Bladee - Cold Visions
2024 seems to be the year of Bladee experimentation. Not that he doesn't usually but this year we have seen him explore Post-Punk and now Rage. It's a sound that fits him well! This is a really great record for most of its long duration. That is an issue for me, 30 songs is a bit excessive and part of me wishes they had taken the 15 best and made a record of just those because it would be amongst his best albums ever. This isn't to say there are really any bad songs here, despite its sprawl, it is shockingly consistent and Bladee and collaborators (which are all of the usual group plus a random Skrillax appearance) do very well. I will also add that the additions and production provided by James Ferraro are great and give this a real flavour. Another winning record from Bladee.
Clarissa Connelly - World of Work
Sonically Clarissa Connelly is playing with the sounds and aesthetics of the Folk and Prog Rock of the 70s, readapting it through her own lens and giving us her own vision of the sound, and it is marvelous. As the cover suggests we are greeted to a mostly piano-driven affair but not always, the textural palette is varied and doesn't restrict itself to one thing, each song taking on the instrumental selection most befitting of the given track. Connelly is also an exceptional vocalist, she isn't overly flashy but uses her talent to create some impressive vocal runs which make these songs all the more compelling. This one is not getting the love it deserves and if any of this sounds interesting go and listen to it.
Couch Slut - You Could Do It Tonight
Couch Slut follow in a long line of Noise Rock menaces and You Could Do It Tonight is a straightforward, evil record. The riffs are that type of pummelling repetition that made bands like Brainbombs pop and the band do well to adapt that style to their own sound. The vocals range from agonised screeching to somewhat disappointing spoken word, I don't love how every Noise Rock band seems to lean into spoken word but even with my reservations, the band do use them effectively. This is a great noisy and horrifying time and if this is something that works for you then you should absolutely listen.
Dillom - Por cesárea
The new wave of younger Hip Hop artists seem to be molded by their influences. Dillom pulls from a number of artists for his flow, jumping from soft and smooth to punchy and hard to fit the song, there is no attempt to create a singular brand as he is more interested in jumping from idea to idea to show off his skill set. This is apparent in the production too, some tracks lean into Emo Rap conventions but we also have songs that lean into more hardcore sounds and some that have shockingly seamless Rock implementation, Dillom and his collaborators have no interest in being pigeonholed into one thing and while you'd think this would lead this to feel jarring and noncohesive (which it occasionally does) for the most part it feels remarkably together. Again with much Hip Hop in languages I don't speak I will always feel like I am missing a key element, especially here where it seems to be deeply personal but as music, I found this very compelling. This is a varied album that manages the greatest feat for an album like this, feeling whole.
Einstürzende Neubauten - Rampen (apm: alien pop music)
It's been 4 years since we last got a visit from the boys of Einstürzende Neubauten and they certainly haven't wasted their time away, coming back to us with a 75-minute sonic adventure of an album. They haven't got complacent in their time away either, there are some seriously unreal sounds on display and the band sells the hell out of them. It's always a joy to see a band who have been around so long still have the desire to innovate and this is a whole package of that.
LustSickPuppy - Carousel From Hell
I have been very excited for this one, the singles had me feeling LustSickPuppy had finally perfected their sound and the album confirms this. Not one to do anything to convention, this 18-minute album is just constantly blasting with digital violence. Musically this is the vicious blend of Digital Hardcore and thick Hip Hop beats that we have come to expect from LustSickPuppy but here more so than previous releases it just feels evil, the album is toying with the listener while also battering them with a hammer. Vocally they remain as charismatic as ever, and their range from melodic singing to visceral screeching has them prepared for every turn the record takes. Each song flies past at a speed that leaves you wanting more but not too short that they don't leave an individual impact. The songs also just, end, without any warning, it gives the feeling of switching through radio stations but being taunted by the same artist over and over. I do wish the album had a few more songs but I appreciate this is how the album is and what we have is exceptional, very excited for more.
Maruja - Connla's Well
Maruja made quite a splash with their last EP and Connla's Well is already being received just as well as the last one was. I also happen to like it about as much as the last one. A collection of Post-Rock numbers with some intense builds and explosive moments that leave it feeling consistently exciting. Maruja are one of the few bands in this sound in the UK that I feel genuinely provide compelling ideas but I will confess I definitely gravitate towards them in their more intense moments which meant I didn't like the closer as much as the rest of the songs here though thankfully this project contains intense moments in pretty high quantities.
Melvins - Tarantula Heart
Despite their past as music legends, I feel comfortable in saying Melvins have been treading water for some time now, releasing a series of albums that range from terrible to okay, far from what they were capable of a their peak. I went into Tarantula Heart expecting similar but was honestly pleasantly surprised. That isn't to say it reaches the peak of their best work but it is pretty great! The band plays around with some fun experimental textures here and while they don't all stick enough to make this a pretty rewarding listen. More of this, please! Though I did skip Bad Mood Rising so maybe that one is good too.
RiTchie - Triple Digits (112)
In his time with Injury Reserve RiTchie has proven himself to be a remarkably talented MC with a unique style and flavour, and his debut solo work is packed with that same style just with more potency. RiTchie and the small set of co-performers all do great work and deliver the package with a delightfully bizarre energy while also just being really funny (especially Aminé on "Dizzy"). RiTchie also helms production on a number of the tracks here and the production is great, some truly mind-melting stuff on these beats. The only real issue I have is there are a lot of interludes on here and most of them don't do much on their own, but they add to the bizarre atmosphere of the whole record in a way that makes me not mind their presence. A pretty exceptional first work from RiTchie, and while I still anxiously wait for what will come next from By Storm, for now, this album has absolutely satisfied me.
Vegyn - The Road to Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions
The Road to Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions is one of those albums where a producer collects several collaborators to feature on a series of songs. These releases are in their nature messy, and it is how the artist handles that mess that decides whether or not it is a success and this Vegyn album absolutely is one of those successes. The album is very atmospheric, but the Downtempo and Trip Hop influence helps keep it punchy enough to not feel boring. However the record does occasionally feel a bit samey, but these issues are minor on the whole. A great record and one that is ideal if you need something to throw on and get lost in.