FRAN – A Private Picture LP/CD (Fire Talk)
Impressive debut from Chicago’s FRAN, who writes dream- tinged rock and folk that seems to be ensnared by her confessional lyrics; the emotional push and pull from fragile to tensed morphs within the songs themselves, and the music mirrors those emotional shifts perfectly. Needless to say, this is RECOMMENDED.
STEVE HAUSCHILDT – Nonlin CD (Ghostly) vinyl delayed til next month
Steve Hauschildt is one of the most exciting electronic composers going these days. The Chicagoan’s second album in two years was recorded while touring for the
previous record in L.A., NYC, Tbilisi, Brussels & Chicago. His music is often chilly in a digital sense, but Hauschildt also has a wonderful knack for writing melodic hooks that set his music apart from a lot of other contemporaries. RECOMMENDED
MAYHEM – Daemon LP/CD (Century Media) indie only color or black vinyl
Norwegian black metal legends MAYHEM have existed in some form or another since 1984 but their 2019 album “Daemon” is only their 6th. The last few records had them exploring more technical realms but they’ve returned to a more traditional sound this time around & it works pretty well. Attila’s Vocals are always unique & Necrobutcher’s bass lines give the songs a unique melodic twist. Fans of the band won’t be disappointed at all. RECOMMENDED.
RUINS – Marea / Tide 2LP w/7” (Music From Memory)
Music From Memory presents a reissue of a lost record by Italian duo ALESSANDRO PIZZIN and PIERGIUSEPPE CIRANNA aka RUINS (no relationship to the Japanese with the same name). Originally released in 1984, this was inspired by Italian painter LUIGI VIOLA. Beautiful synthesizers, metallic chimes and other dreamlike sounds comprise this fantastic album. The 7″ contains 4 unreleased tracks and a printed insert with updated liner notes.
VATICAN SHADOW – Kuwaiti Air Force LP (Hospital Productions)
Kuwaiti Airforce was a very rare VATICAN SHADOW cassette (only 40 made!) and now it appears on double vinyl for the first time. This includes previously unreleased collaborations with SILENT SERVANT and DEMDIKE STARE.
Other important new releases:
THE BAND – THE BAND (50th Anniversary Remaster) 2LP/2CD (Capitol)
BONNIE PRINCE BILLY – I Have Made A Place LP/CD (Drag City)
DJ NIGGA FOX – Cartas Na Manga 2LP (Principe)
DJ SHADOW – Out Pathetic Edge LP (Mass Appeal)
EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL – Walking Wounded LP (Buzzin’ Fly) reissue
MAKAYA McCRAVEN – In The Moment: Deluxe Edition 3LP (Int’l Anthem) reissue
ANNA MEREDITH – FIBS LP (Moshi Moshi)
CARL STONE – Himalaya LP (Unseen Worlds) now on vinyl
TINDERSTICKS – No Treasure But Hope LP/CD (City Slang)
KAMAAL WILLIAMS – DJ-Kicks 2LP/CD (!K7)
VARIOUS ARTISTS – WXAXRXP SESSIONS LPs (Warp)
APHEX TWIN – Peel Session 2
BIBIO – WXAXRXP Session
BOARDS OF CANADA – Peel Session
FLYING LOTUS – Maida Vale Session: INFINITY “Infinitum”
KELLY MORAN – WXAXRXP Session
LFO – Peel Session
MOUNT KIMBIE – WXAXRXP Session
ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER – KCRW Session
PLAID – Peel Session 2