aAirial - Together EP (2011)

Imaginary Nonexistent
Lastfm

9.0

/Downtempo, Ambient, Modern classical, Piano music, Crossover, Organic electronica/

Comment: In principle, this is an unforgettable, romanticism-induced shift based on ambient, downtempo and modern classical progressions searching for more shaking deepness and easiness at the same time. Indeed, it used to be light-hearted and contemplative simultaneously. Lone piano chords surrounded with tight yet effortless ambiences and lofty, haunting orchestrations and backed up with tenuous rhythms make out a huge impression for the rest of a day.

Squadra Omega - Rennes Le Chateau (2010)

Vuoto

9.2

/Psych-rock, Krautrock, Improvisation, Psychedelia, Jam session, Experimental rock, Space rock, Avant-rock/

Comment: This improvised amalgamation of 21 minutes bases on gorgeous impetus of space rock and free jazz-relied fusion, galvanized psych-rock, and buzzing synth layers/acute electronics of krautrock/and psychedelia. Even some experiments on the basis of the radio waves are proudly represented herein. As usual such sort of stylistic combination harking back to the very tradition of 70`s avant-rock groups works always out.

BOA - Push (2011)

Jammerdosa

9.0

/Indie pop, Alternative pop/rock, Dream pop, Meadow pop/

Comment: This was Gothenburg-based quintet Boa`s first single(s) ever. Similarly to many other Swedish indie bands it is fronted up by the female singer who used to be suggestive in her trilling singing manner. At times whimsical and even a bit hysterical (reminds of Arcade Fire) yet sublime indie pop/rock sound which would rock the world off. Hopefully soon it would be made out already. So you can jump up while running along the meadow.

Swampyboy - Quasi Horror (2011)

Sociopath

8.7

/Chiptune, Electro pop, 8-bit, Acid, Bitpop, Chipcore, Experimental electronica, Chipbreak, Tracker music, Psychedelic/

Comment: First off, I feel a little shame about the fact that it happened to be the first issue on Sociopath reviewed by me at RMH. However, the UK-based Swampyboy aka Phork (the pseudonyms by Joseph Loney) has been active in music since 2008 having issued a handful of albums (mainly on the Sociopath Recordings, but also on Amenorea, GDTK, and Faceblast). However, this 8-pieced set provides a dense, synergic array of sawtooth-shaped clanging and acid-boiled overdrives-interventions. Indeed, it might be that 8-bit music is the most psychedelic and highly tempered music in the first place. At least I am inflected to perceive in that direction once again.

Doug Sharp - Veluria Ponsonby`s Epiphany

Cameron Schwartz - A Boy and His Horse Soundtrack (2009)

CLLCT

8.5

/Art pop, Film music, Experimental, Conceptual, Alternative, DIY/

Comment: CLLCT is obviously the biggest DIY/lo-fi/folk-based site worldwide containing more than 1500 artists and 2800 albums and 2.8 million visit times at the moment (in fact, the amount of it is increasing with every day). Cameron Schwartz (also known as part of the psych-folk collective Cameron and the Friendly Ship) composed this 12-track album for a farcical episode running on the Internet. Hushingly chiming guitar chords and clear-cut arpeggios drifting along are once variegated with one more synthetic template (Escape From the Police) and music for the prepared guitar (Rescuing Horse). While all tracks are short-running (approximately about 1 minute), they are craftily created thereby having enough of inner and formal strength simultaneously.

Mindmasher - Mobius Trip (2011)

Stato Elettrico

8.6

/Electronic pop, Techno, Tekno, Art pop, Psytrance, Big beat, Chill out/

Comment: Behind Mindmasher is John Klappstein, a resident from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The album starts out with a bit oriental, laid-back vowel exercises which in the following track will be transformed into a blend of atmospheric layers and pounding tekno beats. Later the whole tends to incorporate much more stylistic elements, including catchy electronic pop approaches and sultry trance and techno occurrences. By the way, the collaboration acts by Brad Sucks and SurveillanceParty feature herein. However, this 4-pieced EP can be compared to Air`s 10,000 Hz Legend (2001).

Talkative - Light Years (2011)

Bandcamp

9.3

/Psychedelia, Free folk, Post-psychedelic, Psych-rock, Experimental indie, Electro-indie, Fuzz pop, Alternative pop/rock, Psych-folk, New Weird America, Crossover/

Comment: In fact, lots of elements is added in comparison with Talkative`s first album Strange Luxuries (2011, self-issued). The trio`s previous, quite austere anti-folk concept is potently widened this time embracing exulting, Animal Collective-inspired free folk-ish chasing, post-psychedelic synth progressions and dizzy psychedelic gears, on the other side, there are made up some furry fuzz pop appearances with relieving energetic loopholes. Furthermore, Voodoo Change would be a potential indie chart skyscraper based on electro-indie and demented psych-rock/stoner grooves. Highly enjoyable indeed.

Momoko Pins - Runner-Up

Speculativism - War and Peace (2010)

Archive.org
Bandcamp
Lastfm

9.5

/Avant-garde, Dada, Cosmic prog, Anti-folk, Freeformfreakout, Psych-music, Weird, Crossover, Shoegaze, Singer-songwriter, DIY, New Weird Europe/

Comment: Peter David-Smith, a 58-years old eccentric musician of the Scottish/Canadian heritage is one of those unsung frenetic artists coming from the Foggy Albion. The Hirundu, Gnomefoam, Children Of The Drone (and countless of its subsidiaries), Clinker are the first bundle I can remember promptly for. However, PDS can be entitled as the singer-songwriter by his approach, yet, his sound functions to swerve its way in a very peculiar manner. Dada/chamber/electro/cabaret, abrasive guitar forays, blindfold hip-hop progressions, exorcized piano music, off-the-wall folk/anti-folk/DIY/shi-fi and much more. From mocking grimasses over to desperate cry (by trying to summarize it figuratively somehow). Here is even a cover of John Lennon`s the most famous solo song (it is so warped that it is quite hard to recognize it). The favorite of mine is Aldershot which is a blend of cosmic prog and shoegaze-ish guitar templates. About a dozen of albums by him still waiting to be listened to. PDS is a truesome genius indeed.