Well-versed in dream pop and post-punk, with a jangly guitar sound and steady rhythm section, Seattle’s Versing return in top shape on their new EP Tape II.
Spanning five tracks in just under fifteen minutes there is no misses or fillers here. All of the songs are essential and feature catchy hooks that will get stuck in your head for days. The EP sounds a bit more uplifting and less grey compared to their 2019’s album 10000, which is probably for the best and suits Versing quite well.
Although it sounds really beautiful and mellow, don’t let it trick you — This Is Not Your Fault by Green Gardens is quite a heavy album. The band mentioned in a press release that it flows like a community grieving and guides you through the stages of loss but ultimately resolves on the other side, and it is definitely possible to feel that.
It is loaded with storytelling and introspective lyrics that are delivered with a sense of vulnerability and honesty, which adds to the emotional depth of the album. The overall mood is melancholic and fragile, getting right into your head. For example “A Cradling”, the standout from the record hits the listener right away with some outstanding lyricism: “No one’s writing fables anymore / The horror is real / The horror is staring at me from the palm of my hand”. It is gorgeous, but also soul-crushing.
Musically it is fantastic as well, with the group’s use of intricate guitar riffs, some saxophone and lush harmonies creating a rich and layered sound that draws the listener in. The LP is a must-listen for anyone who loves art rock that speaks to the heart and stays with the listener for a long time after it finishes.
How to make an exciting debut album and stand out from the crowd? Go extreme, get furious and make some noise. That’s precisely what Naked Lungs did on Doomscroll, their first long-form release. It features ten tracks and all of them deserve your attention.
The musicians mastered the craft of creating tension by shaping the walls of sound with horror-ish guitars, controlled feedback and a bombastic rhythm section. They are playing with listeners, not giving out any easy song structures or being loud just for the sake of being loud. Instead, they go full-on devilish here by making the formless and crushing musical numbers that itch the nerves and ears just perfectly.
It makes very little sense to dissect the record for separate songs or over-analyzing them. Like a great horror movie, it is best experienced as a whole, alone and with your full attention. It is a thrilling and intense listening experience, and now the main question is — how crazy does it sound live? We have to check that the soonest.
Neo Gibson is a musician who records under the alias 7038634357, and their latest release is absolutely brilliant (it is also their first vinyl record). Titled Neo Seven, it is an ambient record that fills and embraces the space with its rich soundscapes, creating a feeling of weightlessness, calm and pure enjoyment.
With some noisy elements and voice echo thrown in the mix, the album still feels very coherent and is characterized by its ethereal, dreamlike atmosphere that evokes a sense of introspection and contemplation. Otherworldly stuff.
Ever wonder what heaven would sound like? Probably like Glixen (the stage name of Arizona’s Aislinn Ritchie), who nailed it on the debut EP She Only Said.
It has a perfect balance of dreamy melodies, ethereal vocals, and distorted guitars, creating a sound that is both atmospheric and powerful. The lyrics are often poetic and introspective, but they are delivered with a sense of urgency and emotion that is characteristic of the band’s style.
Although very young, after listening to this release it is absolutely clear that Glixen have a big future, and we cannot wait to hear/see what they have got in store for us next with their own brand of shoegaze.
Acute Pop 