Style: Drone Pop, Shoegaze, Noise Pop, Dream Pop, Tape Music
Moods: Ethereal, Hypnotic, Warm, Sedated, Blissful, Deconstructed, Tender, Summer, Romantic, Peaceful, Passionate, Dreamy, Meditative, Surreal
Musical Qualities: Loops, Washy, Lush, Melodic, Noisy, Sampling, Dense, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma – On the Echoing Green Read More »
Style: Americana, Singer/Songwriter, Alt-Country
Moods: Drifter, Surreal, Poetic, Twangy, Colorful, Eccentric, Sunny, Uplifting, Playful, Observational, Contemplative, Warm, Rural, Sentimental, Storytelling
Jim White – Waffles, Triangles & Jesus Read More »
Features Masaki Batoh, Ben Lamar Gay, Jim Becker,
Style: Space Ambient, Progressive Electronic, Kosmische, New Age
Moods: Meditative, Cosmic, Peaceful, Warm, Intertwined, Hypnotic, Psychedelic
Musical Qualities: Pulse, Instrumental, Progressive, Atmospheric, Washy, Droney
Instrumentation: Analogue Synthesizers, Organ, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Cornet
Bitchin Bajas – Bajas Fresh Read More »
Style: Art Rock, Progressive Pop, Post-Punk
Influences: Krautrock, No Wave, Afrobeat, Funk
Vibe: Driving, Muscular, Motorik, Mechanical, Hypnotic, Cathartic, Primal, Epic, Messy
Musical Qualities: Rhythmic, Repetitive, Noisy, Progressive
Avec le Soleil sortant de sa bouche – Pas pire pop [I ? You So Much]?? Read More »
Style: Free-Psych, Spiritual Stoner Rock, Drone-Rock
Influences: Shoegaze, Spiritual Jazz, Kosmische, Prog, Drone
Vibe: Mysterious, Nocturnal, Spiritual, Exploratory, Brooding, Amorphous, Witchy, Murky, Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Washy, Hypnotic, Stoned
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Repetitive, Atmospheric, Loose, Noisy, Instrumental
Curanderos – Curanderos Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Drone, Free Folk
Vibe: Ritualistic, Hypnotic, Cathartic, Earthy, Psychedelic, Communal
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Drone, Improvisation, Live, Dissonant, Instrumental, Dynamic
Instrumentation: Piano, Fiddle, Harmonium, Gong, Bells, Singing Bowl, Percussion, Banjo
Pelt – Reticence / Resistance Read More »
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
Sumac – Love in Shadow Read More »
Style: Deep House
Vibe: Dance, Hypnotic, Noisy, Energetic, Urban, Heavy, Groovy
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Distorted, Melodic, Rhythmic, Repetitive
Against All Logic – 2012 – 2017 Read More »
Style: Art Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Trip-Hop, Neo-Psychedelia
Influences: Lounge, Jazz, Post-Punk
Vibe: Brooding, Angsty, Woozy, Lonely, Nocturnal, Alienation, Depressive, Eclectic, Rainy, Urban
King Krule – The Ooz Read More »
Style: New Weird Americana, Post-Modern Appalachia, Jazz-Folk
Vibe: Autumnal, Earthy, Imaginative, Lush, Morning, Peaceful, Rootsy, Rustic, Warm, Contemplative
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Melodic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Improvisation, Progressive, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Fiddle, Drums, Banjo, Vocals, Percussion, Saxophone, Acoustic Guitar, Drum Machine, Percussion, Electric Bass, Organ Synthesizers, Flute
Collaborators: Leo Abrahams, Shahzad Ismaily, Sam Gendel,
Milford Graves, Chris Vatalaro, James Sultan
Sam Amidon – The Following Mountain Read More »
Style: Ambient
Vibe: Enveloping, Intricate, Reflective
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Melodic, Sampling, Tape Hiss, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Looping
fightmaster – quiet for quiet Read More »
Style: Irish Folk Music, Celtic Folk
Vibe: Rootsy, Passionate, Communal, Depressive, Rebellious, Triumphant
Musical Attributes: Vocal Harmonies, Droney, Acoustic
Lankum – Between the Earth and Sky Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Minimalism, Post-Minimalism, Ritual Folk
Vibe: Ritualistic, Hallucinogenic, Hypnotic, Earthy, Primal, Psychedelic, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Electro-Acoustic, Loops, Minimalistic, Sampling
