 

Loopsel is emerging as one of my fav up and coming artists, She is involved with a couple killer bands in Monokultur and Skiftande Enheter. On her own she makes I guess "psychedelic folk" in a vague sense, her early shit kinda gave some Flying Saucer Attack vibes but this record is much more lucid. The production is so cool, dense with interesting sounds and rhythmic elements. It's all a bit foggy, dream like with a hint of menace similar to stuff like HTRK and YL Hooi. I find it hard to describe this music, but I really dig it, and like Water Damage is soothes me. One songs that really sticks out is the 7th track that feels like some weird ritualistic like hymm that kinda freaks me out in the way those chanting vocals in Ghost in A Shell unnerved me as a kid. It's dope. It feels like Antena meets Troth meets Jessica Pratt.......

https://mammasmysteriskajukebox.bandcamp.com/album/ga-f-r-ga-eye-for-an-eye

Loris S Sarid  - A Tiny Reminder

I guess the theme of these first three suggestions is soothing the anxiety beast within. Loris record "Music For Tomatoe Plants" is in constant rotation in my house. They continue to explore Japanese ambient/new age music in such a organic / naturalistic feel. Moon Glyph continues to be king of some of the best peaceful music.

https://lorisssarid.bandcamp.com/album/a-tiny-reminder

Hipwell - Gardenworld

This Hipwell record has been hitting super hard recently, I bump this in the car when dealing with annoying LA traffic. Firmly in the Berlin school, kosmiche or krautrock arena, massive synth baths and celestial atmosphere. Some tunes are blissful, upliftingly dreamy, and some are more dense, broody and intense. But it all flows well, in its own .....ehem Gardenworld. RIYL Ashra, Mark Banning, Steve Hillage and more recent stuff like Tarotplane.

https://adamhipwell.bandcamp.com/album/gardenworld

The Living Rainbow - A Winter Tale

Weird little lofi pop record that is reminiscent of Cleaners from Venus, TVP, Solid Space and Influenza Prods. The organ/synth sounds are lovely, the tunes are clever and the vibe is very UK/C86. Feels like FoG pOp from the bay, but ya know not.

https://infomation.bandcamp.com/album/a-winter-tale

XV - On The Creekbeds On The Thrones

Great Detroit weirdo pop, from members of Shells, Deadbeat Beat and Tyvek. Idk how to properly describe this record, it's kinda raw, it's kinda psychedelic, alil dub and alil avant. Too my dum dum ears it's a mix between Raincoats, Red Krayola and Movietone 🤷. It's really cool, and I feel cool listening too it. Disorienting production, detached vocals at times but then there is a playfulness too....very distinctive band. "Fresh Lettuce" is so odd, otherworldly. If you dig Mope Grooves, Maximum Joy and freak flags flying.

https://thexv.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-creekbeds-on-the-thrones

Khanate - To Be Cruel 

Obviously most people are aware of this, but my god, what a masterpiece of disgusting foul drone "metal". Dynamic vocals, far out lyrics and tones that test the boundaries of space n time.

https://khanate.bandcamp.com/album/to-be-cruel

May Bandcamp Friday Recs

May is a busy month, training up a new bassist for Dummys tour in June with Facs, writing LP2 (😮‍💨) and work work work. Here's some suggestions for things to put on yr IPOD.

Coral Grief  - "Daydrops"

So yea, I already kinda went off about this on Twitter, which I know everyone loves me on there so everyone checks out anything I post. Anyway, this record is a lovely, and hooky dream pop record that leans more into the psychedelic side of it. Lena's vocals are so welcoming but express longing in a way I rarely here in this genre. The production is varied, guitars shine and the beats tend to keep things moving forward, no wallowing in the boring muck of pedal worship. Yea yea yea, I did PR for it but I got the tape recently.....and I was just like fuck off world for not popping this off.

https://coralgrief.bandcamp.com/album/daydrops

Brandon Seabrook - "In The Swarm"

Well, I found out about Brandon from a video I saw of him absolutely owning his guitar, which I am a sucker for, somewhat of in the same way Feelies or VU own em but even more manic. This record is explosive psychedelic jazz, the guitar acts more as a sax or trumpet than with bonkers drumming. Just super adventurous Primal jazz. Blast it hard and loud.

https://astralseabrooktrio.bandcamp.com/album/in-the-swarm

a.s.o. - "a.s.o."

I've listened to this whole record and it rules. Its a surprisingly dynamic record unlike...alot of records ingeneral. Taking elements of triphop, house, 90s r&b, dream pop and Sophisti-pop into their sticky melodies and interesting production choices. The crown jewel of the record is "True", its one of the more emotionally resonate songs I've heard in a minute, and the vocals reallllly soar with that Beth Gibbons vibrato, along with "Hunter" kinda vibe. The songs are hella catchy, it doesnt over stay its welcome, its fun.....This record will likely be in my top 5 of the year. It's rare that I feel cooler when listening to music but this makes me feel cool lol. Also, love the subtle nodes to soul there are.

