by Sydney Salk (@sydney.salk)
Welcome to Various Artists! This is a quarterly column that highlights compilations, the people who make them, and the causes they champion. Each release is accompanied by a “Choice Cut” from an artist that stands out, although it’s always hard to pick a favorite. A few of these compilations direct their proceeds to charity, so if you find something you like, please send your support!
NYContinuity Vol. 1: New New York Does Old New York
The public pays more attention to the rock of New York’s past than of today, but Gogol Bordello frontman Eugene Hütz has aimed to bridge that gap. NYContinuity Vol. 1: New New York Does Old New York allows the city’s most fiendish contemporaries a crack at the classics. Suicide, Talking Heads, and Iggy Pop have all been reimagined for the now times, but there are also original tracks from Casa Gogol mainstays like Puzzled Panther and Mary Shelley.
Choice Cut: Grace Bergere (Feat. Thurston Moore) - “All Tomorrow’s Parties”
With her full, resonant voice, Grace Bergere takes up the Velvet Underground and Nico classic for this compilation’s lead single. Slow and ambient, it feels like the most romanticized morning after, where Thurston Moore is the last man standing.
still no P.E.A.C.E still WAR
Polish artist and shirtmaker Warbad has released their first-ever musical project, and true to their anti-war values, this compilation is set to benefit those affected by the genocide in Palestine. You can’t order the 12” vinyl release just yet, but you can currently support the project on Bandcamp. These 22 hardcore and adjacent bands from around the world (there’s a map!) include BIB, S.H.I.T., Rat Cage, and more. The physical release comes with a booklet with contributions from each of the bands.
Choice Cut: SIAL - “MANA”
Singaporean punk SIAL, which means “damned” in English,” have been fighting colonization since 2017, as they sing in the indigenous language of their home country. This hard-hitting track from their Sangkar EP brings all the speed, power, and rage of resistance.
Flennen No.16
With a whopping SIXTY-ONE songs, Berlin’s Flennen had to split their new release across two cassettes, but the results are worth the extended play. Punk, goth, hardcore, and every subculture between get a moment to shine with highlights from a great year of German releases such as Torx, Onyon, I.L.L.O., and Das Nest. Proceeds from this compilation go to organizations that provide aid for women facing homelessness and relief in Gaza and Ukraine.
Choice Cut: BRD - ”BRD”
Flennen No.16’s longest entry is also its most fascinating. Both the artist and track name come from an unofficial abbreviation of Germany’s full name that was most used during the Cold War. Using electronic sampling techniques and vocal improvisation, this political interrogation of naming conventions is also extremely groovy.
SIMPLE MUSIC EXPERIENCE VOL.4
Another double-cassette—this time from France—Simple Music Experience Vol. 4 is an engaging experiment in off-kilter dub and self-produced minimalism. This is music for those who think genre is dead and absurdism is eternal. Called Smex for short, it’s been six years since the label released a compilation. House band Simplists provide seven of the comp’s forty-four tracks, while recent regulars like Der Klok, Lauren Ville, and Gino Rotten fill out the roster.
Choice Cut: Reymour - “Chilly Charms”
A duo from Switzerland who now reside in Belgium, Reymour’s intentionality in electro-pop composition is as necessary as it is unconventional. This two-minute jam builds in ways you didn’t think were possible, with noises you didn’t know existed, and is over before you can try to understand all that just happened.
Dot Dash MixTape Volume 3
In the third installment of their annual series, Dot Dash Sounds brings together nineteen tracks from rockers all over the world. There are covers, demos, live versions, and just regular ol’ songs, all of which were previously unreleased. Helmed by NYC local DJ/booker Tom Hyland, his taste brings together a group of artists who may not know each other, but are united in a musical spirit that combines the avant-garde and underground.
Choice Cut: Guiding Light - “Fear on My Own Time”
With the manic pacing of a caffeine rush, Guiding Light show the way to art punk jittery greatness on the first new track since their debut EP last year. Hopefully, this means we get to hear more from Austin’s best new act very soon.
Gentrification Station V
SXSW brings a whole host of acts to Austin every spring, but so does Pity Party Productions, the filmmakers who put out the boundary-pushing tape series Gentrification Station with label Digital Hotdogs. This fifth edition opens with “The National Anthem II,” which should more than get your attention (I’m not spoiling the contents, go listen for yourself.) Local collective Thor & Friends, helmed by an ex-percussionist of Swans, makes the biggest contribution with the 7-minute ambient track “Off Her Meds,” but there are bands from a broader network as well, including STEEF from nearby NOLA and CDSM from Georgia. There’s something weird for everyone.
Choice Cut: PAL - “Live Laugh Wine”
Cleveland synth punks take this compilation’s theming to heart with a lampoon of boozy brunch culture. The calculated grit of Maureen Joyce’s growl keeps the chaos in tune.
Sydney Salk is a writer, zine-maker, and radio DJ based in Brooklyn, NY. She does a lot of things, hopefully some of them are good. If you liked this column, you should read her zine Compilation Nation, which is dedicated to archival releases. (sydneysalk.com)