Our beloved friends Layma Azur have released a magnificent concept album that balances progressive rock and metal beautifully. This is the first of three, so I am looking forward to the other two parts coming out. To Santiago and Amandine, you never cease to amaze me!
Post-Rock
Bloemfontein – Improvisational Sessions Volume Three
Unfortunately, the Canadian band Bloemfontein is no longer active, as they appear to be on a permanent hiatus. Still, the band produced several albums of excellent post-rock music—not the metal variety, but rather the atmospheric instrumental style that I personally prefer much more.
American Football – American Football (25th Anniversary Edition)
From the band’s Bandcamp site: “American Football cut its first—and, for a long time, only—LP in four days, as the spring of 1999 slid into summer. Steve Holmes, Steve Lamos, and Mike Kinsella were college kids who knew that as soon as their album of spacious and tenderly sad songs Continue Reading
Fallen – Secret Prayers to the Wise Dormant Moon
I want to express my gratitude to Lorenzo Bracaloni (Fallen) for informing me about this release. It is a remarkable piece of sonic art—subtly experimental, somewhat ambient, and absolutely captivating to listen to. This is true headphone music, and since it was released by the esteemed Italian record label ROHS!, Continue Reading
Departure Street – Phantom Sightings
Thanks to Allan Kimmel for sending me this incredibly mellow record. Departure Street offers a sound that blends elements of shoegaze with a lo-fi take on post-rock and even shows hints of the legendary German Krautrock band Popol Vuh. It makes for a perfect morning album.
Yelka – In A Rose Hat
From the band’s Bandcamp site: “A strikingly different take on contemporary America—YELKA’s In A Rose Hat offers an artistic perspective far removed from stadium rock or trap trends. It’s an intimate, almost cinematic interpretation that upends expectations. “Crawl into your hibernation, don’t wait for a new sensation…” the opening, ´Colors Continue Reading
Breichiau Hir – Y Dwylo Uwchben
Though I’m a little disappointed that the band only offer one track to hear on their Bandcamp site, it’s not everyday you get to hear Welsh post-rock sung in actual Welsh. Breichiau Hir mix a basic rock sound with emo, post-rock and post-metal touches to it. Solid.
Loren Connors & David Grubbs – Evening Air
What an absolutely sublime record performed by two legends, released on one of the best labels in operation today. From Room40’s Bandcamp site: “Evening Air is the result Loren Connors and David Grubbs’s first trip to the recording studio in the two decades since their first duo album, Arborvitae (Häpna). Continue Reading
Grimény – Die Große Enttäuschung
Grimény are a progressive/post-rock power trio from Germany who play a tight, heavy, not-so-metally form of post-rock. Dense, deep, mellow, and rather good listening.
Matryoshka – Laideronnette
Matryoshka are a band from Japan who play a nearly heartbreaking version of post-rock topped with gentle, almost drowned-out vocals. This adds to the character of the record. It’s one of the saddest albums I’ve heard in a while, but achingly so.