Instrumentation: Manipulated Vocals, Flute, Synthesizer (Moog), Drum Samples, Vibraphone
Ka Baird – Sapropelic Picnic Read More »
Style: Folk Rock, Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter
Influences: Celtic Folk, Trip-Hop, Bluegrass, North African Music, Arabic Folk, Blues
Vibe: Misty, Reflective, Warm, Eclectic, Sentimental, Sensitive, Romantic, Peaceful, Mystical
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lush, Polished
Robert Plant – Carry Fire Read More »
Style: Indie Rock
Influences: Shoegaze, Post-Rock, Free Improvisation, Emo
Vibe: accessible, cathartic, contemplative, dynamic, lyrical, passionate, philosophical, poetic
Style: Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Warm, Spiritual, Groovy
Musical Attributes: Melodic, Improvisation, Acoustic (Upright Bass, Drums, Flute/Saxophone)
Wildflower – Wildflower Read More »
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
Keiji Haino & Sumac Read More »
These communal sound rituals express a digital-era longing to reconnect to the Earth. The grooves here are circular and ceremonial, not rooted to any specific musical traditions but borrowing from many, including cosmic jazz, kosmische musik and undoubtedly inspired by Holden’s collaboration with legendary Gnawa musician Maleem Mahmoud Ghania. Drums and percussion ground the proceedings while muscular sequencer and fiery saxophone arpeggiations hypnotically intertwine. The sounds of fluttering recorder and modular synthesizer swirl through the air like offerings to the cosmos.
Recommended for fans of The Comet is Coming, Tonto’s Exploding Head Band, Maleem Mahmoud Ghania & Pharoah Sander’s Trance of Seven Colors, Natural Information Society, Colin Stetson
James Holden & the Animal Spirits – The Animal Spirits Read More »
Released in 2017 on Drag City Records Format: LP Review “The world wants an oath but all you can say is: ‘I promise to take up space. I can only promise to take up space” In a society that places such high expectations on individuals to shrink themselves in order to fit into the predominating
Circuit Des Yeux – Reaching for Indigo [Review] Read More »
Released in 2017 on Pro Era Recordings Format: LPx2
Joey Bada$$ – All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ Read More »
Style: Noise Pop, Chamber-Rock
Vibe: Warm, Communal, Uplifting, Anthemic, Triumphant, Energetic, Passionate
Musical Attributes: Melodic, Dense, Lush
Broken Social Scene – Hug of Thunder Read More »
Released in 2017 on Atlantic Records Format: LPx2
The War on Drugs – A Deeper Understanding Read More »
Released in 2017 on Constellation Records Format: LPx2, etching on side D
Do Make Say Think – Stubborn Persistent Illusions Read More »
Released in 2017 on ATO Records Format: LP, Vomit splatter vinyl
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Murder of the Universe Read More »
Released in 2017 on XL Recordings Format: LP Overview By introducing heartfelt vocals into her (often) harsh environments of contorted glitch-pop, Venezuelan producer Arca reaches near-claustrophobic levels of intimacy.
Released in 2017 on Mello Music Group Format: LP
Lando Chill – The Boy Who Spoke to the Wind Read More »
Released in 2017 on Young Turks Format: 12″ EP
Kamasi Washington – Harmony of Difference Read More »
Released in 2017 on Luaka Bop Format: LPx2
Released in 2017 on Rostrum Records Format: LP
Cornelius – Mellow Waves Read More »
Released in 2017 on Jagjaguwar Records Format: LP Includes 12″ 14-page photo and lyric booklet
Moses Sumney – Aromanticism Read More »
Released in 2017 on 4AD Records Format: LPx2, Blue Vinyl
The National – Sleep Well Beast Read More »
Released in 2019 on Eremite Records Recorded in 2017 Format: LPx2, Screen-printed jacket
Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society – Mandatory Reality Read More »
Compared to the immediate songwriting and lush textures of Helplessness Blues, the progressive folk-rock opus Crack Up feels like an impenetrable wilderness on first listen with its dense, tangled arrangements and complex compositions.
