Recent reviews

Our latest album reviews, featuring the records we've most enjoyed (or not) over the past few weeks.

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)

Atmosphere

So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously
Rhymesayers (2023)

Atmosphere has always felt like rapper Slug pouring his soul into the mic. It feels authentic and refreshing to hear his humble self-reflection. But after a few albums, it also kind of feels like overload. There’s such a thing as too much emotion and strife. That’s not a knock on Atmosphere’s art, but Atmosphere took a break from each other. I’m coming into So Many Other Realities Exist Simultaneously after a bit of hiatus from their recent work. And I took a couple records off from the band, Atmosphere in 2023 feels more vibrant and refreshing. I don’t know what Atmosphere means to those outside of the Midwest, but from the opening lines, I’m going to say that the duo is the musical equivalent of comfort music, kicking things off with “It will be okay/ I think that needs to be established,” which quite frankly are words we need to hear in 2023. Combine Slug’s relaxed, parental tone with Ant’s chill beats and the result is relaxing, smooth and familiar. This record feels like a throwback/retrospective that takes the band’s catalog and modernizes it to fit two artists who are now in their mid-40s or so. It reflects their 20s-30s … Read more

Diamanda Galás

The Divine Punishment-Remastered
Intravenal Sound Operations (2022)

Divine Punishment was originally released in 1986.. Throughout her storied career, she has pushed boundaries, stayed true to her vision … Read more

The Tomb Tones

Ghost Of Toast
Independent (2023)

Atlanta, Georgia three piece horrorbilly rocksters The Tomb Tones released their debut album "Pumpkin Guts" in 2020 and are now … Read more

Ghost

Phantomime
Loma Vista Recordings (2023)

From the first taster of Phantomime... a cover of "Jesus He Knows Me", released in early May, I had a … Read more

Lisasinson

Un A​ñ​o De Cambios
Elefant Records (2023)

When we talk about pop-punk I, and I suspect you do this too, think about bands like Green Day and … Read more

Night Court

Humans!
Debt Offensive, Snappy Little Numbers (2023)

  What’s the difference between overabundance and starvation? Between drowning and dehydration? Between far too much and not enough? What’s the … Read more

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One from the archives

Entertainment

Gender
aDistant/Stickfigure (2008)

Dark, moody, atmospheric rock from this Athens, GA four piece. Sounds like outtakes from The Cure's Pornography but if Simon Gallup was on ludes instead of acid. "Patroness" tries hard to capture the spirit of Joy Division, but somehow ends up reminding me of a Gary Numan tune. There's enough musical ability to rise above the fray, but next time the style needs to rise above 80's mope rock. Read more

More album reviews

Northeast Regional

Brand Managers of the Mid-Atlantic
Tor Johnson Records (2023)

Brand Managers of the Mid-Atlantic is a lot to digest. And not just because of its lengthy title. The album itself has 23 tracks and was recorded over many years (2015-2022). The final six tracks are covers, and it’s more a discography feel than a standalone album, at least to me. The main sound of the record is post-hardcore with … Read more

Ardent Nova

Ardent Nova
Wise Blood Records (2023)

Ardent Nova is the brainchild of Mike Pardi (Empty Throne). Originally formed as Pagan Thunder about 22 years ago, it was after a dream that Pardi decided to change the bands name to Ardent Nova and by asking in the odd guest solo and backing vocals here and there, Mike wrote and composed this eight track self titled debut album … Read more

Opus Kink

My Eyes, Brother!
Nice Swan Recordings (2023)

  It’s something new if you’ve never heard something old before- in the best way possible. Despite the general overcrowding of the UK post-punk scene, Opus Kink cut their own silhouette with My Eyes, Brother!. Opus Kink are a UK based sextet, who released their debut EP, ‘Til The Stream Runs Dry, in June 2022 to critical acclaim. Four singles from … Read more

Off!

