The goal of Abscess Time isn't aimed at kicking against the boundaries of the existent heavy music scene, but rather to give better definition to those lines that have been previously drawn. I think it's clear that in refining rather than expanding their sound, Pyrrhon have given us a more precise picture of what they're capable of.
Possible Humans is a five-piece band out of Melbourne, for those that love guitars and driving bass lines. Everybody Split is their first full length, initially released in April 2019 as a small run by Hobbies Galore. This initial run was followed by a US and worldwide release in August by Trouble in Mind Records based out of Chicago.
The band sounds absolutely massive throughout the album. The instrumentals hit with precision; look no further than the guitar attack of “Processed By The Boys” and “I Am You Now,” or the push and pull of “Modern Business Hymns”. Joe Casey sounds like vintage Nick Cave, delivering fire and brimstone truths over the din.
To listen to Bananagun is to travel the world under an invigorating blend of inspiration. They are the youth basking in the glow of old styles: there are African grooves, drum and bass beats, tropicalia, and ‘60s psychedelic pop; it’s a credit to the band that their sonic melange settles so well as a whole.
Moth is the creative project of Darcy Berry, known for his punchy drumming in Melbourne’s strikingly different but equally excellent Gonzo and U-Bahn. Moth became known for their chaotic live performances around Melbourne, fleshing out the bare bones of the project with talent from bands such as Alien Nosejob and Body Maintenance.
The self-described “gunk pop” project of Seattle-based songwriter Nicolle Swims, Black Ends consists of Swims on guitar and vocals, Jonny Modes on drums, and Ben Swanson on bass. Despite postponed festivals and cancelled tours, Black Ends are still back with 13+ minutes of their finest and “gunkiest” work yet via Stay Evil.
An ape in midlife stasis; A talking bear; People in cocoons. On Magic Isn’t Real, the third album from Pile, surrealist imagery paints real crises - the feeling of monotony and parasitic relationships being just a few. While obtuse lyricism would be a defining characteristic for albums to come, Magic Isn’t Real was a defining moment in Pile’s discography.
Poised with emotional intelligence and calibrated force, the self-titled debut album from SPICE churns through the vast and emotive human chamber of pain and raw sentiment. This intoxicatingly precise and cathartic collective, exploring what the band refers to as the “power of groupthink,” is a true balance of life at its core.
NNAMDÏ’s latest effort, released less than three months after BRAT, is a 20 minute mind-fuck that displays the core of his imaginative genius. Inspired by Looney Tunes composer Carl Stalling, it takes what made Stalling’s music fun, inventive, and exciting, and makes it darker, weirder, more experimental, psychedelic, and overall braver.
The strong chemistry between Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart is at the heart of their sound, manifesting in tight vocal harmonies and imaginative guitar work. Fantasize Your Ghost is essentially an album of rock songs, but Ohmme push the boundaries of what that means, finding ways to seamlessly lapse into experimental territory.
After 22 years, the legendary space-rock group Hum have finally arrived with a surprise new album. Inlet was released unceremoniously, but it took little time for the news to go viral. Based out of Champaign, IL, the band have become a staple of 90’s alt-rock. Inlet is a sonic journey, guided by huge riffs and heavy atmosphere.
Primordial and ritualistic is the sound of Deerhoof, who are faithful to their aesthetics and history. The idea of Future Teenage Cave Artists is a fascinating foothold, a handhold to a search for creativity in which every atom of chaos is meaningful and expresses the meaning of sonic exploration that is never banal.
They’ve been in the Chilean underground scene establishing themselves as an iconoclast, revolutionary band through cathartic live shows and a fierce musical output. With the release of their new album Mapas Auténticos del Mundo Imaginario, Mapas Imaginarios del Mundo Real, punk gets unleashed into free-form jazzy performances.
Coriky is The Evens with the addition of Joe Lally on bass and MacKaye switching back to guitar. The vibe is still very similar but there’s the interplay of the trio that makes it its own unique band. It’s a little louder, a little looser feeling. It has a lived in feel that comes from three musicians that are very used to playing together.
Mike Hlady’s songwriting boasts an impressive range, switching between mellow acoustic laments to explosive guitar driven instrumentals that spiral in and out of consciousness. Holiday Music’s newest album Certified Ailments expands upon both. It is steeped in sonic manipulation, meticulous in detail, and relentless in execution.
