Category: albums/eps

[album] Gemma Cullingford – Tongue Tied

acute.pop

Tongue Tied is a second album from electronic songwriter and producer Gemma Cullingford (also one half of electronic post-punk duo Sink Ya Teeth). It follows last year’s Let Me Speak and sounds absolutely brilliant.

The record combines many electronic styles and is fully loaded with dance rhythms and cold new wave aesthetics, which are masterfully complemented by Gemma’s ethereal vocals.

The sound here is dark and truly timeless, and it would perfectly appeal to the listeners who grew up on A Certain Raio, New Order and Cabaret Voltaire and at the same time also to fans of such contemporary bands as PVA, Workin Men’s Club and Nation of Language.

Check it out below and buy the LP here.

[album] Living Hour – Someday Is Today

acute.pop

On the new LP Someday Is Today Winnipeg band Living Hour maximize their sound on the “dreamy” side of things and go full into shoegaze mode with certain slowcore and ethereal elements. If you listen to it a couple of times back to back it really puts you in a light trance-like state and creates a very pleasant mood for the rest of the day (or even week).

To highlight or select singles from such a record is to do a disservice to it as this is one of those releases that is best listened to in its entirety and without breaks. All the tracks fit, complement each other, and create a strong perception of meaning to the work as a whole. A fantastic soundtrack for upcoming colder months as well.

The album was created by the band with the help of such producers and collaborators as Melina Duterte (also known as Jay Som, who appears on one of the songs), Jonathan Schenke (Parquet Courts, Snail Mail), and Samur Khouja (Cate le Bon, Deerhunter).

Listen below and purchase the record here, out now via Kanine / Next Door Records.

[album] Jonathan Personne – Jonathan Personne

acute.pop

A brand new self-titled record from Jonathan Personne is his third one, and on it Montreal musician takes his psychedelic pop sound to the next level.

The songs here transport the listener somewhere else with all the 60s references, masterful production, samples of obscure movies or series and the overall playful rock and roll spirit.

Jonathan has created the album with the help of talented producer Emmanuel Éthier, with whom he previously worked on Junior, Corridor’s (where Jonathan also plays) fantastic recent album. The result is his most impressive solo outing to date and an absolute “must hear” album if you like a brilliant mix of nostalgic spirit done with an inimitable contemporary touch.

Check it out below and buy the LP here, out now through Bonsound.

[album] LIFE – North East Coastal Town

acute.pop

Nearly 10 years ago LIFE was formed from the ashes of post-punk outfit The Neat, and judging by their newest album North East Coastal Town, they are not only going strong but are also getting better and better.

LIFE live in Berlin’19

The album is devoted to their hometown of Hull and is presented as a homage to the city and its folk. Musically it shows the four-piece at their best and most interesting, as here they experiment with many ideas.

“Friends Without Names” is a cold-blooded, anthemic post-punk stomper (and one of the best songs of the year), “Big Moon Lake” & “The Drug” showcase the group at their most playful, nervy and catchy, and “Duck Egg Blue” is a completely different beast — an introspective, tender and deep ballad. And all the described is not even a half of the record, there is no fillers here and every track deserves close attention.

Starting next month, LIFE will begin the huge UK & European tour, which will last till the end of October. There are two dates in Italy, in Milan on October 22 (at Arci Bellezza) and in Bologna on October 23 (at Freakout Club). Find more information about the tickets here.

Listen to the LP below and purchase it here.

[video] Iceage – Shake The Feeling

acute.pop

Iceage have unleashed “Shake The Feeling”, a song that they have originally written and recorded during the Beyondless sessions. It would be a part of the upcoming compilation Shake The Feeling: Outtakes & Rarities 2015-2021, set for release on September 23 via Mexican Summer.

Iceage live in Turin’18

The album would include previously unreleased tracks from the seven years, during which the band created their albums (all of them are modern classics already) Plowing Into the Field of Love (2014), Beyondless (2018), and Seek Shelter (2021).

The song is released together with the video, directed by Alex Cantouris, which intercuts behind-the-scenes clips of the band with intimate performance footage from last year’s Pitchfork London.

During September and October, Iceage will embark on the huge US tour (find more information here), but before that, there is a great chance to see them in Europe — on September 9 they will perform in Siena, Italy @ Live Rock Festival.

Watch the music video below and pre-order the compilation here.