UKBouldering.com
the shizzle => shootin' the shit => music, art and culture => Topic started by: JamieG on December 06, 2022, 02:06:23 pm
-
It's that time of year again. Piccadilly Records top 100.
https://www.piccadillyrecords.com/counter/feature.php?feature=1287
Don't think I've listened to much new music this year but have enjoyed the colloboration between Waxahatchee and Jess Williamson, called Plains. Their country-rock album 'I walked a ways with you' has some great songs on it. A few of which wouldn't have been out of place on Waxahatchee's awesome St Cloud album from a couple years ago.
At the other end of the rock spectrum Ithaca's new hardcore album 'They Fear Us' is pretty good. Not sure it has quite the kick of their last effort but still a good listen.
-
A bit main stream, but I've tried to like Arctic Monkey's The Car, but find half the songs completely featureless, sounds like a boring version of LSP.
-
A bit early for Best new music of the year (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php?topic=31660.0) thread?
I still hold out hopes for better music. Last year some of the best French Variety got general release in France in mid december. So far DOMi & JD Becks debut is album of the year. I'll get back on this subject...
From that list from Piccadilly, I've only listened to four albums (K. Lamar, Kokoroko, S van Etten and Björk [but in this case listening is too generous of an adjective])
-
It is too early yes!!
I presume there's nothing on that list I'd enjoy. And it doesn't even feature Ithaca - false advertising Jamie! (I haven't found TFU grabbed me enough compared to TLOI)
-
Sorry, but I don't decide when Piccadilly Records do their end of year list. ;D
Plus, if you want a more American lean then Pitchfork has also done it's top 50. https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-albums-2022/
Maybe it isn't too early, I am right and you are all wrong. 8)
(https://wompampsupport.azureedge.net/fetchimage?siteId=7575&v=2&jpgQuality=100&width=700&url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.kym-cdn.com%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2Fnewsfeed%2F000%2F645%2F713%2F888.jpg)
-
Best is a strong adjective.
The most interesting musical discovery of this year has been Otoboke Beaver.
However I mainly listen to them in 30 second blasts
-
Just listened to Otoboke Beaver.
My word, that changes everything.
Truly thanks.
-
Best is a strong adjective.
The most interesting musical discovery of this year has been Otoboke Beaver.
However I mainly listen to them in 30 second blasts
Trop cool ! I haven't really listened much to hc/punk since 1998 but liked that a lot!
-
Just listened to Otoboke Beaver.
My word, that changes everything.
Truly thanks.
For more wonderful Japanese insanity I highly recommend Blacklab - so heavy even Fiend might like it.
Osaka doom witch duo drop one of the most surprising tracks from their new album 'In A Bizarre Dream'. Their name (as they've pointed out) is a mix of Black Sabbath and Stereolab, two of their favourite bands. If you want to hear how these two differing elements might sound together, this is it.
Featuring a lead vocal from Laetitia Sadier of Stereolab no less.
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zoO8xgrR9LE" title="Blacklab: Crows Sparrows and Cats (Official Video)" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
-
However I mainly listen to them in 30 second blasts
TBF this is about the average length of one of their tracks
-
A bit main stream, but I've tried to like Arctic Monkey's The Car, but find half the songs completely featureless, sounds like a boring version of LSP.
Yeah, I absolutely love the early albums (Whatever people say I am, Favourite worst nightmare). High energy, witty and viscerally relatable in the way that The Streets is. From about AM onwards I've liked their music less and less, as it's moved towards a slower, crooning style.
I'm probably quite mainstream too but recently I've particularly enjoyed Wet Leg and Fontaines album 'Skinty Fia'
-
Yeah, I had high hopes for the album, as the singles sound similar to the LSP stuff, but album doesn't hold up.
I was unaware of the new Broken Bells album, until Jamie posted this, had it on all morning, as good as the other albums they have done.
-
Independent's list.
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/best-albums-2022-beyonce-rosalia-b2244926.html
Enjoying Yard Act and Wunderhorse from Picadilly Records' list.
-
I used to be all over end of year lists like Pitchfork's, but I don't find it a very useful way to discover music any more.
Because they're covering such a wide base of genres (and also have their perennial favourites who could release an album of experimental fart mixes and get in there) I don't find it any more likely to turn up music that I'll like than random trawling of reviews or gaming the Spotify algorithm.
Maybe it's that the way music is consumed is different now. These lists seem like a throwback to a time when a new style of music or big release was part of a cultural moment that everyone recognised, which hasn't really happened since, what, Oasis?! Now we're mostly in self-curated bubbles. I feel that unless it's coming from a person who you know shares a lot of your tastes, mass music recommendations are of limited value.
-
I guess some people do have a very broad music taste and therefore lists like Pitchfork work for them.
I’m not one of these people myself, but fortunately there are plenty of more focussed websites, like https://grizzlybutts.com/ if you like noisy music. I think lists of things you might have missed are probably more important these days, as Spotify etc. algorithms are likely to spit out the more popular stuff, but not necessarily the best stuff.