Sohni Chambers - "Yaw-Mah-Ha"

I am a huge fan of Goaty Records from Los Angeles, and I've been slowly going through their bandcamp when I came across this lil gem, that apparently a side project of Sun Araw dood. It's very reminiscent of imo Hailu Mergia and Mulatu Astatke, very expressive organ and drums. Feels very free following, off the cuff and stoned. It's dope, if you dig blaring keys and pounding drums.

https://goatytapes.bandcamp.com/album/yaw-mah-ha

Puli - "Puli" EP

Los Angeles ambient experimental super group called Puli. Two song of dubbed the fuck out electronic music that engulfs you fully. Can't wait to hear more!

https://constantdelay.bandcamp.com/album/puli-ep

Solid Space - "Space Museum"

I oddly feel like this is still weirdly under heard/ underrated in the general lofi/post punk field. The duo make some songs that sound like Cabaret Voltaire and some that sound like a lost Sarah Records band, it rules! The production/mixing is so one point, everything feels perfectly in space, and these guys were just kinda fucking around with new synths cuz he was temping editor at a music magazine. I love how some songs sound kinda Mort Garson playing post punk, kinda playful. It definitely feels like they are having fun, despite playing broody music...it's great tunes.

https://solid-space.bandcamp.com/album/space-museum

Purelink - "To/Deep"

I've been getting more into dub techno, my intro to it was through Deadbeat back in Wildhoney days, and Purelink brought me back into exploring it more. This new 12inch EP is more on the chill side of dub techno, which is what I personally prefer. The third track "Maintain The Bliss" is the highlight, putting me in an immediate trance, with the circular rhythms and slowly getting more over taken with static rain sounds. I recommend all their release, they have a very strong discography. 

https://purelink.bandcamp.com/album/to-deep

Agriculture  - "Agriculture"

One of Dummys fav local bands, first single off what I am going to assume is an absurdly dope LP based solely off their ep and how sick they are live. If you dig Weakling and Velvet Cacoon or Wolves In The Throne Room you'll love this, it's raw, fast as hell and euphoric.

https://agriculturemusic.bandcamp.com/album/agriculture

April Bandcamp Friday

 

Trying to be more on top of this in 2023, feels like this year so far is already topping 2022. 

KG "Come Closer, We're Cool" 

Absolutely blown out noise pop that never over stays it's welcome. I wish there was more modern indie pop that leaned this way, right now all we got is Star Party and UVTV, who both kick ass. More along the lines of Henry's Dress, Black Tambourine and Ecstasy and Wine era MBV. 

https://freekg.bandcamp.com/album/come-closer-were-cool

Jpegmafia x Danny Brown "Scaring The Hoes"

I presume most people reading this already know, but goddamn what a triumph of a record. The production is bonkers, plundering at its best, lyrics that have me rolling on the floor laughing and just HARD beats. Both men are in top form, and these songs just wanna make me punch the world. This is hiphop at its finest. Top 3 of the year I'd guess.

https://jpegmafia.bandcamp.com/album/scaring-the-hoes

Ectogram "Singles 94 - 97"

Nathan from Dummy sent me the song "Mary" and I was hooked immediately.  That song is a noise pop gem with very groop sounding synth stuff. The rest of a songs have a similar vibe to Too Pure records bands like Moonshake and Pram. Janky production, weird guitar sounds and child like vocals. It's a very cool collection of tunes, that shows a band finding their footing and experimenting.

https://ankstmusik.bandcamp.com/album/singular-1994-1997-by-gan-ectogram

Hysterical Love Project  "Lashes"

Fantastic triphop/dream pop duo second release that has shades of great groups like Insides, Love Spirals Downward and Bowery Electric but w hints of techno/house music weaved in as well. The vocals a haunting, sensual and inviting, with obvi fits the music perfectly. I think this record will end up being a favorite of the year.

https://motionward.bandcamp.com/album/hysterical-love-project-lashes

IE "Junkbody"

Fuck yea, new IE album, their last record was on a toneburst favorite label Moon Glyph . This continues their meditative brand of kosmiche. If you can imagine it, it's like if Tony Conrad w Faust made a minimalist ambient record inside of the punishing drone feedback jams. The vocals pop in sometimes to add an even more haunting hypnosis. The amount of space they use to create such trance inducing worlds of sound. Highly recommend esp if you dig early Smoke Below or VU at their mellowest.

https://iesounds.bandcamp.com/album/junk-body

Azusa Plane - Where the Sands Turn To Gold

The criminally underrated Azusa Plane needs to get some sorta glow up, unfortunately Jason DiEmilio took his own life in 2006. So, it's up to us to lift this amazing artist up further ( shout out to Ned Raggett who reviewed this for p4k 2012). The music Jason made was in line with rural psychedelia of Flying Saucer Attack, Roy Montgomery or more recent Jefre Cantu Ledsema.  Blissed out walls of guitars, drones and feedback, just blistering shit. This is primitive explosions of sound, with cheeky references to everything from Daniel Johnston to Beatles to K Records. This collection is beautifully immersive and punishing DONT FUCKING SLEEP.

https://azusa-plane-rocketgirl.bandcamp.com/album/where-the-sands-turn-to-gold-rgirl83

a.s.o. "2 singles"

Lastly, point yr way to these first 2 singles from Berlin, Germany's a.s.o. who's triphop influenced dreamy pop is just fantastic. The slight resurgence of triphop is cool cuz it can often show some cool/creative production. But most importantly the vocals are GREAT, unlike ALOT of this sorta stuff, this is a confident vocalization, with weird/interesting melodic choices. Fuck with this esp if you dig the above Hysterical Love Project.

https://itsaso.bandcamp.com/music