Tag Archives: 2018

Topdown Dialectic – Topdown Dialectic

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

minimal house with ambient ideas

Moods

A black cosmos speckled with particle grooves

Thoughts

Really connect with this. Highly repetitive song structures with interesting bits that subtly float up through the rhythm. There tends to be some rhythm even when it's at is most atmospheric, makes this an accessible record for people who wouldn't typically listen to ambient. Production mimics lofi at times.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Topdown-Dialectic-Topdown-Dialectic/release/13230387

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWRk6DUlR8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTED4Tn_q6o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy-2mEg9TTU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89usL-4pI1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zMkBu_E84Y

Spotify


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Topdown Dialectic – Topdown Dialectic

Description: Album Review of Topdown Dialectic – Topdown Dialectic


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Gritty 70s rock with a strong modern lyricst

Moods

A gritty, literary, pop-rock masterpiece

Thoughts

I'm not familiar with Meg Remy's entire catalog but this is a good example of something that borrows heavily from music in the past but without trying to imitate entirely. Great textures and jazzy horns that move quick. Not polished, gritty and textured with modern electro flourishes here and there.

Great pop writing at its core. Her voice is a delicate alto which naturally adds a vulnerable personalness. She's a fantastic lyricst who can keep up with the best abstract and literary singers albeit in a direct wit. She's protesting, it carries aggression towards aspects of life from emotional abuse to plastics, most importantly the struggle of being a woman in today's world.

Very full, not a bit of filler on this and a standout of modern rock.

Incidental boogie.. damn love that track.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/US-Girls-In-A-Poem-Unlimited/release/11564458

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YkIvuGYGqA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9PLXHDEUFE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtGb5NiGBjc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cFnewlPpzI

Spotify


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U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited

Description: Album Review of U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Blood Orange – Negro Swan

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Modern day emo synth pop with flourishes of hip hop

Moods

Comfortable with who you really are

Thoughts

Dev hynes feels fully exposed on negro swan and I'm not sure I like it. I love his songwriting (see my other reviews of his records) but the quiet style he portrays here lacks his great pop songwriting I've come to expect. I feel like a jerk writing this, he's getting more personal and yet I like it less? The production is great. His basic synth thing has just the right amount of modern dark hip hop production to it. I like the overall message (be yourself) and his inclusion of the recurring narrator works well. Just won't be the album of his that I come back to

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Blood-Orange-Negro-Swan/release/12647360

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVH_wxk9ZtE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fSgsvJC9Nw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj5uvKrDbmQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIlauccaH88

Spotify


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Blood Orange – Negro Swan

Description: Album Review of Blood Orange – Negro Swan


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

epic indie metal post rock

Moods

Cinematic

Thoughts

 I wonder what key this is in because it immediately inspires a grandiose feeling. Post rock elements for sure as this is exploratory and .. (wistful? In awe? Can't find the word) gets 'heavy' at times but really just borrows from metal with the lyrics otherwise I wouldn't consider it heavy at all. Telling that this is what classifies as metal now.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Deafheaven-Ordinary-Corrupt-Human-Love/release/12243069

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITgslYJhfx0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5eQuhBfDE0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yzGzQ8pu8E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU8g0XNyHRw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPntpS9A-lY

Spotify


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Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love

Description: Album Review of Deafheaven – Ordinary Corrupt Human Love


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Louis Cole – Time

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Quick bedroom synth jazz funk pop

Moods

the white thundercat of synths

Thoughts

He's got a distinct sound of synth poppy synth funk. It's quick like those little soulful flourishes a keys player might lay in but all the time. It's jazzy and technical, good, but songwriting can get tiring. I like the lyrical themes, digital insecurities around sex and relationships; timeless but modern.

I have fond memories of knower shows and wish Louis the best luck as a proficient backbone of brainfeeder.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Louis-Cole-Time/release/12543607

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Sjam1hnrA

Spotify


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Louis Cole – Time

Description: Album Review of Louis Cole – Time


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Elysia Crampton – Elysia Crampton

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Experimental electro with a Spanish backbeat

Moods

Kinda crazy

Thoughts

A maddening listen at times:  leveraging angular guitars, distortion and repetition to build intensity.

