Johnny Hunter

Want

Cooking Vinyl, 2022

8/10

Listen to Want

The Syndey quartet Johnny Hunter sure do make an impression on this debut album, where influences as wide as Kate Bush, The Smiths and David Bowie are present across the gothic nods and bold variations of ‘80s post-punk.

“Want” opens with firm buzzing that welcomes thumping drums and anthemic singing in the soaring, post-punk fueled climate, and “Endless Days” follows with plenty of grit and melody entering the pounding display of glam-pop spirited sounds.

Halfway through, “Dreams” is a bit softer in scope, where acoustic guitar gives the landscape a more singer-songwriter tint, while “Fracture” is a warm display of sublime intimacy that’s poetic and stirring in it cautious delivery.

Moving towards the end, “Eternity Fades” is more indebted to modern indie-rock ideas amid some psychedelic moments, and “Clover” exits the listen dreamy and bare, before building into a cathartic and powerful rocker.

A listen that was born out of plenty of personal turmoil, Johnny Hunter turn those struggles into daring, rich and tense songwriting that’s hard hitting yet still very cautious.

Travels well with: Babel- Yoga Horror; Thirsty Eyes- A Certain Regard

Colin Hay

Now And The Evermore

Compass, 2022

8/10

Listen to Now And The Evermore

The lead vocalist for the legendary outfit Men At Work, Colin Hay is no stranger to many different variations of rock, and here he offers us 10 diverse songs that are packed with melody, sincerity and grit.

The title track starts the listen with Hay’s unmistakable vocals surrounded by trombone, pump organ, and glockenspiel, as well as the usual suspects, in the timeless pop-rock formula, and “Love Is Everywhere” follows with strings entering the multi-faceted, soulful version of rock.

“Starfish And Unicorns” lands in the middle, and recruits plenty of romantic atmosphere that’s quite emotive, while “A Man Without A Name” brings bright brass and no shortage of rhythm to the dance floor ready climate.

Arriving near the end, “Agatha Bell” uses bongos, tambourine and cozy backing vocals for the breezy textures, and “When Does The End Begin?” exits the listen with Hay handling 3 different guitars in the very mature, folk-influenced finish.

A record intended to be packed with as much beauty as possible, Hay has certainly lived a fulfilled life, and his appreciation for the journey is reflected in these wise, earnest and thoughtful gems.

Travels well with: Bruce Cockburn- Greatest Hits (1970-2020); Old Salt Union- Where The Dogs Don’t Bite

The Accidentals

Time Out Session #2

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Time Out Session #2

The Michigan trio of Sav Buist, Katie Larson and Michael Dause, The Accidentals return with a small batch of new tunes that feature co-writes from some very notable names to help them flesh out their flourishing brand of indie-folk.

“Eastern Standard Time” opens the listen with soft acoustic guitar and eloquent, poetic singing as much beauty enters the dreamy climate that took help from Peter Mulvey on songwriting duties, and “Just A Town”, a collaboration with Maia Sharp, follows with a breezy quality that recruits warm drumming and plenty of mood.

The middle tracks, “Leave It In The Dust” and “Remain The Same” are equally stirring, where the former welcomes cello, pedal steel and piano to the intimacy, and the latter brings violin, viola, mandolin and banjo to the lush and precisely textured EP highlight.

Nearing the end, “Circling Round Again” benefits from upright bass and harmony vocals, and “Wide Open” exits with Buist’s sublime vocals guiding the very thoughtful and cozy finish.

Although they’re all youngsters, The Accidentals play like seasoned vets (all are multi-instrumentalists and sing, too) and are certainly old souls at heart. These 6 tracks are yet further proof that few outfits are playing modern folk sounds as well, and the themes of healing from these turbulent times certainly isn’t difficult to embrace, either.

Travels well with: Birdtalker- One; Lindsay Lou- Southland

Jo Harrop

The Heart Wants

Lateralize, 2022

8/10

Listen to The Heart Wants

A British jazz vocalist who is armed with a smokey set of pipes and heartfelt, smart wordplay, this sophomore album sees a much needed U.S. release and showcases Jo Harrop’s focused and eloquent songs about love and life.

