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Sleep Token

Sundowning
Spinefarm Records (2019)

Sundowning is a record of intrigue and mystery, not least because of the anonymous faces behind the band and this enigmatic twist has led to many discovering their presence in the British alternative scene. While their identities may be hidden, Sleep Token display their emotions for all to see on their debut album, a collection of songs which evoke much … Read more

Avant Duel

Beyond Human
Independent (2012)

Spaceman comes to Earth, fronts rock band!It sounds like it might be a Weekly World News headline or the subplot to a ‘60s-era Godzilla film, yet this is allegedly what happened when, in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Von LMO, claiming to have been from the planet Strazar, rose to prominence in NYC’s no wave music scene. Following the … Read more

The Violet Mindfield

Hello Darling
Independent (2019)

While music groups have tried to emulate the sounds of the past in various ways, this is perhaps nowhere more evident than in the world of psychedelic music. Though one could probably make an argument that this large sections of this genre aspire to exist in a time span from about 1965 to ‘69 or so, it’s interesting to imagine … Read more

Rivers Edge

The Runaround
Let’s Pretend Records/Dead Broke Rekerds (2019)

Runaround is the third release I’ve heard from Rivers Edge, and besides feeling like a nice metaphoric album title for the band’s style – accessible DIY pop punk with a lot of unexpected turns – it also feels like the band is really coming into their own. In the past I’ve observed a “sum of the parts” vibe, sharing elements … Read more

Rational Anthem

It’s Only Permanent
A-F (2019)

It’s been a long time since the last Rational Anthem record, Emotionally Unavailable in 2014. The band is still similar but what jumps out the most to me with It’s Only Permanent is the clean, big pop hooks. The band has always been peppy and focused on those singalong moments, but this record is downright anthemic from start to finish. … Read more

Moon Duo

Stars are the Light
Sacred Bones (2019)

This year, Moon Duo released their seventh album, Stars are the Light, on Sarced Bones. Many of their signature spacey psychedelic elements are here: droning saturated guitars, looping synths, dual hypnotic vocals. But Moon Duo have another motive this time around -- getting our bodies moving.As they depart from machine-driven krautrock rhythms, they often slow down the tempo and bring … Read more

The Hussy

Looming
Dirtnap (2019)

It’s been fun watching The Hussy grow. All those scuzzy, dirty licks and rough-and-tumble beats of their early work is still present, but on Looming the now-trio lets the once understated melodies take the lead. It’s driving rock with some notable grooves, but it’s also singalong with shades of ‘60s garage, psychedelia, and even hints of pop.Looming contains 16 songs … Read more

200 Words Or Less

State Drugs

Takings and Leavings
Jigsaw Records (2019)

This LP sounds like something that teleported here from my moody early-2000’s CD rack, which they acknowledge with their self-description of “grown-up punk”. The distorted chord progressions recall Sugarcult and Samiam while the grainy country-tinged vocals bring Gaslight Anthem to mind. The lyrical themes of alcohol and heartache nod to their influences as well, but the vocals lose their soul … Read more

Calabrese

Flee The Light
Spookshow Records (2019)

This year I was so psyched! I am a big horror punk fan. There are three bands I really, really enjoy. Calabrese is one of those bands. I’ve followed this hard working band since their second album and have enjoyed each and every release so far. I had no problem following them in their development from their campy horror punk … Read more

200 Words Or Less

Various Artists

Rakta & Deafkids – Forma/Sigilo
Nada Nada Discos (2019)

Brazilian act Rakta were at the forefront of the post-punk revival several years back, and continue to be one of more captivating crews working in what has become a sort of genre-less field. Are they punk? Absolutely. But what punk means today is so much more than what it meant even 10 years ago. I saw them play at Iron … Read more

Blood Incantation

Hidden History of the Human Race
Dark Descent Records (2019)

By now it’s clear that Blood Incantation are the death metal band of the future, a band willing to push the genre and do things with its base elements that others may be scared of or not capable of. The quartet meld progressive qualities with dirty riffs, speak of their love of science fiction and their quest for the ultimate … Read more

The Blackjaw

Burn The Artisan
White Russian Records (2019)

Some soft strumming on the guitar draws your attention. Post-hardcorish emo vocals ask you if you ever wondered what it is like to kill someone. Welcome to the wonderful world of The Blackjaw.The Blackjaw is Spanish quartet who recently released their fourth album unto an unsuspecting world. Well, it is either that or I have been living under a rock … Read more

Cunts

Cunts
Ipecac (2019)

Calling your band “Cunts” and releasing some sort of grindcore or blackened death album wouldn’t really be a big shocker. It wouldn’t take a whole lot of balls or thought to do. But calling your band Cunts and releasing a more-melodic-than-extreme hardcore album complete with a Tom Waits cover takes a little bit more ingenuity.Comprised of Retox twinsies Michael Crain … Read more

Have a Nice Life

Sea of Worry
Flenser (2019)

Time changes us all. As people we are bound to the rules of time and how it moves regardless of whether we want it to or not. Music changes us. However, the rules surrounding how music moves us is on a different scale to that of time - one piece of music will affect ten people differently. Have a Nice … Read more

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