Industrial electro-punk, eclectic as it should be. This vibe and zest brings me joy, makes me smile. I’d love to see this band live.
Zeal & Ardor – Greif
Just a couple of months ago I wrote I hope Zeal & Ardor doesn’t sleep on their signature style of “soul metal” and keeps evolving, growing, exploring further. And here it is. The new record has dropped and it’s nothing in line with their previous albums, and that is absolutely the best thing that could have happened to this band. It’s also a great feeling to read the same sentiment echoed over this record’s Bandcamp page from other people, too. It’s rare that a band can innovate and keep innovating so much, and their fan base taking the course with them and supporting their journey.
As for the record itself, I honestly don’t really know what to write or how to articulate my thoughts, rather. It’s fourteen tracks, which is a lot, and there’s an immense diversity. From calm but creepy lullaby, through massive metal road rage, to their usual beats and pulse but with bits of electronics now, ambient outtake with synths, and hard rock banger hits—it is a lot. I will need many more listening of this to digest properly, but I know I love it. Now I kinda feel like I’ll like the individual songs better than the album as a cohesive unit, just because it’s so non-cohesive and not in a conceptual way. Anyways, let’s try and articulate these feelings again in a few months’ time. Until then, I’ll just keep listening.
Raised Fist – Anthems
Angry punk guys playing hard rock. Like someone coming from a hc punk background but evolved and built through the years, playing something more well-crafted today but keeping that punk zest. Especially the singer, I can hear him biting into the mic.
Black Oak County – Theatre Of The Mind
This fits in the row with Mustasch and Motorjesus in the sense that it’s also hard rock and some heavy metal in a blender. I couldn’t name any specific thing why this record should be any standout but still I find myself listening to it repeatedly. These guys sound like those friendly rock and roll dudes, not overpolished, down to earth, honest, just from that next room in the rehearsal place.
(After listening to some album I ended up in this Nordic rock listening spree and still processing the new finds from there.)
Mustasch – Killing It For Life
Stoner rock with some heavy metal spice in the mix. I love this style that comes out of it. It’s a hard rock banger, would love to see them live.
John Carpenter – Lost Themes IV: Noir
Carpenter just keeps going, I am in awe. I love these records.
Fontaines D.C. – Skinty Fia
That rare indie record that I get hooked on.
IDLES – TANGK
Indie punk.
Crawlers – The Mess We Seem To Make
I am generally not a fan of UK alternative rock and indie, but the DIY nature of this record I just find charming.
topographies – Interior Spring
Goth aesthetics, shoegazing dream pop.