Tag: albums/eps

[ep] Drab Majesty – An Object In Motion

acute.pop

The latest mini-album by Drab Majesty An Object In Motion released back in August consists of just four songs but it lasts nearly 33 minutes, and this is longer than many contemporary LPs. There’s just so much going on it that leaves a very big and lasting impression.

It was made with Uniform’s Ben Greenberg and sounds really epic, delivering a healthy dose of dark, synth pop noise odyssey. Justin Meldal-Johnson (Beck, M83) and Rachel Goswell (Slowdive) feature on several tracks, levelling up the whole thing even higher.

If you think all the above is not enough, there’s also one more surprise at the end of the release, in the form of a 15-minute voyage “Yield To Force” to give listeners the full Drab Majesty experience. Absolutely sublime.

Listen below and get the EP here.

[album] JOHN – A Life Diagrammatic

acute.pop

JOHN (TIMESTWO) are well-known for their energetic and frenetic live performances. But what makes them really stand out from the crowd is how punchy they manage to sound on the record as well. Put it on at the maximum volume in your headphones and their raw and unapologetic rock sound will just knock you out.

On A Life Diagrammatic, their new album that is out now, they double down on everything that makes them great and manage to create their best release so far. The duo’s ability to combine melodic elements with blistering intensity is apparent here, creating an infectious and rebellious atmosphere and expressing frustrations and anxieties in the world we are living in.

Two tracks particularly stand out, “Service Stationed” and “Trauma Mosaic”, which are probably JOHN’s catchiest songs to date. It is so much more than just a wall of noise and guitar/drums assault on your ears — these cuts are driven by the band’s tight musicianship, blending controlled chaos with big hooks.

Stream below and buy the LP here.

[ep] NZCA LINES – Universal Heartbreak

acute.pop

NZCA LINES, a musical project led by British multi-instrumentalist and producer Michael Lovett, returns with the new EP Universal Heartbreak, which sees him continuing to demonstrate mastery in crafting sophisticated synth pop gems.

Out now via Memphis Industries, the 4-track release enchants listeners with its catchy melodies, intricate production, and introspective, devotional lyrics. These songs combine lush synths, groovy basslines, and Lovett’s silky vocals to create a dreamy atmosphere that is both nostalgic and futuristic.

Listen below and buy the EP here.

[album] Deeper – Careful!

acute.pop

Deeper have returned with the new LP Careful! (first one for Sub Pop Records), which is full of their signature energetic and guitar-driven sound. But this time around Chicago-based four-piece pushed it to the limit, having created their best set of songs so far.

The formula is quite similar to what we heard before from this group, yet there are plenty of experiments, with the tracks sometimes going to unexpected places (for example, check out “Fame”).

Obviously, there have been plenty of post-punk recently, but if you’re looking for a fresh take on the genre, give this album a spin — you won’t be disappointed. Deeper are dead serious about their craft.

Stream below and buy the LP here.

[album] Delmer Darion – Tall Vision​-​of​-​the​-​Voyage

acute.pop

Not often it’s possible to stumble upon such a perfectly made album as Tall Vision​-​of​-​the​-​Voyage by Delmer Darion, West Midlands-born producer duo of Tom Lenton and Oliver Jack. Every single detail is well-thought-out here, and the record offers listeners a surreal and otherworldly excursion through a range of electronic styles and stories about extraordinary human ambitions and achievements, divided into two sections.

The first one presents tales put to music, with the help of such fantastic artists as Kiran Leonard, Bingo Fury, Anna B Savage and Slaughter Beach, Dog. The second half goes further, with the 18-minute spoken word epic rooted in Arthurian legend, about the tragic sinking of the HMY Iolaire off the coast of Stornoway in 1919, created in collaboration with Guatemalan-born cellist and composer Mabe Fratti and Welsh actor Morfydd Clark.

Although this sounds like a lot (and it is for sure), Delmer Darion do not overload the listener. It feels like they could easily dig even deeper into the ideas, by making it a big concept double-album of sorts, but instead, they neatly and wisely packed it into the accessible 34-minute journey. Both halves are very exciting and deserve repeated listens to unpack everything and notice all the details in this unique musical creature.

Listen below and purchase the album here.