Mesh - "Mesh" | Album Review
It might be facetious to call Mesh a post-punk band. Much of this record sounds like classic scuzzy and snotty garage rock, particularly of the kind that grew in popularity at the start of this century. The whole thing is supremely infectious, filled with catchy choruses and thirstful energy; these songs are made to be danced to furiously.
Tape Deck Mountain - "True Deceiver" | Album Review
Hideous Sun Demon - "Development Hell" | Album Review
Special Friend - "Ennemi Commun" | Album Review
Cal Fish - "Plastic Flag" | Album Review
While making their new album Plastic Flag while traveling around Europe in 2017, Cal Fish spent a lot of time listening to the 2004 Arthur Russell compilation Calling Out of Context, and a similar experimental spirit is alive in their record. Cal gathered loops from cassettes found on the streets and fused them with beats.
Spiritual Mafia - "Alfresco" | Album Review
Melbourne quintet Spiritual Mafia boast members gathered from some of that city’s best underground outfits (Ausmuteants, EXEK). Alfresco is their debut album but it was a fractured journey with their members all based around the far reaches of Australia. Spiritual Mafia’s music constantly arrives at a confluence.
Karima Walker - "Waking The Dreaming Body" | Album Review
Hand Habits - "Dirt" | Album Review
As the sole member of the indie-rock outfit Hand Habits, Meg Duffy released the thrifty EP Dirt: just two songs, or three if the digital exclusive remix of their previous song “What’s the Use” is included. It never feels lightweight though, packing much vibrancy and notes of interest into just ten minutes; brevity is Duffy’s friend here.
Mush - "Lines Redacted" | Album Review
Much of what Mush does on their second LP is political. A political British post-punk album is hardly a new concept but what makes it work is Hyndman’s vocals: where the growling idyllic gospel of IDLES can come off preachy, Hyndman’s delivery is so chaotic and ridiculous that the ludicrousness of the current political climate is laid bare.
Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou - "The Helm of Sorrow" | Album Review
The album that this EP accompanies was one of 2020’s most unexpected successes, a collaboration between differing shades of alternative metal that dovetailed excellently. The unique match-up between Rundle and Thou was so strong that the best compliment that could be paid to The Helm of Sorrow is that it’s able to stand on its own.
Shame - "Drunk Tank Pink" | Album Review
Shame’s new album is a tale of two contradictions: it’s named for an allegedly soothing shade of paint color but the music on the album is anything but nullifying; it’s another sophomore album focused on the exhaustion and disillusionment of extensive post-debut touring that manages to avoid the cliched pitfalls of that album type.
Viagra Boys - "Welfare Jazz" | Album Review
With the wild live performers now castrated, their album does enough to capture the energetic essence of a Viagra Boys gig. The Stockholm band’s music must always be taken with a pinch of salt and, luckily, the chaotic, ecstatic, and lurid Welfare Jazz manages to be sleazy and provocative without descending into full caricature.
We Are Joiners - "Clients + Carriers" | Album Review
Working with just an old BOSS BR1180 8-track, We Are Joiners recorded two EPs earlier this year. The New York independent label Totally Real Records saw potential in these: Clients + Carriers have been gathered into a double album, released on December 4th, and the decision makes sense upon listening.
Wren Kitz - "Early Worm" | Album Review
Wren Kitz’s music is tense with contrasts: with his sweet falsetto, he’s capable of working within traditional folk song structures; as a student of tape recordings, he also dissolves himself into mysterious noise. Early Worm, is carefully constructed, going from more traditional forms to the hiss of lo-fi feedback immediately afterwards.
Laundromat - "Green EP" | Album Review
In just three tracks, Laundromat manages to conjure full-flavored textures that bely the snappiness of the EP. Lo-fi production ties the triptych together so it’s a testament to his innovation that so many textures and layers are evident on Green. Loops and harmonies worm themselves through the tracks, often from unexpected points.
Global Charming - "Mediocre, Brutal" | Album Review
The quartet make sharp and witty post-punk that discusses the banality of everyday existence. They utilize repetitive rhythm to reflect the consistent monotony of their daily routines. What saves Global Charming – and their audience – from being subsumed by the emptiness are their sharp jolts of guitar licks and self-aware satire.
Black Sabbath - "Paranoid" (50th Anniversary Edition) | Album Review
Chronophage - "Th'pig'kiss'd Album" | Album Review
Th’Pig’Kiss’d Album is their second full-length and the chaotic lo-fi spirit remains intact. It was released by the new Dutch label Soft Office, started by members of the Lewsberg (as well as Cleta Patra). Chronophage share the same DIY and post-punk tendencies as their label bosses, but overall they skew to lighter and fuzzier jangle.
Super-X - "Super-X" | Album Review
If music is supposed to take one on a journey, this idea is something that Super-X takes literally. The Melbourne post-punk noise creators - composed of brothers Harrison and George Ottaway and drummer Kaelan Emond - take their listeners on a frenetic and buzzing journey around the world on their self-titled debut album