THIS WEEK'S KEY RELEASES
Iglooghost _ "Ne? Wax Bloom"
"Ne? Wax Bloom," Iglooghost's full-length debut on Flying Lotus' Brainfeeder label, is nothing short of sonic onslaught... in the best way possible. With Iglooghost, there are no breaks. Even his moments of stillness are supercharged with potential energy. It's dense and sparse and focused and incredibly unfocused, all in one go. There's plenty of blank canvas, but hung in the fibers is every noise you can imagine. Call it maximalism if you like. _ A Noah Harrison
Ben Frost _ "The Centre Cannot Hold"
The work of Ben Frost always had a visceral edge. The Australian producer, based currently in Iceland, has displayed a wide range of sounds and influences on his take on experimental electronic music, ranging from minimal electronic to neo-classical and from drone music to black metal. This mixture has resulted in a number of successful releases, with "By The Throat" and "Aurora" standing out in particular. But, what stays with the listener is the visual aesthetic that always comes with the manipulation of sounds and noise. _ Spyros Stasis
Grave Pleasures _ "Motherblood"
"Motherblood" is loaded with apocalyptic imagery amidst dark-hearted romanticism. The pertinent "Doomsday Rainbows," a modern post-punk anthem, drips with nihilism and urgency, heightened as singer Mat "Kvohst" McNerney frantically proclaims: "Our time is up! Our time is up! Our time is up!" The riffs are twitchy, almost paranoid in their early movements, while the bass and drums remain steadfast, locked-in and thumping like an atomic clock. _ Dean Brown
David Crosby _ "Sky Trails"
Demi Lovato _ "Tell Me You Love Me"
Four Tet _ "New Energy"
Hurts _ "Desire"
Ibeyi _ "Ash"
Pere Ubu _ "20 Years in a Montana Missile Silo"
Primus _ "The Desaturating Seven"
Protomartyr _ "Relatives in Descent"
Shania Twain _ "Now"
The-Dream _ "Love Affair"
Torres _ "Three Futures"
Vessels _ "The Great Distraction"
Wolf Alice _ "Visions of a Life"
NOW HEAR THIS (new tracks from up and coming artists)
Gladshot _ "Simulation"
In the midst of the American garage rock scene, we've seen several acts in recent years bubble up towards the top of the indie pop radar. Artists like Courtney Barnett and Speedy Ortiz have found repute for their grungey, pop-accessible sounds, and now New York's Gladshot is following in their contemporaries' footsteps. Fronted by vocalists Debb Andrews and Mike Blaxill, Gladshot has broadened its portfolio to a considerable degree in a short amount of time. They've worked on Barcode, a "dystopian rock musical", and have had their music featured on a variety of TV programs including those broadcast by ABC, TNT, and MTV. _ Jonathan Frahm
(http://popm.at/2xAJ6hM)
WATCH THIS
Radiohead _ "Lift"
The "OK Computer" reissue keeps on giving with the new video for previously unreleased track "Lift." It's definitely one for the fans as Thom Yorke rides a lift with a rotating cast of Radiohead references, and the music soars with heartfelt emotion. As Radiohead songs go, it's a straightforward one, and there's nothing wrong with that. Sometimes, it's cathartic just to let Yorke's voice flood forth, and on "Lift", he and the rest of the band are a powerful flow of smart, radio-friendly '90s rock. _ Adriane Pontecorvo
(https://youtu.be/QBGaO89cBMI)
Lost Bayou Ramblers _ "Allons a Lafayette"
Cajun music is alive and well in 2017 thanks to long-time artists like Beausoleil and Zachary Richard, but the scene is made richer by a host of younger musicians and bands bringing this unique Louisiana cultural form to all corners of the globe. Lost Bayou Ramblers is one of those important groups that can perform straight-up traditional Cajun music alongside newer approaches that up the intensity, tempo, and rock 'n' roll quotient in the songs and bring in other genre influences. _ Sarah Zupko
(https://youtu.be/jhBD6Ub8m-Y)
