The Buffalo rapper layers her past lessons, each brick building a vision of a sustainable future. Like her counterparts, Noir sands rough friction from her upbringing into a smoothed-over confidence. However, instead of attempting to fortify a defensive armor, Noir’s learned past allows for a more honest, vulnerable swagger.
Only Constant foundationally resists pretentiousness. The music is physical and the band is earnest. GEL’s music, message and motive seem to be all in alignment– achieving an oft sought after goal for a band on the rise. On their full-length debut, GEL offers open arms to all that may fall in – no matter the form you might take.
Over a decade into their partnership, Kelley Deal (Breeders) and Mike Montgomery (Ampline) feel continuously in sync. The two have extensive history as friends, colleagues and musical partners. Pulling from their individual artistry, R. Ring represents a satisfying detour that allows for at will experimentation and forward-thinking jams.
Scanning the spectrum of love lost and found, Hiding In Place, the new EP from Philadelphia’s Queen of Jeans, revels in thoughtful exploration. Their first original release since 2018 briefly touches on the stretches of loneliness, excitement, insecurity and resentment inherent to relationships beginning and end.
The Virginia veteran has pushed his coke laced raps and menacing flows through decades, staying solid through a quickly changing commercial rap landscape. Four years after the release of the Daytona he returns with his excellent fourth record It’s Almost Dry, a celebration of form and technique as consistent in tone as it is in quality.
Their 35th full length record Crystal Nuns Cathedral relies on their modern brand of rock and roll with some added quirks as a nod towards their more experimental history. Much like many of their recent albums, the instrumental quality is clearer and more fleshed out. Pollard’s sugary melodies are the centerpoint of each track.
