Chat Pile – Slaughterhouse

Oklahoma band Chat Pile’s album on The Flenser was eagerly awaited since their two 2019 EPs. Their combination of hardcore punk, noise rock and sludge/doom metal is unapologetically political – in a recent interview they said the album is an attempt to “capture the anxiety and fear of seeing the world fall apart”. There’s a surprising amount of clean vocals, rendering the lyrics comprehensible, and there are plenty of catchy riffs and basslines. The menacing opening track is a visceral conjuring of the haunted space that is a Slaughterhouse.
“And all the blood
All the blood
And the fuckin sound, man
You never forget their eyes”

Keeley Forsyth – Land Animal (Ben Frost Remix)

The unique voice of British actor-turned-musician Keeley Forsyth recalls the strident, experimental work of Scott Walker. Her second album Limbs has been remixed by four beautifully chosen artists – the others are industrial royalty Cosey Fanni Tutti, post-classical don Yann Tiersen, and sound-art genius Simon Fisher Turner – but released first is Iceland-based Aussie Ben Frost, whose throbbing low-end growls and compositional sensibility are ideal to enhance the emotive, androgynous range of Forsyth.

Ellen Arkbro & Johan Graden – Other side

If you know the work of Swedish musician Ellen Arkbro, it’s probably as a composer of super-minimalist works for organ or horns or guitar, with strange chords ringing out one by one. Thus her stunning new collaboration with fellow Swede Johan Graden might come as a surprise. Yes, it’s minimalist, but the deceptively simple arrangements for multiple bass clarinets, tuba, contrabass and piano, as well as occasional sparse drums, trumpet and other instruments, underscore Arkbro’s fragile, candidly melodic voice. This song stands out from an already stand-out album with its unusual harmonies (each piano chord includes two notes a tone or semitone apart), the all-bass orchestration (bass clarinet, tuba and contrabass join the piano’s left-hand in the second half), and the gorgeous, subtle vocal loop that carries through the last phrases.

Kristelle, host of  YANOS

Konke -Kancane

Deep London – Hamba Wena

Kana Frazer, host of Thursday Mornings

Melita – Delusional

Why is City Pop so good? And why does it make me nostalgic? It’s actually Western music that’s been adapted by the Japanese back in late 70s/early 80s, then coming back to us as a revival. When I heard the song, it reminded me of Mariya Takeuchi so much! This is from an emerging local artist Melita who combines the aesthetics of R&B/soul, funk, and yacht rock. So smooth, mellow, and she’s not repackaging other music genres – her energy is expansive and I feel so alive. It’s her second release and I can’t wait to hear more from her.

Mass of the Fermenting Dregs – Dramatic

I shared this song on Bento Box, a segment where you can hear some tasty Japanese music every week as a bento style, with so many different ingredients and cooking styles all together. This band (with a strange name: by simply lining up words the members liked) is known for their post-hardcore/shoegazeguitar sounds with melodic pop vocals. I would highly recommend them If you are a big fan of The Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, or Shonen Knife. This is the opening track of their latest album Awakening:Sleeping which takes us on a chaotic and sonic journey.

Andy Garvey, host of Sunset with Pure Space

Pannotia – Spatial Awareness EP

Command D and gi – Align