Tag: albums/eps

[ep] Bez Gruntu – Bez Gruntu

acute.pop

The debut self-titled EP by the Ukrainian outfit Bez Gruntu (Without Soil) just makes sense. Their bleak fusion of darkwave and electroclash with haunting vocals and pulsing beats works smoothly throughout all four songs. From the opening track, “Symvol”, the duo establishes a hypnotic groove that carries through the entire release.

What is important — there is a lot of meaning, emotions and actual pain behind the album. Vadym Oliynykov and Kseniia Yanus from the duo had been compelled to leave their hometown of Donetsk in 2014 due to the Russian invasion. Since then they have been living in different cities of Ukraine. Bez Gruntu captures the spirit of pre-war Donetsk, and the creation of the release coincided with the full-scale invasion started by Russia last year.

Stream below and get the EP here, out now via OCHI.

[album] Geese – 3D Country

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3D Country, a sophomore album by the young Brooklyn band Geese, is truly an exciting experiment. As told by frontman Cameron Winter in a recent interview with So Young Magazine, the group’s goal was to make something that cannot be termed post-punk to avoid heavy associations with the genre (which happened after they released their debut Projector). And their efforts definitely cannot be under-appreciated.

The record turned out to be something really different, and a real testament to their talent and creativity. Flirting heavily with alternative country and mixing it with inventive indie rock, the five-piece did something similar to what Iceage achieved when they dropped their game-changing LP Plowing Into the Field of Love in 2014. There’s less gothic rock and dread here though, and Geese are going fully weird for the sake of weirdness.

It is a raw, complex and exciting journey. And if you would get used to the updated vocal delivery there’s a very big chance that 3D Country would engage and reward you a lot.

Stream below and buy the record here.

[album] Bo Gritz – Chroma

acute.pop

Uneasy and noisy, Chroma by London trio Bo Gritz hits very hard and on target. The long-awaited debut record is filled with haunting, otherworldly industrial/noise rock sounds that transport the listener to a place that is both familiar and alien.

Clocking in at just under 30 minutes, the record feels like an unhinged ride on a high-speed train, the driver of which was thrown out the window, so passengers have zero understanding of what would happen the next minute. A bold and uncompromising release from talented musicians, displaying their experimental approach and raw energy.

Listen below and buy the album here.

[ep] LauradeDíaz – Grupo Fr​á​gil

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Fragile and dreamy Grupo Frágil, the new release by LauradeDíaz on Barcelona label Ediciones Populares, is 10 minutes of utter bliss.

It has environment recordings and is based on handmade tape loops, making a stunning example of how field recordings can be used to create immersive ambient music that puts the listener in the state somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. Its combination of sounds offers a soothing listening experience that encourages reflection and connection with the world around us.

Listen below and purchase the release here.

[ep] Hanna Svirska – Yangola

acute.pop

Hanna Svirska is a Kyiv-based musician, who skilfully fuses contemporary electronica and folk motives in the music, creating her own distinctive mixture of sounds and meanings. On her newest release Yangola she is exploring the traditional themes of ancient Ukrainian folklore, blending various tales with electronic textures and vocal loops, producing a sound that is truly timeless.

Hanna’s ethereal vocals and atmospheric sounds make a dreamlike soundscape that transports listeners to a mystical world of ancient legends. It features songs such as “Chornyi Zvir” which can be translated as The Black Beast and the name of the EP Yangola (derived from the Ukrainian word for angel) stands for an imagined musical genre, like a lullaby, legend, or ballad.

Overall, the release is a stunning example of how electronic music can be used to explore folklore and mythology. Hanna’s unique approach to blending traditional elements with modern production techniques creates an impressive and otherworldly listening experience.

Stream below and purchase the EP here, out now via Standard Deviation.