Artist: Baths

Album: Gut

Genre: Indietronica / Chamber pop

Great album. I particularly like Homosexuals. Despite not really being my genre or preferred vocal style, I thoroughly enjoyed the album and will revisit.

Hmm…I think I’m still wearing the rose-colored glasses I acquired when I first heard their albums Obsidian and Cerulean. Gut was ok but it doesn’t feel as polished overall (or perhaps I’m just…fatigued and not on the same page). Sea of Men was a highlight for me, and on a second listen Homosexuals was nice

This album tastes like sticker backing and frosted textured bouncy balls.

There’s a slow build on this album to a very powerful close, but the start kind of suffers for it. Even when I’m not necessarily feeling all the songs, I really like the Lo-Fi digital tunes that sneak in like we’re booting up some 80s electronics. The rolling beat on Homosexuals is really pleasant, and the cacophony at the end of The Sound of a Blooming Flower felt like some new ground for Baths in just being feral and in the moment instead of overtuned.

Interesting. I'm getting David Bowie vibes with a little My Chemical Romance thrown in. I kind of feel bad for the guy, he hasn't had good luck with his relationships. Musically interesting a little heavy with the drum machine.

Artist: Horsegirl

Album: Phonetics On and On

Genre: Indie rock / Slacker rock

Fun and super catchy. Love the surf, garage, indie, lofi and careless vibes. Reminiscent of old Modest Mouse meets The History of Apple Pie. This is right up my alley and, in much the same way that I throw on Building Nothing Out of Something or The Lonesome Crowded West a few times a year, I suspect this will enter my regular rotation. I’m quite excited to see what Horsegirl does in the years ahead.

None of the songs have really stood out to me as individuals - but the overall vibes are good and summery. I mean this in the most affectionate way possible, but this is peak road trip napping music.

Continuing the trend of being the resident synesthete, tasting notes include bicycle rubber and the smell of warm printmaking ink.

Artist: Tim Hecker

Album: Shards

Genre: Ambient drone / Electroacoustic

Some classic Tim Hecker dread and noise but with a bit more finesse and delicacy. I’m reminded a little bit of Sakamoto and Alva Noto on The Revenant’s score. The wind and string instruments add a tenderness to the darkness.

This feels like a very natural successor to what Hecker was working towards in the No Highs album, but with more traditional instrumentation woven in. I wonder what kind of anxiety he has, because he’s clearly got some. (Game recognize game.)

This was nice - not something I would want to listen to piecemeal though; it’s definitely a full album experience. That said, I enjoyed it. The sound is reminiscent of the Annihilation soundtrack, and in many ways Cliff Martinez and Colin Stetson. Either way, it kept my brain in line while I worked today. Maybe I have the same brand of anxiety haha.

Artist: Brother Ali

Album: Satisfied Soul

Genre: Conscious hip hop

Groovy soul that meets some 90s style rap - really enjoying the almost Green Hornet/Pulp Fiction flare that’s interspersed here. Ocean of Rage vaguely giving Boards of Canada meets Brooklyn.

Artist: Blockhead

Album: It's Only a Midlife Crisis If Your Life Is Mid

Genre: Instrumental hip hop

Man it’s been a minute since I thought about Blockhead. This is an easy listen and right in line with what I’m familiar with in terms of his body of work. As always, I love his use of samples and plodding jazz rhythm. Feels like standing outside of a downtown department store smelling the wet pavement.