Pretty sure there are still big cultural moments happening in music, but they are happening to younger people 😄
-
I think lists of things you might have missed are probably more important these days, as Spotify etc. algorithms are likely to spit out the more popular stuff, but not necessarily the best stuff.
I've actually been impressed that this is not the case. Spotify has played me stuff with <1000 play count, based on similarly niche things that I've listened to. It's true that it's not the only way to find stuff out there of course, and it has definite limitations.
Pretty sure there are still big cultural moments happening in music, but they are happening to younger people 😄
Maybe, but are there in quite the same way though?
-
I guess some people do have a very broad music taste and therefore lists like Pitchfork work for them.
I would say my taste in music is quite broad, but it still doesn't necessarily peak in the same places. I do have a browse of these things every so often and find something I like, it's just a question of efficiency of time spent listening vs. striking gold.
-
I've actually been impressed that this is not the case. Spotify has played me stuff with <1000 play count, based on similarly niche things that I've listened to. It's true that it's not the only way to find stuff out there of course, and it has definite limitations
That’s fair, I’ve had some pretty niche self released recommendations from Apple too.
Maybe, but are there in quite the same way though?
I’m not sure, my experience of cultural moments such as Oasis or the Spice Girls was based around trying my best to avoid them so I’m not best placed to comment! I’m sure if one listens to R1 and goes to Yates or Outback of a weekend there will be more modern equivalences.
-
I guess I spat that observation about cultural moments out as a half-formed afterthought, it's interesting though. I certainly don't have my finger on the pulse, I just don't feel that in my adult life there's been anything that compares to rave or punk or Woodstock or whatever. And it's tempting to connect that to the way that music is consumed.
-
I guess I spat that observation about cultural moments out as a half-formed afterthought, it's interesting though. I certainly don't have my finger on the pulse, I just don't feel that in my adult life there's been anything that compares to rave or punk or Woodstock or whatever. And it's tempting to connect that to the way that music is consumed.
I guess it depends how old you are so what your adult life is, but similar movements of initially niche music into the mainstream might include off the top of my head:
- the heavy metal big 4 in the ‘90’s (think Black Album is still one of the most streamed on Spotify)
- grunge in a similar period
- nu metal early 00’s
- dirty south hip hop in a similar period
- garage and grime twice (early 2000’s Kano So Solid etc. and late 2010’s Giggs, Stormzy etc)
- various dance music scenes that I have no idea about, but there was a period in which you could move without hearing Swedish House Mafia, and I bet there’s loads of people out there who have had Woodstock level experiences in Ibiza.
-
Invention of jungle / drum'n'bass
Invention of hardcore techno / gabber
Invention of dubstep
All in my listening life and all going very strong to this day, obviously two of those have had pretty significant mainstream exposure / acceptance in their lighter / radio-friendly forms that I don't fucking like ofc
-
Underground genres influencing the mainstream wasn't really what I meant, I was trying to describe something more amorphous where music is about more than music, where it defines or is associated with a particular moment in culture.
Maybe dubstep/grime is the nearest thing in the last 15 years?
-
Underground genres influencing the mainstream wasn't really what I meant, I was trying to describe something more amorphous where music is about more than music, where it defines or is associated with a particular moment in culture.
I do not think it is the same now. In a society defined by consumerism our sense of who we truly are is defined through the purchase of consumer goods (or services). There are no longer any records to buy (except for those who define themseves by their niche interest in vinyl), so naturally a record is no longer an important cultural or societal moment, even if it is a Beyonce record.
TL;DR Albums don't matter anymore. There is streaming.
-
Andy - gets a vote from me, aye.
And worth reposting this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RyOlkDgy2g , a great snapshot of the emergence of the dubstep scene.
-
Underground genres influencing the mainstream wasn't really what I meant, I was trying to describe something more amorphous where music is about more than music, where it defines or is associated with a particular moment in culture.
What are your examples here then to get a sense of what you’re after, Woodstock? I know little about this really, not sure how much it was poeticised afterwards as being a representation of the hippy movement etc. but seems to have been a big deal.
You also mentioned Oasis, I guess you were thinking britpop more broadly and ‘cool brittania’ (🤮)? I didn’t see that as much more than a trend in pop music for a few years.
-
Underground genres influencing the mainstream wasn't really what I meant, I was trying to describe something more amorphous where music is about more than music, where it defines or is associated with a particular moment in culture.
I do not think it is the same now. In a society defined by consumerism our sense of who we truly are is defined through the purchase of consumer goods (or services). There are no longer any records to buy (except for those who define themseves by their niche interest in vinyl), so naturally a record is no longer an important cultural or societal moment, even if it is a Beyonce record.
TL;DR Albums don't matter anymore. There is streaming.
I like the idea of jwi and Andy M as some sort of fusion of Roland Barthes and Paul Gambacinni.
-
I don't know enough about Paul Gambaccini to understand this reference, but I don't think I like it.
-
In reply to Teestub, you're probably right that Oasis/Britpop is a shit example, though not quite as bad as nu metal :lol:
I'm finding it difficult to define what I mean, which means perhaps I'm talking bollocks?
Maybe underground punching mainstream is part of it but not enough in itself to seem like a 'big moment'. The recent example that does jump to mind is Stormzy at Glastonbury, a charismatic black artist who's outspoken on contemporary race issues headlining the most iconic festival?