Earlier more melodic tracks like ‘oscollo’ will get more future play from me but interesting overall.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Elysia-Crampton-Elysia-Crampton/release/11876628

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlYom-LzBmo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SxWmN2GkAI

Spotify


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Elysia Crampton – Elysia Crampton

Description: Album Review of Elysia Crampton – Elysia Crampton


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Travis Scott – Astroworld

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Travis Scott's distinct brand of trap featuring a cast of guest appearances

Moods

Bumped up loud and riding around

Thoughts

Enjoyable but the immediate appeal I found in initial listens is starting to wane (though that's not a comment on Travis Scott, trap rap like this feels very flavor of the moment). I've liked Travis Scott's singles in the past and I'm impressed by the coherent vision he's executing here.

Lyrically he portrays a disconnected drug dude, thing a poppy portrayal of the southern chopped and screwed vibe. It's partnered well with the dark boomy sound of his production.

I like the psychedelic moments, including a production credit from Tame Impala. It's a distinct approach in hip hop production and I hope others try to do more in that vein as I've seen the nu-psychedelic world converging with rap for a few years. Sicko Mode was a great banger in the winter but it's played out now.

Worth a listen for trap fans.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Travis-Scott-Astroworld/release/12358971

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ONRf7h3Mdk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLkQA7iLNUk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LegcNVM_nM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqvCptqhHfs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SLD1ZQZ_4Y

Spotify


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Travis Scott – Astroworld

Description: Album Review of Travis Scott – Astroworld


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

How To Dress Well – The Anteroom

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

His emotional croon with dark production borrowing from industrial techno at times, ethereal at others.

Moods

A pained story explored through heavy electronic textures.

Thoughts

If you're not familiar with his style he takes his time, drawing things out in a dramatic fashion. It's effective here but on other releases I haven't had the patience to make it through a whole album. Apparently on the Anteroom he's returned to his earlier roots so maybe I need to go back further in his catalog.

The production is fantastic and totally my style with a range of influences that can be hard and dissonant. His songwriting builds towards enjoyable climaxes that fold into other builds. The whole thing flows together, telling some bizarre confessional love story. It feels like he's low in the overall mix providing an obscured feeling where his voice isn't the focal point as in most r&b.

Tracks are highly accessible with some great singles in body fat and non killing. I love the dark suicidal stream of consciousness on July 13th, which is laid out over postal service dntel like production. Follows in direct contrast to the standout nonkilling just before it.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/How-To-Dress-Well-The-Anteroom/release/12732184

Listen!

Spotify


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How To Dress Well – The Anteroom

Description: Album Review of How To Dress Well – The Anteroom


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

North Americans – Going Steady

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

instrumental acoustic guitar album with a pleasant vibe

Moods

Comfortable autumn sweater

Thoughts

basic and chilled out, not a thing I'd turn on very active listening but as atmosphere its enjoyable (think folksy Sunday morning).

While an instrumental acoustic album it maintains energy and there's a bit of variety with what sounds like pedal steel at times.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/North-Americans-Going-Steady/release/12572865

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2QEzuob9yw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF1prRX96J8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXiPzTwRUsI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5RvKCWEX4Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npJ6UoMreew

Spotify


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North Americans – Going Steady

Description: Album Review of North Americans – Going Steady


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Neneh Cherry – Broken Politics

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

alt pop with a production style that borrows from trip hop

Moods

Abstract introspection

Thoughts

This got a lot of play from me. I really enjoy the personalness of this album, feels like you're getting very close to neneh. Instrumentation seems to consist of a small band with piano and percussion (xylophone, maracas, marimba) featuring on a number of tracks. Trip hop, especially the ones that feature del naja, with dark electronics in certain places.

Tracks like synchronised devotion and poem daddy really contribute to the personal vibe with their slow poetic confessional delivery. She's at her best when she's really swinging for it with currents of trip hop like long and deep vein.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Neneh-Cherry-Broken-Politics/release/12672312

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6ivBXh1zGQ

Spotify


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Neneh Cherry – Broken Politics

Description: Album Review of Neneh Cherry – Broken Politics


Rating: 4 out of 5