Browsing Tag

experimental

Western Bloc – Monkey Christ: Darkwave Avant-Garde Post-Punk

Posted on 19 July 2021
Western Bloc

I never thought Glenn Branca would have competition, but Western Bloc’s darkwave avant-garde post-punk composition, ‘Monkey Christ’, parallels the ethereally phantasmic effect in The Ascension. It’s got the class, nihilism and theatrical flair but through the consistently evolving progressions, you’ll pick up on contemporary post-punk styles through the reminiscence to the Editor’s impassioned sound that tends to air on the melancholy despite the bursts of energetic angsty euphoria.

Any fans of SWANS, Magazine and Echo and the Bunnymen definitely won’t want to miss out on the official launch of the Calgary-based artist’s forthcoming album, which is due for release in August 2021.

Check out Western Bloc for yourselves by heading over to the band’s official website and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dying Pharaohs – Lost in the Dark: Neo-Psychedelic Synth Rock

Posted on 14 July 2021
https://soundcloud.com/dyingpharaohs/lostinthedark

‘Lost in the Dark’ is the latest dusky feat of neo-psychedelic synth-rock from one of San Jose’s most prodigal outfits, Dying Pharaohs. If the Editors dropped acid and experienced a spiritual awakening, we’re sure the aural results would mimic Lost in the Dark which drips with post-punk cool and is sweetened by the almost hypnogogic vocals.

The angular indie guitars around the trip-hop beats and glassy synths are beyond anything I’ve heard from the psych scene or the pools of darkwave tracks that hit the airwaves. Let the goths and hippies unite through the compassionate kaleidoscope of monochromatic tones.

Lost in the Dark is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chris Sunfield goes in for the kill with his latest avant-garde production, ‘Predator’

Posted on 9 June 2021

With the dark sensuality of a She Wants Revenge single, theatrically macabre lyrics, and cinematic film noir feel, Chris Sunfield’s latest single, Predator is an intoxicating mash of baroque folk, pop, jazz, electronica and hip hop.

Just when you’re starting to think that you’ve got the soundscape figured out, Predator throws fierily slick rap verses from Ya Favorite Lightskin into the mix that will be a hit with any fans of Banks and Steelz. With avant-garde instrumentals contorting free from constraint under the bars, Predator absorbs you just as much as you absorb the soundscape.

Predator is one of those tragically rare singles that you could listen to a thousand times and still feel assured that you would take something new from the next listen. The artistry on exhibition here is practically unparalleled. We can’t wait to hear what Chris Sunfield unleashes next.

The official music video to Predator premiered on May 28th; you can check it out for yourselves by heading to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

That Extra Hunger: The Mantra Discord dive in with catchy debut single ‘Impressions’

Posted on 1 June 2021

As they pierce your frail speakers with a performance that will leave you awe-struck with emotions, The Mantra Discord craftily flow into our thoughtful minds with their first single called ‘Impressions‘.

The Mantra Discord is a super hungry instrumental/math-rock/experimental duo from the busy streets of Southern California.

With a supremely intricate start to proceedings, this is stacked full of wonderful guitar-driven solos that revs up your engine – this unique piece has you captivated by its every turn – as you feel like you are in a melancholic state of mind, full of darkness in your room, as you find the light again.

”What separates us from other math-rock bands is that we have included strings to give our music a fuller sound and different elements just looking to explore more melancholic melodies and darker atmospheres. We take influences from modern instrumental rock bands such as Chon, Polyphia, plini, Elephant Gym, and Covet, while also listening to other bands like the Fall of Troy and Oceans Ate Alaska to give a more darker and a little heavier fill to our music.” – The Mantra Discord

‘Impressions‘ from the highly creative Southern California instrumental math-rock duo The Mantra Discord, is a debut track that will have you feeling you have just listened to something so different from the rest. The high skill level of this motivated duo is a blessing to the ears, as they bring us a dazzling display of musicianship to remember.

Stream this brand new vision on Spotify and see more news via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Azure Wolf orchestrated the ultimate alt-indie pop-rock anthem with their single, ‘Honey Rush’.

Posted on 26 May 2021

On May 21st, 2021, Azure Wolf released their most visceral work to date with their double a-side single, Chateau / Honey Rush. Both of the singles are fervent exhibitions of the Winchester, VA-based alt-indie artist’s authentically accessible experimentalism. Yet, with Honey Rush, Azure Wolf orchestrated a dark pop-rock anthem that unequivocally affirms that they need to be on your gig bucket list.

With pop elements creating an all-consuming chorus constructed with sweeping sonic progressions, anthemic production and catchy lyrics that you’ll probably need a serious concussion to forget, Honey Rush is the ultimate anthem for anyone whose mentality errs on the side of melancholy.

The breaks that follow the tension-fraught build-ups offer a serious amount of catharsis as you get caught up in the tumultuous momentum of the radio-ready single. It is one of those tragically rare singles that becomes more impactful and meaningful the more you listen to it.

Azure Wolf’s latest release is now available to stream via Spotify and Bandcamp.