-
In reply to Teestub, you're probably right that Oasis/Britpop is a shit example, though not quite as bad as nu metal :lol:
Ha it’s easy to forget but nu metal took over the world for a couple of years, it was everywhere, and probably more of a global event than britpop anyway. This is not to comment on the quality of the music, but it was a ‘cultural moment’ 😄
I do agree with the broader point that streaming has changed listening practices, when I was younger pre iPods, I’d often end up listening to the radio on long drives, even if a lot of it was objectionable as it was easier than changing CDs, so I was aware of what was popular etc. Can’t remember the last time I listened to the radio now.
There was an interesting article in the guardian a little while ago about streaming listening habits which doesn’t really gel with my own experience but I think it made some good points about making conscious choices https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2022/sep/27/theres-endless-choice-but-youre-not-listening-fans-quitting-spotify-to-save-their-love-of-music
-
The comments up the thread about 'moments' instantly brought to mind the recent Taylor Swift album release which certainly caused a huge buzz pre release and was obviously well received given the top 10 in the charts was tracks from that album.
Stormzy at Glastonbury was the other 'moment' that sprung to mind - grime having a mainstream platform like that was pretty huge, along with the Superbowl half time show. Black youth culture being placed front and centre at worldwide events like this reflects much more of a cultural event with wider ripples through society than something like Brit pop in my view.
Interestingly as soon as Stormzy began to go mainstream his popularity with young people dropped, as it did with Dave and Bugzy Malone.
Drill and Grime are hugely popular with young people. But it is very local, they often talk about local areas, streets and beefs, the videos are filmed on local streets and feature postcodes. To me artists are going to reach a point where they either change their content to appeal to a broader market and alienate those core fans or they limit their success. So, locally their are huge moments (Bugzy Malone at Manchester international Festival) but they might not have such a broad cultural appeal.
-
https://www.nme.com/big-reads/the-50-best-albums-of-2022-3363070
more of the same.
38. The Smile – ‘A Light For Attracting Attention’ - went unnoticed - just listening, sounds like one of the better (but not best) Radiohead albums.
-
sounds like one of the better (but not best) Radiohead albums.
I'd agree with that analysis.
No offence to the other members of Radiohead, but it turns out an album made by Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood sounds exactly like Radiohead.
-
Best album cover of 2022?
(https://media.pitchfork.com/photos/615b0b9173968d396e005ab9/1:1/w_600/Arca-KICK-ii.jpeg)
-
Out of context I’d say it’s extremely misogynistic.
-
I can't really even imagine enjoying looking at that. Of those lists I like the Warpaint cover. Call me boring...
(https://cdn.webshopapp.com/shops/252051/files/393448491/virgin-heirlooms-warpaint-radiate-like-this.jpg)
-
Out of context I’d say it’s extremely misogynistic.
Context: https://www.creativereview.co.uk/arca-kick-album-art-video-frederik-heyman/
Arca identifies as a non-binary trans woman, I guess it's supposed to be provocative rather than misogynistic.
I mean it's horrible to look at, but it's quite striking.
-
Out of context I’d say it’s extremely misogynistic.
Arca identifies as a non-binary trans woman, I guess it's supposed to be provocative rather than misogynistic.
I mean it's horrible to look at, but it's quite striking.
So a bloke who has sex with women?
-
So a bloke who has sex with women?
Nope, she's a woman who, from a quick look at Wikipedia, has dated men. So potentially wrong on two counts.
Hopefully this thread doesn't get derailed by casual transphobia, whatever the intentions were.
https://www.nme.com/big-reads/the-50-best-albums-of-2022-3363070
Surprised to see artic monkeys at number one. I didn't follow closely but I thought their new album was not met with universal acclaim? Although I suppose that's not what this list is trying to measure.
-
It's NME. Arctic Monkeys could release an album of Alex Turner reciting a phone directory accompanied by a toddler on a Casiotone keyboard and it would be hailed as genius.
I really like a few tracks, but there is a lot of filler.
-
So a bloke who has sex with women?
Nope, she's a woman who, from a quick look at Wikipedia, has dated men. So potentially wrong on two counts.
Hopefully this thread doesn't get derailed by casual transphobia, whatever the intentions were.
Here here :agree:
-
My bad, I shouldn't have posted that without context about the artist and her music, which is sometimes equally confrontational.
-
It's NME. Arctic Monkeys could release an album of Alex Turner reciting a phone directory accompanied by a toddler on a Casiotone keyboard and it would be hailed as genius.
I really like a few tracks, but there is a lot of filler.
I really rate it. Much prefer it to Tranquility Base and am glad they aren't still trying to play the same stuff they played when they were 17. I think a lot of people want another AM, which is my favourite album as well, but I do respect their complete commitment to making the music they want to.
-
Maybe need to give it more time. From the first few tracks in I hoped it would be more like his Last Shadow Puppets stuff, so maybe it's my expectations.
