C. Moore Laufman - Strain At A Gnat EP

Wonderful 5-track EP from Chris Laufman (aka C. Moore Laufman these days). It feels like a natural continuation of his amazing sonic journey started on the Greatest Hits album, so if you were into that LP then this EP has all the catchy melodies and honest lyricism its predecessor had, and then some. "Rodeo" makes me think of SSION, but with an indie pop/folkish spin, so good! Seriously cannot get over this release, recommended!

"Strain At A Gnat EP" is available on bandcamp for free, but Chris asks to donate the money to charities instread. Get it here, and stream below.

V.A. - Side By Side

Noir Age label commemorates its 50th release with "Side By Side" - a compilation of rare and unreleased tracks by Noir Age artists' side projects. Divided into four sides spread across two cassette tapes, the release is basically a trippy journey into the past, present and future of the label, spanning multiple genres and styles. Experimental electronic music at its finest.

There are last copies still available for sale here, after that it's all sold out. Stream below.

Obi Blanche - KRY4M3​/​WATWC

Folks at D'Oro UNLMTD are not wasting their time. After that rad Jesuon single a few weeks back, they dropped a new two track pacakge from Obi Blanche. And it's a quirky one, definitely when it comes to the vocal delivery. Off-beat speaking/rapping may be hard to sell to some, but the music makes up for it, a weird mix of new wave, psych-punk and other oddities. This may be the weakest single from the whole series, but I can still vibe to it. Purchase here.

Teebs - Did It Again

Well here's two names I haven't seen in a while. Teebs returns to Brainfeeder with this two track digital single, featuring Panda Bear on the titular song. Blast from the past, sounds like something teleported from 2010. To be honest the other track, "NES", is more up my alley, mellow nature-sampling lo-tempo beat to chill out. Check them both here.

E_Death - Cloud Spires

E_Death's new mixtape "Cloud Spires" has landed. Following the name change from Edith Underground, Salem's debut release under the new alias serves as a bridge between her earlier works and the new, possibly more personal direction. The tape feels both nostalgic and cathartic, and appears to be divided (subconsciously or not) into two parts. The first half seems to be channelling the ghosts of the iconic tumblr-era duo Friendzone and their mellow hip-hop instrumentals. Sitting at the intersection of cloud trap and leftfield electronica this is Salem at her most vulnerable - celestial beats that will melt your heart. The arrival of "With U", which flips classic Cassie single, signals the shift into more club-friendly territories. D'n'B, breakbeat, house, bassline, wave are efficiently mixed together, contributing to a flawless late-night soundtrack. Check it out.

Download the mixtape here, stream below.

Facets - Rush

New beat anthem from New York-based producer Facets, lifted from his upcoming EP "Impulse". It will come out this October on Dischi Autunno, you can already pre-order it here. In the meantime, enjoy the track.

Rendez Vous - Shoot Me (Demo Version)

This is a 2020 covid-era single, but I discovered it only today thanks to Male Tears. Fantastic post-punk jam with a subtle 90s flavour, courtesy of the French band Rendez Vous. Dig it, will have to dive into their discography now. You can download it for free here.

Meet Me After Sundown - Dried Out Lake

Meet Me After Sundown is an alias of Budapest-based electronic producer previously known as Dorothy Waste. Her latest single "Dried Out Lake" finds her at the crossroads of industrial, grunge and some wierd, mutated electronica, channelling vocal energy similar to oOoOO & Islamiq Grrrls on their collab LP "Faminine Mystique", but with more intensity and power. The track feels raw, bare and honest as hell, and the melody drills itself into your brain after a while. Love it. You can purchase it here.

Still ∞ Alive - From Womb To Tomb

Still ∞ Alive is a Los Angeles-based electronic producer and composer Alex Yukich. His latest album "From Womb To Tomb" is a captivating 28 minute trip through the realms of witch-bass, sinister drone and post-phonk. From the very first drum hit in "Awakening", followed by the crushing wall of bass that carries the listener into "Vanishing", Still ∞ Alive sets the menacing tone for the record. The mood shifting and attention to detail gives "From Womb To Tomb" a certain cinematic feel that makes me want to believe I'm listening to a soundtrack composed for a sci-fi thriller movie about a serial killer. The weakest link of the record is half way through - "The Burden of a Beating Heart" seems a bit off with its wavey, almost hopeful vibe, especially when it is squeezed between brooding bass of "Petrified" and the melancholic piano of "History of Impulse". Nevertheless, the album as a whole is an amazing experience that will for sure satisfy fans of Lorn, Ben Frost, CRAVE or Makeup.

