Tag: albums/eps

[album] The KVB – Artefacts (Reimaginings From The Original Psychedelic Era)

acute.pop

British electro duo The KVB enhance their magnificent discography with another interesting item — this time they have covered 11 foundational psychedelic classics such as songs by 13th Floor Elevators, Status Quo, The Troggs, The Pretty Things and many more.

The group did Artefacts in their own distinctive style, passing famous hits through their own darkwave filter, further exploring the blend of psychedelic rock, post-punk and electronic music, with a focus on lush synth textures and driving rhythms. A brilliant collection of reinterpretations that should appeal to listeners of any age.

Stream below and buy the album here.

[ep] Flasher – In My Myth

acute.pop

DC band Flasher is not taking a pause and following up last year’s excellent record Love Is Yours with the new EP titled In My Myth. Out now via Domino Records, it consists of four tracks, each of which is distinct in its own way and offers a different perspective on the band’s sound.

Emma Baker and Taylor Mulitz continued their collaboration with Owen Wuerker on production, and Jorge Elbrecht mixing, and created a well-balanced collection of indie rock stompers with enough personality, noisy guitars and a brilliant combination of their vocals (which are delivered with their inimitable style and a sense of urgency) to satisfy both their fanbase and potential new listeners.

Listen below and buy the EP here.

[album] Morwan – Світає, палає

acute.pop

Світає, палає (It’s dawning, it’s burning) is a third album by Ukrainian artist Alex Ashtaui, who performs as Morwan. He is well-known for his own brand of post-punk — dark, menacing and at times simply ferocious, and on this LP he is achieving new heights.

Last year due to the Russian invasion in Ukraine he had to leave his home city Kyiv with just a backpack, with no idea if he would be able to continue with his music and what would happen next. As things progressed, he settled down in Berlin and months later he was able to work on his album, which initially (pre-2022) was planned to be a lighter, more melancholic continuation of his previous record. However, the war changed everything and became a central theme of the release.

Sung in Ukrainian, Світає, палає is full of poetic and often cryptic lyrics adding to the overall sense of mystery and abstract reflections on the horrific events. The instrumentation is just transcendent, with manic guitars, visceral drums and frenetic vocal delivery. The album moves seamlessly between moments of quiet introspection and explosive catharsis, creating a sense of tension and release of pain that is both thrilling and unsettling. Very heavy yet exceptionally powerful and rewarding LP.

Listen below and buy the record here.

[album] AUTOBAHN – Ecstasy of Ruin

acute.pop

It’s been a while since Leeds post-punks AUTOBAHN released an album, but we are more than happy that they are finally back. Ecstasy of Ruin is out now via Tough Love.

Building on the dark and brooding sound of their previous LP The Moral Crossing, a new record adds upgraded layers of complexity and experimentation, incorporating elements of EBM and industrial touches to their music. This is partly due to the fact that the group is a four-piece now, without their previous drummer, hence here we are faced with depersonalized drum machines and sample-based percussion, at the output receiving a colder, more focused and brutal version of AUTOBAHN.

Still, despite the machinery involved, there’s lots of humanity on this record. The lyrical content is extremely acute and totally aware of the current societal landscape we live in and lead singer Craig Johnson’s haunting vocals are as powerful as ever. Add to that some post-punk shredding guitar work with its hypnotic noises, and we get a fantastic, cathartic release, probably the group’s best one so far. They sound refreshed, retooled, and ready to give it their all.

Check it out below and purchase the record here.

[album] E. Björklund – Låtar från en svunnen tid

acute.pop

Sometimes you do not need to understand a word in a foreign language to appreciate a great record. This is exactly the case with Swedish singer-songwriter Erik Björklund‘s debut album Låtar från en svunnen tid (Songs from the past), released earlier this month through Rama Lama Records.

The musician describes it as a personal album that documents the process of figuring out who he is as a 25-30-year old and new in the Stockholm underground scene. He treats the LP as a sort of time capsule about his own personal journey and relationships with music.

Starting with a catchy lead single “På min cykel” (On my bike) it is hard to go wrong. It greatly sets the mood for the record, that in just 25 minutes confidently shapes up to be a strong niche release with enough hooks, reverb and charm to satisfy your daily intake of indie rock.

Stream below and purchase the LP here.