“The Heart Wants What The Heart Wants” opens the listen with intimate keys, as Harrop’s soulful and striking vocals guide the gentle jazz climate that recruits Andy Davies on trumpet, and “All Too Soon” follows with strategic bass plucking from Christian McBride to complement Harrop’s powerful pipes.

Entering the middle, “Wise Words” pairs gentle keys thanks to Paul Edis with flowing singing in the cozy landscape, while “Hold On” brings Jamie McCredie’s spirited guitar and Troy Miller’s well timed drums to the album highlight.

Further yet, “Rainbow Sleeves” emits a hint of the blues to the eloquent and dreamy delivery, and “Weather The Storm” exits the listen playful, soothing and full of warm backing vocals, charming organ and, of course, Harrop’s inimitable charm.

Harrop’s armed with an incredible voice, and her backing band certainly accent that well. Add production duties from McCredie and Hannah Vasanth and you’ve got a timeless and engaging jazz listen.

Travels well with: Nicole Henry- Time To Love Again; Cathy Segal-Garcia- Social Anthems Volume 1

Greg Greenway

Songs From The Beginning

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Songs From The Beginning

Greg Greenway’s name might not be familiar to you, but you may have heard of Brother Sun, the folk trio he’s been a part of for well over a decade. On his own, he retains the breezy spirit of his full band work, and he welcomes Michael Ronstadt’s cello across the 11 thoughtful tracks.

“Let It Roll” starts the listen with Greenway’s expressive and smooth pipes guiding the emotive folk climate, and “Tennessee” follows with poetic storytelling that benefits much from Doug Wray’s sublime bass playing.

In the middle, the hypnotic melody of “Icarus” comes with an intimate spirit of gorgeous musicianship, while “Winds Of Change” builds into a more firm folk-rocker that’s quite agile and even rugged.

Deeper still, “It’s Not Easy To Love” showcases the soothing strings from Ronstadt as Greenway’s elegant keys add much grace to the album highlight, and “Best Thing At The Time” exits the listen with a personal and wise delivery of soaring, genuine song craft.

This is Greenway’s 9th solo album, and something tells me there’s no bad spot to start when perusing his catalog of work that’s relevant in any decade since the ‘60s, and will remain so for decades to come.

Travels well with: Bett Padgett- Turning Over Stones; Brooksie Wells- Stops Time

Nick Vasallo

Apophany

Neuma, 2022

8/10

Listen to Apophany

An extremely diverse artist, Nick Vasallo is as well versed in extreme metal as he is orchestral sounds, and here tone, mood and timbre are manipulated with an unparalleled attention to detail.

The University of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, with Nicolas Waldvogel conducting, opens the listen with a curious atmosphere of ominous sounds that are both bare and booming with a cinematic presence in “Ein Sof”, and “When The War Began” follows with the Redshift Ensemble making a firm impression with quivering strings and dense percussion.

Deeper into the listen, “The Eternal Return” features the Drexel University Concert Band and Wesley Broadnax as conductor for the tense and dynamic album highlight of emotive ambience, while “The Moment Before Death Stretches on Forever, Like An Ocean Of Time…” follows with a low droning that displays the furious drumming of Wild Rumpus.

The final two tracks, “Inches Away From Freedom” and “Black Swan Events”, don’t disappoint either, where the former buzzes mysteriously in the very capable hands of The Living Earth Show, ORE, Gleb Kanesevich, and John McCowen, and the latter enlists the California State University East Bay Orchestra and Victor Dods on guitar for the metallic shredding of the adventurous and abrasive exit.

You’re not likely going to hear anything like this anywhere else, and it’s even more likely you’ll want to hear it again, as Vasallo and company pen a raw yet meticulous, serene yet hard hitting journey of genre defying chamber, classical, orchestral and metal sounds.

Travels well with: Tyler Kline- Orchard; Daniel Pesca- Promontory

Martha D Lewis

All That You See

Budd, 2022

8/10

Listen to All That You See

A deeply personal listen that embraces folk, pop, jazz and blues ideas, among others, Martha D. Lewis showcases an immense amount of grace and skill across these 11 tracks.

“A.I. Man” opens the listen with atmospheric keys and Lewis’ expressive vocals in the soft and agile climate, and “Beneath The Surface” follows with mysterious bass and plenty of stylish restraint that’s quite mesmerizing.

