Distants
Distants
Salinas Records (2024)
Something about this guitar tone always picks me up. Add in the raspy vocals and it really only takes me a few seconds into this record to know that Distants are my kind of band. Honestly, I’ve seen them before too, so I already knew that, but that was just a half set at The Fest, not a deep dive … Read more
Dog Date
Zinger
Pop Wig Records (2024)
The first song on this album is named “Nirvana.” It’s a fitting nod to an obvious influence, though a Mudhoney reference might honestly be more apt. Going into this record, based solely on the lead single (“Nuff Said), I was expecting more of a brash, garage-punk sound with Dog Date. My first impressions weren’t totally off base, but add a … Read more
Ekko Astral
pink balloons
Topshelf (2024)
Their music is for people “who are struggling, who are at their absolute lowest". That’s a quote from vocalist and guitar player Jael Holzman talking to The Washington Post. Am I struggling? Am I at my absolute lowest? No. Have I had a bit of a rough patch? Sure (it’s not that bad- don’t worry about it mom). Work sucks, … Read more
Faulty Cognitions
Somehow, We Are Here
Cercle Social Records (2024)
The opening track on Somehow, We Are Here is a statement. Yes, Faulty Cognitions is a punk band with members of Low Culture, Shang-A-Lang, Nocturnal Prose,and more. Yes, this shares a lot of commonalities, but it’s also a new band with a new sound. The band humbly says they were going for an early, jangly R.E.M. vibe but self-confess that … Read more
Final
What We Don't See
Room40 (2024)
Justin K. Broadrick's prolific output keeps giving, and may it never stop! The latest release is one of Broadrick's earliest projects, Final, which started in the power electronics tradition but since its resurrection in the early '90s, it is solidly standing in the ambient realm. Final's new full-length What We Don't See continues on the same trajectory, relishing drone's minimalistic … Read more
Frank Turner
Undefeated
Xtra Mile (2024)
The singer-songwriter gig is a hard one. You have to be the center of attention, captivating your audience from start to finish. Yes, Frank Turner plays with a backing band (The Sleeping Souls), but the focus is always on Turner, be it on stage or on a 14 song LP. And he’s willing to put it all out there. Many … Read more
FVRMN
Back To The Whip
Bifocal Media (2024)
This is apparently the fourth LP from FVRMN, previously known as “Fever Moon” and presumably pronounced as such. It’s not exactly a solo project, as there is a full band on Back To The Whip, but it’s definitely the brainchild of Jay Holmes (formerly of The Ladderback and also a recognized visual artist who has done design work for the … Read more
Geneviève Beaulieu
Augury
Union Finale Records (2024)
There is no doubt that Menace Ruine is a pioneering force in the extreme music space. The Quebec-based duo of Geneviève Beaulieu and S. de la Moth honed their avant-garde sound by encapsulating components of drone, neo-folk, and tinges of black metal. This unique mix resulted in some of the seminal works of the ‘10s, particularly Alight In Ashes and … Read more
Grumpster
Grumpster
Pure Noise (2024)
Grumpster is just one of those bands. The first record caught my attention, the second was a “whoa” moment, and now it’s already album number three, five years later. It’s been a relatively quick progression and there’s a big jump in sound between the first and last albums, but it’s also linear and it makes sense. The band come from … Read more
Kim Gordon
The Collective
Matador (2024)
Since the demise of Sonic Youth in 2011, Kim Gordon has stayed active through multiple outlets, through all of which she has rejuvenated her experimental outlook. Alongside Bill Nace in Body / Head, they have explored the no-wave aesthetic in its full glory, through minimalism and noise. But, it is also her solo project that has found Gordon at her … Read more
Laura Jane Grace
Hole In My Head
Polyvinyl (2024)
On her second solo album Laura Jane Grace throws back, looks ahead and reminds us why we should be grateful for the present. Against Me! frontwoman Laura Jane Grace released her solo album, Hole In My Head, earlier this year. A foil to pandemic times Stay Alive, it reaches out with retro tinged punk tunes that catapult her from sounding … Read more
Lucta
Eterna Lotta
Static Shock Records (2024)
Lucta come from Milan, IT and play heavy, fast hardcore that sounds straight out of 1984. It’s aggressive, while also feeling unpredictable and a little bit unstable, like it could break into pure chaos at any moment. There are some metallic flourishes, kicking off with a minute-plus heavy atmospheric instrumental lead in the intro track, “Sacrificio,” but then it shifts … Read more
Lussuria
Under Crumbled Stairs
Hospital Productions (2024)
Jim Mroz is no stranger to the darkest dungeons of the human mind. These locked doors of the psyche are a common destination for his project Lussuria, through which Mroz has quietly amassed an impeccable discography. And so another immersive chapter of harrowing music sprouts forth with Under Crumbled Stairs, with Lussuria extending their phantom limbs to touch upon numerous … Read more
Lustmord
Much Unseen Is Also Here
PELAGIC RECORDS (2024)
Lustmord, the reluctant pioneer of the dark ambient scene has returned with another expansive work of existential dread in Much Unseen Is Also Here. His arsenal of industrial components, field recordings, and sampling are engineered to evoke a true sense of cosmic horror. While many extreme music acts embrace the terrifying aspects of the Lovecraftian literary corpus, few can transmit … Read more
Machine Girl
MG Ultra
Future Classic (2024)
Ideally, I would be a bit more interested in art. In visual art- paintings, sketches, MS Paint monstrosities- whatever. I wish I knew more about the meaning of a brush stroke or even had the desire to know more about the meaning of a brush stroke. I spend a lot of time listening to music and, subsequently, I see a … Read more
MakeWar
A Paradoxical Theory of Change
Fat Wreck Chords (2024)
This is the third album from MakeWar and they have their sound pinned down. I mean that, in the best way possible, A Paradoxical Theory Of Change is exactly what you want from the band. I also note it because, as it’s my third time review them, I’m trying not to repeat myself. This album introduces a new drummer, Alejandro … Read more
Mannequin Pussy
I Got Heaven
Epitaph (2024)
One of the rare instances of a band getting more raucous with time (and success), Mannequin Pussy’s third studio album I Got Heaven sets the mood with heavy drums and cutting vocals. While the sound doesn’t swing in as hard, or as messy, as previous albums, the band hits their stride with lyrics equal parts scalding and snotty. Album opener … Read more
Massive Nightmares
Massive Nightmares
Independent (2024)
Right from the start, this EP sounds familiar. I can’t quite place the band I’m thinking of, but Massive Nightmares hit quickly in a warm and familiar way. They play punchy punk with a big dose of The Replacements-style rock ‘n’ roll. It’s killing me that I can’t place who, exactly, they remind me of, but members also play/played with … Read more
