A Holy Saturday Evening with Joanna Newsom

sngshows: Two Saturdays ago I had what felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Joanna Newsom live in concert. I bought a ticket somewhat late but because I only needed one, I was assigned the first available seat—I was not prepared for exactly how perfect a seat it was.  The night of the show, I was conflicted. It was a friend’s birthday, and I wanted … Continue reading A Holy Saturday Evening with Joanna Newsom

Finding Solace in Ngaiire’s New Album, Blastoma

sngalbums: Originally appeared on Grimy Goods.  On Blastoma, Ngaiire and her collaborators Paul Mac, Jack Grace, and Megan Washington create a rich texture of sounds and sentiments. Deep synths draw you into the opening track; provide an imonious pulse in “Cruel”; and, along with a number of other gorgeous tones, even create a sense of wonder in “House on a Rock.” Mac and Grace are … Continue reading Finding Solace in Ngaiire’s New Album, Blastoma

Hopelessness in the Face of Injustice

sngalbums: If you hated Jenny Hval’s feminist commentary noted earlier on this best of the year list, you may not enjoy ANOHNI’s contribution either. Then again, if you hated Blood Bitch because the ideas were too amorphous, then Hopelessness may be exactly the album for you. To mention one without the other would be a dismissal of intersectionality in today’s music industry, but this is … Continue reading Hopelessness in the Face of Injustice

Hopelessness in the Face of Injustice

If you hated Jenny Hval’s feminist commentary noted earlier on this best of the year list, you may not enjoy ANOHNI’s contribution either. Then again, if you hated Blood Bitch because the ideas were too amorphous, then Hopelessness may be exactly the album for you. To mention one without the other would be a dismissal of intersectionality in today’s music industry, but this is not … Continue reading Hopelessness in the Face of Injustice

New Brooklyn Producer Von Sell Makes a Mark with Debut EP

sngalbums: Originally appeared on Grimy Goods.  You may have heard of the up-and-coming Brooklyn artist Von Sell through his dominance on Hype Machine, or some other outlet of the blogosphere. His sound is based on a subgenre of electronica that has gained immense popularity recently, marked by synths and drum machines that work in an optimistic symbiosis. Some of the most recognizable mainstream pop stars … Continue reading New Brooklyn Producer Von Sell Makes a Mark with Debut EP

Jenny Hval, Feminist Vampire

sngalbums: I wouldn’t mind writing about Jenny Hval every year. The Norwegian artist has been around the block, but remains relatively quiet in a provocative niche, where industrial electronics meet political performance art. Her 2015 LP, Apocolypse, girl, was a great introduction to her work, and did make my top albums list of that year. Now she’s back on SnG due to the mastery of … Continue reading Jenny Hval, Feminist Vampire

Jenny Hval, Feminist Vampire

I wouldn’t mind writing about Jenny Hval every year. The Norwegian artist has been around the block, but remains relatively quiet in a provocative niche, where industrial electronics meet political performance art. Her 2015 LP, Apocolypse, girl, was a great introduction to her work, and did make my top albums list of that year. Now she’s back on SnG due to the mastery of form … Continue reading Jenny Hval, Feminist Vampire