“Capitalism is the most barbaric of all religions.” - The Pop Group
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| Horns up |
New Horizons
The Jesus Lizard – Rack
From the second that album opener ‘Hide & Seek’ begins, Duane Denison’s riffing makes it obvious that the lads aren’t on auto pilot, while ‘Armistice Day’ is a powerful bluesy stop/start riff that deserves to be stretched out live and ‘What If?’ highlights how tight a rhythm section Sims and McNeilly are. Running to 36 minutes, its polished but no less powerful for it. They may be older but so what? ‘Rack’ is an album that will be in the top 3 best of 2024 list.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
X – Smoke & Fiction
Supposedly the final record from the pioneering LA punk rockers and, if it is, they’ve gone out in style. Billy Zoom’s fascination with fusing punk and rockabilly licks never gets old and the vocal interplay between Exene Cervenka and John Doe is still a treat for the ears. Oh, and DJ still kills on the drums. ‘Sweet till the Bitter End’ is a classic X anthem while ‘Winding Up the Time’ makes nice use of the tremolo bar. Proof that punk rockers get better with age.
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Devils Teeth – The Key of Dickie G
Three years on from the astonishing La leggenda di Chong Li, Milwaukee’s finest are back with another stellar release. Once again, upbeat surf/garage rock serves as the band’s musical backbone but this time the riffing has a tinge of darkness to them (akin to the sound of The Cramps in their early incarnation) and the songs are much more direct (with the exception of ‘Sell the Sizzle, Not the Steak’ which lumbers like zombie in a Fulci movie).
The album can be streamed and purchased here.
Berenice – s/t
Taking the crustier end of hardcore punk and throwing in death and doom metal influences, this debut EP is a raw, raucous and extreme statement of intent from the newly formed East Anglian lot. The cut n paste style artwork is reminiscent of Eyehategod and the short running time (5 songs in 13 minutes) means that the EP packs a succinct wallop that other bands of this ilk sometimes lack. ‘Broken’ is a highlight due to the changing tempos and the feral riffing.
The EP can be streamed and purchased here.
Golden Oldies
Ice Cube – Amerikkka’s Most Wanted
Nearly 35 years on, Ice Cube’s statement of intent after leaving NWA remains a powerhouse of the genre. Working with The Bomb Squad (Public Enemy) was an inspired move as their noisy, jarring and funky production matches Cube’s intense anger and wordplay. So many great tracks but the sparring match between him and Yo-Yo (‘It’s a Man’s World’) remains a highpoint.
Kanye West – Yeezus
A wayward type at the best of times (and that’s putting it mildly!), 2013’s Yeezus remains Kanye’s crowning achievement. Clearly inspired by the likes of Death Grips, the album is a modern hip hop record filtered through the industrial and drill genres with the end result being an exhilarating, boisterous, funny and provocative record. And ‘Black Skinhead’ rules.
African Head Charge – Off the Beaten Track
The second album from Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah’s collective sees them moving closer to their idea of a psychedelic Africa as envisaged by Brian Eno. With the thicker beats and the production from Adrian Sherwood getting tripper, it remains a benchmark for what to expect from On-U Sound records, especially when ‘Language & Mentality’ features an Albert Einstein sample!
SOPHIE - Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides
With the news that a posthumous record from the Glaswegian musician/producer is due for release at the end of next month, now is the perfect time to revisit this record and marvel at how noisy, soulful and euphoric it is. No wonder the likes of Charli XCX, Vince Staples and Lady Gaga sought out SOPHIE for collaboration. ‘Is It Cold in the Water’ is one of many highlights.
Sky Ferreria – Night Time, My Time
As of writing, this remains the only studio album from the actress/model (although a second one has been teased for quite some time). Regardless, for a debut pop record, it’s still a joy to behold as it meshes up synth pop, indie rock, noise rock and hyperpop and is held together by Sky’s vocals which oscillate between bored, yearning and sly. ’24 Hours’ rules.
⏩ 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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