You can purchase the album here, and stream it below.

CRAVE - Gutq

Blackened jungle cut from CRAVE, with a ounce of cinematic synth cruising in the background behind the noise and drums. Stream above and follow him on SC here.

NeuGrau - Traveling Somewhere

NeuGrau is an electronic rock outfit founded by Ingmar Pauli and Saša Rajković. While I wasn't a big fan of their debut EP "Beneath The Skin", the new single promoting their upcoming album is totally up my alley. Both "Across The Styx" and "Traveling Somewhere" are melodic, goth-inspired darkwave anythems that sound like they were teleported from the 80s. The full lenght is scheduled for 2023, so in the meantime, enjoy this gem. You can purchase the single here.

Brown Calvin - Dimension // Perspective

I absolutely adore AFTA-1's intergalactic songwriting, DJ Mitsu the Beats's soulfulness and unpredictability of Flying Lotus, so when a guy like Brown Calvin comes along, creatively and effortlessly blending those influences into a beatmaking coctail made of spaced out keys, wild drum patterns and jazzy swag, you have to pay attention. Back in 2008 Japanese cult label Circulation dropped a genre-defining compilation called "New Worlds", followed up by a series of 5 incredible 7" singles from the likes of Ras G, Mono/Poly and Super Smoky Soul - both perfectly summed up everything that was happening on the international beats stage at the time, and helped to define an era. After spending numerous nights listening to "Dimension // Perspective" LP, I can totally imagine Brown Calvin would have a safe spot on this compilation, his arrangements and finesse presented here are marvelous. Dusty grooves, abstract beats, smoky atmospheres, and the Rhodes... If you like Brainfeeder, Jazzy Sport, All City or Leaving Records - it's a must. Future classic.

The album can be purchased from bandcamp here. Stream below.

Mt. Borracho - Dual Diagnostics

Mt. Borracho is a dark ambient and techno project of Zach Smith, based in San Antonio, TX. His album "Dual Diagnostics" came out on tape last year on Structures Without Purpose label, but only recently came on my radar. Oscillating between psych drone, noir ambient and ritualistic witchhouse on side A, and minimal techno backed with trippy loops and hiss on side B, the album can be described with one word that encapsulates it perfectly - ominous. Fourty two minutes of tense music and sound design that feel like a soundtrack to the spectral and surreal moments captured by David Lynch in his most movies. Definitely an LP that needs to be digested as a whole, so reserve an hour of your evening, put the headphones on and enjoy.

"Dual Diagnostics" can be purchased on cassette here, and streamed below.

How I Quit Crack - Photonic

Good folks at Pecan Crazy have just released a DVD with new audio/visual material from How I Quit Crack. Get ready for some ghostly ambient and psychedelic drumwork, enhanced with the signature trance-inducing effects. It can be ordered here, and streamed below.

Arthur King - Changing Landscapes (Mina Las Pintadas)

"Mina Las Pintadas" is the fourth LP in the Changing Landscapes series of sonic explorations and collaborations by the Arthur King collective. Led by Peter Walker, the group's source of inspiration for this album was a copper mine in Chile, where they gathered sounds and moods that shaped this record. And what a fantastic record it is, six pieces that fluidly shapeshift between meditative ambience, cosmic tones, jazzy chaos and psych playfulness - all perfectly stitched together with a cinematic attention to detail, yet still feeling organic and pure. "Cobre", like a snakecharmer got me hooked in particular with its pulsing tempo, hypnotising saxophone work and that stealthy drone flowing in the background. Amazing.

The album is out now on vinyl which you can order here. Stream it below.

