Oasis told us not to Look Back in Anger in 1996; djamesk13 heeded that warning before getting to work on the production of his latest lo-fi alt-rock release, which carries the swagger of 90s Britpop into the sludged-up sanctuary of a release that emanates the artful style of an unreleased Pixies B-side.
If We Had Been Forthcomingis a retrospection-rich release that era spans and genre hops to lead the listener in a track that kicks with as much psychedelia as a Krautrock record and picks up just as much dust as desert rock. Between the laments of government-instilled delusion and bitter-sweet retrospections on how we’ve moved past the point of salvation as a society, there are some pitch-black dark lyrical themes, but the blows are nicely cushioned by the sonorously inviting distortion-drenched grooves.
If We Had Been Forthcoming was officially released on August 25; stream it on SoundCloud now.
With a similar tonal gravitas to Editors’ earlier records, RV Escape is here with their chillingly morose sophomore single, View-Master, taken from their forthcoming LP, Songs for Failure & Decay. Based on that title, the debut album is set to be the timeliest one of this era of dystopia.
The ethereally atmospheric synths, delay-distorted guitars, ragged basslines and harmonically drawling vocals envelop you in the hazy nostalgia of Krautrock that is cut with poppier inclinations to ensure View-Master is a release that you feel endlessly compelled to return to.
For any disillusioned existentialists looking for the ultimate escapism music that vindicates ennui while absolving the omnipresent bitterness, this artfully murky cry into the void hits the spot with beguiling precision.
View-Master will officially release on September 30th. Hear it on Spotify.
Any staunch Krautrock fans will definitely want to roll with the progressive punches in the latest album, Trash Attack,from the Germany-hailing garage/surf/punk powerhouse, Astrokraut.
With tauntingly ethereal female vocals that sit between Blondie and the B-52s and the frenetic furore in the complex time signatures in the guitars in the standout single, Invasion, you couldn’t ask for a better introduction to the outfit that formed in 2010 under the influence of Heavy Sabbath 70s sounds. If only more bands made that transition from assimilation to innovation.
A sense of chaos lends itself to plenty more than just the sonic textures in Invasion. It is practically a trashy surfy adaption of Fear and Loathing – and we couldn’t rate Astrokraut more for their fearless commitment to throwing themselves into their creativity completely. There’s no sense of pretence to be found here.
Astrokraut’s latest album, Trash Attack, is now available to stream in full via Spotify.
Ok, kids, grab some dayglo clothing, a glowstick, and a tub of Vicks, and dive into ‘Nichtclubbing’, the new single from Brazilian ambient afficionado Borealis. A one-man ‘noisy electronica’ project from Rio de Janiero, orchestrated by Marco Barbosa, since 2015 Borealis have released four albums, two EPs, and a separate single; now, released as part of the ‘Siemensdream’ album – a conceptual electronic ride through a theoretical Germany – ‘Nichtclubbing’ is a proper, old-skool lapgaze slice of sparse, echoey Krautrock, all bleeps, swooshes, and reverb-heavy beats. If the Berlin Wall itself released an album, mixed at Oktoberfest, and played loud from the back of Trabants at Checkpoint Charlie, then ‘Nichtclubbing’ is what it would sound like.
If you’re looking for psychotropic aural escapism Astral Elevator has you covered with the Psych Rising, happening in Manchester on October 5th.
On any given night in Manchester, you’ll find an array of gigs to stumble into, but once again Astral Elevator has deftly curated a line up of the finest Psych Rock, Shoegaze, Garage Rock, Post-Punk, and Psych-Doom which you definitely won’t want to miss out on.
Amongst the 15 bands performing across the two stages (no clashes!), you’ll spot the leaders in the revival of psychedelic tones along with promising up and coming talent ready to offer ascension through their colourfully riotous riffs.
In running order, here’s the international array of bands who make it more than obvious why they made the cut.
Hazel’s Maze – Cheshire-based Alt Rock offering Melodiously cathartic, ethereally captivating tones.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
Sauce – Manchester-based fourpiece renowned for their refreshingly authentic wholesome Rock vibes. It’s like being thrown back to the 90s when everyone seemed to love each other a little more. Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
Korto – Punchy riotous supersonic Kraut Rock three-piece bringing their high-octane, sporadically chaotic energy all the way from the French Alps.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
PALE RIDER – One of Liverpool’s most promising newcomers ready to spill their kaleidoscopically nostalgic aural alchemy. Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
The Kundalini Genie – Quintessentially captivating hazy melodic Psych Pop reviving the 60s style with Indian Classical, Blues, Folk, and Jazz thrown in for good effect. Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
Hey Bulldog – Containing easily one of the best guitarists in Manchester, the three-piece will prove exactly why they’re worthy of that accolade as they blend sonic futurism with rhythmic vintage nostalgia.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
Kill Your Boyfriend – 2 Piece band flying in from Venice to leave us slightly disconcerted with their dark noisy Shoegaze-laden Post Punk. Imagine PIL and Magazine with a psych infusion and you’ve got Kill Your Boyfriend.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
SeRvo – Cavernously phantasmic ambient Psychedelia from a uniquely captivating French artist renowned for making Shoegaze colder than we’ve ever heard it before.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
Frankie Teardrop Dead – A highly acclaimed Manchester-based Dream-Wave act who fuse Psychedelia with roots-deep Rock n Roll to spill enough catharsis to lull to you into a state of colourful euphoric bliss.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
Psychic Lemon – Masterfully crafted Space Rock from the Cambridge-based act who have given the revival of Psych Rock a brand-new trajectory.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
Phobophobes – The South London Six-piece utilise their serpentine sordid rhythms to flirt with nostalgic tonality whilst simultaneously gripping you with their modern magnetic air of aural dejection. This set is definitely not to be missed.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
The Telescopes – After the release of their 11th studio album, the Telescopes are ready to bring their consciousness-expanding soundscapes to Manchester once more. Expect a stripped and exposed bed of Psychedelic Indie.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
The Gluts – The Milan-based fourpiece will be bringing their atmospherically-charged brand of Noisy Psych-steeped experimental Post Punk to douse you in blistering progressions of over-driven guitars.
Artist Links: Facebook, Spotify
Gnod – Raging Psychedelic Noise from the Manchester-based collective who have been rearranging synapses since 2006 with their caustically indulgent sound.
Artist Links: Spotify
Snakes Don’t Belong in Alaska – Rounding off the live acts will be the Psych Krautrock band who endearingly describe themselves as being the “UK’s Worst Hawkwind tribute band” – we definitely don’t agree.
Artist Links: Facebook,Spotify
Info: 5th Oct 13:00 – 03:30, Night People & Twisted Wheel, Manchester, £35 + bf
Tickets for the event are now on final release and can be purchased via Skiddle
For more info, head over to the Facebook event page.
