Jackie-O Motherfucker – Bloom
“I am not me” the chorus sings repeatedly, a spell to dissolve the ego and deconstruct the myth of American individualism, leaving fertile ground for a collective vision of abundance to bloom. The open-door band of multi-instrumentalists shakily weave through a suite of haunting drone seances, raggedly tender folk sing-a-longs, liberated group improvisations and triumphant post-rock discord. Once again Jackie-O Motherfucker continues their forward march to a beautiful anarchic world without losing touch with its roots in the weird American underground.
Senyawa – Sujud
Style: Doom-Folk, Indonesian Folk Music, Avant-Folk
Moods: Apocalyptic, Spiritual, Earthy, Dark, Ominous, Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Tribal, Hypnotic
Musical Qualities: Throat Singing, Homemade Instruments, Droney, Noisy, Electro-Acoustic, Repetitive, Dense, Heavy
Mako Sica – Ronda
Style: Psychedelic Jazz, Free-Psych, Post-Rock
Moods: Ritualistic, Mysterious, Serpentine, Nocturnal, Exploratory, Desert, Moody, Spiritual, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Thematic, Collective Improvisation, Atmospheric, Rhythmic
Instrumentation: Drums, Tabla, Electric Piano, Chants, Trumpet, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Electric Bass, Harmonica, Gong, Cello, Upright Bass, Flute, Organ, Piano, Bells, Teponaztli, Tambourine, Viola
Leon Vynehall – Nothing is Still
Released in 2018 on Ninja Tune Format: LP
Blacks’ Myths – Blacks’ Myths
Originally released as a cassette on Atlantic Rhythms Records in 2018 Original vinyl pressing (2020), limited to 300 Format: LP Blacks' Myths by Blacks' Myths
Keiji Haino & Sumac
The sludge oozing out of this record is so toxic that all traces of metal have nearly disintegrated, and the fumes cause nightmarish hallucinations to any who inhale.
Style: Free-Sludge, Avant-Metal, Free Improvisation
Vibe: Primal, Murky, Aggressive, Hallucinogenic, Cathartic, Complex
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Dissonant, Noisy, Progressive
Sumac – Love in Shadow
Style: Free Sludge, Post-Metal
Vibe: Heavy, Cathartic, Murky, Aggressive, Surreal, Complex, Epic, Primal, Abstract, Powerful
Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Noisy, Collective Improvisation, Growling Vocals, Progressive Structures, Odd Time Signatures, Fuzzy Riffs, Dynamic, Reductionism
Sarah Louise – Deeper Woods
Released in 2018 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LP
Yves Tumor – Safe in the Hands of Love
Style: Art Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Trip-Hop, Experimental Electronic
Vibe: Nocturnal, Surreal, Introspective, Longing, Alienation, Abstract, Anxious, Dark, Depressive, Eclectic, Love, psychedelic
Makaya McCraven – Universal Beings
Released in 2018 on International Anthem Recording Co. Format: LPx2
Andrew Cyrille / Wadada Leo Smith / Bil Frisell – Lebroba
Released in 2018 on ECM Records Recorded July 2017 Format: LP
Lonnie Holley – Mith
Style: Experimental Singer-Songwriter, Soul Blues, Psychedelic Soul
Vibe: Imaginative, Bluesy, Cathartic, Conscious, Cosmic, Spiritual, Heartfelt, Passionate, Psychedelic, Rootsy, Bittersweet, Poetic
Lyrical Themes: Existential, Afro-Futurism, History, Racism, Reflective
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Lyrical, Improvisation, Raw, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: Vocals, Piano, Synthesizers, Keyboards, Saxophone, Trombone, Percussion
Bardo Pond – Volume 8
Style: Free Psych, Space Rock, Jam Band, Shoegaze
Vibe: Adventurous, Communal, Cathartic, Murky, Epic, Psychedelic, Exploratory, Monolithic, Stoned
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Dynamic, Droney, Atmospheric, Fuzzy, Loose, Riffs
Anguish – Anguish
Anguish is a collaboration between German improvisers Mats Gustafsson & Andres Werliin of the Fire! Orchestra, Hans Joachim Irmler of FaUst, and Will Brooks & Mike Mare of industrial hip-hop legends Dälek.
Style: Industrial Hip-Hop, Dark Jazz, Post-Industrial, Experimental
Moods: Dystopian, Aggressive, Urban, Poetic, Political, Revolutionary, Cerebral, Existential, Sombre, Dark, Depressive, Cold, Mechanical, Heavy, Apocalyptic, Moody, Brooding, Conscious, Abstract, Cryptic, Industrial, Nocturnal, Ominous, Raw, Philosophical
Musical Qualities: Beats, Dissonant, Noisy, Improvisation, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: Rapping, Sampler, Tenor Saxophone, Synthesizers, Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Electronics, Effect Processing, Vocal Processing
Against All Logic – 2012 – 2017
Style: Deep House
Vibe: Dance, Hypnotic, Noisy, Energetic, Urban, Heavy, Groovy
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Distorted, Melodic, Rhythmic, Repetitive
Anna & Elizabeth – The Invisible Comes to Us
The Invisible Comes to Us is a haunting, modern take on Appalachian and Irish folk songs. Beautiful close-harmonies, banjos and acoustic guitars are juxtaposed with droning atmospheres of woodwinds, Moog bass, pump organ, and euphonium. Guest musicians include Jim White on drums and Susan Alcorn on slide guitar.
