Always on the hunt for musical gems we can’t get enough of, we’ve handpicked six releases we’re excited about just for you. Dive into these fresh releases and discover some new albums to add to your collection! If our musical picks pique your interest, show some love to the artists and labels by hitting that buy or share button. Happy listening music lovers!
Albums
Neuro… No Neuro – Mental Cassette
Ah, the nostalgia of childhood. The whir of a cassette tape instantly resurrects those forgotten moments from yesteryears. Mental Cassette by Kirk Markarian, aka Neuro… No Neuro uses melodies to tenderly cradle fading memories, weaving fragmented recollections onto the softly spinning reel of a tape. Like an audio scrapbook, the music reaches into the dusty corners of your mind, dusting off those cherished snapshots from the past and giving them a vibrant new life. Kirk’s symphonic time travel breathes warmth into every note, nestling your childhood musings with gentle grace.
Free The Robots – Datu 2
Free The Robots drops the second instalment of his tribute project to his Filipino roots. The veteran member of L.A.’s Low End Theory collective (alongside Flying Lotus, Gaslamp Killer, Daedelus, Nosaj Thing) keeps his trademark punchy drum breaks and deep bass but this time adds 100% samples from his archipelago (percussion, tribal voices, field recordings, etc.).
Elijah Minnelli – Perpetual Musket
Elijah Minnelli’s Perpetual Musket is a delightful fusion of dub reggae with traditional folk melodies. As a seasoned reggae explorer, Minnelli adeptly showcases the genre’s versatility. He enlists four acclaimed reggae vocalists – Earl Sixteen, Joe Yorke, Little Roy, and Shumba Youth – to reinvigorate protest anthems and folksy tunes. The album masterfully contrasts roots reggae rhythms with the quaint melodies of British folk. Minnelli’s dub production introduces an atmospheric depth, enhancing the songs’ expressive power. Highlights include Little Roy’s soulful “Vine & Fig Tree” and Shumba Youth’s rhythmic “Soulcake,” a winter ritual song. Each vocal piece is complemented by an instrumental dub, spotlighting Minnelli’s creative production. The “Ploughshare Dub” and “Gallant Dub” stand out with their entrancing, echo-laden grooves and psychedelic flair. Perpetual Musket is an inventive triumph, revitalizing vintage folk through the fresh perspective of dub reggae. It’s a must-listen for fans of both genres seeking something unique and soul-stirring.
Black Diamond – Furniture Of the Mind Rearranging
Black Diamond’s latest offering, “Furniture of the Mind Rearranging,” is a captivating exploration of the Chicago improvisational music scene. Co-led by Artie Black and Hunter Diamond, the quartet traverses a diverse sonic landscape, seamlessly blending driving grooves, minimalist introspection, and intimate chamber-like passages. Veteran saxophonists Black and Diamond have honed their craft over a decade of close collaboration, their musical kinship evident in the album’s cohesive yet adventurous spirit. Alongside long-standing bandmates Matt Ulery on double bass and Neil Hemphill on drums, they forge a sound that pays homage to the traditions of small-group jazz while embracing the avant-garde tendencies of Chicago’s improvised music culture. Standout tracks like “Carrying the Stick” and “Say to Yourself” showcase the quartet’s ability to quickly shift between propulsive, off-kilter rhythms and plaintive melodic explorations. The two closing long-form duo compositions offer a meditative counterpoint. Black and Diamond’s intertwining tenor saxophones create a mesmerising, reflective atmosphere. “Furniture of the Mind Rearranging” is a testament to Black Diamond’s artistic evolution, an assemblage of new compositions and improvisations that exemplify their unique aesthetic. With its seamless blend of groove, minimalism, and chamber-like intimacy, this album is a must-listen for fans of adventurous, forward-thinking jazz.
Superposition – ll
Superposition’s second album, “II”, sees the explosive Finnish quartet leap forward, transforming their acoustic-free jazz-based sound into a more melodic, flowing direction. Led by drummer Olavi Louhivuori and featuring saxophonists Linda Fredriksson and Adele Sauros alongside bassist Mikael Saastamoinen, the ensemble builds on the success of their EMMA-winning debut. The album showcases Superposition’s remarkable strength as a tightly-knit unit. While Louhivuori contributes four compositions, the writing credits are shared democratically, each member serving the band’s unified voice. This egalitarian approach pays dividends as the quartet’s introspective, moody passages ebb and flow seamlessly with their fiery improvisational outbursts. Standouts include the atmospheric “Clouding” and the aptly named “Clashes,” which encapsulate Superposition’s dynamic range. The former casts a hypnotic spell, while the latter erupts with the raw energy of acoustic freedom jazz’s finest exponents. Yet even at their most frenetic, the quartet retains a melodic core that anchors the proceedings. With “II,” Superposition solidifies its status as a top-tier live act and recording ensemble. By harnessing its individual and collective strengths, it’s crafted a remarkably cohesive statement that pushes its sound forward without abandoning its roots. For adventurous listeners, this is an essential acquisition.
Claire Dickson – The Beholder
Claire Dickson’s second album, The Beholder, weaves a hypnotic spell with its ambient dreamscapes. Her wordless lyricism invites listeners into a world brimming with mystery and endless possibilities, encapsulated by the album’s fluid ambience. Across nine tracks, Dickson presents a tapestry of evolving sonic landscapes, merging samples, found sounds, synths, layered vocals, and minimal percussion. The through-composed songs progress without pause, embodying the “beholder” archetype’s fractured, dreamlike state that Dickson envisions. Highlights include “My House,” in which the Beholder is ensnared in an expansive dream and confronts a loss of identity, and “Thrill of Still,” which captures the joy of observation without obligation and reflects the Beholder’s ephemeral nature. The Beholder is a testament to Dickson’s ability to blur the lines between the tangible and the abstract. Her avant-garde songcraft offers an immersive trip that defies conventional music norms. It’s a compelling listen for those seeking an audacious musical adventure.
