Cy Dune "Desert"
Look, we’ve been big fans of Seth Olinsky ever since the first time we heard Akron/Family. But for now, those days are behind us. Here, Seth is known as Cy Dune, and his latest, Desert, is another noisy, experimental collection of guitar-driven tunes caught out of sync with the rest of the world-yet right on time. A little like if The Velvet Underground had access to the Bang On A Can catalog, this weird mixture of noise, punk, rock and roll, and modern classical is sure to win over critics and fans alike. Heck, I’m gonna say that I am both of them and I am absolutely smitten with Desert. You will be too, so check out the in-the-red rockabilly screech of “Desert 3.”
Beauty Pill "Sorry You’re Here"
In 2010, Chad Clark (the driving force behind Beauty Pill) was brought on to write the score to a play entitled suicide.chat.room. Well here we are in 2019, and finally we have the recorded evidence of this score in our hot little hands (also, why are our hands so hot? I’d check WebMD, but they never have good news…). Sorry You’re Here is the result of that scoring project, and its some of the most haunting, beautiful music Beauty Pill has ever released. Oscillating between modern classical music and Aphex Twin-esque electronica and audio-collage, this is one beauty of an album (get it?). Check out the jittering sheen of “At A Loss.”
Cheap Synths "Yes Yes Yes"
Cheap Synths are a mysterious, nearly un-google-able duo from Brooklyn. Seriously, try and google “cheap synths” and not get, well… listing of synths for sale. Cheap! Their debut EP Yes Yes Yes is a collection of quirky, danceable pop–not wholly unlike LCD Soundsystem with tongue-in-cheek lyrics and unrelentingly catchy electronic beats, funky bass lines, and disco hints. There is no reason this shouldn’t be blaring from every rooftop party held this summer. So get the party started and check out “Devestate!!”
Eluvium "Pianoworks (Temporary Residence)"
For the first time in nearly 15 years, Eluvium has released a collection of solo piano pieces. Obviously, as a modern classical composer, this was likely at one point his go-to emotional outlet. But like happens to many of us, we get distracted by all the new cool things we’ve learned. But Pianoworks (Temporary Residence) is a testament to going back to what you originally learned to do occasionally. Simply put, you aren’t going to find a better, more beautiful collection of piano music anywhere. So start at the beginning and give “Recital” a listen.