Anthony Shadduck – Quartet & Double Quartet
“Side one features a collection of songs performed by a pliant and almost pristine quartet playing songs by Ornette Coleman, Paul Motian, Chris Schlarb, and Shadduck himself, while side two finds Anthony leading a loose, rocking and roiling double quartet performing more obliquely structures pieces and employing a healthy dose of spontaneous improvisation. Both ensembles strike my ear as CLASSIC, spanning the areas of jazz impressionism and edgy-yet-controlled “free jazz” with dedication and distinction.”
[From the liner notes, written by Nels Cline]
Young Jesus – The Whole Thing is Just There
The Whole Thing is Just There is another beautiful and life-affirming release from Young Jesus, the second with the current L.A. iteration of the band. Their inter-band chemistry seems stronger than ever, with telepathic improvisations, symbiotic catharses, and a mutual love for each other that is easily felt from a listener’s perspective. The lyrics deal with self-exploration and one’s relationship with the world around them, finding solace in spirituality, existentialism, literature, and the ethos of free jazz. Stylistically the music seems rooted in late-90’s indie rock and emo, with seamless but adventurous detours into post-rock, noisy post-hardcore, and free improvisation. Excited to see where these guys go next.
Mount Eerie – Now Only
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Folk
Moods: Intimate, Reflective, Existential, Conversational, Mournful, Sombre, Introspective, Personal, Romantic, Sad
The Body – I Have Fought Against It, But I Can’t Any Longer
Released in 2018 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LPx2, Metallic Silver Vinyl
Jon Hopkins – Singularity
Dynamic and uplifting house music characterized by filtered drums and enveloping synth textures. With its driving arpeggiations, danceable 4-on-the-floor grooves, hypnotic build-ups, and soothing ambient tracks, Singularity is extremely well-paced, and it’s most beautiful moments full of sublime wonder.
Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids – An Angel Fell
An Angel Fell is a call to action for protecting and healing our planet, using folklore, group vocals, uplifting themes, deep grooves, and expressive improvisations to deliver the message. While not as wild and loose as the dense free jazz the Pyramids made back in the 70s, this record is an organic and vibrant fusion of spiritual jazz, dub, and Afrobeat that will give fans of musical geniuses such as Sun Ra, King Tubby, Fela Kuti, and Pharoah Sanders plenty to vibe to.
Tim Hecker – Konoyo
Released in 2018 on Kranky Format: LPx2 Track Notes and Observations A1. This Life (Droney, Climactic, Mournful) Synths slowly dancing around each other in a beautiful sadness, Woozy, pitches bend and release in and out of tune Blooming structure, crescendos into overwhelming climax Disintegrates into a ghostly version of itself with high pitch sounds A2. […]
Ryley Walker – Deafman Glance
Acoustic-shredder/singer-songwriter ventures out of the jazz-inflected folk-rock territory explored by his last few albums to create something that feels fully himself. Deafman Glance is full of angular left turns, complex structures, airy flutes, jazz detours, and psychedelic atmospheres. A balance of great songwriting, jazz musicianship, and experimental/art-rock tendencies. Recommended to fans of Tortoise’s Standards, Tim Buckley’s Starsailor, and King Crimson’s Red. (Click for full review).
Mary Halvorson – Code Girl
Halvorson has been developing her own idiosyncratic and multi-dimensional language on guitar for almost two decades now (perhaps most clearly heard on her 2015 solo album, Meltframe). On Code Girl, this language is augmented by a dramatic and powerful quintet, featuring the symbiotic rhythm section of her usual trio Thumbscrew, as well as Ambrose Akinmusire’s expressive trumpet playing and Amirtha Kidambi’s intensely operatic vocals, singing cryptic lyrics penned by Halvorson. Together the band uses complex five-part counterpoint to weave intricate webs of melody, rhythm, and texture through progressive and dynamic structures.
Side note: It’s interesting how the number 5 is so prominent in all the album images (pentagons, fingers, toes, stars, etc)
Meg Baird & Mary Lattimore – Ghost Forests
An ethereal and somewhat haunting dream-folk collaboration between guitarist/singer Meg Baird (Espers, Heron Oblivion), and harpist Mary Lattimore, who’s recorded with Fursaxa, Steve Gunn, and others in addition to her hypnotic solo work.
Highly Recommended for fans of Natural Snow Buildings, Cocteau Twins “Victorialand”, Laraaji, and 60’s British & Scottish Folk music
Yonatan Gat – Universalists
The new album from guitarist Yonatan Gat finds cohesiveness in its sprawling diversity. Stylistically it combines the rawness of garage rock, the thematic improvisation of Free jazz, and the experimental editing of musique concréte with psychedelic production, Arabic and Klezmer scales and surfy tremelo guitars.
lojii – lofeye
Categorization and comparison are the least of lojii’s worries, instead prioritizing creative expression and finding spiritual truth and power in this dimly lit dystopia. He delivers his prophetic words with a focused, unwavering determination, while the beats are gritty and nocturnal with their open percussion, eerie synths, and negative space. Don’t miss out on this one.
