SHON is a Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist who released an EP called Made As It Drifted, earlier in 2018. ‘A Crack In It’ is one of those textured and layered tracks that recalls the inventiveness of Radiohead and the willingness to place real instruments in digital environments. SHON uses an art-rock and post-rock palette of sound and it works wonderfully on both sonic and songwriting levels. Continue reading NEW MUSIC: SHON – A Crack In It
It’s been six years since Nic McKenzie and Nick Weaver released their debut album Outlands. On the back of a run of singles they’d built a strong sense of anticipation about that first record and it certainly lived up to expectations. Fast forward to 2018 and how does a band evolve and change over that time? The DSA model is to essentially stick to the … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Deep Sea Arcade – Blacklight
They were young when they formed, young when they recorded their first album and they’re still only just sloping out of their teens as they release their sophomore album. At its strongest, We’re Not Talking still reaches the same impossibly catchy jangle-pop heights that they impressed with on their debut, but across its 30 minutes some minor risk-taking doesn’t quite pay off. Their trademark innocence … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: The Goon Sax – We’re Not Talking
Known predominantly as the singer, songwriter and guitarist for the band Big Thief, Adrianne Lenker is one of those artists who writes constantly, documenting daily life and existential thoughts as she travels the world with her band. abysskiss is her second solo album and it finds her expanding the raw folk of her debut into a freer and more subtly textured set of songs. Acoustic … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Adrianne Lenker – abysskiss
Suede are this deep into their career and have flirted equally with the charts and the arthouse that they have earned the right to be the masters of their own destiny. Hence they’ve realised that the best Suede albums have a mix of grandiose, sweeping music and dissertations on the minutiae and unease of modern life. The Blue Hour is the third album in a … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Suede – The Blue Hour
It’s hard to believe but Mudhoney are now in their 30th year of active service and on Digital Garbage, their 10th album, they show they’re still the kings of fuzzed-out punk and garage rock. Their disdain for everything fucked up about the world is still vital and biting and they don’t hold back one iota. No topic is out of bounds as they rail against … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Mudhoney – Digital Garbage
Here’s a nice track from the duo Midwife (Madeline Johnston (of Sister Grotto) and guitarist Tucker Theodore.) It’s a lovely unfurling drone-pop track that has shades of Cocteau Twins and the ambient, dreamier moments of Mogwai. The song creeps along at a funereal pace, shrouded in gauzy haze of distortion before the fog clears to reveal fragments of effected and intertwined guitars, like fading sonic … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Midwife – Angel
Here’s a taste of the new album from Coyle Girelli, released today and available to check out on streaming services. The title-track ‘Love Kills’ has that great shadowy noir feel. A cinematic atmospheric late-night vibe that draws on Roy Orbison grandeur, Manic Street Preachers melodrama and a modern Americana take on Elvis serenading David Lynch. It’s a great lead-in to what sounds like an equally … Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Coyle Girelli – Love Kills
Press play and the first thing you’ll hear on the new Low album is the equivalent of a digital sandstorm. Slowly but surely, out of the static and sonic scree comes the voice of Alan Sparhawk, sounding like a ghost trying with all his might to re-engage with the physical world. It’s a fascinating way to open an album; a new approach for Low and … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Low – Double Negative
Sydney band Straight Arrows return with a new slice of ramalama garage rock ‘n’ roll called ’21st Century’. Killer breakbeat, rolling bass and guitar chops! It comes from their forthcoming new LP On Top, due out October 21st. Look out for a 7″ 45rpm single release coming soon. Hit the Bandcamp link to hear the single (plus ‘Out & Down’) and preorder the album. Continue reading NEW MUSIC: Straight Arrows – 21st Century
They say that it is harder to play music slowly than it is to play it fast. Things fall apart and momentum is lost. In the case of Sydney trio Roadhouses, sedated rock music is their calling card. They deal in drifting, alt-country-imbued, slowcore torch songs where heartache is just a tear away. If you got Lucinda Williams to front Spain, at the Twin Peaks … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Roadhouses – Roadhouses
They were one of the heavyweights of the 90s metal/grunge scene, successfully blending melodic, down-tuned riffs and harmonies with crunching distortion and classic rock elements. Of course theirs is a tale of tragedy with the drug issues and subsequent death of singer Layne Staley curtailing them for a decade, but it is also one of resurrection, determination and integrity. Recruiting vocalist William DuVall 12 years … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Alice In Chains – Rainier Fog
Doubtful Sounds 