Feb 2024
WOODHOUSE FINDS
Ponta da Lingua - Sofia Freire
A few years ago, Quebec’s Klo Pelgag caught me by the throat, shook me and turned my idea of pop music upside down. Brazil’s Sofia Freire is doing something similar with her warped vision of ‘80s new wave and pure pleasure pop.
Voice Memos From a Winter in China - Mary Sue
The first rap album that really caught my ear is from a Sinaporian dude who loves Vaporwave. These things move in strange ways. Mary Sue’s surface slacker, in-depth fiendish, rhymes and chopped up production bring to mind Earl Sweatshirt’s Some Rap Songs in the best way. Hazy, beautiful, intentional.
Reverberations of Non-Stop Traffic on Redding Road - Pan American & Kramer
Reviewing just–entirely too much ambient music over the last few years has really narrowed down what grabs me. Top of the list? Warm, molasses-like guitar. Ambient legend Pan American is still going strong all these years on and Reverberations reflects the early days of Stars of the Lid in its sleepy-eyed radiance.
Qasr - Sheherazaad
Produced by vocal god Arooj Aftab, Sheherazaad lives up to her name of spinning a thousand tales over a thousand dusky nights. This bite-sized ep is transfixing and transporting for every second it’s alive. Special attention must be paid to closer “Lehja,” a midnight meditation of unparalleled beauty and a song of the year contender.
Keeper of the Shepherd - Hannah Frances
Country music from Baba Yaga’s chicken leg house, Hannah Frances makes angular and bewitching folk that shudders even while her strident voice hollers. The outline is a fairly traditional alt-country album, but Frances fills everything in with beautiful unease.
Black Life, Red Planet - Gum.mp3
Progressive, forward thinking electronic that still grooves. The light jazz influence that tempers the drums and hints of brass are just chef’s kiss.
I AM THE INTIMIDATOR
I mean, this is the dumbest shit I’ve heard in years, cavemen would scoff at it. Remedial 2nd grade shit, misspells the word “cat” sort of music, actively taking braincells away shit. I love it.
Artificial Bouquet - Frail Body
Frail Body weren’t just the best show I saw at SXSW, but the best show I’ve seen this year so far. They unsealed a maelstrom of grief and overwhelming force. It was relentless, unstoppable and, ultimately, vulnerable. The album hits the same shuddering peaks.