Category: Album Reviews

old-fashioned (and neo-modern) record reviews

Album Reviews

Rosalía Tangles Innovation and Tradition on El Mal Querer

sngalbums: There are few albums as surprising as El Mal Querer. The shock of it hopefully wears off for future generations, though; flamenco deserves a spot in the mainstream and, according to the success of this title, it has staying power. Rosalía is from Barcelona, and has studied flamenco for some time. Her first record was filled with various interpretations on the genre: traditional movements … Continue reading Rosalía Tangles Innovation and Tradition on El Mal Querer

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Album Reviews

Richard Luke Speaks Without a Voice on Voz, Featuring Amira Bedrush-McDonald

One day in Góis, Portugal, during summer of 2017, Richard Luke woke up without a voice. That did not stop him from writing a new full-length album with Amira Bedrush-McDonald, a violinist collaborator from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Called Voz, the new album is a neo-Classical anthology. At the time that Luke was temporarily stricken mute, Portugal was ravaged with wildfires. Unfortunately, I become more … Continue reading Richard Luke Speaks Without a Voice on Voz, Featuring Amira Bedrush-McDonald

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Album Reviews

Radio Skies Discover Their Contradictions Through Double Life

Contemporary psych rock has the ability to reach other-worldly canopies. Rock music has been warped for generations, and decades ago, the aforementioned subgenre appeared with a vengeance. Since then, every musical experiment on the genre has been conducted, and with constant technological improvements, the experiments continue. The Ojai-based group Radio Skies has done some exploration of their own culminating in their new album Double Life; … Continue reading Radio Skies Discover Their Contradictions Through Double Life

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Album Reviews

Embrace Community and Growth with Empress Of’s Sophomore LP, Us

Photo by Fabian Guerrero My favorite line from Us, the sophomore full-length record from Empress Of, appears in “Love for Me,” as an explanation for living life to the fullest: “The whole world spins on a thin string / Touché let’s get up off our seat.” Of course, you will be hard pressed to find a spare moment to sit as you listen to the … Continue reading Embrace Community and Growth with Empress Of’s Sophomore LP, Us

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Album Reviews, Show Reviews

Loma Gripped Audiences at the Bootleg, Supported by Jess Williamson

sngshows: Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words by me, photos by Laura Pasek.  Loma came out with another five-piece touring band for their set, this time led by Emily Cross of Cross Record. (Her partner in that project, Dan Duszynski, is also in Loma.) She had on an all-white ensemble, intending to catch the light of the tubes laying across the floor of the stage. … Continue reading Loma Gripped Audiences at the Bootleg, Supported by Jess Williamson

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Album Reviews

Che’s Shuco EP is a quilted electronica tapestry

sngalbums: As far as labels go, Astro Nautico destroys the game every year. Their output is wonderfully eclectic and a release always tends to stick with me come December, like L’Rain or Photay in years past. Che’s Shuco EP took the cake this year, having nestled into my ears and created a home among my memories. The short release starts with a hesitant and thoroughly … Continue reading Che’s Shuco EP is a quilted electronica tapestry

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Album Reviews

Rosalía Tangles Innovation and Tradition on El Mal Querer

There are few albums as surprising as El Mal Querer. The shock of it hopefully wears off for future generations, though; flamenco deserves a spot in the mainstream and, according to the success of this title, it has staying power. Rosalía is from Barcelona, and has studied flamenco for some time. Her first record was filled with various interpretations on the genre: traditional movements with … Continue reading Rosalía Tangles Innovation and Tradition on El Mal Querer

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Album Reviews

Che’s Shuco EP is a quilted electronica tapestry

As far as labels go, Astro Nautico destroys the game every year. Their output is wonderfully eclectic and a release always tends to stick with me come December, like L’Rain or Photay in years past. Che’s Shuco EP took the cake this year, having nestled into my ears and created a home among my memories. The short release starts with a hesitant and thoroughly mechanical … Continue reading Che’s Shuco EP is a quilted electronica tapestry

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Album Reviews

Egg Drop Soup Have Feminism in Their DNA

Originally appeared on Grimy Goods.  Punk music is better live and that’s a fact. In that spirit, Grimy Goods favorites, Egg Drop Soup are about to drop a four-track EP recorded live at Golden Beat Recording Studio. It is rough around the edges, complete with questionable vocals and feedback—both from the monitors and the audience. Read more.  Egg Drop Soup | buy Live at Golden … Continue reading Egg Drop Soup Have Feminism in Their DNA

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Album Reviews, Zines

Adeline Hotel embraces contradiction and nostalgia on Away Together

Photo Credit: Chris Bernabeo Originally appeared on the 405; view archived article here.  As Dan Knishkowy, aka Adeline Hotel, explains in his new record, life is filled with contradictions. Called Away Together, it is his third solo LP, though he has lent a hand on a few other recent releases such as Ian Wayne’s A Place Where Nothing Matters and Lung Cycles’ self-titled album. Knishkowy’s … Continue reading Adeline Hotel embraces contradiction and nostalgia on Away Together

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