-
Here are past year's recommendations:
New music 2021 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,31660.0.html)
New music 2020 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,31036.0.html)
New music 2019 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,30360.0.html)
2018 New (and some old) Music (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,29752.0.html)
Best new music 2017 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,28563.0.html)
Best new music 2016 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,27688.0.html)
Best of 2015 music thread (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,26587.0.html)
Best of 2014 new music (a bit early) (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,25067.0.html)
Albums, music, songs of 2013.. (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,23309.0.html)
It is already yule, and I guess that for the rest of the year only holiday nonsense will be released. So I will write my own list now.
Main principle: the artist and songs I recommend must be on my yearly list of most streamed songs on spotify, or played so often on youtube that their algos pushes it all the time.
(To be perfectly honest, according to Spotify, I mostly listened to Gabriel Fauré this year. Especially his vocal and choir music. This is probably not interesting to anyone)
I am not sure how to do with stuff that is released towards the end of the year? The new album by Stormzy seems brilliant so far? SZA's as well, but it has a million songs-some of them a bit samey. Sometimes songs grow with time, sometimes they fade... My guess is that I will like Stormzy's album quite a bit in retrospect, but who knows.
Best piano/chill beats to study to
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7LyRayeWrQ
I have listened to a fairly reasonable amount of Vikingur Olafsson recordings over the last few years. It is mostly his Bach interpretations that are close to my heart. His album "From afar" contains a lot of classic piano repertoire with some lesser known pieces and some new arrangements played in the dry nordic style my teachers tried to impart on me (“less pedal, less rubato if you please”). The songs are chosen in order to impress György Kurtág. The gimmick is that it is a two-disc set with the same pieces played twice, first on a grand piano, then on an upright. I am a piano-geek but even I could not care less about the difference. So any of these two discs would have been sufficient.
Best new jazz/Album of the year/Unchill beats
DOMi & JD Beck: NOT TiGHT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78A7seC9odE
Keys! With drums! Anyone who vaguely follow the LA music scene from near or afar knows about these two wonder-kids. (Well DOMi is a grown woman by now I suppose). Here they play some of their own idiosyncratic stuff. DOMi is a product of the best music education Paris has to offer and JD Beck learned the drums from youtube. They found each other when Beck was in his mid-teens, DOMi a few years older, and have since been pretty much inseparable.
The album is a bit of mess, with lots of vocals (because of being signed with Anderson PAAK, I guess) and way too many guest artists (Herbie Hancock, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Snoop Dogg, Anderson Paak and Mac Demarco). It is great though. But maybe not as great as their live performances of silly stuff:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYKwotHRdHo
Also check out their tiny desk concert for a good introduction to their vibe.
Best Tiny Desk concert. Existentialism-as-a-genre-of-disco from Brussels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dkDepLX0rk
There's a lot of brilliant pop-music being made in Belgium (Damso, Angel, etc...). All of them are of course influenced by the great Jacques Brel and are forced by the weight of his legacy to write good lyrics. The current maestro is Stromae.
His album that was released this year after six years of silence following a burn-out depression and whatnot. Appart from Santé, L'enfer and Mon Amour there were not really any songs that stuck with me. Stromae is a great live artist and his band is amazing, and has many great songs so this is good. Very good. Turn on the subs, the lyrics are good. Like really good.
Other mentions: La Zarra (French variety from Canada),
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjttuTMC1t4
Kendrick Lamar, etc.
-
Maybe need to give it more time. From the first few tracks in I hoped it would be more like his Last Shadow Puppets stuff, so maybe it's my expectations.
I thought it was much more Shadow Puppety than early Arctics-y interestingly. I think Tranquility Base and The Car are quite comparable to that type of literature which seems really dense until it clicks in your brain and then you read it totally differently. Something like Milan Kundera or Ondaatje perhaps?
-
That's too high brow for me!
My favourite new discovery has been this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cEeozqVjzQ
lovely summer jazz vibe, no idea how to pronounce the name though. No album release yet.
-
Nice! Dutch?
-
Algorithm tells me it's been Yard Act, Hamish Hawk, Self Esteem, Half Man Half Biscuit this year. Honourable mention Wind-Up Birds, Olafur Arnalds. Emmeline is doing it for me right now: https://open.spotify.com/album/74myk5fWmWOrb1sUYjb6h0
-
lovely summer jazz vibe, no idea how to pronounce the name though. No album release yet.
That prompted me to re-find this from earlier this year. 2 legends of the Ibiza scene (one Spanish, one American), a Belgian chanteuse and a Danish guitarist bring the Donna Summer-tinged chill vibes.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=rSm9ocTSrVs
Edit: can someone enlighten me how to show videos in a post rather than just a hyperlink. Cheers.
-
I think if you stick the www in there you should get a vid embedded
-
https://youtu.be/rSm9ocTSrVs
-
Nice! Dutch?
Seems like it.
