U.K. band “Sorry” continue their string of impressive singles with a new track titled “Jealous Guy.” The track is a response to John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” and the possessiveness of the song, and it is a dark and catchy number with a goofy music video to accompany it that finds the band having a lot of fun. Hopefully we’ll get a full-length album from the band this year. You can watch the music video for “Jealous Guy” below:
Quentin Tarantino will return with his new film Once Upon A Time In Hollywood on July 26th. Today the first trailer for the upcoming film was released. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie, the film takes place in 1969 and tells the story of a television actor and his stunt double as they try to get involved in the film industry. You can watch the trailer below:
Artist: Matmos
Album: Plastic Anniversary
Genre: IDM/Experimental/Electronic
Label: Thrill Jockey Records
Rating: 7.5/10
Just about any object can be used as an instrument. Anything that makes a sound can be utilized in a musical composition. ANYTHING. A washing machine, recordings of bovine uteruses, sperm hitting paper, audio of plastic surgeries, you name it, and though these sound like absurd examples, guess what? Someone has sampled all of these things in their music. “Matmos” is their name, a duo and married couple that produce music comprised of field recordings. The duo have been doing this since the late 90’s with a different theme for each album, creating dark and often surprisingly catchy tunes made up of nothing but field recordings. Their unorthodox approach to recording music has garnered acclaim, and considering how this approach to music could easily become a gimmick or novelty, it’s impressive how they’ve kept our attention after all these years. So what’s the next theme for their new album? Plastic. Oh plastic, how would civilization survive without it? Humans love convenience, and though it’s destroying our environment, we just can’t live without it, because the majority of our products are comprised of the plastic, and of course, “Matmos” have utilized a myriad of plastic objects to create their new album Plastic Anniversary. This album isn’t just the two banging on plastic objects creating only a percussive nature in the vain of “Stomp,” the countless plastic objects are sequenced and manipulated to create loops and layers upon layers of sounds that take the roles of rhythm, melody, and atmosphere. Many plastic objects are utilized like the breaking of vinyl on the opening track “Breaking Bread,” the use of pill capsules and the eerie and ominous tones the two get out of them on the track “The Crying Pill,” and the most captivating of all, the primal sounds created using riot shields which are scraped and banged on on the track “Thermoplastic Riot Shield.” Matmos cleverly show us all how anything can be an instrument. Everything from billiard balls to plastic horns, and the two impressively create whole melodic compositions that aren’t just a bunch of noise. That’s their forte. Field recordings have been used far before “Matmos” came along, but no one has ever utilized this recording method quite like them. Their music is incredibly innovative and they always think outside the box, finding new ways to create music using unorthodox instruments. If they can make you dance to a washing machine, then i’d say they’re IDM’s biggest innovators.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
Date: 03/20/19
Artist: The Comet is Coming
Album: Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery
Genre: Jazz/Nu-Jazz/Electronic/Psychedelic Rock
Label: Impulse! Records
Rating: 7.5/10
Listening to London based trio “The Comet is Coming” is like having an LSD infused spiritual journey that is both meditative and exhausting. The attention to instrumental detail whether it be the spacey “Electronic” inspired keyboards, the crisp drums, or the sharp skittering saxophone which takes front and center, one thing is for sure, something in their music will resonate with you and pummel you with both tumult and melodic beauty. Self-described as “apocalyptic space funk,” the band fully introduced us to their world on their 2016 debut Channel the Spirits, now the band have returned with their follow-up Trust in the Lifeforce of the Deep Mystery. This album focuses even further on the themes of apocalypse and chaos completely through improvisational instrumentation. It’s darker in tone but no less melodic and immensely jam-filled. However, not much has changed from their previous work. This album is more of the same, but as of right now that’s okay, because the music still captivates and immerses you into their beautifully chaotic world, and to be able to do that with instrumentation alone and only one track that has spoken word vocals is no easy feat. Upon hearing them, it’s inevitable to yearn for a live experience of the band, and they have impressively captured what it must be like to see them live on record. This album is a reminder that “Jazz” infused improvisation is still alive and well, with the genre exploring new territories, and in the wake of this new-found interest in “Jazz,” this album couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
Date: 03/19/19
After three long years ScHoolboy Q has finally returned with new music. Today the “Top Dawg Entertainment” rapper released a new track titled “Numb Numb Juice,” and yes, it is a banger. No word on whether or not this will appear on his upcoming album, but judging from his “Twitter” posts, a new album is imminent. You can listen to “Numb Numb Juice” below:
Australian Psychedelic/Prog outfit “King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard” took a well deserved break from releasing new music last year, because following a year where a band releases five damn albums that same year, one would assume said band would have to take some time off to recharge their batteries and, you know, sleep. It’s looking like the band have hit another spark of creativity though, because it has just been announced that the band will release a new album titled Fishing for Fishies on April 26th via “Flightless Records.” The album will feature the band’s previously released single “Cyboogie.” Pre-orders begin Wednesday, March 13th.
