Paint It Black
Famine
Revelation (2023)
Paint It Black kind of burst back onto the scene the last two years. It had been 15 years since their last full-length, New Lexicon, and now we get Famine, which came out last fall. And “burst” was a word a chose purposely, because this record is fast and loud. Just as important, when it’s playing, you can’t ignore it. Paint It Black’s intensity commands your attention. It’s primarily angry music, but there are also forlorn and forsaken emotions that give it needed balance and humanity. There are 8 songs here and the record plays fast, probably about 20 minutes, but I won’t call it short. There is a lot of density in these songs, with and lyrical choices that recall images of biblical plight to modern war and devastation. The final result itself is devastating too. There are blunt, pummeling songs like the title track “Famine” and its follow-up, “Dominion,” which show off Dan Yemin’s punishing growl atop punchy riffs and some pick-me-up breakdowns; plus urgent singalongs in “Safe” and “Serf City, U.S.A.”; and even some minimalist hardcore with “Exploitation Period,” which lets a slow bass rumble and Yemin’s shouts carry the emotional punch instead of those fierce beats … Read more
The Manikins
Swedish Woods
Lövely (2023)
The Manikins previous album, 2019s Bad Times, was my encounter with The Manikins. We started off a bit weird, as … Read more
Niecy Blues
Exit Simulation
Kranky (2023)
The allure of ambient music and its applications in pop structures has always been an important topic for Niecy Blues. … Read more
Aisha Devi
Death Is Home
Houndstooth (2023)
The talent and quality of Aisha Devi have been apparent since the release of her first EP, Aura For Everyone … Read more
Aesop Rock
Integrated Tech Solutions
Rhymesayers (2023)
Aesop Rock seems to be the rare artist who gets better with age. I enjoyed his early work with Blockhead, … Read more