-
Here are past year's recommendations:
New music 2021 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,31660.0.html)
New music 2020 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,31036.0.html)
New music 2019 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,30360.0.html)
2018 New (and some old) Music (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,29752.0.html)
Best new music 2017 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,28563.0.html)
Best new music 2016 (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,27688.0.html)
Best of 2015 music thread (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,26587.0.html)
Best of 2014 new music (a bit early) (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,25067.0.html)
Albums, music, songs of 2013.. (https://ukbouldering.com/board/index.php/topic,23309.0.html)
Cool list - I'm interested in new ways of seeing the same 12 notes so thanks. I am a contradiction too however as I suspect my most played stuff of the year would be George Esra and Michael Bublé - but I liken it to my TV watching habits, I like to be soothed and entertained not shocked and disturbed - I get enough of that at work!
Faure is brilliant, brings back memories of singing in choirs when I was younger when I also loved Bax and Tippet - might be worth a shot, particularly the luxurious harmonies in Tippet if that's what you liked in Faure .
-
I have found myself mostly listening to new music this year and that my tastes are less defined than ever. The downside of this is that my favourite artists and bands are usually what I listened to last week...
Came across Domi and JD Beck on Insta and whilst not a jazz fan, found the intense rhythms and incredible keyboard wizadry fantastic!
Top new bands/artists for me have been (in no particular order):
Cataldo
Steve Lacy
Nation of Language
Martha Gunn
Trudy and the Romance
Soda Blonde
The Haunted Youth
N'famady Kouyate
String Machine
Also a heads up on my favourite Instagram account of the year - Dust to Digital (https://www.instagram.com/dusttodigital/?hl=en) - a sometimes random but always fantastic array of sounds, rhythms and music from around the globe. I know a few folk of this parish are already onto it but I highly recommend it if your musical tastes are wide and varied.
-
I've discovered a few bands new to me this year:
Vola (Djenty prog)
Enslaved (Deathy prog)
Haken (Proggy prog)
And enjoyed new stuff from:
Devin Townsend
Megadeth
Placebo (technically last year, but only listened to it lots before seeing them last month)
Dream Widow (ok, it's the Foo's doing thrash. RIP Taylor :wavecry: )
Porcupine Tree
-
Best Albums of 2022:
A neat 5 slices of sonic excellence for you:
Tripped - Unboxed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D-ILHQi_kQ&list=PLR8jjdYYmdaXSYiQRxoYI0c9Izpl1-bAM
(full playlist)
https://prspctrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/unboxed
Prspct dropping Album Of The Year for the 3rd year in a row, but what do you expect from one of the world's premier electronic dance music labels?? Unboxed is an absolute rollercoaster of energetic techno themes from the euphoric to the relentless and back again, but what really make it stands out is how Tripped focuses on a refreshing directness of dance music - there is a bare minimum of the "endless big cheesy breakdown into a predictable drop of empty beats" cliches here. Instead it's all about driving and evolving beats that are constantly layered with atmospheric sounds - danceable and listenable at the same time.
Presha - Rats Infest 1 / 2 / 3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR1FYauQp0k&list=PLRPUUEqmciasnfYyYEwXy3idJ9pvAePGw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlaUa7XBhhk&list=PLRPUUEqmciatr5oqQuQv-l8Aae2iYalVe
(full playlists)
https://presha.bandcamp.com/album/rats-infest-1
https://presha.bandcamp.com/album/rats-infest-2
https://presha.bandcamp.com/album/rats-infest-3
Samurai Records is another label that can do no wrong, and following last year's highlight of the boss's Rats EP, this is followed up with a seething swarm of remixes that over 2 EPs and a single makes for a superb album across a broad spectrum of proper modern jungle (and bonus breaks on #3). It's hard to resist the cliche of "deep, dark, and deadly", but these tracks are undeniably that, with the usual Samurai creative hallmarks.
Mares Of Thrace - The Exile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGu5B-JN5b4&list=OLAK5uy_kKTs5FDtbFY-Y80IJXlH9BWwz_6CQqBcI&index=1
(full playlist)
https://maresofthrace.bandcamp.com/album/the-exile
Mares are back after a long hiatus and whilst they're now one Mare and one Stallion, the musical quality of their epic, sexy, groovy, bluesy, quirky dissonant extreme metal blend is as good as it ever was. Lovely.
Samurai - Hannya II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMSDaEcH5HY&list=PLRPUUEqmciauOgil8nobW2pp6IzgH7ckz
(full playlist)
https://samuraimusic.bandcamp.com/album/samurai-hannya-ii
If the Rats Infest EPs were a broad spectrum of proper modern jungle, Samurai's second Hannya compilation is the FULL spectrum. For a music genre that could seem dated after near 30 years, the future-looking freshness here is a captivating reassurance. From methodical technoid plodders from Mako, minimal tribalism from The Untouchables, serious industrial jungle presha from Presha, and proper fucking nightmare fuel from Artilect, there's a whole lot of quality to take in here.
Origin - Chaosmos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2kzewIKTKY
http://origin-chaosmos.com/ (pain in the arse but is available on digital somehow)
And Origin are back in action with an album that really caught my attention after getting a bit lost with their previous releases. This one is an absolute cracker that has all the brain-warping leadwork and frantic technicality of Origin at their best, but with a whole lot more variety and fun packed into one album, with black and hardcore influences swirling around along with some more traditional tracks.
-
Thanks JWI for kicking the thread off and to everyone for the great selections so far.
