Kelly Lee Owens - LP.8

Exciting news from Kelly Lee Owens, she'll be back with new album entitled "LP.8" by the end of April this year. Composed during her stay in Norway while in the studio with avant-noise artist Lasse Marhaugis, the record is inspired by both Throbbing Gristle and Enya. There are currently two singles available on Kelly's bandcamp, with "Olga", reminiscent of Julianna Barwick's work, being my fav. "Sonic 8" for some maybe-not-so-odd reason makes me think of the "Don't Look Up" movie, the sense of anxiety is all over this track.

You can pre-order the album here - it's out April 29th via Smalltown Supersound, and stream the available track below.

Pictureplane - Burning Chrome ft. Yawns // video

Flood Magazine premiered latest video single from Pictureplane, featuring Yawns of GothBoiClique on bass. The track was originally composed for Yung Lean who declined it, so Travis decided to revisit it, record new synths and put it out. Totally digging that post-punk vibe. "Burning Chrome" is a standalone single, promoting Pictureplane's upcoming art exhibition in Chicago.

IC3PEAK - Dead But Pretty // video

Whoa, this one came out over a week ago but I only now had a chance to watch and listen to it. Amazing video and curious new sonic path for the band, love it! IC3PEAK will be touring this Spring all over Europe, make sure to check out the dates here and try to catch them if you can.

In The Sun - Metaphor

In The Sun is a Tokyo-based duo of Naoki Takano aka TIDEPOOL and Kenta Suzuki aka TEST, here joined by Kim Pueru on saxophone. Released by Discipline Production, label responsible for the Dead Bitch EP, "Metaphor" is their first physical album that unravels itself at the intersection of deconstructed club, dark jazz and gorge (japanese niche genre inspired by rock climbing). It has the polished, cinematic charm of modern sci-fi compositions and at the same time is firmly grounded by its DIY underground roots. Fans of Cemetery, Alex Zhang Hungtai and CRAVE should dig this one.

Ghozt X Etller - No Comment

"No Comment" is the latest single from Ghozt, a NY-based DJ and producer who I've been following since the beginning of this year, composed in collab with Etller out of Texas. It's a trip down the memory lane, reminiscent of the Beastonleash and DIS magazine mixtapes, blending everything from deconstructed club, vogue, hiphop and bass music. Fans of Craxxmurf, Yungbukkake or Drippin will love this, and dif you need more, check out this rad mix G & E did for VOOG Radio.

Wiicca - X_Cherry_X

Wiicca has just announced a new EP that will see the light of day in May, and is promoted with the track above. After the last year's "wartime" concept album, and based on the single, we can expect dark waves, harsh sounds and distorted vocals - a signature sound of his.

Edith Underground - Vanity (Demo)

Over the last week Edith dropped four new tracks on her Soundcloud (including the Voodoo Crystals collab I mentioned a couple of days ago), with the latest witch-rave mutated techno extravaganza "Vanity (Demo)" being my fav. Accorrding to the caption there MAY be a vocal version incoming at some point in the future, so that could give the track an interesting spin. Make sure to also peep her Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker" nighcore flip and "Propane (Demo 2)", a buzzy electro-witch tune.

CRAVE - Paradise Hotel

Surprise new album from CRAVE on Paso Inferior Tapes. Six tracks of otherworldly drones, static hiss and harsh trap underpinned by desolate bass structures and visceral synths. Narrated by heavily processed vocals, John managed to create here an unauthorised soundtrack to the grittiest and most dangerous alleyways of the dystopian Los Angeles from Blade Runner. Think of The Body's "I Shall Die Here" collab with Haxan Cloak but filtered through Vangelis retro-futurist atmospheres. Sci-fi snuff album for all the sewage mutants, techno punks and replicant outcasts. Incredible.

Buy "Paradise Hotel" here, and stream in full below.

Zola Jesus - Lost // video

First single from Zola Jesus' upcoming album "Arkhon", out on May 20 on Sacred Bones Records. Great video and even better song, the production made me think a bit of Nicolas Jarr and Darkside, wonderful arrangement and execution. Really hyped for this LP.

