‘High Line’ is barely there at times. This is a record of distant guitars, soft synthesisers, sparse percussion, and no vocals. The loudest sound over its twelve tracks and 40 minutes is probably a few strong plucks of baritone guitar. That doesn’t make it a meek or thinly drawn piece though. No, this is music dug out of the ground, […]
Read moreShimmerance have been waiting for this. The Moscow outfit formed in 2016 with a dreamy, clean approach to shoegaze, but artistic differences and member turnover delayed delivery of a debut album. Now their self-released self-titled effort is here and, initially, it feels like the band might be too eager to make up for lost time. ‘Scryscraper’ clatters and rushes along, […]
Read moreThese monthly playlists are like my babies. I bring them to life, tend for them, talk about them at work too much, and hope they go on to do big things. If that means that I’m not supposed to have favourites though, I have failed. I recommend every song that ever makes the cut, the clue is in the title, […]
Read moreYou can know that Insect Ark’s third album is the product of erstwhile members of Swans, SubRosa, and Angels of Light, released through experimental metal label Profound Lore, and inspired by a recurring nightmare, and it still won’t properly prepare you for ‘The Vanishing’. This is sonic gloom, this is a far-off ominous storm cloud given up-close sound, this is sunlight-free […]
Read moreBokotono will sneak up on you. I know what you’re thinking. The Irish outfit look like nice enough guys, and come on, there’s only the three of them. They’re surely still figuring out their sound too, having just released their debut EP proper last month. BOKOTONO by BOKOTONO But, like a beautiful flower unfurling to reveal one of those boxing […]
Read moreIt will surprise no one that a band named after a simian spaceman, with song titles like ‘Bandage of Scat’ and ‘Put Your Hands Up If You Like Sloths’, haven’t always taken things seriously. And Parachute for Gordo undoubtedly delight in the improvised, the unconventional, and the downright silly. But that doesn’t mean the Aldershot trio lack dedication- a band […]
Read moreVasa’s debut album was a shot of adrenaline- a much-welcome flash of movement and colour into the sometimes stoic and sepia-toned world of post-rock. It was punk rock, really. So the news that their sophomore effort would be an ambitious concept album, “a sonic exploration of coming to terms with the pains of ageing by reconnecting with our own individual […]
Read moreWith their excellent sophomore effort, ‘Burnt Sugar’, still ringing in our ears, Gouge Away have today debuted a new song. It’s a rip-roaring slice of grungy punk, and a righteous jam- a stand against blind nationalism and patriotism in the modern age. Consider b/w Wave of Mutilation by Gouge Away ‘Consider’ will be paired with a Pixies cover (something that, […]
Read moreThe first EP from this slightly-supergroup was a writhing nest of riffs, rage, heat and light. Erstwhile members of Bastions, Sleep Beggar, Zoax and Good Tiger combined to create organic hardcore that immediately felt established and essential. Five years later and follow-up ‘Young, Grieven’ isn’t so explosive but is gifted with the same gritty, immediate energy and new sludgy textures. […]
Read moreIt has somehow been 20 years (20 YEARS!) since the release of Glassjaw’s debut proper, ‘Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence’. And while the band haven’t always embraced the album’s lasting legacy, they will be performing it in full at some US shows in May. Current dates below. Here’s hoping for a UK date or three.
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