I’ve spent most of my non-working time reading and writing so my music listening has reflected that and it’s mostly instrumental stuff. I’ve put a * next to the ones that are more conventional songs.
Old music and Spotify faves: Fairport, Sandy Denny, Bach, Grateful Dead, Thomas Tallis, Coil, old jungle nights on mixcloud, Husker Du, Pearl Jam, French stuff, Moodymann, Rush, Black Sabbath and Brian Eno.
New music (mainly Bandcamp and the odd bit of vinyl. You can get most of these on Spotify etc. but not all). I didn’t think that I’d listened to much new stuff this year but then surprised myself going through my phone and the record shelves.
Oren Ambarchi - Ghosted and Shebang
Ambarchi is on a streak with these two absolute belters in one year. Fuck knows whether it’s rock, experimental, jazz or electronica, but they’re both brilliant and total keepers.
[https://orenambarchi.bandcamp.com/album/shebang (http://[https://orenambarchi.bandcamp.com/album/shebang)]
[https://orenambarchi.bandcamp.com/album/ghosted (https://orenambarchi.bandcamp.com/album/ghosted)]
Jake Xerxes Fussell - The Good and Green Again.*
Yet more mellow singing, fingerpicking, brushed snare, country/blues/americana of great nourishment and entertainment.
[https://jakexerxesfussell.bandcamp.com/album/good-and-green-again (https://jakexerxesfussell.bandcamp.com/album/good-and-green-again)]
Civilistjävel! - Järnnätter
Swedish frost and ambient fire. Keeps on surprising me this one. Dead good.
[https://civilistjavel.bandcamp.com/album/j-rnn-tter (https://civilistjavel.bandcamp.com/album/j-rnn-tter)]
Mary Mazzacane - The art of Mary Mazzacane *
Wax cylinder’seque scratchy recordings of Loren Mazzacane’s mum in her operatic heyday. Ghostly and full of love.
[https://recitalprogram.bandcamp.com/album/the-art-of-mary-mazzacane (https://recitalprogram.bandcamp.com/album/the-art-of-mary-mazzacane)]
Kali Malone - Living Torch
She’s on fire at the moment. A proper artist. Went to see her and Stephen O’Malley of Sun)))O play live a few weeks back for one of only a handful of gigs I’ve been to this year. Watch this one.
[https://kalimalone.bandcamp.com/album/living-torch (https://kalimalone.bandcamp.com/album/living-torch)]
Sonic Youth - In/Out/In
I’d fallen a bit out of love with Sonic Youth and this rekindled my heart. Outtakes from Murray Street & Thousand Leaves era that remind you of how flippin’ good they were.
[https://sonicyouth.bandcamp.com/album/in-out-in (https://sonicyouth.bandcamp.com/album/in-out-in)]
Wadada Leo Smith, Henry Kaiser & Alex Varty - Pacifica Koral Reef
45 minutes of raga guitar and trumpet from some maestros on the top of their craft.
[https://577records.bandcamp.com/album/pacifica-koral-reef (https://577records.bandcamp.com/album/pacifica-koral-reef)]
Robert Haigh - Human Remains
Ex Omni Trio hardcore drum ’n bass maestro continues his neo-classical piano explorations with these melancholy and plaintive pieces.
[https://roberthaigh.bandcamp.com/album/human-remains (https://roberthaigh.bandcamp.com/album/human-remains)]
Silvia Tarozzi & Deborah Walker - Canti di guerra, di lavoro e d‘amore
Too hard to describe but beautiful nevertheless.
[https://silviatarozzideborahwalker.bandcamp.com/album/canti-di-guerra-di-lavoro-e-d-amore (https://silviatarozzideborahwalker.bandcamp.com/album/canti-di-guerra-di-lavoro-e-d-amore)]
Whin - August/A Dream
'Kin brilliant psychedelic guitar improv hyptonic noodling from Scotland.
[https://whin.bandcamp.com/album/august-a-dream (https://whin.bandcamp.com/album/august-a-dream)]
The Casual Dots - Sanguine Truth.*
Lush post-punk pop nuggets recorded over the last twenty years and produced by Fugazi’s Guy Piccotio. Three piece, female led (ex Bikini Kill and Autoclave) and underpinned by drummer Steve Dore’s shuffle. Fab.
[https://thecasualdots.bandcamp.com/album/sanguine-truth-2 (https://thecasualdots.bandcamp.com/album/sanguine-truth-2)]
Jeff Parker - MONDAYS AT THE ENFIELD TENNIS ACADEMY
I think he’s had an LP in my faves for the last few years. Another brilliant collection. This one all improvised with beats and live instruments.
[https://eremiterecords.bandcamp.com/album/mondays-at-the-enfield-tennis-academy (https://eremiterecords.bandcamp.com/album/mondays-at-the-enfield-tennis-academy)]
Order of the 12 - The Lore of the Land *
Richard Norris’ acid folk band project. Great stuff. Proper songs ’n that.
[https://richardnorris.bandcamp.com/album/lore-of-the-land (https://richardnorris.bandcamp.com/album/lore-of-the-land)]
Shovel Dance Collective - The Water is the Shovel of the Shore
Psychedelic dark reinterpretations of trad. folk tunes.