Edith Underground x Voodoo Crystals - Double Scorp

Two of my favs on one track, yes! I've been hearing about this collab for a while now, so happy to see it finally materialize. It's quite amazing to be able to identify both VC and EU influences in "Double Scorp", the throbbing beat, processed vocals, all those little intricacies that define each of them are here mashed up and they work. Rave witchousers rejoice!

Opacity Bleak - Silicon

Opacity Bleak is an alias of Tim Cooke, who is a electronic producer based in Michigan. His latest EP "Silicon", which came out on March 3rd, is an eclectic collection of five atmospheric tracks that are both daring and unpredictable at times. Opening with a cinematic "Doubl'n Out Pt. 2" OB takes us through a portal filled with sci-fi tones and sombre drones, it's a glorious intro that also remains one of my favourite tracks from the EP. "PC60" skews towards deconstructed club sound and adds on this brooding dark electronic sounds Lorn has been championing for years now. Both "A New Low Pt. 2" and "Fashion Trends", although quite different at first glance, seem to stem from the synth-based witch-house sound of 2012/13 (think Psychic Rites for example) - their arrangements, melodies and use of vocals are great, and I catch myself pressing replay with those two the most. The closing "Sea Floor" sounds like a field recording taken at some himalayan temple, transporing me back to 2010, when I was super into High Wolf's psych-drone. To sum up, if you're into music that spans various genres and can be challenging, give this one a spin.

You can download "Silicon" for free from OB's bandcamp here, and stream it in full below.

Emancipator & Murge - Sea To Sky

I've been a fan of Emancipator's music since 2008, when japanese cult label Hydeout Productions reissued his debut album "Soon It Will Be Cold Enough". Blending leftfield electronica, jazzy hip-hop and downtempo trip-hop, his music has always been something else. He fell off my radar some time ago, but what perishes is not always lost - finding his bandcamp brought me back to re-discover his latest projects. The single "Sea To Sky", co-produced with DJ Murge, emanates everytyhing I love about Emancipator's music, it's a mellow jam with deep house foundation you just want to vibe to while chilling in the sun. Magic.

New Mexican Stargazers - Alternate Soundtrack To: B​-​Jeweled

NMS is back with another concept release, this time a sonic tribute to 00s online time-killer Bejeweled. Twelve tracks of lo-fi ambient and new age zen music to help you sit back, relax and float away. There will be a limited run of cassette tapes soon, so watch out NMS' bandcamp if you want to snag one too.

Cop the album here, and check out the tracklist below.

Ritualz - Dose

"Dose" is the third single promoting the upcoming album "Radical Macabro" from Ritualz. This one should definitely hit the spot with all the fans of his early EPs, its dark trance infused synths mixed with noisy industrial beats give the composition an old school witch-house vibe, while the grainy video takes me back to the early 00s. The track is part of the larger maxi-single under the same name, which will also feature extra edits from the man himself, a cover of Queenadreena's "Razorblade Sky", plus additional remixes from SØLVE and Strega Beata (fka Lana del Rabies). The whole package will be available here from March 29th.

More Eaze - Oneiric

More Eaze is the alias of Austin-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Mari Maurice. "Oneiric" is her latest album that's scheduled to come out on April 1st via Italian label OOH-sounds. Promoted by the single "We Don't Talk About It", a delicate and defragmented ambient-pop composition that sounds like an ethereal mash-up of OPN and Malibu, the album features Claire Rousay and Lucy Liyou, and will be available in cassette format. There's also a limited to 30 copies three-track 10" lathe-cut that should fly in no-time.

You can pre-order both versions here.

aNTOJE - Null Data

Filled with abstract, chopped-up and obscure beats, "Null Data" is a new album from Montreal producer aNTOJE, who conjures ghosts of Wigflip alumni, Beat Dimensions compilations and the early days of Leaving Records. It's actually Leaving who picked up this album and released it on cassette tape a few days ago. The influences are all over the place here, from Fly Lo's LA-era style of deconstructed beats on "Dripper" through wonky electro a'la Fulgeance on "Mono House", to "Shkoopet" that sounds like Hudson Mohawke in his prime. This album is a trip down the memory lane for anyone who was closely following the birth and mutations of the beats scene in the noughties.

