Tag: rock

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Madeline Kenney – HFAM

Madeline Kenney isn’t Swedish, or Danish (she is, in fact, “a musician, baker, artist, sucker” who lives in Oakland), but she does very much remind me of some of my favourite bands from those particular countries, namely Wildhart and Lowly, respectively. And yes, I know they’re not the same place, but there is a shared atmosphere when it comes to alt-rock/pop from the region: a glassiness to the vocals; a particularly sharp thread of yearning evoked by the melodies – all of which is very much apparent in much of Kenney’s new album, A New Reality Mind from which HFAM is taken.

https://madelinekenney.bandcamp.com/album/a-new-reality-mind

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bdrmm – Be Careful

If washed out guitars and dreamy vocals are rock aesthetics you enjoy, then behold! A lovely new album from Hull/Leeds shoegazers bdrmm. I didn’t hear their 2020 debut, but from what I’ve read I Don’ Know is a step up in terms of the scope of its production. Be Careful came out a single a month or so ago, but it’s new to me so may be to you as well.

https://bdrmm.bandcamp.com/album/i-dont-know

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Altın Gün – Su Siziyor

A hefty dose of Anatolian funk-rock for you here, courtesy of Amsterdam-based Altin Gün whose experimentations with Turkish folk songs have seen them meander through various genres over their last few releases. Su Siziyor is taken from their new album Aşk, which is packed full of languid basslines and hazy atmospherics a la a slightly more vigorous Khruangbin.

https://altingun.bandcamp.com/album/a-k

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Yves Tumor – Parody

Yves Tumor continues their evolution from experimental electronic noodler to stadium rock icon with their new album, the insanely (and brilliantly) titled Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds). I haven’t had a proper chance to delve into its metallic depths yet, but on the first listen Parody stood out as particularly fun.

https://yves-tumor.bandcamp.com/album/praise-a-lord-who-chews-but-which-does-not-consume-or-simply-hot-between-worlds

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Yo La Tengo – Aselestine

I’ve never paid any attention to Yo La Tengo releases before, but I really like this new single, so perhaps that has been a mistake. Something about the name maybe? Can it be that I think they make music to which you can tango, so dismissed them? Possibly. They’ve only released about 300 albums anyway, so sure it won’t take long to delve through their catalogue. Anyway, Aselestine reminds me of the recent Weyes Blood album, and it’s really nice and relaxing.

https://ylt.ffm.to/thisstupidworld

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Nilüfer Yanya – Midnight Sun (Reflects)

I’m sure we can all agree Nilüfer Yanya’s Midnight Sun is probably the best song of 2022 (even though Pitchfork only ranked it 17 – idiots!), so it was a nice surprise to get a deluxe version of her album PAINLESS last month that included this acoustic version, which further gently eases us into the relentless bleakness of January, however much we resist.

https://niluferyanya.com

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Nilüfer Yanya – Rid Of Me

This summer I saw Nilüfer Yanya play to a more than half empty tent at Glastonbury, which is a shame because she was great. The previous day they had to close to entire field this tent was in as half a billion people turned up to hear Mel C play bangers from her eight (eight!) solo albums, and maybe Wannabe. And that’s how music works people! Yanya’s album PAINLESS is one of the best of the year, and this is her second single since, covering PJ Harvey’s Rid Of Me to enjoyably nihilistic effect.

https://niluferyanya.com

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John Moods – Anyone

I will continue posting John Moods records until his new album lands in November, so don’t even think about trying to stop me! Described as appealing to “fans of “So”-era Peter Gabriel” (tick), Everyone is a soft-focus pop/rock ballad inspired by the Amazon and packed full of shimmering melodies and existential yearning. Melt.

https://bfan.link/anyone

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The War On Drugs – Occasional Rain

I thought it wasn’t going to happen. Then right at the bitter end, halfway through the final track of the new album, a single, perfect little tear dripped down my ample cheek and finally, everything was right with the world. On first listen I’m a little underwhelmed by I Don’t Live Here Anymore, although given its two predecessors are among my favourite albums of the last decade, it had pretty high expectations to live up to. It’s a little too shiny, somewhat devoid of the turmoil and introspection that, paired with those glistening, timeless melodies made the last two albums so essential. Occasional Rain however takes me right back to those glorious, heartbreaking times: vulnerable, yet hopeful, a personal narrative that transcends its earthy roots and reaches for the sublime.

https://www.thewarondrugs.net

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Willy Mason – Gilded Lie

Willy Mason is younger than me, but sounds like he’s had about a billion more years worth of life experience. His voice, worn and occasionally cracked but also soft and occasionally sumptuous, suggests he’s seen a lot, suffered a fair amount and is bang up for telling you all about it. Taken from his new album Already Dead, Gilded Lie is great for the first few minutes, before becoming overwhelmingly, staggeringly brilliant for the final 30 seconds or so when ghostly synths and a gently strummed guitar combine perfectly to make you (or me, at least) burst into tears.

https://www.willymasonmusic.com