Style: Lo-Fi Singer/Songwriter, Slowcore, Alt-Country
Vibe: Intimate, Depressive, Romantic, Nocturnal, Sombre, Tender, Haunting, Dark, Lethargic, Lonely, Longing, Love, Poetic, Raw
Sonic explorations and research from the outer groove
Style: Lo-Fi Singer/Songwriter, Slowcore, Alt-Country
Vibe: Intimate, Depressive, Romantic, Nocturnal, Sombre, Tender, Haunting, Dark, Lethargic, Lonely, Longing, Love, Poetic, Raw
Style: Gothic Americana, New Weird America, Country-Drone
Vibe: Haunting, Western, Pastoral, Moody, Rainy, Loner, Dark
Musical Qualities: Droney, Lo-fi, Atmospheric, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Banjo, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Field Recordings, Percussion, Harmonium
Style: Progressive Folk, Avant-Folk
Vibe: Brooding, Visceral, Witchy, Sombre, Forest, Intense, Driving, Passionate, Rebellious
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Progressive, Experimental Vocals
Instrumentation: Organ, Electric Guitar, Percussion, Vocals
Style: Trip-Hop
Vibe: Noir, Brooding, Sensual, Passionate, Melancholy, Angsty, Sombre, Mysterious, Cinematic, Anxious, Sad, Dark
Musical Qualities: Orchestral, Live, Lush, Dense, Rhythmic, Sampling
Style: Avant-Folk, Tribal Drone-Doom, Southeast Asian Folk Music
Vibe: Ceremonial, Apocalyptic, Aggressive, Hypnotic, Murky, Shadowy, Dark, Tribal
Musical Qualities: Percussive, Acoustic, Fuzzy, Heavy, Loops, Noisy, Repetitive, Droney, Extended Technique, Electroacoustic
Instrumentation: Homemade Bamboo Instruments, Electroacoustic Treatments, Percussion, Throat Singing, Chants
Style: Folk-Blues
Vibe: Spiritual, Brooding, Angsty, Longing, Passionate, Religious, Rustic, Depressive
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Bluesy, Lo-fi, Solo
Style: Noise Pop, Glitch Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Hyper Dream Pop, Shoegaze
Vibe: Disorienting, Woozy, Messy, Dreamy, Futuristic, Chaotic, Surreal, Dystopian, Cryptic, Alienation, Bittersweet, Colorful, Energetic, Washy, Urban,
Musical Qualities: Noisy, Dense, Catchy, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Vocal Manipulation, Suite, Melodic, Progressive
Style: Experimental Hip-Hop
Vibe: Futuristic, Mellow, Aquatic, Brooding, Cryptic, Haunting, Liberation, Philosophical, Poetic, Ritualistic, Spiritual, Sombre, Sci-Fi
Musical Qualities: Rap, Vocal Manipulations, Glitchy, Sampling, Digital, Spoken Word, Catchy, Suite, Percussive, Sound Collage
On this mournful offering, Cave’s poetic reflections on loss, longing, and loneliness slowly float down a river of gloomy synth drones, somber strings, and sparse piano. While not exactly uplifting, the album has a sense of peace and beauty that continues up through the repeating final refrain, “and it’s alright now”.