Free LSD
Fat Possum Records (2022)

Blistering fast-paced Punk Rock energy proton pills shoved down your esophagus. Gobble Gobble. Glug Glug Glug, Rallllph... Let’s Get It On and not like the Ed Sheeran Remake ha ha ha. Everyone's loveable favourite punk that seemingly appears in every Punk Rock documentary…Keith Morris continues to pulverize, perpetuate, pontificate and ponder life, death and all that other gobbly gook in … Read more

Harsh Realms

CVLT
Shield Recordings (2023)

For some reason I never checked this band out, even though they always had a spot on my to check list. After several years they got lower and lower on that list. CVLT, their new album after six years of silence and nine years after their debut album catapulted them to the top of my list. Could they win me … Read more

Flores y Fuego

Altar
Pirates Press (2023)

Originally released in 2021 by the band (digitally), Pirates Press just released Altar on vinyl. It’s the debut album by Flores y Fuego, a hardcore band from Mexico and it feels both fresh, yet familiar, with big riffs, tangible anger, and a cathartic call to come together. You know: classic hardcore. The sound is big and powerful, but the lyrics … Read more

Various Artists

Horrorpunk's Not Dead Vol. 2
We Are Horror Records (2023)

A mere 6 months after We Are Horror Records released Horrorpunk's Not Dead! Vol.1, which for those that don't know was 27 tracks of horrorpunk gloriousness with a whole host of exclusives, we are treated to Vol.2 which boasts almost double the amount of tracks from Vol.1. Out of these 50 tracks, 22 songs are previously unreleased, never heard before, … Read more

Angus McSix

Angus McSix and the Sword of Power.
Napalm (2023)

The story of this album is forged thusly; after heroically dying in the greatest battle of all time at the hands of goblins, Prince Angus awakes in the underworld, realm of martyrs. Remembering that his homeland of Scotland and, indeed the galaxy, are still under threat he endeavours to return. After loseing his hammer he finds the mighty sword of … Read more

Postage

LP2
Dirt Cult (2022)

I’m going to brand Postage as anxiety punk. It’s fast, intense and it feels on the verge of collapse at any moment. The record itself is 10 songs and plays under 20 minutes -- I suspect it might fit on a 7”. It’s mostly melodic-style punk with an upbeat tempo and a mix of that anxious sound and melodic singalongs … Read more

Kepi Ghoulie

Ramones in Love
Pirates Press (2023)

The (rightful) knock on many of the “old punks gone solo” is that it’s a person with an acoustic guitar, playing stripped down punk that kind of all sounds the same by the time the record ends. Add the concept of this record, a Ramones covers album, and you likely already expect a lot of that “sameness factor.” Ramones in … Read more

The 69 Eyes

Death Of Darkness
Atomic Fire Records (2023)

Death Of Darkness is the thirteenth album from the Helsinki vampires The 69 Eyes. The Finnish five piece have been knocking out their smooth style of gothic, glam rock since the early 90s and have managed to deliver stunning unique and catchy albums every single time. This up coming eagerly awaited album Death Of Darkness is no exception. Featuring 10 … Read more

Various Artists

Mooorree Than Just Another Comp
Lavasocks Records, Sell The Heart Records (2023)

Mooorree Than Just Another Comp is a 33-track double LP compilation from Sell The Heart Records and Lavasocks Records, covering the entire Operation Ivy catalog, with new takes from the likes of The Raging Nathans, The Chinkees, Eichlers, Flying Raccoon Suit, even We Are The Union w/ Eve 6. Very broadly speaking, the entire comp is pretty true to the … Read more

The Bar Stool Preachers

Above the Static
Pure Noise (2023)

I first discovered The Bar Stool Preachers back in 2018 when they released their amazing record, Grazie Governo. The comfort and familiarity in the songs and singer TJ McFaull's voice truly released some endorphines in my soul. After some research, I figured it out. That's the son of the singer of Cock Sparrer! There are definitely some elements of Cock … Read more

Gee Tee

Goodnight Neanderthal
Goner (2023)

I really don’t know much about Gee Tee, and sometimes when writing a review I like to keep it that way to let the music speak for itself. Speaking broadly, Gee Tee’s sound is classic rock ‘n’ roll, rooted in swagger, sway, energy, and attitude, but with a big dose of keyboard. Guitar is the star of the show, with … Read more

Reviews by score
Browse our album reviews according to score: Highest (9.5/10 or more) or Lowest (2/10 or less)