LISA - Alter Ego [See above. This one sees LISA having her experiment on dropping some AWFUL trap numbers]
Just finished my 5th listen. It's definitely a Top10 album of year right now. Potential for Top5.Just finished my second listen of it. Yeah this album is fucking great
I love Marie Davidson’s Renegade Breakdown so I will have to check it out.Last two months. Not as much listened as I'd like due to Japan vacation, as I don't listen to new music (or really any at all) when away.
- Circuit Des Yeux - Halo on the Inside [Haley continuing her hellish brand of art pop, with a more Bauhaus-influenced post-punk flair this time around. Punishingly gorgeous closing track]
- Marie Davidson - City of Clowns [the way this music makes me feel is like if a dominatrix strapped me to a chair, tied my limbs uncomfortably tight with the roughest, scratchiest rope and whipped me until I was red raw against my will...and I liked it. For that reason, it's probably my AotY for now]
- Deafheaven - Lonely People With Power [George's screams have returned! Band is back in form. The punishing sounds of New Bermuda with the accessibility of Sunbather combine their worlds to make this new effort...a decade later. "Amethyst" is a career highlight for the group]
- Eiko Ishibashi (石橋英子) - Antigone [not only is Ishibashi's voice beautiful, the production from Jim O'Rourke is masterful. Ambient/art pop that is strikingly similar to a late-era Mark Hollis composition. Her scores to a few recent Japanese films are equally wonderful]
- Takuro Okada (岡田拓郎) - The Near End, The Dark Night, The County Line [hits the right notes, and hits them solemnly. Incredibly soothing]
- Laurie Torres - Après coup [will probably fly under the radar; recommended for ambient jazz/modern classical listeners. Loved it!]
- Barker - Stochastic Drift [works better as a passive listen, even if the IDM/ambient hybrid has some interesting structures]
- Boldy James, V Don - Alphabet Highway
- Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - Gift Songs
- Lou-Adriane Cassidy - Journal d'un Loup-Garou
- Greentea Peng - TELL DEM IT'S SUNNY [enjoyed the trip-hop style of a few songs]
- Havukruunu - Tavastland
- Lonnie Holley - Tonky
- Imperial Triumphant - Goldstar
- Le Motel - Odd Numbers / Số Lẻ [more experimental than the average Balmat title]
- Loradeniz - SUN SHONE [another solid MFM release, even if it might not be a true highlight. Still gonna seek one out for the library obvs. The tracks on the back half with house leanings surprised me]
- Men I Trust - Equus Asinus
- Panda Bear - Sinister Grift
- Lucy Railton - Blue Veil [produced by Kali Malone, yes, but not quite as harrowing as her works. Wouldn't say no to seeing Lucy in a live setting tho]
- SPELLLING - Portrait of My Heart [Tia proving that she can pull off a genre transition well enough. Art pop works better for her voice, even if this is a commendable effort]
- YHWH Nailgun - 45 Pounds [I feel like this is close to
, but not ready to say that]
- Boldy James, Ant Beatz - Hommage [the volume of releases needs to be slowed; we aren't getting another Bo Jackson at this rate]
- clipping. - Dead Channel Sky [great live show! Doesn't change my opinion here]
- Deep Sea Diver - Billboard Heart
- DJ Koze - Music Can Hear Us [looks like you're drunk again, Pitchfork]
- Jason Isbell - Foxes in the Snow [I've finally listened to a Jason Isbell record. Might be the last time I do that]
- Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women) [see Michelle Zauner's expression on the (standard) cover? Yeah, sounds about right]
- Lady Gaga - MAYHEM [would fare better if the tracklist were shortened and the so-so "Die With a Smile" wasn't the finisher]
- Moreish Idols - All in the Game
- Che Noir, Superior - Seeds in Babylon
- Konrad Sprenger - Set [I was hoping this would be excellent, but this pair of avantgarde pieces left me cold]
- Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco - I Said I Love You First
- Kilbourne - If Not to Give a Fantasy
- Melvins - Thunderball [run-of-the-mill modern Melvins, go figure]
- Mumford & Sons - RUSHMERE [it wasn't THAT bad...]
- SASAMI - Blood on the Silver Screen
- JENNIE - Ruby [I don't think the any of the individual BLACKPINK members are going to make an interesting LP. This one lacks interesting pop detours, with some gross pop production all the while]
- LISA - Alter Ego [See above. This one sees LISA having her experiment on dropping some AWFUL trap numbers]
- Will Smith - Based on a True Story [does not slap]
Second thoughts:
- Darkside - Nothing
First new music Friday of May and I've kicked it off, obviously, with one of my most anticipated albums of the year, Pirouette, by dance punk, post-punk, experimental, industrial noise and art rock quartet, Model/Actriz. This is their second LP and it follows up their 2023 debut, Dogsbody, which landed in my Top5 for that year. So, yeah, high expectations on this new one!
Pirouette essentially picks up right where Dogsbody left off. Stylistically, it's a continuation and sounds very similar. Lyrically, it's similar as well, but I feel like this new one is more vulnerable and personal than its predecessor. And Cole Haden's vocals are as infectious and as potent as ever.
View attachment 233174
Do not expect to sit still listening to this album. At the most, it will have you dancing around and headbanging, and at the very least it will have you bouncing your knee and bobbing your head. 'Vespers' is such a strong opener and one of my favorite songs on the album. Lead single, 'Cinderella', is still my favorite on the album (the music video is likely going to be my favorite of the year). Some of the tracks more on the noise rock side include 'Poppy', 'Diva', 'Audience', and 'Ring Road'. 'Departures' and 'Doves' are two other absolute bangers on the second half of the album. Right in the middle of the album, you have the one-two gut-punch of 'Headlights' and 'Acid Rain', the latter being one of the album's strongest offerings. Similarly, closing track, 'Baton' leaves us with an emotional send off.
Overall, after an initial listen I'd say this album is a must-hear! Is it better than their debut? I cannot make that decision yet. But I'd say it's definitely just as good and in the same wheelhouse. What a way to start off the day and the month! Don't miss this one!
I promise that you won't be disappointed. Hope that things turn around.I love Marie Davidson’s Renegade Breakdown so I will have to check it out.
Had a stressful day and didn’t get to listen to any new music.
Just finished my second listen of it. Yeah this album is fucking great
I don't get it