Craig Leon – Anthology of Interplanetary Folk Music Vol. 2: The Canon
Styles: Cosmic Folk, Fourth World, Tribal Ambient
Vibes: Ethereal, Meditative, Exploratory, Ancient-Futuristic, Hypnotic, Mysterious
Styles: Cosmic Folk, Fourth World, Tribal Ambient
Vibes: Ethereal, Meditative, Exploratory, Ancient-Futuristic, Hypnotic, Mysterious
Style: Trance-Rock, Psych, Jam Band
Vibes: Pastoral, Cinematic, Communal, Rural, Driving, Earthy, Hypnotic, Open, Peaceful, Psychedelic, Contemplative
Musical Qualities: Slow, Dynamic, Instrumental, Repetitive, Jams, Riffs, Fuzzy, Atmospheric
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Cosmic Country, Dream Folk
Moods: Contemplative, Peaceful, Spiritual, Existential, Flowing, Soothing, Ethereal, Road Trip, Cosmic, Dreamy
Musical Qualities: Lush, Slow, Lyrical, Acoustic, Vocal Harmonies
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
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
“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.
Style: Ambient
Vibe: Enveloping, Intricate, Reflective, Dreamy
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Melodic, Sampling, Tape Hiss, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Looping
Style: Psych-Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Acid Folk
Vibe: Aquatic, Ethereal, Peaceful, Hallucinogenic, Reflective, Hypnotic, Mellow, Surreal, Uplifting, Warm, Existential
Musical Qualities: Catchy, Soft, Melodic, Atmospheric, Vocal Fx, Analogue Recording
Style: Industrial Noise Rock, Mathcore-Influenced
Vibe: Misanthropic, Aggressive, Pessimistic, Ominous, Cathartic, Apocalyptic, Powerful, Dark, Nihilistic, Mechanical, Angsty, Dystopian
Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Heavy, Noisy, Dense, Lyrical
Style: Free Jazz
Vibe: Spiritual, Conversational, Searching, Abstract, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Duo Improvisation, Dynamic, Instrumental, Acoustic, Loose, Live Recording, Repetition, Dissonant, Improvised Minimalism
Style: New Age, Ambient Jazz, Progressive Electronic
Vibe: Healing, Woozy, Personal, Ethereal, Soothing, Intimate, Hypnotic, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Spoken Word, Soft, Slow, Electroacoustic, Field Recordings, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Instrumentation: Saxophone (w/ FX), Synthesizers, Piano, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Violin, Trumpet, Flute
Style: Cyber-Jazz, Abstract Groove, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Futuristic, Menacing, Exploratory, Kinetic, Ominous, Spacey, Energetic, Colorful, Surreal, Suspenseful, Adventure
Musical Qualities: Duo Improvisation, Thematic, Instrumental, Electro-Acoustic, Percussive, Rhythmic, Atmospheric
Instrumentation: Trumpet, Drums, Synthesizers, Electronics
Style: EAI (electroacoustic improvisation), Future Jazz
Vibe: Futuristic, Kinetic, Urban, Abstract, Impressionistic, Meditative, Suspenseful, Mysterious, Complex
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Electroacoustic, Polyrhythmic, Field Recordings, Instrumental, Improvisation (Solo), Odd Time Signatures, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Style: Afro-Caribbean Jazz, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Protest, Political, Intense, Propulsive, Conscious, Energetic, Groovy, Hypnotic, Passionate, Rebellious, Spiritual, Powerful, Tropical, Conceptual
Musical Qualities: Dense, Polyphonic, Rhythmic, Improvisation, Spoken Word, Percussive
Style: Art Pop, Ambient Pop
Influences: Chamber-Folk, Trip-Hop, Slowcore, Post-Rock
Vibe: Existential, Introspective, Brooding, Gossamer, Dreamy, Melancholy, Reflective, Moody, Eclectic
Musical Qualities: Lush, Atmospheric, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Lyrical
Style: Psychedelic Soul, Baroque Pop
Vibe: Elegant, Ethereal, Smooth, Romantic, Warm, Retro, Dramatic, Cosmic
Musical Qualities: Groovy, Lush, Orchestral, Melodic, Polished
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
Style: Kosmische-Influenced Experimental Rock, Space Rock
Vibe: Motorik, Ominous, Spacey, Futuristic, Cinematic
Musical Qualities: Progressive, Rhythmic, Atmospheric
Style: Art Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Trip-Hop, Experimental Electronic
Vibe: Nocturnal, Surreal, Introspective, Longing, Alienation, Abstract, Anxious, Dark, Depressive, Eclectic, Love, psychedelic
Style: Ambient Pop, Free Folk, New Age
Vibe: Cosmic, Dreamy, Earthy, Ethereal, Lethargic, Meditative, Mystical, Passionate, Ritualistic, Soothing, Spiritual
Musical Attributes: Atmospheric, Droney, Slow
Style: Creative Music, Black Liberation Music, Avant-Garde Jazz
Vibe: Communal, Triumphant, Conscious, Earthy, Futuristic, Passionate, Political, Rebellious, Theatric
Musical Attributes: Improvisation, Spoken Word, Suite, Percussive, Progressive, Live, Group Vocals
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.
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
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
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
Released in 2019 Recorded in the Netherlands on November 11, 2018 Format: LP, DVD
LPx2, The Leaf Label, 2018 Includes vinyl-exclusive track on side D
Released in 2018 on ECM Records Recorded July 2017 Format: LP
Released in 2018 on International Anthem Recording Co. Format: LPx2
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. …
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.
Released in 2018 on Domino Records Format: LPx2 Includes 12″x12″ glossy lyric and photo booklet Track Listing *A1 – Turn the Light On (Bombastic, Energetic, Cathartic A2 – Whether (Pulsing, Driving, Staccato) *A3 – Chaitius (Ethereal, Atmospheric, Ambient, Progressive) -long floating, atmospheric intro with wordless vocals -becomes jazzy and cosmic as it builds -loose and …
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Folk
Moods: Intimate, Reflective, Existential, Conversational, Mournful, Sombre, Introspective, Personal, Romantic, Sad
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
On their debut long-player, the Houston quartet explores apathy, disconnectedness and the loss of relationships through their sludgy post-hardcore.
For fans of These Arms Are Snakes, Drive Like Jehu, Unwound
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).