Fleet Foxes – Crack Up Read More »
Eucalyptus is a beautiful, enveloping excursion of aquatic psych-folk characterized by flowing, hallucinogenic instrumentation, atmospheric production, nature field recordings, and ghostly background vocals from one of my favorite singers, Angel Deradoorian. Avey Tare’s introspective and intimate lyrics mix psychedelic revelations, reminiscing, surreal imagery, and nature/water themes, often leading to profound realizations of a very personal sense of spirituality. The lush orchestrations are arranged by the amazing and unique violist Eyvind Kang, which include woodwinds, horns, strings, and pedal steel slide guitar from Susan Alcorn.
For fans of Animal Collective’s “Campfire Songs” and the slow portions of “Feels”.
Click for full review
Avey Tare – Eucalyptus Read More »
On Towards Language, Norweigan trumpeter Arve Henriksen creates a blend of meditative and suspenseful ambient-jazz, demonstrating a more soothing side to his playing than his noisier output with electro-acoustic improvisers Supersilent.
Arve Henriksen – Towards Language Read More »
Released in 2017 on Domino Records Format: LPx2
Richard Dawson – Peasant Read More »
There is a fathomless void within each of us. And while many choose to run from it, clinging to anything to keep from falling in, Deradoorian dove right in on her meditative release, Eternal Reccurrence. Here she provides somewhat of a sonic roadmap for diving deep within yourself, guided by the blooming drones of harmonium, Juno synthesizers, and flutes. Arising from the ether, layers of otherworldly voices sing mantras of facing our Shadow (“Mirrorman”), finding the love that resides in the core of our being, and bringing it back with us into this material dimension.
Deradoorian – Eternal Recurrence Read More »
“Four relentless bouts of inspired fire music forged from the true spirit of free jazz, driven by searing poetic narrations of Black trauma, survival and power” (from press release)
Click for review
Irreversible Entanglements – Irreversible Entanglements Read More »
Julie Byrne’s gentle new-age folk is so light and airy it’s easy to miss its depth, but repeated listening shows that it’s strength lies in its weightlessness. Her soothing voice and delicate fingerpicking are enveloped in warm string arrangements, all tied together by soft reverb and pristine production that makes for an inviting, peaceful listen every time.?
Julie Byrne – Not Even Happiness Read More »
Album Information: Released in 2017 on Blue Chopsticks Records (Imprint of Drag City Records) Eli Keszler – Drums, Percussion (Tracks 1,2,4) Jan St. Werner – Electronics (1,4) Nate Woolley – Trumpet (1,2,4,6,7) Recorded by Mitch Rackin at the Seaside Lounge, Brooklyn, Jan-Mar 2017 Mastered by Douglas Henderson Cover Art: Albert Oehlen Back Photo: Tom Van
David Grubbs – Creep Mission Read More »
Sludgy drone-metal with heavy, feedback-laden guitars, sparse but viscerally pounding drums, and cathartic, impassioned vocals.
FFO Neurosis, Swans, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Sunn O)))
Inner Gatefold (Left)Inner Gatefold (Right)Back Cover Vinyl Etching Album Information: Released in 2017 on Ipecac/Deadverse Format: LPx2 with D-side etching Overview After over two decades of challenging the system, questioning minds, and musical boundaries, New Jersey’s Dälek have distilled their diverse and experimental style of hip-hop into their most streamlined release yet. Endangered Philosophies features distorted
Dälek – Endangered Philosophies Read More »
Guitar-genius Mdou Moctar visits Portland, Oregon from his home country of Niger to record a hypnotic solo album of desert folk sung in Tamasheq. Most songs consist of intricate fingerstyle acoustic guitar with occasional electric guitar overdubs to accent the melodies.
Mdou Moctar – Sousoume Tamache Read More »
Progressive alt-rock that prioritizes dynamics and atmosphere over flashy solos or superfluous complexity. Recommended for fans of Oceansize, Deftones, Mogwai, or the last two Isis albums.?
A cohesive, intimate collection of chamber pop songs, ornate with colorful arrangements, lush production, and some bluesy guitar licks.