Style: Experimental Rock, Post Rock
Vibe: Cathartic, Visceral, Spiritual, Brooding, Shadowy, Apocalyptic, Ritualistic, Suspenseful, Climactic, Dark, Powerful, Heavy, Cryptic, Philosophical, Surreal, Epic, Hypnotic, Sombre, Meditative, Mysterious, Monolithic, Longing, Existential, Disorienting
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Repetitive, Dense, Crescendo, Rhythmic, Droney
Style: Gothic Americana, Experimental Folk-Rock
Vibe: Rustic, Creepy, Surreal, Autumnal, Nihilistic, Disturbing, Dark, Bittersweet, Rootsy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Rhythmic, Repetition, Vocal Harmonies
Style: Hip-Hop (Hardcore, Boom-Bap, Experimental, East Coast)
Vibe: Gritty, Ritualistic, Ominous, Dystopian, Philosophical, Futuristic, Apocalyptic, Cold, Cryptic, Dark, Philosophical, Political, Surreal, Woozy, Conscious
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Beats, Percussive, Noisy, Lyrical, Spoken Word, Rhythmic
Style: Trip-Hop, Psychedelic Electronic, IDM, Downtempo, Ambient Techno
Vibe: Mysterious, Hallucinogenic, Woozy, Occult, Cryptic, Nature, Eerie, Warm, Surreal, Hypnotic, Mellow, Haunting
Musical Qualities: Atmospheric, Beats, Sampling, Vignettes, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Rhythmic
Style: Experimental Electronic, Post-Industrial
Vibe/Mood: Ominous, Disorienting, Mechanical, Brooding, Chaotic, Colorful, Anti-Capitalist, Feminist, Complex, Cryptic, Dance, Futuristic, Surreal, Messy
Musical Qualities: Manipulated Vocals, Dissonant, Polyrhythmic, Dense, Percussive, Polyphonic, Noisy, Repetitive
Style: Avant-Folk, Progressive Folk
Moods: Ominous, Forest, Surreal, Dark, Theatrical, Disturbing, Hallucinatory, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Aggressive, Complex, Shadowy
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Percussive, Chamber Arrangements, Technical
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar (6 & 12-Strings), Violin, Viola, Oboe, Flute, Percussion, Electric Bass
Style: Industrial Hip-Hop, Experimental, Krautrock
Vibe: Gritty, Dystopian, Mechanical, Political, Heavy, Cold, Dark, Conscious
Musical Qualities: Sampling, Noisy, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Style: Hardcore Boom-Bap, Experimental Hip-Hop
Vibe: Gritty, Cerebral, Ominous, Futuristic, Restrained, Cryptic, Spiritual, Storytelling, Urban, Powerful
Musical Qualities: Beats, Sampling, Rhythmic
Style: Singer/Songwriter, Americana, Slowcore
Vibe: Lament, Depressive, Intimate, Lonely, Rustic, Mournful, Dark
Musical Qualities: Sparse, Lyrical
Instrumentation: Voice, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Organ, Cello
Style: Drone-Metal, Post-Metal
Vibe: Cathartic, Murky, Suspenseful, Passionate, Sombre, Powerful, Dark
Musical Qualities: Dynamic, Minimalistic, Heavy, Fuzzy, Feedback
Style: Art Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Trip-Hop, Experimental Electronic
Vibe: Nocturnal, Surreal, Introspective, Longing, Alienation, Abstract, Anxious, Dark, Depressive, Eclectic, Love, psychedelic
Style: Psychedelic Goth, Post-Punk
Vibe: Cold, Dark, Moody, Psychedelic, Nihilistic, Nocturnal, Depressive
Style: Heavy Metal, Stoner Rock, Doom
Vibe: Heavy, Fuzzy, Anthemic, Dark, Ominous, Paranoid, Rebellious, Riffs, Stoned, Confident
Themes: Alienation, War, Political, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Style: Loner Folk, Psych Rock, Singer/Songwriter
Vibe: Introspective, Loner, Dark, Nocturnal, Psychedelic
Lyrical Themes: Philosophical, Existential, Death, Personal
Style: Post-Rock, Art Rock, Industrial-influenced
Vibe: Atmospheric, Cold, Dark, Epic, Ethereal, Ominous, Winter
A brooding, droney cover of Neil Young’s Revolution Blues.
