DVTR - Live aux Foufounes
Live aux Foufounes is not derivative or tired or formulaic. It’s fresh and alive and pulsating. The music still contains some of the straight-time fury of punk, with bombastic, short songs played fast and loud. But they are also played really, really well.
Jimmie Kilpatrick - Jimmie
As underscored by its title, Jimmie is the first release under the real name of Jimmie Kilpatrick, who has long performed as Shotgun Jimmie. It sees Kilpatrick incorporating experimental recording methodologies while delivering more of the ever-catchy hooks and clever, empathic lyrics he’s known for.
Men I Trust - Equus Asinus & Equus Caballus
Men I Trust has released two excellent records when measured in their own terms. Both of these albums show off two aspects of how this band approaches composition and songwriting, and it is really up to the listener to discern which of these approaches appeals best to their aesthetic sensibilities.
Sled Island Edition: Cassia Hardy - In Relation
Rare are the records where a whole community went into making them, rarer even are artists who they go lengths to honour that work and influence behind-the-scenes. In Relation by Cassia Hardy is one such record, stemming from a devoted songwriter who invests all of herself to making explicit what this all means by way of sticking to her ethical and political commitments.
Sled Island Edition: Chinese Medicine - The Trans Agenda
Chinese Medicine contains multitudes on The Trans Agenda. It is both a collection of stories and a statement of a band on the rise that leaves no doubt that they are one of the most vital punk bands active today.
Sled Island Edition: Water Margin - Gleaming Cursed
Explosive post-hardcore energy from the very first second, the mathematical synchronization, pounding bass, fuzzy yet focused guitar, and complicated drumwork, Water Margin’s Gleaming Cursed has all this, and more.
Sled Island Edition: Thanya Iyer - TIDE/TIED
TIDE/TIED isn’t about quick fixes or grand gestures. It’s about the slow, patient work of coming back to yourself and to each other amid a fractured world.
Sled Island Edition: Emma Goldman - all you are is we
This is a record that has quickly been picked up and brought to considerable critical acclaim, making its rounds through Brooklyn Vegan as well as being reviewed by Anthony Fantano (aka. The Needle Drop). So, I will start here: Does the album live up to the hype? ABSOLUTELY FUCKIN’ RIGHTS IT DOES.
Population II - Maintenant Jamais
After two very promising EPs, Population II’s third release, Maintenant Jamais, solidifies their standing in the Quebec prog rock canon. The trio has refined their sound to a science, delivering tight track lengths with the same punch as verbose krautrock marathons, treading the line between approachable and frenetic to great effect.
Weird Lines Weird Lines Weird Lines - Weird Lines
Weird Lines Weird Lines Weird Lines feels like we all found C.L. McLaughlin’s diary. We can flip through it and feel all that he is. His highs and lows, his softness and strength. That’s about all you can ask from a record, and I’m so glad that he and his talented friends let us read it.
Believer - Sister Ray
Believer is an album with an air of hope looking-on into another world, an elsewhere, another life, a past life, or even a future life.