The Black Watch Mate Britpop Melancholy with California Brightness on ‘Future Strangers’
The Black Watch’s Future Strangers is a collection of Britpop-influenced love-and-loss songs that abound in buoyant musical assurance and well-honed craft.
Reviews
100 gecs Mine Cultural Maximalism in ‘10000 Gecs’
100 gecs’ 10000 Gecs succeeds as a cultural correlative, an audial reflection of modern-day life, as much as, perhaps more than, a purely aesthetic offering.
Mats Gustafsson and Joachim Nordwall Bend the Avant-Garde to Their Will
Experimentalists Mats Gustafsson and Joachim Nordwall have united to create an album that, even by their compartmentalized standards, is pretty out there.
Liturgy’s ‘93696’ Delivers Ecstasy, Physicality, and Intellectual Endeavor
Already noted for their determination to challenge themselves and their listeners, Liturgy’s 93696 shows them refusing to settle for less when more is possible.
‘The Crane Husband’ Carries Its Origin Folktale to the Midwest
The Crane Husband is a harrowing meditation on perpetual cycles of abuse, the exploitation of women, and a vivid exploration of artistic obsession.
‘Stoned Cold Country’ Proves You Can’t Always Get What You Want
The latest country-leaning tribute album to the Rolling Stones, Stoned Cold Country, is as unexciting as it is unnecessary.
‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Goes Down Shooting
Despite an egregious running time and padded plot, the (maybe) conclusion to Keanu Reeves’ series, John Wick: Chapter 4, still serves up some of the original’s delightful weirdness.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Epic Double LP ‘V’ Just Wants to Vibe
Unknown Mortal Orchestra return from a five-year hiatus to deliver a double album, V, containing both the best and blandest songs they’ve ever made.
Scheuber’s ‘Autarcique’ Is Full of Dark Synthwave Delights
Scheuber’s Autarcique is a superb synthwave album infused with equal parts dark dance beats and fine song crafting. The result is beautiful.
Psychological Drama God’s Creatures Renders the Maternal Toxic
Like pride before a fall, the psychological drama God’s Creatures critiques the sentimentality of blood and the tribal mindset of loyalty above conscience.
Aly & AJ Relay Stunning Scenes on ‘With Love From’
Aly & AJ’s With Love From recalls classic Americana imagery and sounds like two women reveling in the joy of creating music representing who they are.
Nuovo Testamento’s ‘Love Lines’ Is an ’80s New Wave Italo Extravaganza
Who knew the music of mullets, wrap-around shades, and bodysuits could be so compelling? Nuovo Testamento’s Love Lines succeeds and transports the listener.