Connect with Azure Wolf via Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nick Tello brings his stunning, ambitious signature with ‘The Artist’

Posted on 18 May 2021

‘The Artist’ is six minutes fifty-two seconds of jazzy, (initially) lounge-bar piano-led (mostly-) instrumental composition, part musical movement, part art piece, rotating its way through guitars, samples, and orchestral instrumentation and percussion, always with the same repeating melody-line. It’s freeform, experimental, and hugely ambitious, with multiple layered tracks compounding that repetitive ostinato phrase; apparently three years in the making and a month to mix, with ambient background-chatter samples, reverb-soaked drums, strings, and that constant piano, programmed TR-808 patterns and electronic instrumentation, and even the smash of a glass. There’s twists and turns, rests and pauses, pitch-shifts and tempo and timbre-changes, classical finger-picked guitar mixing with engineered notes and sampled speech, but always a return to the familiar, beautiful piano refrain. It’s an absolute work of art, delicate, potent, and powerful, and a definite labour of love. A stunning, sublime achievement.

You can hear ‘The Artist’ on Spotify. Follow Nick Tello on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

I Can’t Have You: Splendid Bath producer Alvinos Zavlis tries to break free on ‘In My Dreams’

Posted on 15 May 2021

With a deep regret in his deep voice on an erupting beat of much attraction, Alvinos Zavlis reaches high for what he wants but can’t quite get there yet on ‘In My Dreams‘.

Alvinos Zavlis is a multi-talented Bath, England-based experimental electronic music producer. He vividly wets our awaiting lips with some scrumptious hip hop/dance beats for the body to soak up inside like a hot bubble bath, and also makes RnB tracks for other artists too.

His style is gritty and stylish — you feel the lathering of ambient energies transform the mind through his natural music– which seems to hug you and challenge you to be better, somehow all at the same time.

This is the meaningful message of wanting to be with them so bad, however the timing is off and you can’t quite be together right now. The frustration is so palpable and you are very annoyed, but hope that you will get another chance as they are all you ever think about.

‘In My Dreams‘ from the accomplished Bath, UK music producer Alvinos Zavlis, enticingly leads us into the mind of a conscious state that is looking for that real feeling again, after being disappointed by not being able to get what you desired. Life is a game after all — but sometimes — dreams do indeed become reality, if you want them to be.

Stream this fresh new track on Spotify and check out his IG music page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Jason Potter paved the way to a spiritual journey with his sophomore album, ‘The Marriage of Celestial Things’.

Posted on 14 May 2021
The Marriage of Celestial Things by Jason Potter

Experimentally spiritual London-based artist Jason Potter has followed on from his 2020 debut album with the release of ‘The Marriage of Celestial Things’. With Gregorian chants meeting gothic inclination, the dark sermonic soundscapes may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Yet, anyone with the proclivity to delve into an exploration of the duality between damnation and salvation will want to bear witness to the subversive eight-track album.

The opening single, Creation, acts as a guide into the light within the arcane orchestral album; but it isn’t long before the haunting and evocatively striking tones pierce through the ambience in the neo-classic soundscape. With ominous spoken-word offerings, The Marriage of Celestial Things purposely disturbs as a method of awakening.

When fully immersed in the album, you can practically feel your tunnel vision widening as you’re drawn away from superficiality and forced to reconcile with the vastness of the universe and yourself.

While some artists fall out of the mainstream to make a point, perceptibly, Potter’s authenticity was something that he didn’t have to orchestrate.

The Marriage of Celestial Things is available to stream and download on Bandcamp from May 14th, 2021.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alt Electronica just got harsher with the release of Asterous’ sinister standout single ‘Heroes’.

Posted on 4 May 2021
Asterous

Vancouver’s alt-electronic-rock powerhouse duo Asterous unleashed their highly anticipated self-titled EP on April 23rd. The standout single, ‘Heroes’, is a sublime mash of sinister tones, glassy 80s-inspired synth notes and caustic black metal vocals that break the accordance laid out by the reverb-laden animatronic female vocals.

The arresting single seamlessly shifts between spacy melodicism, comparable to the work of Depeche Mode, to industrial metal increments with buzzsaw riffs that cut with reminiscence to the likes of Static X and Rob Zombie.

The stylistic choices are one thing, but the way that Asterous pull them all together is quite another. Heroes, paradoxically, serves nuance by the bucket-full.

You can check out the EP for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Strap yourselves in for the sonically celestial ride Suris will take you on with their psych-folk album, ‘Bonehouse’.

Posted on 29 April 2021

UK-based husband and wife duo Suris released their third album, Bonehouse, on April 29th. After a six-year gap in releases, anyone previously acquainted with their arcane sound will want to adjust their expectations accordingly for the evolution in their expression. During lockdown, Suris have taken their sound to an artfully transcendent level; strap yourselves in for the smooth celestial ride.

The album starts with ‘Argus’, a spacey ambient feat of psych-folk that carries reminiscence to Bowie through the argonaut-inspired instrumentals and Kate Bush through Lindsey’s vocals which switch from evocative vibrato to chorally ethereal and back again. It perfectly sets the tone for the record that never allows you to get comfortable.

Instead, with their soulfully pretence-less writing and production style, Suris meld elements of jazz, folk, progressive rock, psych-pop and avant-garde pop in compelling arrangements that breathe with the new age freedom of a Fleetwood Mac record, yet, there is always something striking, and indulgently unsettling waiting for you in the next progression.

With the more atmospheric singles such as, ‘Wanted’, and ‘Eclipse’, the self-recorded and produced record feels so spiritual that it almost becomes metaphysical. Bonehouse is an incredible testament from Suris. If you appreciate true aural pioneers, you’ll want them on your radar.

Bonehouse is available to stream from April 29th, 2021. You can check it out for yourselves on SoundCloud.

Keep up to date with new releases from Suris via Facebook and Instagram.