Released in 2020 on Other People Records
Artist: Nicolas Jaar
Format: LPx2
Style: Progressive Electronic, Ambient Pop, Sound Sculpture
Vibe: Introspective, Mysterious, Nocturnal, Shadowy, Abstract, Dark, Hypnotic, Meditative
Musical Attributes: Electro-Acoustic, Progressive, Digital, Studio-as-an-Instrument
Style: Trip-Hop, U.K. Hip-Hop
Vibe: Dark, Nocturnal, Sexual, Surreal, Eclectic, Introspective, Love
Musical Attributes: Sampling, Beats, Rhythmic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Lyrical
Style: Art Rock, Jazz-Rock
Vibe: Introspective, Moody, Passionate, Sentimental, Sombre, Conceptual
Musical Attributes: Lyrical, Complex, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Rhythmic, Progressive
Lyrical Themes: Death, Existential, Personal, Reflective
Style: Gothic Country, Americana, Chamber Folk Vibe: Rustic, Sombre, Murky, Rootsy, Ominous, Loner, Western, Melancholy, Moody, Dark Musical Attributes: Acoustic Instrumentation (Banjo, Upright Bass, Cello, Acoustic Guitar, Accordion, Piano), Atmospheric, Droney, Slow, Lyrical Lyrical Themes: Alienation, Religious, Christian, Storytelling
Style: Trip-Hop
Vibe: Moody, Urban, Dystopian, Eclectic, Nocturnal, Dark, Melancholy, Groovy
Musical Attributes: Sampling, Dynamic, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Polished
Style: Psychedelic Funk
Vibe: Apocalyptic, Communal, Cryptic, Earthy, Energetic, Epic, Groovy, Heavy, Philosophical, Playful, Political, Psychedelic, Riffs, Stoned, Eclectic
Style: Emo, Indie Rock, Post-Hardcore
Vibe: Introspective, Angsty, Dark, Depressive, Introspective, Passionate, Poetic, Sombre
Themes: Personal, Self-Loathing, Regret, Death, Alienation
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
Religious allegory, profane thoughts, and lustful confessions intertwine on Human Behavior’s third LP; Kedimum is a brooding suite of psychological chamber folk that introspects into a conflicted mind, struggling to reconcile matters of indoctrinated faith, natural human desires, and internalized guilt. Primary songwriter Andres Parada is joined by a sympathetic cast of vocalists to create a vivid sonic drama complete with choral vocals and spoken word passages to complement his haunting narrations. The intricate and shadowy arrangements blend distorted electronic beats with a wide array of acoustic instrumentation, including banjo, clarinet, accordian, acoustic guitar, violin, ehru, and cello.
Released in 2017 on Drag City Records Format: LP Review “The world wants an oath but all you can say … More
Style: Trip-Hop
Vibe: Noir, Nocturnal, Sad, Dark, Witchy, Sinister, Depressive, Angsty, Anxious, Sombre, Introspective
Instrumentation: Vocals, Turntables, Sampling, Guitar, Keyboards, Synth, Drums
Released in 2009 on Warner Bros. Records Format: LPx2
Released in 1971 on Warner Bros Records Format: LP
Released 2008 on Southern Lord Records Recorded March 18, 2007 Format:: LPx2, Translucent smoke vinyl
Released in 2018 on Sublime Frequencies Format: LP
Originally released on CD in 1996 on Young God Records First vinyl pressing (2018) Format: LPx4
Originally released on CD in 2003 on Tzadik Records First vinyl pressing from Ice Level Music (2017) Format: LPx2
Released in 2014 on Svart Records Recorded 2011 Format: LP
Style: Chamber Rock, Avant-Prog, Rock In Oppositon
Vibe: Anxious, Angular, Mysterious, Ominous, Dark, Dystopian
Musical Attributes: Instrumental, Complex, Dissonant
Instrumentation: Bassoon , Violin, Viola, Cello, Harmonium, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums
Originally released in 2004 on Ipecac Robotic Empire Reissue (2005) Format: LPx2
Style: Drone-Rock, Experimental Rock
Influences: Dark Ambient, Psych Rock, Kosmische, Noise, Drone-Metal
Vibe: Shadowy, Ominous, Brooding, Dark, Driving, Haunting, Hypnotic, Mysterious, Exploratory, Nocturnal, Hallucinogenic
Musical Attributes: Studio-as-an-instrument, Dissonant, Droney
Style: Drone-Rock, Dark Ambient. Experimental
Vibe: Suspenseful, Eerie, Atmospheric, Slow, Haunting, Dark, Psychedelic, Mysterious,
Musical Attributes: Dissonant, Repetitive, Sparse, Instrumental, Noisy
Musicians: Stephen O’Malley (Sun O)))), Atsuo (Boris), William Herzog, Michio Kurihara
Released in 2006 on Constellation Records Format: LP Purchase from label: http://cstrecords.com/products/carla-bozulich-evangelista/
Originally released in 1981 on Rough Trade Modern Classics Reissue (2016) Format: LP
Released in 2010 on Blue Horizon Format: LP Recommended Tracks: B3 – True Believers, A1 – Bad Vibrations, B2 – … More
Released in 2014 on Constellation Records Format: LP