[https://shoveldancecollective.bandcamp.com/album/the-water-is-the-shovel-of-the-shore (https://shoveldancecollective.bandcamp.com/album/the-water-is-the-shovel-of-the-shore)]
Richard Norris - Various.
Somnambulistic daydreamy ambient works released monthly on subscription.
[https://richardnorris.bandcamp.com (https://richardnorris.bandcamp.com)]
Soon Come - Various artists*
London innit’. Broken beat, neo-soul and loose groove shit.
[https://touching-bass.bandcamp.com/album/touching-bass-presents-soon-come (https://touching-bass.bandcamp.com/album/touching-bass-presents-soon-come)]
Theo Parrish - DJ Kicks
Detroit bangers to groove out the home and dancefloors
[https://k7records.bandcamp.com/album/dj-kicks-theo-parrish (https://k7records.bandcamp.com/album/dj-kicks-theo-parrish)]
__Reissues__
The Sonora Pine - II.*
25 year anniversary reissue. Soulful indie post-rock goodness. (Think Low and Tortoise).
[https://thesonorapine.bandcamp.com/album/ii-2022-remaster (https://thesonorapine.bandcamp.com/album/ii-2022-remaster)]
Erich Kleinschuster 6Tet feat. Clifford Jordan
https://wallenbink.com/index.php/shop/erich-kleinshuster-6tet-orf-recordings/erich-kleinschuster-6tet-orf-wb014
It’s not often that music stops you totally dead in your tracks. I bought this on the strength of Clifford Jordan’s “Leavin’ Trane” put it on, went to the kitchen to make a brew and stopped halfway. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a better produced recording of any music in my life. Frank Parry who runs Wallen Blink (the label) drove to Vienna to collect the master tapes then back to London to the best mastering suite in the UK at Abbey Road studios. Everything about this and the other two records in the trio is perfect.
Very few but great live gigs and performances:
A cracking late summer Sunday evening with Duncan for Kikagaku Moyo's farewell tour.
Gavin Bryan's ensemble doing Jesus's Blood in St Katherine Cree Church on a Sunday morning as part of the Wasteland 100 year anniversary celebrations
Steve Gunn solo lunchtime matinee performance at Cafe OTO.
Martin Carthy's mesmerising solo gig at Cage OTO back in April.
Oren Ambarchi/Juliet Ready duo + Transcendence Orchestra (Anthony Child AKA Surgeon & Daniel Bean) + Russel Haswell for the tribute weekend to Peter Rehberg who died earlier this year.
Kali Malone and Stephen O'Malley playing the forthcoming Does Spring Hide it's Joy at the Southbank a couple of weeks back. Lost track of time and kept drifting in and out of microsleeps.
Merry Christmas y’all. Hope to see some of ya next year !
-
Best Albums of 2022:
Any love for the new Meshuggah album? It's not their best but they continue to be the very best at what they do.
My favourite new albums of 2022 are from two bands I was into in the mid 2000's and they've really got me back into hardcore and metalcore/mathcore again (e.g. Botch).
Norma Jean - Deathrattle Sing for Me (Spearmint Revolt, Aria Obscura)
Alexisonfire - Otherness (Sweet Dreams of Otherness, Blue Spade)
I didn't get into much new music in the electronic sphere this year, but Daniel Avery - Ultra Truth got a few spins (ambient techno).
-
My two most listened records came out in 2021... Late to the party as usual.
Angel Du$t - YAK: A Collection of Truck Songs
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgtvGkabBTghqik0wDFWT-IcOHtvFtebc
Not sure why I enjoy this so much. Very poppy for me and not the hardcore record expected from the members of this hardcore super group.
Turnstile - Glow On
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMzepslwWUzoYkx4hlgoHlyieSmsr1YBv
Such an out there and experimental record for a hardcore band and all the better for it. It still has the breakdowns, just surrounded by a much more interesting soundtrack than the usual hardcore fare they have put out previously (even if this was brilliant in its own way).
Mindforce - New Lords
https://youtu.be/_PFnULEn1KU
Thrash hardcore crossover record that never lets up. Has a real intensity that as I get older doesn't usually capture me, this record did though and drew me in.
I haven't listened to the new Alexisonfire record in the previous post (will probably be in next year's list!), will make sure to give it a spin though as loved them as a band when I was younger.
-
Not an album, but i've been hoping this collaboration would happen for years, and today it dropped unexpectedly on YouTube! It's a completely improvised session with Beardyman, who I think is the best electronic improvisation artist out there (and has been for over a decade) and Harry Mack, who is very clearly the greatest (real) freestyle rapper of all time.
Beardyman doesn't get to flex his skills as much as usual, but leaves plenty of space for Harry. The first two grooves from Beardyman are great and Harry peaks in the last two tracks (the galaxy / star wars influenced one at the end!). Whether you like this style of music or not, i'm convinced that everyone can appreciate the level of talent on display here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUFdWM69bDM
-
My two most listened records came out in 2021... Late to the party as usual.