Halfway through, “Liar’s Club” benefits much from vivid storytelling with well timed organ and gentle guitar in the jazz landscape, while “It’s Not Right” brings both tension and beauty into the piano fueled song craft.

Further down the line, “Dawn” offers a lush and dynamic album highlight, and “Breakfast (On January 21)” continues the creativity with a soulful delivery amid very mature melodies.

A cozy listen that’s artistic, intimate and full of unpredictable songwriting that utilizes cello, violin and viola alongside guitars and drums, All That You See makes for a lyrically relevant and musically adventurous 6th album.

Travels well with: Deepak Pandit/Pratibha Singh Baghel- Inheritance; Batila- Tatamana

Erinn Peet Lukes

EPL

Self-Released, 2022

9/10

Listen to EPL

A singer-songwriter and guitarist who now calls Nashville home, Erinn Peet Lukes knows her way around a hook heavy and pop friendly tune that’s got plenty of country spirit present, too.

“Stung” gets the album off to a warm start, where frisky drumming and fluid guitars align with Lukes’ pretty, melodic singing as pop and Americana meet at a very charming intersection, and “Catalyst” follows with an emotive presence entering the poetic singing where the songstress displays incredible singing.

“Piece Of Land” and “Dime A Dozen” occupy the middle spots, where the former is an upbeat, rootsy rocker that you could dance to, and the latter is a bare, intimate album highlight that uses pedal steel strategically.

Deeper yet, “Loneliness Or Solitude” places banjo into the rural beauty that’s quite lush, and “Queen” exits the listen with a scrappy, playful thumping rocker that’s got a sing-along quality.

Lukes has a history playing in bluegrass bands, and her formative years soaking in pop and rock are certainly in attendance, too. Somewhat of a mashing of Taylor Swift, Phoebe Bridgers and Earl Scruggs, EPL ends entirely too soon, and will likely make you an unwavering fan after just one listen.

Travels well with: Jackie Bristow- Outsider; Surrender Hill- A Whole Lot Of Freedom

YM:Stammen

Ulv! Ulv!

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Ulv! Ulv!

The 5th album from the Oslo, Norway post-punkers Ym:Stammen, Ulv! Ulv! was originally released in 1994, and includes some of the band’s most known songs. Now available on vinyl for the first time ever, the album is also remastered for this well done reissue.

“Bubringere" starts the listen with some cryptic atmosphere before quickly strummed acoustic guitar enters the brass friendly and cultured climate, and “(Vi Blir) Fisk” follows with a festive spirit of warm organ and plenty of rhythm.

In the middle, the title track recruits a chanting quality to the spiritual angle of the busy landscape, while “Det Springende Punkt” flows with a call and response approach that’s full of melody but with some grit, too.

Advancing towards the end, “Hevner-Kvadet” offers a musically bare but vocally powerful group effort, and “Solbeven” exits the listen with an agile buzzing of slow grooves and world music ideas that you can’t help but admire.

A very unique record that embraces a Nordic pagan stance, it’s easy to see why Ym:Stammen are such an influence on the Norwegian black metal scene, and the world music and Iron Age-punk nods are certainly also part of the allure.

Travels well with: YM:Stammen- Guden-i-Steinen; Tusmørke- Nordisk Krim

Gaute Storsve Trio

El Gran Gotzilla

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to El Gran Gotzilla

A very exciting outfit who fuse jazz sounds with Latin music, the Gaute Storsve Trio welcome guests on saxophone and violin for the worldly affair.

“Las Dos Fridas” opens the listen with warm, spirited guitar that emits much beauty in a soothing sort of way, and “¿Nada? ¡Nunca!” follows with cultured drumming and a busy texture of flowing sax.

In the middle, the festive and loud appeal of “The Lucha Libra Lullaby” makes this the album’s best in its meticulous nature, while “Einar” offers an intimate and poetic display of stirring strings.

Close to the end, “Beta Bata Beat” showcases the proficient Batá drums amid the fascinating guitar lines, and the title track exits the listen with a furious pace of swirling melodies and bass acrobatics that are nothing short of stunning.