Black Zone Myth Chant - Decisions

Natural Sciences are back with the second volume of their Embro magazine, that includes a new album from the French underground icon Black Zone Myth Chant. The 10-track CD drips with eclectic and raw industrial influences that have an almost parasitic relationship with noise-rap beats, resulting in an outcome that feels both fractured and complete. BZMC seems well aware of the current trends in the electronic underground, twisting them as he pleases to achive an uncompromising result. For fans of Crave/Lieu Noir and Qebrus a must. As the label says, music for the freaks, by freaks.

"Decisions" comes with a 50 page Embro magazine #2, and can be ordered here. Stream the album below.

Ultrademon - æ​ð​i (Aethi)

Fantastic new album from Ultrademon, who (I have to admit) I stopped following for a while after the seapunk days faded away. "æði" is a well executed mixture of deconstructed club soundscapes combined with black metal vocals and neomedieval influences. The result sounds more natural than it looks on paper, partially thanks to the post-vaporwave melodies freely flowing in the background of those compositions, making the album more approachable for a random, unexperienced Bandcamp visitor. "æði" is a really enjoyable surprise that will definitely keep returning to my speakers this year.

You can order the record here, and stream it after the jump.

6L▲$$ †▲BLΣ 6IRL$ - Blurred Mixxtape

Fantastic screwed mixtape from 6L▲$ †▲BLΣ 6IRL$. Dragging trance, rap, r&b and pop songs and adding a classic SALEM joint at the end, she mixed and edited all that into a 19 minute long trip that's worth experiencing. I just wish there was a download button there. Btw - make sure to check out her website, it's an homage to early 2000s, love it!

Boy Harsher - Burn It Down

Boy Harsher were asked to contribute a track for the latest installment of the Halloween movie franchise, and man, they did deliver! "Burn It Down" is actually an old demo they composed a long while ago, that got dug up for this occasion and refreshed giving it a uniquelly tense John Carpenter vibe. Sacred Bones are actually releasing this single on a limited edition maxi-single (bet that's a phrase you haven't heard in a while), which will come with instrumentals and a 'rework' version. You can preorder them here from the label or here as a ltd to 500 copies Nude Club Records exclusive.

Liar//Lier - How We Melt

Final (in terms of my coverage) tape in the beautifully designed by FDG triptych of albums, released alongside albums by Habib and Stan K) by Canadian label Interzone Editions. Liar//Lier is an experimental jazz / electronic quartet comprised of Habib Bardi, Francesco de Gallo, Stuart Mitchell and Rosalind Jay. "How We Melt" is a documentation of their live performance at Suoni Per Il Popolo festival in November 2020. Consisting of two, over 25 minute long pieces, it feels like a film noir soundtrack that emanates both spiritual and strangely alien vibes. Let it play in the background, and you'll lose yourself in it in no time.

"How We Melt" is out on cassette tape that can be purchased here. Stream it in full after the jump.

Shine of Ugly Jewel - 葬痕

Shine of Ugly Jewel, also known as Ψυχή and Photon Poetry, is an experimental musician and producer based in Kyoto, Japan. I came across his latest two-track single "葬痕", which clashes depressive black metal on side A with nu-phonk flavours on side B, by chance on Bandcamp and I'm digging the contrast between those two dark genres. It definitely whetted my appetite for more, so I'll be following his future endevours closely.

You can buy "葬痕" here, alongside his previous single "罪咎の繭", and stream it below.

E_Death - Guilty

"Guilty" is the first single from the upcoming mixtape "Cloud Spires" by E_DEATH. Starting off as a mellow lo-fi hiphop instrumental infused with chill post-trance vibe (bringing to mind Merely's work), half way through the track she deconstructs and morphs it into a more rave-friendly beat. The mixtape is scheduled for September 23, and can be pre-ordered on bandcamp.