Mindforce - New Lords
https://youtu.be/_PFnULEn1KU
Thrash hardcore crossover record that never lets up. Has a real intensity that as I get older doesn't usually capture me, this record did though and drew me in.
Isn’t it always the way one spends the first half of the year catching up on stuff missed from the year before and highlighted in end of year lists 😄
This is deffo one of my albums of the year too, so good.
-
Three pages in and I can number the bands or acts I’ve heard of on one finger. I’m pleased that as you lot get older you aren’t tempted to go a bit radio 2.
-
and Harry Mack, who is very clearly the greatest (real) freestyle rapper of all time.
Interesting, I thought Eminem had this title sewn up by decree of his peers?
-
and Harry Mack, who is very clearly the greatest (real) freestyle rapper of all time.
Interesting, I thought Eminem had this title sewn up by decree of his peers?
He's talented, but predominently focused on writing. There are rappers who've dedicated their entire lives just to freestyling, and a part-timer can't compete with that. Different skills.
If you're into this type of music at all, i'd recommend signing up for these videos he releases every Friday, freestyling to strangers on webcam, using words they choose to inspire him, and picking out anything he can from their video. They're really fun! The first one in the video below is mind blowing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxLKfWt3Kq4&list=LL&index=45
-
Best Albums of 2022:
Any love for the new Meshuggah album? It's not their best but they continue to be the very best at what they do.
I haven't really listened to it, but I have had a soft spot for them since I saw them live when I was a student (in their hometown) in the 90s without having any idea of what I was in for. A friend dragged me along saying not much more than "it is metal, but I think you will like it". I was pretty stunned.
-
Three pages in and I can number the bands or acts I’ve heard of on one finger. I’m pleased that as you lot get older you aren’t tempted to go a bit radio 2.
This is where you want to go as you get older for the proper good stuff. Music for adventurous listeners. Radio 3’s Late Junction.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tp52 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tp52)
-
You are just being kind to the old , infirm and folk of bad taste. As I again I’ve heard of someone on that page.
Laurie Anderson no less.
-
Thanks JWI for kicking the thread off and to everyone for the great selections so far.
I’ve spent most of my non-working time reading and writing so my music listening has reflected that and it’s mostly instrumental stuff. I’ve put a * next to the ones that are more conventional songs.
....
Merry Christmas y’all. Hope to see some of ya next year !
Lot's of left field suggestions! I liked Kali Malone. Got surprised of how "American" it sounded. Found out that she is actually from the US.
-
Laurie Anderson no less.
O Superman was one of the first non-pop singles I ever bought. An introduction to a whole new world. Once in a Lifetime came quickly behind.
-
Not an album, but i've been hoping this collaboration would happen for years, and today it dropped unexpectedly on YouTube! It's a completely improvised session with Beardyman, who I think is the best electronic improvisation artist out there (and has been for over a decade) and Harry Mack, who is very clearly the greatest (real) freestyle rapper of all time.
Beardyman doesn't get to flex his skills as much as usual, but leaves plenty of space for Harry. The first two grooves from Beardyman are great and Harry peaks in the last two tracks (the galaxy / star wars influenced one at the end!). Whether you like this style of music or not, i'm convinced that everyone can appreciate the level of talent on display here.
Bloody hell that is saweeeeet
-
Liam, I really enjoyed the Harry Mack youtube podcast freestyle. He’s awesome!
-
The only new one I've listened too this year is Aethiopes by Billy Woods.
Not as good as his 2019 Hiding Places but still pretty brilliant cryptic hip hop.
https://youtu.be/rzy-djCiE0E
-
Very different, but the two standouts have been Bob Vylan The Price Of Life and Morton Valence self Titled latest album are both gold.
-
@Falling Down, I've been really enjoying Oren Ambarchi, never listened to anything quite like it before. Also Civilistjävel!
And Fiend, I really like some of the Samurai stuff.
Plenty more recommendations on the thread I intend to give an ear to at some point so thanks to those who have offered them.
-
Thanks @Andy. If you liked those two, then give Hubris a whirl (there’s also an absolutely brilliant re-mixed version of Hubris with techno wizard Ricardo Villalobos). Sagittarian Domain and Simian Angel are also totally dope. All quite varied.
-
Y'all like some niche music. Lots to discover!
My only contribution off the top of my head...
NO THANK YOU, Little Simz
Only been out a couple of weeks, so feels like a stretch to say it's defined my year of music or anything like, but it really is great. Also it can't count for next year's list, so here it is!
Cool beats (lots of work from Inflo from SAULT), powerful lyrics, catchy hooks. I've been listening non stop. Hopefully she keeps dropping more surprise records.
-
The first one in the video below is mind blowing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxLKfWt3Kq4&list=LL&index=45
Jesus Christ that was mind blowing!
Thanks for the recommendation, enjoyed the beardyman one too.
-
This isn't usually my sort of thing, but I just stumbled across it and it really is something else! If you have 10 minutes to spare, I'd highly recommend watching the video instead of just listening.
Apparently he has a few mental and physical illnesses, which includes bouts of psychosis. He does a great job of channeling this into his art.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_nc1IVoMxc&list=LL&index=1
-
Nice one for sharing that - very worth the 10 minutes!!