Mire
A New Found Rain
Independent (2021)
The first time I ran into Mire was about two years ago. I was looking for stuff that was at least somewhat adjacent to Gojira and a friend recommended Mire. At the time the band had an EP titled Shed which was released in 2018. For whatever reason, it seems that (mostly) all traces of it were scraped and there … Read more
Monte Penumbra
As Blades in the Firmament
End All Life (2021)
Monte Penumbra’s obscure origin dates back to 2013. The project of one W.uR suddenly appeared in the underground black metal scene with a debut full-length in Heirloom of Sullen Fall. Released at the time through Deamon Worship Productions, a label with an excellent pedigree of extreme metal having released music from the likes of Devouring Star and Wormlust, Heirloom of … Read more
Naked Raygun
Over The Overlords
Wax Trax! Records (2021)
Rather than delve into the history books and deep cuts of Naked Raygun’s discography, I’m mostly going to focus on the present in this take on Over The Overlords, Naked Raygun’s latest -- and their first full-length since 1990 (their sixth overall). The heavily influential Chicago band was born in 1980, disbanded in 1991, and been in semi-active reunion mode … Read more
Nala Sinephro
Space 1.8
Warp (2021)
I’m a real sucker for any records that are themed somewhere in the vicinity of space/cosmos area of things. So, naturally, I just straight up check anything that seems at least decent in that zone. I had virtually no expectations when diving into Nala Sinephro’s Space 1.8, with the exception of thinking that I will meet a familiar sound. By … Read more
Needles//Pins
Needles//Pins
Dirt Cult (2021)
Needles//Pins have all the familiar elements of pop-structured punk. Yet, at the same time, it’s hard to distill their sound to a single scene or subgenre. It’s melodic; it’s gruff; it’s sing-along. But it’s not really angry, fist-in-the-air cynicism. There’s an uplifting vibe underneath the coarse offering that soars instead of cycles. Off the top of my head, there are … Read more
Neighborhood Brats
Confines of Life
Dirt Cult (2021)
Neighborhood Brats play punk as you’d expect it to sound – regardless of year or era. It’s angry, aggressive and timeless. A review doesn’t require hyphens and subcategories. But while they’re easy to pin into a genre, they remain full of surprises, which is exceedingly rare. For every political lyric, fist punch in the air and shout-along moment, there’s a … Read more
Neon Belly
Self-Titled
Fort Lowell Records (2021)
Let’s call it like is it is. Punk rock has been too much of a boys’ club for far too long. And, since the style is rooted in blunt communication, what better way to call attention than putting the scene on alert on the first song of a band’s first EP? Neon Belly starts with a mission statement in “The … Read more
Neon Christ
1984
Southern Lord (2021)
Power Power of Power of Neon Power of Christ Power of Neon Christ Compels You! I cast you out! Your mother darns socks in Hell! Your mother is here. Would you like to leave a message? I’ll see that she gets it! I adorn my Crucifix on my horsehair and lath wall and point the saviors head north but inevitably … Read more
NEW YORK JUNK
DREAMING EP
Tar Beach Music (2021)
Hand-tossed New York pizza is served traditionally with a specially blended, highly guarded-in-secrecy sauce and topped with a healthy dose of mozzarella cheese. The wedge of delight is easily folded and shoved down your gullet. Feel it as it slides over your pallet barely touching your incisors, molars, and eye teeth.Standing on any New York street corner chewing out a … Read more
Nik Bärtsch
Listening, Music, Movement, Mind
Lars Müller Publishers (2021)
Based in Zürich, Switzerland, the acclaimed publishing house of Lars Müller is the manifestation of his love for books. Over the last eighteen years, a plethora of carefully curated and edited publications have been published, zeroing in on specialist areas in the realms of society, design, photography, architecture and art, all of which reflect Müller’s eclectic fields of interest. The … Read more
NOFX
Single Album
Fat Wreck Chords (2021)
This record is honestly kind of painful. It’s meant to be, too. It’s about depression, drug abuse, death and all kinds of dark material. And it works on that level, but it’s also painful because the NOFX sound puts Fat Mike’s vocals so front-and-center in everything: It’s like watching somebody standing under a spotlight while hitting rock bottom. The lyrics … Read more
Nopes
Djörk
Magnetic Eye Records (2021)
Nopes play that brand of melodic noise rock that pummels its listener in the face. It’s aggressive and abrasive, with big riffs, lots of feedback and barked vocals. The aggression sets the tone, but the nuance underneath the noise is what sets it apart from influences like The Jesus Lizard or Am Rep, with a base of Hot Snakes.While noise … Read more
Not On Tour
Outtakes EP
SBÄM Records (2021)
I can’t believe this is the first time Not On Tour is reviewed on this site. Not On Tour is a skate punk band from Tel Aviv, Israel. This band is insanely melodic and catchy. Not On Tour is one of those bands that master a certain art: they seem to effortlessly combine speed with catchy melodies. The band nailed … Read more
Oasis
Knebworth – Two Nights That Will Live Forever
Cassell Publishing (2021)
Indulging in the seductive lies of nostalgia often means that rough edges are taken from the brittle pages of the good old days, especially when it comes to stories emanating from the realm of rock’n roll and the self-congratulatory celebrations of each generations’ hey-days. However, no matter if you hold Oasis in high esteem or not, it was quite something … Read more
Oasis
Supersonic: The Complete, Authorised & Unabridged Interviews
Hachette Publishing (2021)
Despite having parted way more than twelve years ago, Oasis and the way they have diligently and borderline religiously channelled their Beatles worship continues to be one of the most influential British bands of all time. No matter if you were into what was labelled “Cool Britannia” in the 1990s or do not dig them, chances are that you do … Read more
ONETWOTHREE
ONETWOTHREE
Kill Rock Stars (2021)
The hook on ONETWOTHREE is the band is comprised of three bassists. Which, actually, means there are a ton of hooks on this, their debut record. And now that I’ve hooked you with unnecessary wordplay, I’ll get on with things. But, really, it was the unique arrangement that first intrigued me. The lineup consists of Klaudia Schifferle (Kleenex/LiLiPuT), Madlaina Peer … Read more
Partial Traces
Wild Surf/Quiet Blues
Salinas Records (2021)
Partial Traces play pop-inspired keyboard rock – but not at all the kind you imagine when you hear those words. In pop songs, the keyboard generally brings melodrama or atmosphere. In Partial Traces, those two ideas meet in the middle. It’s emotional and serious, but instead of dramatic, it’s tonal. It feels real and authentic, which largely comes from the … Read more
Pat Metheny
Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)
BMG (2021)
I’m inclined to believe that anyone even just vaguely familiar with the fusion area of jazz has heard of Pat Metheny. Practically one of the legends of the genre, there’s nothing I could really say here to aptly summarize Metheny’s nearly five-decade career, nor add. It’s pretty obvious that in such cases there’s no critique to pass, or rather, no … Read more
