The Last Noel
Tantalus, 2025
9/10
Collin J Rae handles all the instruments on this unclassifiable album that embraces plenty of art and noise for the iconoclastic 10 songs.
“Black X-Mas” leads with 9+ minutes of abrasive tape manipulation that’s a bit jarring, and the title track follows with a similar approach that’s somehow got shards of melody buried in the hissing.
Landing in the middle, “Fucked On A Rooftop” is a bit softer in nature, though not without strategic screeching, too, while “Manger Danger” is also a mesmerizing bout of strategic repetition.
Moving towards the end, “Here Cums Satan Clawz” emits a cinematic quality that’s hypnotic in its nearly therapeutic mood, and “Satan Or Santa” makes it unclear if someone left their sprinkler on at full blast via its ambient gestures.
There’s a lot going on here, and it’s all undefinable, as Rae meshes noise-core, synth acrobatics and experimental, electronic stabs into a truly unique body of work.
Travels well with: Collin J Rae- Pandemia; Galan Trio- Kinesis