Mary Ocher’s ‘Weimar’ Has a Stunning, Dramatic Atmosphere
Armed with just a piano and her voice, Berlin-based Mary Ocher is a striking presence on her new record, Weimar.
Chris Ingalls
Chris is a Massachusetts native who spent seven years as a broadcast journalist in the U.S. Navy and was also a videotape editor for a CBS affiliate TV station, a newspaper editor at a military public affairs office in Naples, Italy, and a videographer for a cancer research institute. He currently works as an internal communications manager for a large Boston hospital. He was born in 1969 and has been a rabid music fan since at least 1970, thanks to his three older siblings. A PopMatters writer since 2016, Chris is also a contributor to the website I Have That On Vinyl, an occasional guest on the music podcast Losing My Opinion, and is on Bluesky and Instagram @Ingalls1969. He lives in the leafy suburbs outside of Boston with his wife, son, dog, two cats, and lots of records.
Nicole Saphos Rocks With Determination
Nicole Saphos’ music grapples with heavy emotions and the buzz of nostalgia, yet never seems derivative. Her songs are fresh, unique, and able to walk through fire.
Pat Kelly Creates Another Low-Key Folk Gem
Pat Kelly creates songs inhabiting a distinctly low-key vibe, and the eloquent lyrical passages and his knack for “hooks” make for an irresistible combination.
Nate Mendelsohn’s Market Keeps Making It Weird
Nate Mendelsohn’s style as Market is eclectic and often beautifully bizarre, but always seems anchored, sometimes tenuously, to sophisticated pop structures.
The Early Mine a Gritty, Post-Rock Ambient Vibe
I Want to Be Ready sees the Early transporting and transcending, exploring the textures their unique instrumentation provides.
Armbruster Gleefully Confounds Expectations, Again
Connor Armbruster is not only a brilliant musician but a refreshingly restless one Half My House is a unique and tuneful spin on traditional Irish music
Shane Parish Recontextualizes Techno on Ingenious LP
Shane Parish thrives on conceiving projects that seem contradictory and overly challenging, yet come off as effortless and innovative.
Jackie West Expands the Strengths of Her Brilliant Debut
Jackie West grows from her immensely satisfying debut album into a follow-up that sees her taking chances while writing beautiful, emotionally striking music.
The Setting Create a Unique Twist on the Jazz Trio
Jazz trio the Setting have brought to fruition Eivind Opsvik’s love of 1970s and 1980s synthesizer music, ECM solo guitar albums, and experimental art pop.
Kerrin Connolly Swings for the Fences on Brilliant LP
Kerrin Connolly has stepped up her game, with smart, sophisticated arrangements and an arsenal of pop songs that are a quantum leap from earlier music.
Stephanie Lamprea and Alistair MacDonald Are Mesmerizing
Ecstatic Visions is an ambitious interpretation of new and recent compositions from the unique duo of Stephanie Lamprea and Alistair MacDonald.
Elori Saxl and Henry Solomon Create Stunning Ambient
Elori Saxl and Henry Solomon’s Seeing Is Forgetting exquisitely blends ambient and jazz while working in the occasional pop melody.