It’s Closing Time

Hi all,

As you may have noticed, the blog has not been updated for rather a while. Unfortunately I don’t seem to have the time to properly listen to music and update it as much as I used to. I really enjoyed it at the time though, and I want to thank anyone who commented and any artists who thanked me for posting their stuff. As long as some of you found some new music that you enjoy, then it wasn’t for nothing!

I’ll still occasionally review over at inb4track, so keep an eye out.

It’s been fun guys.

A.

Fuyuko’s Fables – Fuyuko’s Fables

So, I’m a little late to the party with this release since it’s been out for a while. However, it’s something I think you need to hear. Gorgeous, softly spoken folk from New Zealand. Really awesome and varied instrumentation. Each track evolves brilliantly and never seems to take a too straightforward route to the end. You can check out a full review from our good friends at inb4track. Highly recommended.

GET IT HERE

Sly – Introvert

The first two tracks of this EP are smooth instrumental hip-hop with a little jazz influence. Soft beats interspersed with piano and occasional soulful female vocals. It feels like sitting in a smokey, 50s jazz bar that’s been transported to the future. The second two tracks are darker, presenting a tighter beat driven sound and sombre audio samples. These tracks manage to sound deep and unsettling, but work surprisingly well next to the earlier ones. The finisher (+Locks) is almost hypnotic. If you only check out one track today though, listen to Introspection – it’s glorious.

GET IT HERE

Ennet House – Sensitive Bends

The second album from this fantastic experimental pop duo. Regular readers might remember that I posted their EP a while back here. Their first album, Little Room, is also now available for free from their bandcamp page.

As with their first album, Ennet House have crafted a selection of lush, textural and catchy tracks. However, Sensitive Bends is filled with perhaps an even greater psych-pop intensity.  The album is designed to take you on a ‘visual journey’ across four suites, and these guys more than pull it off.  The whole album ebbs and flows as each track segues fluidly into the next. The result is amazing and might just surprise you with such a dynamic tracklist. All in all, there’s a hell of a lot of great stuff to listen out for on Sensitive Bends. Highly recommended.

GET IT HERE

Jealousy Monster – Jealousy Monster

Debut release by this fun indie pop duo. Really upbeat, chilled out stuff that borders on wistful at some points. Without ever becoming too complex, these guys have managed to get a perfect balance of sound, and every track feels really cohesive and well put together. Vocals are absolutely wonderful and give the whole release an almost dreamy effect. In contrast the lyrics can be pretty downbeat, but they never feel at odds with the music. I can already tell Jealousy Monster will be one to watch – highly recommended.

GET IT HERE

Vuota – Eroguro Neurosis

A new project from the mind behind the fantastic Ripple’Field (posted here), that moves away from shining synthpop to a much darker sound. Vouta focuses on black metal, post-punk and goth rock to create something that transcends each of these genres. This is while managing to move flawlessly between rich melodies and raging, violent power. The tracks Short Breaths and Hanged are perhaps the best example of this polarity. The use of clean vocals will no doubt pull in those who are put off by the black metal tagging, but there is enough brute force and muffled screaming here to interest even the most kvlt of music fans.

GET IT HERE

RAGS – RAGS

RAGS is not an easy release to pin down. Free flowing and fuzzy guitar driven rock interspersed with an evolving ambient background, that plays out across two tracks that make up a 30 minute play time. A bit of a slow builder, but once it gets going it is textural and hypnotizing. Very different to anything I have heard in a while, and very easy to get lost in. Highly recommended.

GET IT HERE

Wartime Tapestry – Storms

Dense, noisy drone that really benefits from a good set of headphones. Wartime Tapestry makes excellent use of subtle loops and layering, creating the sort of music that you notice something new in every time you listen. A little tense at times, but it is very easy to get sucked into the dark, enveloping sound on Storms. The chimes on Veteran Flying Saucer are particularly brilliant. Whilst it is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, ambient and drone fans will not be disappointed. You can also check out Wartime Tapestry’s previous stuff on his Soundcloud page.

GET IT HERE

New Dark Age – BEAT2

A few months back I posted New Dark Age’s album 2002, an epic beat driven sci-fi concept album. Last month he released BEAT2, the follow up to his earlier release BEAT1. On these seven tracks you can hear some of New Dark Age’s signature brooding beats alongside a more bombastic, funky sound. Awesome use of vocal and music samples (Toto’s Africa is always a worthy addition).  Just give the incredibly catchy opening track a listen and try not to keep on through the whole thing. Highly recommended.

GET IT HERE

Shields and Lopatin – Shields and Lopatin

Finally we kick off 2012 posting with a self titled release by Shields and Lopatin. Droning, synth heavy electronica that swells and sinks over the 20 minute run-time. Has an incredibly thick sound that really fills your head, especially if you’re listening through ‘phones. Manages to pull off a great sense of atmosphere despite the short length. This is amidst the evolving ambience, subtle guitar sounds and penetrating synth melodies. Definitely an artist I want to hear more from in the future.

GET IT HERE