Lieu Noir - On The Bed Confused

I'm still processing how amazing that last month's Sniper Bait LP is, but no rest for the wicked I guess, because John Katsav is back with a new album as Lieu Noir. Nefarious phonk, funeral trap, gloom witchhouse and sci-findustrial clash on "On The Bed Confused", forming a captivating release that's an ode to screwed music. Recorded between 2018 and 2022, the album effortlessly combines aforementioned underground styles, and further twists and distorts them achieving a laidback yet suspenseful lo-fi feel. "On Your Way Back Bring Some Ice" is such a sick track and one of my personal highlights here, like an evil soundtrack to Predator's hunting season. I fear that my top 10 of 2022 will be made of entirely of John's releases this year. Unstoppable force, don't sleep.

"On The Bed Confused" is out on Paso Inferior Tapes, and can be purchased here. Stream below.

Vermes x Medwegya x Gonemage

Wild and totally random find on Bandcamp, 3-way split from Vermes (Spain), Medwegya (Italy) and Gonemage (US), a hellish and super fun mix of raw black metal, punk and dungeon synth. There were some CDs pressed but sold out in a blink. One for crusty vampires and teenage demons.

You can download the split for free here, or here, or here. Stream after the jump.

Scythe - Weeping Blade / Dungeon Trance

Well this one is a nice surprise. Travis Egedy makes an unexpected return with his Scythe alias, this time in a form of a two track single for NY-based Mechanical label. While his debut album "Candlelit Descent Down The Initiation Well" was a wonderful dungeon synth project (that ended up on my best of 2021 list), "Weeping Blade / Dungeon Trance" is a change of mood and tempo from the beatless Magic the Gathering OST to atmospheric, chillout-like vibe. There's still an element of ethereal beauty and menacing ambience there, but overall the release feels like a new direction for this project. I dig it.

You can purchase the single here, and stream it below.

Transcend All Identities - Afterglow

Transcend All Identities has been low key putting out really good albums this year, with "Afterglow" being his third and largest project so far. Recorded over the Summer, the album consists of 22 compositions that glimmer on the starry ambient sky at night, pulsing with dreamy keys and choral-like vocals. Music for motionless floating over the sand dunes on Mars.

"Afterglow" can be purchased here, and checked below.

Nosaj Thing & HYUKOH - We Are (우리는)

Second single from the upcoming album from Nosaj Thing features Korean indie rockers HYUKOH. The result is fantastic, think Yaeji and Burial mixed with Spooky Black, all wrapped up in a smooth Brazillian melody. I find this track so much better than the previous single, and it actually makes me excited to wait for the whole LP. "Continua" is scheduled for October 28th, and will come out on LuckyMe. Pre-order here.

Hilde - Foursome EP

"Foursome" is a two-track EP from Hilde, that serves as a preview of his next album called "Pleuvoir / Interdit" (release date TBA). I really love the direction on "Melody of Stone", very dark, UK bass music like, sound like something that could end up on Mary-Anne Hobbs show. The creepy cover artwork was generated using DALL-E2. You can cop the EP here.

Goblin - Suspira (Prog Rock Version)

Coinciding with Suspiria's 45th anniversary this year, Goblin is putting out a new prog rock version of the cult soundtrack. Released by Italian label Rustblade, this edition will be available as a deluxe box set with a handful of gadgets, two separate and unique colour vinyl versions, and a CD. Something for everyone. There's a couple of previews on bandcamp, so head over here to check them out and pre-order.

Jesuon - Carne Di Metallo

Volume five in the "can't-go-wrong" D'Oro UNLMTD single series from Ombra International. "Carne Di Metallo" is a drum extravaganza produced and sung (or narrated?) by Naples-based artist Jesuon. Not too sure how to even describe it properly to sell it to you, just press play, the track slaps.

Opacity Bleak - NAD

Tim Cooke returns with a new Opacity Bleak album. "NAD" is a continuation of his excellent "Silicon" LP, thriving on the foundations laid by its predecessor and expanding even further the sonic palette presented there. The beats are broken, the club feels deconstructed, the ambience is often disrupted and the synths flow on the cinematic wave alongside deep bass. Opacity Bleak's compositions are nested somewhere between traditional electronic music and more conceptual sound design, and could easily serve as a soundtrack to an imaginary "Interstellar meets Alien" movie. See "Anything Goes" or "Till Luck Runs Out" for example, orbiting at the intersection of territories occupied by Lorn, Ben Frost and SURVIVE, sort of like a dark and evil bastard child of those three. I would LOVE to hear this album live on a good soundsystem. Recommended.

