Janek Schaefer [For Robert Wyatt] "What Light There Is Tells Us Nothing (Temporary Residence)"
In 2014, acclaimed sound artist Janek Schaefer was commissioned to create an auditory experience using elements from Robert Wyatt’s Cukooland album. Like any good artist with a commision backing a project, he did just what was asked, and then a bunch more. What Light There Is Tells Us Nothing (Temporary Residence) collects the piece he was originally commissioned to do, as well as an album’s worth of music that was inspired by his work on that piece. Ambient, looping, ethereal music accompanied by spoken word snippets and sound effects. This is just the kind of thing to listen to when you want to bliss out in a smart-sounding way. So put on your tweed jacket and check “Tree at the end of the world.”
Valley Lodge "Fog Machine (RTP)"
Hey Dave Hill, who said you can put your pop into the rock? I thought we left that to the masters such as Cheap Trick or The Raspberries. Huh, guess you didn’t get the memo! Or maybe we didn’t get the memo, because Valley Lodge is certainly sounding like the pop-rock masters here on Fog Machine. From the crashing album opener (and best use of sleigh bells) “The Stars Won’t Fall” to the full-on cowbell boogie of “Please Come To Bed” Fog Machine is 70’s power hits-top to bottom. Need something a little more sensitive? Go with “I’m Gone”, but why not break out that air guitar and crank out “Stand”.
Kinski "Accustomed To Your Face (Kill Rock Stars)"
Judging from the cover of their latest LP, Kinski has fired John Cassavetes and Gena Rowlands and gone back to their original lineup. I kid, I kid! 20 years into their career and Kinski show no signs of slowing down. Accustomed To Your Face (Kill Rock Stars) is full of searing guitars and rock riffs, krautrock-inspired rhythms, and all-around blistering energy. This is one album to get up and go to school with! Check out the sub-two minute power of “Guest Girl Vocalist.”
Lando Chill "Black Ego (Mello Music)"
Mix in equal parts ‘90s trip-hop, early West Coast rap, gospel, funk, modern indie and hip-hop, and you’re starting to get to the heart of the excellent Black Ego (Mello Music), the latest full-length from Lando Chill. Teaming up again with multi-instrumentalist and producer The Lasso they are here to follow up their beloved 2017 album The Boy Who Spoke To The Wind (#26 on Bandcamp’s Top 100 Albums of the Year). The beats and the vocals are as smooth or as raucous as they need to be, and every guest-verse is a meticulously crafted beaut. Take, for instances, the head-nodding “Peso” which features turns by Quelle Chris & REY along with Lando.