You can order "Null Data" here, including a limited edtion hand-marbled cassette with 3 risograph prints.

Persona La Ave x Baraka

Three post-vaporwave jams from frequent collaborators Persona La Ave (Dylan Dawkins) and Baraka (Geoffrey Dean). Super mellow future-funk for late night cruisers and intergalactic bars aficionados. Best thing? They are all free to download, but donations are more than welcome.

Hajj - Drag Me Into The Void

Mancunian label Youth just dropped a CD single (yup) from French producer and DAWN label honcho Florent Hadjinazarian aka Hajj. Three tracks of lush downtempo electronica that draw inspiration from ambient and more intimate productions of Burial and Splash Tapes' leftfield graduates Malibu and Oklou. According to Hajj this is just a preview of stuff to come, so keep your eyes peeled on the label's bandcamp.

Stream the whole thing below, and order the CD here.

Andy Stott - The Slow Ribbon

Andy Stott just announced a limited run of tapes filled with new material via Modern Love, with all proceeds being split between Medical Aid Ukraine and the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The samples available on Boomkat are rather juicy, so this one is definitely worth grabbing, especially that it's only available until 23:59 on March 17th 2022 (UK time). Head over here to cop one.

The Utopia Strong - Shepherdess

The Utopia Strong is a band founded in 2017 by three musicians and DJs from the UK (Steve Davis, Kavus Torabi and Mike York). "Shepherdess" is the first single from their sophomore album "International Treasure", which is due on June 5th via Rocket Recordins. The cut sits somewhere between psychedelic downtempo and exotica of Seahawks and ambient lushness and choral chants of Julianna Bardwick. I'm looking forward to the full LP. You can pre-order it here.

Patriarchy - Suffer

Patriarchy is a post-industrial project lead by the singer and visual artist Actually Huizenga and musician Andrew Means of 3Teeth. "Suffer" is the latest single released by the band, an industrial-flavoured dark pop song about love (as the title suggests, huh?). Written and composed by Huizenga, is was also produced by Matia Simovich, who most recently produced Riki's debut album and a few tracks on Boy Harsher's "The Runner". Stream it above and purchase it here.

Horse MacGyver / GR†LLGR†LL - Split

Now this is a throwback. Back in 2011 Tim Dwyer aka Horse MacGyver (fka ///▲▲▲\\\) pressed a short run on 7" records on his label Bad Sound. The single featured two of his tracks and two by the witchhouse pioneer GR†LLGR†LL. Long story short, the records sold out quite quick and they were never digitalised, well in any official form at least. Fast forward to March 2022, and Tim not only found a long-lost stash (less than 20 copies) of those records but he also decided to finally make the digital version of this single available to the public. Fans of early Hype Williams, Yong Yong, new weird australia and early hypnagogic witchhouse obscurities should dig this 100%.

You can buy the remaining copies of this 7inch here (or get the digital), and stream it below.

Churchterror - Siren

Most likely last Churchterror track for a while, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine he had to leave his gear behind to seek shelter. There's a chilling sense of calmness in "Siren", despite its grainy texture darker undertones. Fingers crossed Churchterror will stay safe.

Night Sins - Violet Age // video

Night Sins is a darkwave/post-punk project founded by Kyle Kimball out of Philadelphia. I found his latest single "Violet Age" on Cvlt Nation today, and it's totally up my alley. The dancefloor-friendly blend of goth influences and 80s synthpop promotes the upcoming album on Born Losers Records. You can pre-order the new LP here, including a limited edition on white/pink vinyl.

Christy - Threat EP

I've been following Chris Peixoto's journey as a producer for over a decade now. From his witchy beginnings under the alias Audrey Hørne and Special Darkness, to founding the White // Horses label in 2019, amping up his BPMs and evolving his sound into something more rave friendly. "Threat" is his latest EP that got published two days ago on W//H bandcamp. Jungle and breakbeat influences go hand in hand over the course of three tracks here, with some techno undertones. Fast and furious beats for your undergroud parties' needs.

You can cop this EP here, and stream it below.