Eric Chenaux – Slowly Paradise
Eric Chenaux’s gentle falsetto is the most constant, tangible element on an album characterized by a permanent state of flux. The guitars are warbly and unsteady with their fluctuating tones, volume, and pitch. Yet, despite their experimental nature, they never sound abrasive and, together with some mellow Wurlitzer, create a soft, pillowy environment for Chenaux’s romantic crooning about the nature of love, the moon, and warm nights.
Archival Releases
David Sylvian & Holger Czukay – Plight & Premonition | Flux & Mutability
Originally released as 2 separate releases in 1988 and 1989 on Venture Records 2019 Grönland compilation Format: LPx2
Dennis Wise – Wize Music
Style: Innervisionary, Psychedelic Tape Music, Ambient Dub, Future Folk, Experimental, New Age
Vibe: Alien, Mystical, Woozy, Nocturnal, Exploratory
Musical Qualities: Collage, Loops, Electro-acoustic, Percussive, Dub Fx, Dissonance
Peter Kardas – I Saw You
Style: Inner Space Music, Ambient Pop, Tape Music, Minimal Wave
Vibe: Ethereal, Suspenseful, Introspective, Soothing, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Meditative, Cinematic, Dreamy, Ominous (A2, B2, B3)
Musical Qualities: Pulse, Home Recording, Minimalistic, Atmospheric, Vignettes
Instrumentation: Keyboards, Drum Machine, Vocals, Tape Loops, Electric Guitar, Marimba, Echo
Jay Bolotin – No One Seems to Notice That It’s Raining
Style: Singer-Songwriter, Folk, Americana
Moods: Rainy, Autumnal, Lonely, Melancholy, Heartbreak, Loner
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Acoustic, Lo-fi
Bob Dylan – More Blood, More Tracks: The Bootleg Series Vol. 14
Released in 2018 on Columbia Records Recorded September and December, 1974
Other recommended 2018 albums:
(Click album titles for links to music on bandcamp/youtube)
Bill Frisell – Music Is (Solo guitar, Looping, Meditative, Innovative)
La Tène & Jacques Puech et Louis Jacques & Jérémie Sauvage et Guilhem Lacroux – Abandonnée/Maléja
Mid-Air Thief – Crumbling
Oren Ambarchi & Jim O’Rourke – Hence
ARP – Zebra
Fedrespor – Tid
Nadah el Shazly – Ahwar
Nostrum Grocers – Nostrum Grocers
Zaliva-D – Sky Singing
Tangents – New Bodies (Post-Minimalism, Electro-Acoustic Improvisation)
The Necks – Body (Free Improvisation, Driving, Kosmische, Experimental Rock)
Oh Sees – Smote Reverser (Heavy Psych, Prog)
Kikagaku Moyo – Masana Temples (Japanese Psych, Kosmische, Raga Rock)
Media Jeweler – 1-800-Succeed (Post-Punk, Math Rock, Anxious)
Nine Inch Nails – Bad Witch (Experimental, Art Rock, Industrial)
The Re-Stoned – Stories of the Astral Lizard (Russian Cosmic Psych, Instrumental, Tribal, Meditative)
Jiboa – OOOO (Experimental, Portuguese Psych, Kosmische, Improvisation)
Saba – Care for Me (Conscious, Mellow, Pop-Rap)
Tierra Whack – Whack World (Eccentric and Eclectic Pop Rap, Alternative R&B)
Death Grips – Year of the Snitch (Experimental, Industrial, Punk Rap)
Milo – Budding Ornithologists Are Weary of Tired Analogies (Abstract, Jazz Rap, Conscious)
Daniel Bachman – The Morning Star (American Primitive Guitar, Avant-Folk)
Jerusalem in My Heart – Daqa-iq Tudaiq (Orchestral Arabic Folk, Electro-Acoustic, Experimental)
Prana Crafter – Enter the Stream (Psych Folk, Peaceful Drone, Singer-Songwriter)
New Balance – The Moon is Down (Folk-Rock, Chamber Folk)
Crack Cloud – Crack Cloud (Art-Punk, No Wave)
Anna Von Hausswolff – Dead Magic (Neoclassical Darkwave, Scandinavian, Droney, Gothic)
Serpentwithfeet – soil (avant-r&b, intimate, gospel, dark)
U.S. Girls – In a Poem Unlimited (Art-Pop, Lush, Groovy)
MGMT – Little Dark Age (Psych Pop, Electro-Pop)
Melody’s Echo Chamber – Bon Voyage (Eclectic Psych-Pop, Progressive Pop)
Low – Double Negative (Glitch Pop, Art Pop)
Cavern of Anti-Matter – Hormonal Lemonade (Analogue Electronic, Kosmische)
Oneohtrix Point Never – Age of (Progressive Electronic)
