The Shimmer Effect - Uranometria (2012)

Bushmen

9.3

/Downtempo, Ambient techno, World fusion, Chill out, Experimental electronica, Psytrance, Chilltronica/

Comment: behind TSE are The PantherLab (Sjanine Steyn), and Salook (Stephen Mullarkey). This is a bridge between South Africa, and Scotland. Uranometria is their debut album which used to fuse African rhythms and shamanic breath with European electronic charm and accuracy. However, the result seems to be very cozy and relaxing and refreshing. The listener can perceive the traces of ambient techno a la The Orb, and some psychedelic trance vibes in between. The album is released on the South African label Bushmen Records which is known as the domestic label for X-Structure in the first place.

The Rick Jensen Quartet - The Alarmist (2009)

Clinical Archives

9.0

/Improvisation, Experimentalism, Live session, Free jazz, Avant-jazz, Improvised noise/

Comment: TRJQ is a London-based improvisation/free jazz combo who provide a full of feeling set of 5 compositions. Lots of patterns, lots of energy, lots of air used to pour out from the whole. It is restless and it is insatiable during most of its course. More concretely, it exploits acoustic elements, it consumes electricity and the compositions are accentuated with the assistance of electronics (the legendary electronic keyboard Moog) now and then. It likes to be silentful in order to develop into frantic frantic crescendos and noiseful sonic ridges. Altogether, it is intricate and exciting simultaneously.

Dreams - Driving To Your House Party (2011)

Bandcamp

9.0

/Alternative rock, Shoegaze, Post-punk, Dance rock, Gothic rock, Leftfield, Indie rock, Post-psychedelic electronica/

Comment: it is thoroughly sparkling and pounding at the length of 4.49. A little bit murky with tortured vowel effects reminiscent of old school post-punk/goth rock templates and on the other side it exploits clear-cut, high registered guitar chords getting close to more shoegaze areas and thirdly it showcases massive, billowy synth plateaus above it. Of course, the listener can perceive compelling dance vibes oozing out from it either. In a word, it is a lovely drift from Portugal.

[Teaser of the day] Fourteen Twentysix – Tonight I

Chevalier Avant Garde - Non Stop Dream

YALL - They’ll Say We’re Only Dreaming (2012)

Bandcamp
Mediafire
Lastfm

9.5

/Math rock, Hardcore, Noise rock, Experimental rock, Emo rock, Crossover/

Comment: this release of 7 notches (spreaded out over 15 minutes) is mainly made up of songs that the duo line-upped with Travis Franklin (guitars), and Andy Richardson (drums)(originating from Texas, USA) had written over the past 6 months. One of them, Blastocyst, is one that was written 2 years ago and the duo decided to rework and use it on it. They recorded the album in their rehearsal space which is located in an abandoned office building in Round Rock, Texas. However, the result is a potent blast where the main template involves the elements of rattling math rock, obsessive noise rock mixed up with the vapour of biting hardcore, and emo rock. All of that is made up with a formidable amount of energy. The outlet is very promising indeed.

The Whatevers - All Your Indie Heroes (2012)

Bandcamp
Lastfm

9.5

/Alternative pop/rock, Twee pop, Indie rock, Garage rock, DIY/

Comment: undoubtedly the aesthetics of Mike Relton, and Kate Bisson aka the Whatevers is intriguing and exciting by any means. The duo from UK fuses hirsute guitar lines with dreamy, female vocal lines where the shades of garage rock are tightly interlaced with 80`s blonde hair indie rock and twee pop seeds. Truly suggestive songs - listen to Violence For Northern Independence, You Can Hold My Hand, and Bedhead, for instance. Never mind, all the songs on it are astonishing ones, filled in with sonorous (at times heartbreaking) tissues and formidable harmonies. Of course, their lyrics is poisoned with gritty angst and it`s very ok.