Pharmacist - Pathogen / Cerussite

This one came out yesterday, 2-track single from Pharmacist. Pulsating slow-mo rave and mutated witchhouse blend on "Pathogen" is contrasted with a (way too short) cinematic drone/synth voyage on "Cerussite" (which I premiered a week ago). Also make sure to check out his previous release. I definitely want more after this.

Buy it here, stream after the jump.

Edith Underground - Ash Wednesday

Edith's back with a new EP and a VHS tape for all your collector's needs. "Ash Wednesday" is a four-track passion project, as she says made it in between my last bender and my decision to recently get sober. Most of those tracks sound like they could've been lifted from Edith's "Heaven's Night" album or "Mother, Reborn" EP, so if you were into those past projects this is a must. "U Break Me" is a total jam and a personal favourite here. Moreover she also announced a limited run of VHS tapes entitled "Dreams Of Eternal Life", that will feature "Dreams of Eternal Life" short, the "Mother, Reborn" visualizer and additional content. Each tape will be unique and hand-made. Don't sleep.

You can grab "Ash Wednesday" here, and stream it below. VHS tapes can be ordered here.

Arthur King - UMN (Nosferatu)

Arthur King is a Los Angeles-based experimental collective of visual artists and musicians headed by multidisciplinary artist Peter Walker. After a string of records released over the last few years by Dangerbird, Lost Map Records and AKP Recordings, they're premiering their latest single "UMN (Nosferatu)" today. Recorded at a live event in February of 2021 as part of an ongoing series, Unknown Movie Night (you can watch the video of it here), the track features Walker (guitar, keyboard, electronics), David Ralicke (horns, electronics), and Joel Virgel (vocals). With the dubby bassline existing at the centre of this jazzy exotica composition, "UMN" radiates a unique feeling of a mindfulness and calm, thanks to the soothing vocals of Virgel backed with a palette of submerged field recordings. The hypnotising flute and guitar in the second half of the recording add to the whole experience a lush and cosy vibe that will make you float away. Magical.

"UMN (Nosferatu)" is out now on AKP Recordings, you can buy it here.

Forever Gray - Cold Hand

Forever Gray (duo of Kevin Czarnik and Samantha Kubiak) return with a new darkwave track "Cold Hand". It's been two years since their last album, so it's good to see them working on new stuff. Head over here to hear/buy it.

Chris Laufman - Bent Like A Spoon

Surprise come back from Chris Laufman (fka Wise Blood), in my humble opinion one of the most underrated musicians of the early 2010's. After releasing his latest album "Greatest Hits" via Future Gods back in 2019 he disappeared from my radar only to show up today with this new single. "Bent Like A Spoon" will be one of the few new tracks Chris is planning to put out this year. Enjoy.

Photo © Pat Roukous

Black Light District - Black Light District II

Black Light District is a (fairly) new alias of Stan Przhegodsky, fka zxz. Shifting his sound from electro-industrial and synthwave-focused electronic music to more goth-rock and darkwave oriented, "Black Light District II" is a mammoth of an album, consisting of 25 tracks that feel like they're spanning decades' worth of styles and genres. And despite its one and a half hour length, the album feels both cohesive and engaging. One for the night riders and goth ravers.

You can buy BLD II here, and stream it in full below.

The Present Moment - News For You

The Present Moment are back with a new, politically charged single ahead of their upcoming album "Enough To Drive You Mad" on Young & Cold Records. All proceeds from the sale of it on Bandcamp will go to a charity to help Ukrainian refugees. Stream it above and buy the track here.

127 - Falling Apart

127 hails from Ukraine and makes incredible moody music for all the nightly creatures. From what I understand "Falling Apart" is his debut EP, three tracks filled with gliding tones, atmospheric drone and brooding ambient. To a certain degree it reminds me of Rough Year's album, but since 127's tracks are beatless the vibe on "Falling Apart" is definitely gloomier and more depressive, especially in the wake of current events. As an interesting fact it's worth adding that 127 also has a track with CRIM3S' Saddie Pinn, entitled "Concrete Heart", check it out here.

You can buy the EP here, and stream it below.