Belong
Belong
October LanguageI felt a little uncomfortable when I first found myself straying into post-shoegaze territory, but after listening to
October Language, the first full length album from Belong, a duo from New Orleans, I realized I wasn’t so out of place. Although on first listen, the opening track sounded more like a 35 rpm scratched classical record played over a de-tuned television set, I soon realized I was utterly mistaken. After honing on the album’s subtle complexities, I saw the music in an entirely new light: the alternating waves of blips and glitches in a sea of slow synth guitar tones, with a faint mist of static; a kind of rough-edged beauty that’s hard to come by. In all, Belong’s
October Language is a hauntingly beautiful, meandering album that is certainly not to be overlooked.
listen: October Language - Belong (note: headphones required)
The Blow
The Blow
Poor Aim: Love Songs EPThe Blow can be defined as simply infectious electro-indie pop. The
Poor Aim: Love Songs EP exemplifies the witty lyrics and sugar-coated sound of The Blow, with Khaela Maricich as the lovely voice behind it all. Signed at K Records in Olympia, Khaela frequently works with other K artists such as Phil Elvrum of The Microphones/Mount Eerie, who helped with the production of the EP. “Hey Boy” proves to be the standout track, with a catchy beat a la drum machine and Khaela’s clever lyrics and melodic singing, exemplifying the wonderfully fresh pop sound of The Blow.
listen: Hey Boy - The Blow
Akron/Family
Akron/Family
Akron/Family / Akron/Family & Angels of Light
Akron/Family is one of the most amazing, versatile groups I know of. With songs from both their self-titled, and split album, with Michael Gira’s latest project, Angels of Light, ranging from folk-y backporch ballads (“Italy” and “How Do I Know”), noise thrashes (“Moment”), prog-rock/ambient breaks (“Lumen” and “Part of Corey”), and freak folk tunes (“Raising the Sparks”), the albums help illustrate the incredible range of Akron/Family. One of my favorite tracks from their Akron/Family album is “Before and Again”, in which Akron demonstrates their awesome ability to go from soulful melodies to sparse folk guitar to majestic instrumental passages.
listen: Before and Again - Akron/Family
Gang Gang Dance
Gang Gang Dance
God’s MoneyThe Brooklyn-based quartet Gang Gang Dance is much more than your average experimental/psych group. Their latest album,
God’s Money, distinguishes itself with glorious flurries of pipe organs, electro-manipulations, and fantastic tribal drumbeats, accompanied by eerie, strangely beautiful, melodies. These elements, when combined by the geniuses of GGD, along with help from longtime friends/fellow experimental musicians, Black Dice, result in a wonderfully meandering album, slightly reminiscent of Sunburned Hand of the Man or Acid Mothers’ Temple. The standout track on
God's Money is "A) Glory in Itself / B) Egyptian", demonstrating the best elements of GGD’s impressive range.
listen: A) Glory In Itself / B) Egyptian - Gang Gang Dance
Belong
