The time to catch up on the unabridged Post-Trash “Mid-Year Report” has come, with releases big and small - albums that went under the radar, the hidden gems, and the essential records from the past six months. This is our semi-comprehensive guide to our favorite releases of the year so far without a pre-determined length.
It’s not often a band gets harder and lower-fi with time--not without sounding contrived, anyway--but on their new LP II, Japanese post-punk band M.A.Z.E. tap into their hardcore influence with unqualified success. II is faster, furiouser, and more fun, filling in singer Eriko’s vocals with fuzz and throwing some real punch behind guitarist Tatsuya’s oscillating riffs and scorching chord swipes.