A listen that’s capable of West African moments, Cuban traditions and even good, old fashioned prog-rock, Gaute Storsve Trio explore many moods and tones here, and it’s all executed with much skill and timelessness.

Travels well with: Ole Teigen- Aske og Jord; Wudewude- Northern Gothic;

Ym:stammen

Guden-i-Steinen

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Guden-i-Steinen

An ethnic post-punk outfit from Norway, Ym:stammen released 6 albums from 1984 to 1997. Guden-i-Steinen, their final and most commercially successful record, lives again here, and it’s remastered and available on vinyl for the first time.

“Gripe” starts the listen with chanting, before warm strings and rhythmic drumming enter the cultured climate of many voices and plenty of instruments, and the title track follows with a firm beat amid the hip-hop influences.

“Store Aleksander”, the biggest hit from the album, lands in the middle and emits a playful and melodic approach of Eastern ideas into the cozy energy, while “Gi Meg Grid” uses spirited acoustic guitar and melodic singing for the jangly album highlight.

Approaching the end, “S.P.Q.R” unfolds with a tribal like presence of iconoclastic song craft, and “Tuse Ars Fortieise” exits the listen with graceful keys, dreamy flute and a rare intimacy that’s delivered with precision.

A fine representation of their Nordic pagan stance, it’s easy to see why they were an influence on the Norwegian black metal scene, and the world music and Iron Age-punk nods are also part of the allure of Ym:Stammen.

Travels well with: Tusmørke- Nordisk Krim; Professor Tip Top- Tomorrow Is Delayed

Weserbergland

Sacrae Symphoniae Nr. 1

Apollon, 2022

8/10

Listen to Sacrae Symphoniae Nr. 1

This 3rd album from Weserbergland encompasses sounds that span 5 centuries, including the Venetian late renaissance, the curious work of the avant-garde composer Karlheinz Stockhausen and even German experimental rock music rooted in the 70s.

The title track and only track opens with dissonant, strategic ambience, as mysterious percussion, waves of synth, and well timed bass and guitar are met with bouts of sax, oboe and French horn.

About one-fourth of the way into the song, firm, retro rock ideas unfold with a droning quality that segues into an aberrant, dreamy landscape. Closer to the end, the climate becomes quite intense, with pounding drums alongside a nearly spiritual angle of fascinating musicianship.

A very interesting meshing of written and improvised sounds, the emphasis on classical and electronic sensibilities sure does make for a sometimes noisey and other times intimate peek into very creative minds.

Travels well with: Laughing Stock- Zero, Acts 3 & 4; 35 Tapes- Home

Ensemble Dal Niente

Object/Animal

Sideband, 2022

8/10

Listen to Object/Animal

The always exciting and unpredictable Ensemble Dal Niente transform the works of LJ White, Jeff Parker and Murat Colak into unclassifiable and exploratory art-influenced sounds on this chamber focused listen that’s quite unusual in the best ways.

“We Don’t Eat Dead Things” starts the listen with a pair of sopranos, alto sax, horn, harp, violin, cello and electric bass in the LJ White composition that adapts Christopher the Conquered’s lyrics with an atypical groove, an ominous melody, and dreamy singing from Amanda DeBoer Bartlett and Carrie Henneman Shaw.

The middle track, Jeff Parker’s “Water On Glass”, welcomes synth, flute, oboe, clarinet, alto sax, horn, harp, piano, percussion, violin, viola, cello and bass to the chilling, atmospheric 8+ minutes of orchestral, futuristic and oddly pretty sounds.

The final track, “SWAN”, by Murat Colak, makes great use of electronics in its ambient, buzzing climate that recruits flute, oboe, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, and cello to a very cinematic 3 chapters that emit avant-classical nods, and acoustic meets electric ideas that drone but still get dance friendly, too.

A truly unique body of work that explores experimental, new music, contemporary, electronic, EDM, trance, Musique Concrète, and contemporary classical ideas, Object/Animal is an expressive and imaginative journey.

Travels well with: Claire Cronin- Bloodless; Ensemble Dal Niente- confined. speak.