Purchase "NAD" here, and stream it below.

BLANCO - Internas Famosas

BLANCO is a collab project from JT Whitfield & Daniel Hipólito (Smokey Emery). "Internas Famosas" is their first album, released by newly minted CONAPT label. Out of the five tracks that form this 75-minute LP, I had a chance to check two - "Anesthetized And Antibiotic" which can be checked on YT and "Reflected Light" available on Smokey Emery's bandcamp. Both are excursions into drone territory, marked with hypnotic drumming soaked in tense, almost-cinematic atmospheres that could be aimed at scoring something out of Ari Aster's portfolio. They may feel a bit repetitive at the beginning, but the mood will eventually suck you in and fully absorb your attention. Dig it. The CD version of the album can be ordered from label's bigcartel, or via Daniel's bandcamp page. Limited to 100 copies, I wish there was a UK/EU distro though.

Estoc - Bloodhound feat. Von

Estoc is set to drop her debut album "Serenity" on September 16th, promoted by the lead single "Bloodhound". Featuring guest vocals from Von, the track is a savage techno mayhem from the depths of hell, haven't been that hyped after listening to a track since Louisahhh's "No Pressure" last year. After hearing this single "Serenity" landed on top of my most anticipated albums this year, really looking forward to experience the rest of it. Pre-order the LP here.

Kara Konchar - Baba Ragga Yaga

Kara Konchar is Miguel Béco, formelly known as ATILLLA. "Baba Ragga Yaga" is first in a series of digital only EPs he's aiming to put out in the near future. Four tracks of spooky dembow and pulsing bass, intertwined with dancehall and reggaeton influences. Fans of Shackleton and Demdike Stare should vibe to this.

Download the EP for free here, and stream after the jump.

Be Dellow - Phantoms From The Past

Be Dellow is the italo-inspired synth project of Francesco Baudazzi (Violet Poison, Diana Berti, Bakunin Commando, Red Lodge). Preview of his debut tape "Phantoms From The Past" for She Lost Kontrol just landed on Bandcamp and it sounds juicy. Inspited by 80's Japenese synth pop music, the EP features six tracks - three original cuts and two edits of Luke's Soundhouse and Words Four Two. The tape has already sold out at source, but I was told there will be some extra copies added to bandcamp in the coming weeks. Check it out here.

The Gaslamp Killer - Nissim

10 years after its premiere on Gaslamp Killer's debut album "Breakthrough", my absolute favourite track from the LP gets a 7" vinyl treatment from the man himself. Written and composed alongside Turkish lute maverick Amir Yaghmai, "Nissim" is four minutes and thirty one seconds of psych-folk beatmaking that work like a snakecharmer on its listener. Cult classic. The B-side is the live version of the song, pulled from "The Gaslamp Killer Experience: Live In Los Angeles". I'd jump on this if it wasn't for the price (and shipping). The vinyl looks incredible though, with sick art by Alejandro Sordi. You can order the record in two colour versions (both limited to 500 copies) here.

V.A. - Ambient Punk Vol. III

Pure Life label is back with the third volume of their iconic compilation Ambient Punk. They are taking pre-orders for the physical version of "Ambient Punk III", with limited to 100 copies vinyl ALMOST sold out (there are 2 copies left at the time of writing this). There are also cassette tapes if that's your thing. Dust off your zen slippers and get ready for the soundtrack to your floating cyber-spa. This time the approach to the album has changed, four sets of six artists were selected to compose four original long-form collaborative suites. They all have fancy names and imagery that goes with it, but first and foremost all the tracks sound fantastic. Don't sleep, this one will be a Discogs nightmare soon. Oh yeah, the download is free today!

Buy the compilation here, and check it out below.

Ms.Machine - Vinter

Fantastic two track single from Japanese post-punkers Ms.Machine. Known for their experimental approach to songwriting, "Vinter" seem to be venturing into darker, almost witch-house territories, in comparison to their last year's self-titled LP. Gloomy and I like it.