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| Horns Up |
New Horizons
Made of Teeth – SociopathogenWhen former members of Taint and Lacertillia get together, you know that the end result is going to be very loud. And that is exactly the case here. A mix of hardcore punk and noise rock, this is an invigorating release with riffs and aggression aplenty. Even with that in mind, it’s amazing how a song like ‘Three4a1er’ just hits the spot in a way a lot of modern hardcore doesn’t.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Zola Jesus – Arkhon
Although a Greek term referring to a chief magistrate, the fact that it’s also a Gnostic reference is probably the more appealing interpretation for Zola Jesus. Her big, affecting voice sounds utter cavernous here, as if lodged in a mountain in the Himalayas. ‘Dead and Gone’ epitomises this imagery, with the strings suggesting sharp icicles and the mournful tune soundtracking a sky burial.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Hollie Cook – Happy Hour
After two enjoyable, if forgettable, records, Hollie Cook hits a home run with this one. A sun kissed, luscious take on lovers’ rock, it’s the perfect soundtrack for those hot summer days. And because of the strong songwriting (listen to ‘Moving On’ for an example), as well as Hollie’s enchanting voice, you’ll be playing it in the wintertime and marvelling at the opulent production.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Winded – Deep Phat
A strange, yet enthralling, mix of post-punk, disco beats, synths that plink and plonk for added texture as well as psych rock, this album demonstrates that it’s still possible for experimental music to have tunes and be genuinely weird as well. ‘Legit and Gaslit’ embodies this mindset perfectly, while ‘Retrograde Contours’ mines similar terrain to HEALTH circa 2010.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Collapsed Memory – No Logical Sequencies
The press release describes this as “Inspired by Tangerine Dream…but filtered through the Rhythm & Sound disintegration vortex and abstracted atmospheres of…”, which is an apt description, but it doesn’t quite capture just how the record manages to be overwhelming and relaxing (but with a sinister edge) at the same time, with ‘Dampfalter’ being the standout track because of this.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Golden Oldies
Amazingly, this pioneering San Diego band only released two singles in their time. But you wouldn’t have guessed that listening to this comp, which flows seamlessly as if it was a proper studio album. The band’s blend of noise rock, jazz tempos and hardcore (coupled with a guitar tone that blends the best of noise with angular riffing) set the blueprint for so many acts and songs like ‘Disease’ and ‘El Camino Car Crash’ still pulverise after all this time. Oh, and the Joy Division cover rips.
Slint – Spiderland
Familiarity does breed contempt, as this landmark post/math rock album was one that I couldn’t listen to for years due, in part, to the ubiquity of how their sound was referenced and watered down by those who were influenced by it. But quality always shines through, and it’s difficult not get absorbed into the vibe of the record. ‘Breadcrumb Trail’ utilities those King Crimson chords to mesmerising effect, while ‘Washer’ is a haunting epic that wipes the floor with all the pretenders.
Wormrot - Abuse
It’s hard to surmise just what a game changer this record was when it was first released. Alongside Insect Warfare, Wormrot wiped the floor with a lot of acts who termed themselves grindcore and set a new standard for what to expect. Abuse is pure, unadulterated intensity from start to finish, with drummer Fitri being the star of the show thanks to his playing incorporating the right mix of technical prowess and chaos needed for grindcore. And it still sounds brutal over a decade later.
Ruts DC – Rhythm Collision Vol. 2
A long-awaited sequel to the 1982 record that saw the seminal punk act indulge their love of dub/reggae, this release carries on in that vein, with contributions from Mad Professor, Prince Fatty, Aynzli Jones and many others. Songs like ‘Mix Up’ exemplify just how psychedelic dub music can be, while ‘Smiling Culture’ (named after reggae singer Smiley Culture who died during a police raid on his home) is a chilling depiction of police brutality on a par with the band’s 1979 song ‘SUS’.
The Prodigy – Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned
Greeted with a derisory shrug in 2004 since it had been seven years since the era defining ‘The Fat of the Land’ LP, retrospective listening reveals a record of power, sleaze and fractured psych. With the vocals being less of a focus, Liam Howlett was able to deliver music that was more about creating an atmosphere. ‘Girls’ oozes filth thanks to the heavy bass, while ‘Medusa’s Path’ is properly hypnotic and ‘The Way It Is’ takes the bassline from Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ and fucks it up, Prodigy style.
⏩ Christopher Owens was a reviewer for Metal Ireland and finds time to study the history and inherent contradictions of Ireland. He is currently the TPQ Friday columnist.
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