Emptyset "Blossoms (Thrill Jockey)"
Blossoms (Thrill Jockey), the latest release from Emptyset, is a tough one to describe. Thankfully, someone with far more intimate knowledge has already done the heavy lifting:
Blossoms was generated entirely from the output of a neural network based artificial intelligence system. Developed over eighteen months through conversations with an international network of programmers working at the cutting edge of sound synthesis, Emptyset arrived at a system powerful and intelligent enough to create original complex structures of audio. Blossoms explores the dissonance between organic processes and machine learning principles, creating unsettling and uncanny sonics that give voice to non-human intelligence. Taking inspiration from cybernetics and literature, the album allowed Emptyset to further their explorations into generative composition and elemental aspects of sound, creating a system that was both inspiring and disconcerting in its behavior and results – opening up vast new possibilities and sonic worlds whilst simultaneously collapsing their previous methods of production.
See! I wasn’t fooling around! Check out “Blade” and see what I… er… Thrill Jockey means!
Saba Lou "Novum Ovum (Ernest Jenning Record Co.)"
Saba Lou is back with her second full-length album Novum Ovum (Ernest Jenning Record Co.) which is pretty impressive when you take into account the fact that she was born in this century (and makes even more sense when you learn that her dad is King Khan). A little garage sounding, a little ‘60s sounding (think Nancy Sinatra)-with poetic, labyrinthine lyrics and Saba’s direct vocal styles. This sounds, frankly, like very little else in the world of music while also sounding like someone who obviously grew up listening to the good stuff (kinda like the early Foxygen records). Check out the jangly title track “Novum Ovum.”
Lightning Bolt "Sonic Citadel (Thrill Jockey)"
If you like your metal to be a punishing assault on your senses, then chances are you are already salivating at the thought of a new Lightning Bolt LP. Sonic Citadel (Thrill Jockey) is packed to the brim with riffs-i’m talking a million riffs! Sure, people are calling it the duo’s “poppiest record” but that’s like calling season 2 of Deadwood “the one with the least curses in it.” Is it true? Sure. But… you know… Now don’t get me wrong, there are some differences here from their past work. The distortion on the vocals are turned down to the point where you’ll definitely be able to understand some vocals! But don’t forget, this IS a Lightning Bolt record. Check out the 2019 song title of the year nominee, the head nodding “Hüsker Dön’t.”
Minor Pieces "The Heavy Steps Of Dreaming (Fat Cat)"
If you are the kind of person that says things like “I wonder what the mega-talented singer/composer Ian William Craig is up to right now?” have I got some news for you! First off, may I suggest the internet for such queries. Nonetheless, I have news from the music fronts for you! The debut of Minor Pieces is here! The Heavy Steps Of Dreaming (FatCat) finds Ian teaming up with singer/multi-instrumentalist Missy Donaldson to create what I am calling “otherworldly, experimental ambient folk.” Taking cues from bands like Mazzy Star, Portisehead, and My Bloody Valentine, and mixing it with post-rock and modern classical music-the result is a simultaneously beautiful and chilling collection. Check out the crackling majesty of “This House.”