It’s one of those instant classic records, which have the real potential to become timeless. Could have happened any time in the past decade and will probably sound the same a decade from now. Huge ska punk-rock summer hit parade all over.
Phase Fatale – Reverse Fall
RA writes “Hayden Payne’s records package the lunging ferocity of EBM and industrial into a sound you could loosely describe as techno.” Ex-act-ly what I had in mind, all these three cornerstones just like that. I also like the idea that this came through Ostgut Ton.
Rival Consoles – Persona
I wrote some notes about Howl in 2015 when it made it to my Top 10 albums of the year. Most of those hold true for Persona. Although this one is not that elemental and cosmic but closer to earth and more looking up from here. Same vibes, same sounds, same great music though.
Leon Vynehall – Nothing Is Still
Downtempo, ambient, on the brink of modern composition but still the electronic music kind and not the classical music version. It is a nice ride as a concept album and also great vibe for work. With a last record of house beats this one as a first after Vynehall’s moving to Ninja Tune is an exciting twist, we’ll see what comes around next if he sticks to the ninjas.
Ólafur Arnalds – re:member
Classic Ólafur Arnalds. Beautiful and sad, like life.
Muertos – Suck It Up
Psychedelic rock and low-fi garage. (Probably like the cover better than the music.)
Saint Agnes – The Witching Hour
It’s like the female version of King Dude.
Girls Names – Stains on Silence
Refreshingly nothing special, simple alternative rock shoegazer album. It’s like your friend’s band from high school.
ASG – Survive Sunrise
I am filtering my stoner rock intake much more lately. This one still hits home. Beautiful cover also.
Immersion – Sleepless
I read that this is neo-Krautrock and chill-rock. Low to mid tempo, head nodding, knee swinging, but still background music. Good for work.