Originally released on CD in 2003 2019 Pressing, First Vinyl Issue, Remastered Format: LP Features 2 previously unreleased tracks
Released in 2019 on Don Giovanni Records Format: LP, grey vinyl
Released in 2008 on Mercury Records Format: LPx2, 45rpm
Released in 2014 on RVNG International Format: LP
Released in 2017 on XL Recordings Format: LP Overview By introducing heartfelt vocals into her (often) harsh environments of contorted … More
Originally released in 1998 on Virgin Records Bootleg pressing Format: LPx2 Purchase (2017 Official Reissue)
Released in 2016 on Don Giovanni Records Format: LP
Released in 2012 on Hyperdub Records Format: 12″ EP
Released in 2012 on Constellation Records Format: LP + 7″
Released in 1970 on Elektra Records Format: LP
Released in 2015 on True Panther Sounds Format: LPx2 Recommended Tracks A1 – Ten Days of Falling (Brooding, Dancey, Dramatic) … More
Released in 2006 on Southern Lord Format: LPx3 Limited to 1500 on Yellow Opaque vinyl
Released in 2013 on Bella Union UK Pressing Format: LPx2, Bonus 7″, Holographic Cover Studio album takes up sides A, … More
Originally released in 2001 on Definitive Jux 2013 deluxe edition on iHipHop Distribution Format: LPx4, including instrumentals, white vinyl
Released in 2013 on Corpse Flower Records Format: LP, Orange Vinyl Limited to 300 copies, 215/300
Released in 2016 by Thrill Jockey Records Format: LP
Released in 1970 on Straight Records Format: LP
Originally Released in 2003 on Sound-Ink 2019 15th Anniversary Edition Format: LPx2, Silver Vinyl, Mirrored Jacket
The apocalyptic chamber-folk of Bethpage soundtracks multiple chapters of cryptic storytelling, mixing one’s darkest thoughts with religious imagery and allegory through banjo sing-alongs and haunting spoken word passages. The heavy climaxes are whirlwinds of bombastic drums, driving bass, fiddle, clarinet, and banjo that often recall the communal chamber-punk of Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra. While many tracks feel seeped in shadow and darkness, a heavenly light occasionally floods in through some truly serene and beautiful passages.
Released in 2008 on End Sounds Format: LPx2, 180g 2014 repress on orange vinyl Limited to 1000
Originally released in 2001 on Capital Records 2008 Pressing Format: 10″x2
Released in 2007 on The Leaf Label Format: LPx3, 45rpm
Originally released in 1969 on Liberty Records 2014 pressing on Purple Pyramid Format: LP, pink/blue swirl vinyl Includes Poster
Released in 2014 on Sargent House Format: LPx2, marbled grey vinyl
Released in 2012 on Invada Records Format: LPx2, orange vinyl Limited to 500 copies
1967 Originally Released in 1965 on Takoma Records 1967 Reissue Format: LP
Originally released in 1979 on Piano Records 2016 Modern Classics pressing on Light I’m the Attic Records Format: LP, includes … More
Darkly cinematic rock instrumentals with some creeping, Dostoevskian vibes. This is probably the most meticulous and progressive album I’ve heard from these guys, who are always finding new ways of funneling their omnivorous library of influences into their dramatic and atmospheric psych rock stylings.
“Side A is cut at 45rpm and features “Moya”, a broiling cascade of upward scales that repeatedly explodes beyond its own threshold. “BBF3” on Side B clocks in at 18 minutes, and was the band’s most lyrical, multi-movement music to date — more elaborated melodic figures wind around an angry spoken-word field recording (infamously culminating in the recital of the speaker’s poem — verses lifted straight from Iron Maiden)”
Released in 2014 on Invada Records Format: LPx2 Tannum Brown vinyl, limited to 1000 copies
Released in 2015 on Drag City Composed using Ben Chasny’s Hexadic System
Released in 2018 on Thrill Jockey Records Format: LPx2, Metallic Silver Vinyl
Released in 2015 on Partisan Records Recorded 2003-2005
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.
Recorded August 19-21, 1969 Originally released in 1970 on Columbia Records 2008 Legacy Pressing Format: LPx2
A unique blend of post-rock, stoner rock, and shoegaze crafted into a cohesive, perfectly fluid 25 minutes. Hallucinogenic atmospheres, shadowy guitar effects, and mysterious pitch-shifted vocals envelope driving, stoner-fuzz bass lines that often liquify into the watery chorus-bass you might find on the Cure’s Disintegration or an Isis album.
Originally released in 1995 on Mute Records 2015 Pressing
The apocalyptic sounds of spiritual warfare.
Released in 2012 on Editions Mego Format: LP
Released in 2008 on Important Records Format: LP