Fishing For Fishies Tracklist:
Artist: Kari Faux
EP: Cry 4 Help
Genre: R&B/Hip Hop
Label: Change Minds
Rating: 8/10
Kari Faux is quickly becoming an essential name in music. Following one full-length album, an EP, and various singles, Faux has released a new EP filled with her most enthralling work yet. Cry 4 Help is the title, and it is a necessary title, because the songs on this EP are deeply personal and honest. Unapologetically wearing her heart on her sleeve, the five tracks on this album carry a consistent sense of melancholy. Ranging from topics such as toxic relationships, depression, self-medication, and self-doubt, these songs are gut-wrenching confessions from someone who is using music to improve herself. It’s evident that this is therapy for her, but her knack for crafting catchy R&B-laden tunes with lush production and crisp beats that can have a Trap flavor on one song and a Boom Bap flavor on the next compliment the sentimental tone perfectly. “I don’t wanna be medicated. I don’t wanna be sedated. Rather have you call me crazy,” sings Faux on the smooth opener “Medicated,” and though this is an introduction to a deeply vulnerable experience, she assures us that she’d rather face the hurt with a clear mind than fall down the rabbit hole of substance dominant escapism. The following track “Leave Me Alone” is a lush and subtle anthem for those who have gained the courage to rid themselves of toxic relationships that are based solely on convenience, and Faux has an impressive way of creating an uplifting experience with simplistic lyrical content. “In The Air” is a bit of a celebration of weed with Curren$y adding a smooth verse, but after this fun track the final two tracks get even more personal. “Night Time” speaks on how relationships based solely on sex can be damaging when there’s no real connection, but it’s the closing track “Latch Key” that really ends the EP on a gut-wrenching but inspiring note. This track unsparingly details some painful experiences Faux has had to endure such as having a miscarriage when she was a teen and not having much of a relationship with her parents, using TV and her imagination to cope, but with the final words “Felt overlooked but now i’m getting booked for shows in different states where people dance and sing my hooks,” the EP ends in a positive and optimistic tone. I don’t think anyone saw a personal musical memoir of Faux coming, but here we are, we have a short but effective release that showcases her songwriting versatility. Kari Faux knows how to utilize the healing power of music.
Written By: Steven Sandoval
Date: 03/09/19
That’s right, they’re back. “The Black Keys” returned today with their first new music since their 2014 album Turn Blue. “Lo/Hi” feels like a return to form for the band, with raw “Blues Rock” that can win your Dad over. No word on whether or not this will appear on a new album. You can listen to the track below:
U.K. group “ALASKALASKA” will drop their debut album “The Dots” on May 24th via “Marathon Artists.” Today the group released a new single titled “Moon,” and it is a catchy as Hell funky synth-heavy track. You can watch the music video below:
Canadian “Psychedelic Rock” band “Black Mountain” are back sooner than expected. The band’s last album IV was released three years ago, and considering how big of a gap there was between that album’s predecessor and how busy the members are with other projects, it’s a surprise “Black Mountain” are back so soon, but it’s a pleasant surprise of course. The band will release a new album titled Destroyer on May 24th through “Jagjaguwar,” and today they’ve shared the album’s first single “Future Shade.” About the track, frontman Stephen McBean says “It has a riff that traveled around the world then hit the bong with a chorus a year and a half later. A last attempt at double frosting produced a chorus on chorus death match. Anxiety is the new Heavy Metal.” You can listen to the track below:
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