[ep] audiobooks – Gulliver

With their latest release Gulliver, audiobooks (the duo of David Wrench and Evangeline Ling) continue what they do best, mixing incredibly catchy pop hooks and their signature eclectic musical experimentation.

All four songs on the new EP are truly unique and reflect everything for what we fell in love with this duet on the previous two albums. Some bizarre storytelling (“Milan Fashion Week”), glorious synth-pop (“Tryna Tryna Take Control”), haunting weirdness (“Beekeeper”), cool surprises (Manchester MC OneDa’s feature on “Burnt Pictures”) — there’s plenty to enjoy here.

Listen below and buy Gulliver on Bandcamp (available on very limited 10″ vinyl featuring a rare bonus track).

[album] Jonathan Bree – Pre-Code Hollywood

Jonathan Bree performing live at BIKO, Milan’22

As always incredibly consistent, Jonathan Bree returns with another terrific album Pre-Code Hollywood, brimming with great melodies that put the listener in a deep melancholy trance. This time, he is fully immersed in the 80s vibes, and with the help of Nile Rodgers and usual collaborator Princess Chelsea goes full-on dark disco.

A well-known perfectionist (both live and on record), he thought of every little detail and did probably his most sleek and skilfully crafted collection of songs. Not being your regular pop record, it rewards repeated listens, revealing new layers of complexity and surprises with each spin. Jonathan is also a true master of balance and rarely it is possible to stumble upon a piece of art that is so soothing, emotional and yet so eerie and unsettling at the same time. A beautiful record and an artist to cherish.

Jonathan Bree is also currently in the middle of his big tour, with the dates scheduled in many European cities. There is one date in Italy, on April 24 in Ravenna @ Bronson (get the tickets on DICE).

Listen to Pre-Code Hollywood below and purchase it here.

[ep] Patrick Wolf – The Night Safari

After years of silence, Patrick Wolf finally returns with new music. And his comeback turned out to be genuinely grandiose. The Night Safari EP combines all the best things for which we love this talented artist. He masterfully merges the elements of folk, electronic and pop music in the new songs, managing to sound both extraordinarily catchy and experimental.

The release features a mix of leading big-hitter singles and more introspective, emotional ballads, all tied together by Wolf’s distinctive vocals and fantastic production (the transition from “The Night Safari” to “Nowhere Game” is just the smoothest thing you will ever hear). As always he is pushing boundaries and sounds like no one else in the world, and for this, we are very grateful.

Stream below and buy the EP here.

[album] Life In Vacuum – Lost

Toronto-by-way-of-Ukraine trio Life In Vacuum’s latest album Lost is a powerful and dynamic display of the band’s impressive punk rock sound. Filled with intense guitar riffs, driving basslines, and explosive drumming, it creates a raw and energetic atmosphere that might appeal to fans of rock music from any spectrum.

There is plenty to enjoy for lovers of indie rock/post-punk-ish sound, but also the LP would definitely satisfy the listeners who are into heavier punk rock/post-hardcore or who like to sing their hearts out to more emotional and noisy brand of guitar music. The vocals are powerful and passionate, delivering acute lyrics that are introspective and thought-provoking (it is hard to get more painfully anthemic than on the chorus of “Breathing In”; also just imagine how cool it might sound live). Lost is simply a universal, big and cathartic record with a strong personal touch.

The album cover is also quite cool and deserves additional mention. It was originally hand stitched in Ukraine years ago by the Grandmother of brothers Sasha and Ross Chornyy from the band. They recovered the art and later it was digitally restored and redesigned by Artie Wasko.

Listen below and buy the LP here, out now via Born Losers Records.

[album] FEWS – Glass City

Sweden-based quartet FEWS goes hard with their brand of dark wall-of-sound post-punk, wrapped up in furious, rebellious energy.

Their new album Glass City is so punchy that there’s barely a moment to take a deep breath. It is obvious to the listener that the band has a lot of anger to release, and they have all the right tools to accompany it — heavy guitar riffs, propulsive rhythms, and atmospheric vocals that create a vibe of tension and urgency.

FEWS are professionals in what they do, it is their third (and probably best) LP and they do not have any time to mess around. It is a fast, thunderous and well-produced record from hard-working musicians who are passionate and deadly serious about what they are doing.

Check it out below and purchase the album here.