Happy Bandcamp Friday, everyone! I hope you had an amazing week listening to lots of wonderful music. As ever we bring you a diverse selection of the best recently released new music every Friday. Dive into our latest selection, and if something tickles your eardrums, follow the buy link to make it yours! Enjoy the music, and have a great weekend!
Albums
Zack Clarke – Plunge
Zack Clarke’s Plunge is a dizzying dive into the avant-garde, where jazz meets IDM and electronic experimentation. The veteran pianist and composer, known for pushing boundaries with his previous critically acclaimed releases on Clean Feed Records, takes his penchant for ultra-modern concepts to new heights. Plunge is a culmination of Clarke’s multifarious influences, braiding threads of futuristic funk, fusion à la Herbie Hancock, and the glitchy complexities of early Warp Records artists like Squarepusher. Clarke explains: “My aim with this record is to use key elements of various genres…to create a new type of music, something that can act as a bridge between people.” The harmonic palette is wide open, often lacking a tonal centre yet overflowing with infectious melodies. Complex rhythms are anchored by funky, relatable beat patterns. Standouts like the frenetic “Alternativefacts” and the glitchy “Grahmcrackers” showcase Clarke’s deft fusion of acoustic and electronic composition and improvisation. Drawing from EDM, rock, jazz, and hip-hop, Plunge transcends genre, emerging as an engaging work of “futuristic dance music and modern composition.” It’s a thrilling plunge into uncharted sonic territory that will appeal to fans of Pat Metheny, Frank Zappa, Flying Lotus, and beyond. An intrepid tour de force.
Ishmael Ensemble – Rituals
Rituals, the highly anticipated third studio album by the Ishmael Ensemble, is a mesmerising journey into the depths of its unique sound. The quintet, led by the talented Pete Cunningham, has once again pushed the boundaries of jazz fusion with its captivating blend of genres. Hailing from Bristol’s vibrant music scene, Ishmael Ensemble has established itself as a force to be reckoned with. They seamlessly weave jazz, rock, and electronic elements into a cohesive sound. Rituals is a testament to their remarkable musicianship and creative prowess. The album’s sound is a delightful fusion of organic and electronic textures, with Cunningham’s soulful vocals and saxophone lines soaring over intricate rhythms and atmospheric synths. The opening track, “C’mon,” immediately draws you in with its infectious groove and melodies. Standout tracks like “Fever Dream” and “Madrid” showcase the ensemble’s ability to craft intricate compositions that ebb and flow with mesmerizing intensity. Cunningham’s emotive vocals and Holly Wellington’s haunting piano lines intertwine with the band’s rhythmic interplay, creating an immersive sonic experience. A superb offering yet again. Don’t sleep on this album.
The Revolutionary Army of The Infant Jesus – The Dream We Carry
The mysterious UK ensemble The Revolutionary Army of The Infant Jesus has crafted a gorgeous, haunting album with “The Dream We Carry.” Though little is known about the reclusive group, their music speaks volumes. This record bathes the listener in shimmering, melancholic beauty. The overall sound blends dream-pop textures with post-rock atmospherics and folk intimacy. Chiming guitars, hushed vocals, and sparse piano motifs create a dreamy, nostalgic vibe. Yet there’s also an undercurrent of darkness and longing beneath the pretty surfaces. Standouts include the woozy “Song For Lost Souls” with hypnotic guitar figures and the fragile piano lament “Portrait of a Child.” But the real showstopper is the epic “Tales From Nowhere” – a nine-minute suite that builds from haunting ambience to crashing catharsis. “The Dream We Carry” aches with restrained emotion and exquisite minimalism.
Poeji – Nant
Nant is a truly mesmerizing album from newly formed duo Poeji. This album effortlessly fuses post-dub, ambient and free jazz improvisation, where the vocals join the percussion on the same level. Enji and Simon Popp take up this serendipitous endeavour as a duo—Poeji for this debut LP. Enji’s vocals leave the spotlight and pierce through reverb plates and guitar pedals. Popp runs alongside her with his signature set of wooden and metal percussion. This album relies heavily on rhythmic texture. Enji’s voice echoes through Popp’s textural drumming, and something clashes in a whole new dimension. “Buuwein Duu,” “Ybbs”, and “Ipê” encapsulate this otherworldly experience. Another lovely release from Squama.
Fazer – Yamaha
Speaking of Squama, Yamaha is the fourth album from the Munich quintet Fazer, making a grand return following their 2020 release “Plex”. This record cleverly melds indie, jazz, and psychedelic rock, served with a side of humour and depth. A myriad of instruments — such as acoustic guitars, trombone, Wurlitzer, and assorted percussion— work in perfect tandem adding depth, colour and a distinct personality to each of the tracks. Be that slow and dark “Foam” or the catchy and introspective “Honda,” this whole album is a meticulous work of art. And this is why MOJO Magazine described it as a “tightly coiled, well-oiled machine.”
Nídia & Valentina – Estradas
Estradas is the first collaborative project from two musicians with entirely different styles of making music. Drummer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Valentina Magaletti and Afro-Portuguese beatmaker Nídia embark on a mission to find a middle ground in this album. Estradas marks a turning point for Nídia, working with a multi-instrumentalist and for Magaletti, who, for the first time, is composing in the context of dance music. All the tracks are built on the foundation of shifting polyrhythms and embellished with syncopated drum patterns, groovy marimba lines, and melodic interludes. “Mata”, “Rapido”, and “Sicilia” are three of the quintessential tracks on this stunning project. Turn it up and dance along!