Jack Barksdale

Death Of A Hummingbird

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Death Of A Hummingbird

The debut studio album from the 14 year old singer-songwriter Jack Barksdale, these 11 Americana rooted songs explore much depth lyrically, as the Ft. Worth, Texas resident tips his hat to names like John Prine and Guy Clark.

“Revival Song No.3 “ opens the listen with Barksdale’s intricate and soothing guitar playing that bridges folk and blues in the instrumental climate, and “Sideways” follows with a breezy spirit as the youngster’s innocent pipes complement the playful delivery.

In the middle, the title track brings intimacy and a poetic quality to the sublime landscape, while “World Full Of Nothing” gets a bit more gritty with some twang amid the very skilled guitar acrobatics.

Further down the line, “Before The Devil Knows” thumps a bit more firmly with its southern ideas and darker textures, and “Bugle Boy Blues” exits the listen similar to how it started- vocal less and frisky with strong guitar playing.

Very much an old soul at heart, Barksdale undergoes much self-examination within these songs, and his strong attention to detail and diverse influences illustrate a young talent on his way to worldwide fame.

Travels well with: Ben Levin- Still Here; Tyler Morris Band- Next In Line

Laughing Stock

Zero: Acts 3 & 4

Apollon, 2022

9/10

Listen to Zero: Acts 3 & 4

The Norwegian stars Laughing Stock return with the final installment of their Zero themed records, where we meet Zero, and find out what happens to him.

“Wingless” gets the listen off to a soothing start, where soft buzzing and calm drumming complement the dreamy singing that builds into a soaring prog-rock delivery, and “Lifeboat” follows with a musically bare and vocally harmonic display of poetic, art-influenced rock.

The rest of the tunes follow a similarly creative path, including the graceful piano and intimate landscape of “All Alone”, while “Words” is a quick dip into tense territory that recruits strings for the cinematic, nearly spiritual demeanor.

Close to the end, the more forceful guitar of “Mother” adds a bit of thickness to the spacey, prog-rock anthem, and “Words, Part 2” exits the listen with sparse, mysterious song craft to finish the exploratory record.

Inspired by The Who’s Tommy, Supertramp’s Crime Of The Century, and Pink Floyd’s The Wall, Laughing Stock bring a wealth of talent to this listen, and it’s an even more varied journey than the previous installment, where fascinating storytelling and meticulous guitars solos will keep the listener enthralled.

Travels well with: Laughing Stock- Zero, Acts 1 & 2; 35 Tapes- Home

Kryptograf

The El Dorado Spell

Apollon, 2022

9/10

Listen to The El Dorado Spell

Norway’s finest, Kryptograf, return with another batch of their ‘60s indebted rock, where sturdy riffs, many vocalists and an old school flavor runs beneath the very diverse 10 tracks.

“Asphodel” starts the listen with thick guitars, intricate drumming and vivid storytelling in the retro tinted display, and “Cosmic Suicide” follows with a more firm approach that embraces vocal effects and hard rock moments that are both hard hitting and tuneful.

Halfway through, the warm acoustic guitar of “Across The Creek” balances intimacy and exploration in its brief instrumental climate, while the title track is a thumping, cosmic rocker that’s got plenty of prog-rock spirit to enjoy.

Further still, “When The Witches” is a soaring, fuzzed out rocker that’s got bits of soul and grooves, and “The Well” exits the listen with a vintage rock quality entering the doom nods and proto-metal moments.

The addition of trumpet and guest vocals really add much to the affair, as Kryptograf continue to prove why they should be required listening for fans of ‘60s and ‘70s rock that flirts with prog, too.

Travels well with: Bismarck- Oneiromancer; Kryptograf- Kryptograf

Versus

Endless Duality

Anesthetize, 2021

8/10

Listen to Endless Duality

An abrasive and very meticulous outfit from Switzerland and France, Versus bridge hardcore, punk, metal, grindcore and crust ideas into 10 powerful and original tracks that welcome a pair of vocalists and guitars into the dense formula.

“Betrayed” starts the listen with thumping drums and thick guitars, as deep, growling vocals complement the dynamic musicianship that’s quite forceful, and this intensity continues to the pounding and charged “Vanished In The Abyss”, as well as the throaty hardcore approach of “Walls Of Silence”.

“The World Eater” lands at the halfway point and chugs with a melodic undercurrent beneath the raging song craft, while “Shadow Of Myself”, the album’s best, injects moments of tuneful, swirling guitars amid the jackhammer energy. “Legacy Of A Lost Soul”, the final track, then showcases the meticulous rhythm section alongside very collaborative and exciting song craft.

An incredible debut album, for fans of hard hitting music and anything revolving around metallic sensibilities, this is a band to keep a very close eye on.

Travels well with: Final Breath- Of Death And Sin; Rezet- Deal With It

XCIII

Void

My Kingdom, 2022

8/10

Listen to Void

A very adventurous French outfit with a penchant for avant-garde sounds that embrace trip-hop, metal, coldwave and various forms of pop and rock, the 9 tracks of Void don’t fit into any easy category, and it’s quite an interesting journey.

“iR” begins the listen with firm keys, spoken word and some raw singing buried under a warm melody, and “Red Lights” follows with a slow, ominous appeal that shifts into a very diverse version of rock that’s piano friendly and flirts with pop ideas, too.

“At Last One Never Exists” lands in the middle and offers a hypnotic approach that’s a bit dreamy in an almost chanting sort of way, while “Re” is a pretty, swirling album highlight that’s lush, melodic and full of timeless song craft.

“Tapeworm” and “VS” exit the listen, where the former pairs agile drumming with plenty of prog-like sounds, and the latter brings violin from Oisava and wordless singing into the string focused and ambient textures.

A very artistic and creative endeavor spearheaded by Guillaume Beringer, who sings and plays most of the instruments, the contributions on piano, vocals and strings makes for a very atypical, absorbing listen that you won’t soon forget.

Travels well with: Trojan Panda- Peau; Gilles Poizat- Champignon Flamme

Tapani Rinne & Juha Mäki-Patola

Open

Hush Hush, 2022

8/10

Listen to Open

A Finnish, ambient jazz duo, Tapani Rinne brings his saxophone and clarinet to Juha Mäki-Patola’s piano, organ, guitar and synth on this highly adventurous but also very sparse display that will also to atypical neo-classical fans.

“Brevity” starts the listen with plenty of atmosphere, as emotive sax is met with a dreamy background, and “Open Part I” follows with a similar approach that places a chilling, ambient quality from the keys amid the soulful brass.

In the middle, “Leave” finds itself in very mysterious territory that’s quite intimate, while “Peak” floats with light and airy jazz ideas in its soothing, meticulous nature.

“Fall” and “Hover” exit the listen, where the former emits bare but impactful keys alongside low clarinet, and the latter is more firmly planted in jazz sounds, where the duo’s inimitable skills mesh together with much beauty.

A record that’s cinematic and glacial in its charming demeanor, this is a mesmerizing and creative collaboration, and hopefully the first of many between the pair.

Travels well with: Rob Burger- Marching With Feathers; Lunar Noon- Symbolic Creature

Jeremy Rice

Jeremy Rice And The Legendary Fist Of Takinawa

Self-Released, 2019

8/10

Listen to Jeremy Rice And The Legendary Fist Of Takinawa

A Canadian artist who has dabbled in composing and producing in addition to playing music in Timescore, The Sellouts and The Thyme, here Jeremy Rice is aligned with several musicians on an extremely varied effort.

“Johnny Rogers” starts the listen with an’ 80s rock influenced tune that’s quirky but suits Rice’s unique vocals well, and “Arriianne” follows with a bluesy spirit in the bouncy, upbeat fun that’s immediately memorable.

Further along, “Underneath The Ground” recruits a reggae spirit in the soulful setting, while “Dream Tonight” has Rice strumming an acoustic guitar with some folk-pop ideas and even strategic pedal steel.

Near the end, “Beleev” offers some melodic piano rock in an anthemic delivery, and the title track continues the eclectic atmosphere with strings that burst into a retro-pop rocker that could have soundtracked an action movie in 1987. “Goodbye” ends the listen on a dreamy ballad, and illustrates that Rice also excels in quieter environments.

Though Rice has most recently made a living penning tunes for commercials, TV and video games, this fluid and creative album proves that he’s still got the chops to stand out in the world of independent rock, too.

Travels well with: Dave Davies- Decade; The Kinks- Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire