This week’s guide is by contributors Irfan Ayaan and Imran Mirza.
Once again, we’re diving into the musical abyss with our Between The Cracks selection, shining a light on under the radar releases from every corner of the sonic universe. Our picks showcase the kind of music that thrives in the gaps left by the mainstream—the albums that stubbornly resist being neatly pigeonholed into any one box. As always we hope you’ll find some music you love and you’ll be tempted to press the buy or share button! Take a gander at our newest picks below.
Albums
Yara Asmar – Stuttering Music
Yara Asmar’s Stuttering Music is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of sound and memory. This Lebanese artist crafts a mesmerising sonic landscape using accordion, metallophone, and electronics across seven evocative pieces. Originally recorded for a Radio AlHara broadcast in Palestine, the album’s title nods to Japanese filmmaker Shūji Terayama’s work. Asmar’s compositions blur the lines between improvisation and structured melody, creating an ethereal atmosphere that lingers long after the final note fades. Standout tracks include the expansive in fields of translucent pearls, which unfolds over nine minutes of shimmering textures and plaintive accordion lines. The shorter may offer a more intimate experience, with delicate metallophone tones evoking a sense of nostalgia and loss. Asmar’s music is deeply personal, reflecting themes of absence, change, and the passage of time. Her poetic track titles and album notes add another layer of emotional depth to the listening experience. Stuttering Music is remarkable, showcasing Asmar’s unique voice in experimental music. This album is essential for those who appreciate boundary-pushing soundscapes and emotionally resonant compositions. – IA
Moin – You Never End
Moin’s You Never End marks a bold evolution for the post-punk trio, blending their signature sound with a newfound emphasis on electronica. This third album sees percussionist Valentina Magaletti and London duo Joe Andrews and Tom Halstead (Raime) collaborating with an eclectic array of vocalists, adding depth and diversity to their sonic palette. The album’s eleven tracks showcase Moin’s ability to straddle the line between familiarity and innovation. By incorporating elements of grunge, shoegaze, and indie rock, they create a soundscape that’s both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The band’s subtle use of electronic production techniques adds texture and emotional resonance to their potent mix. Standout collaborations include the ethereal vocals of James K and the street-wise echoes of Coby Sey. These guest appearances bring lucidity and articulation to Moin’s established world while maintaining each artist’s unique mystique. You Never End is Moin’s more reflective and sensitive offering, infused with a comforting melancholy that still sounds vibrant and immediate. -IA
Tristan de Liège – Searching
Tristan de Liège’s Bandcamp page appropriately cites the LA-based artist’s inspirations as stemming from “instrumental hip-hop and downtempo artists and also his love of film soundtracks and orchestral arrangements” with each influence serving as its own acute observation into his own ever-evolving musical make-up. Throughout his output over the last few years, de Liège – while maintaining his foundation within electronic music – has managed to expertly manoeuvre his aesthetic to accommodate these aforementioned long-time passions, achieving far more expansive and inspired results. With the allure of creation seemingly too great a call to resist, Tristan de Liège continues to deliver music at an inspired pace and with such astonishing quality – ‘Searching’ proves to be the exclamation point to that fact! A perfect introduction for new de Liège listeners, while long-term listeners will recognise this as essential as anything he’s ever released. – IM
John Roseboro – Fools
John Roseboro’s Fools is a groundbreaking foray into post-bossa territory, challenging conventional notions of alternative music. The Haitian-American singer-songwriter and visual artist delivers his most collaborative effort to date, showcasing a remarkable evolution in his artistry. Roseboro’s compositions eschew tired chord progressions and clichéd themes, instead weaving intricate tapestries of grief, romance, and spirituality over unconventional melodies. The result is a raw, honest exploration of the human experience. The album features an impressive roster of Brooklyn’s finest musicians, including Luke Jr and Yamp as co-producers, with Reid Devereaux contributing horns, bass, and slide guitar. Standout tracks like Johnny, co-written with Mei Semones, and Crumb, featuring Liana Flores, exemplify the album’s collaborative spirit and musical diversity. Fools represents a triumphant turning point for Roseboro, who overcame personal hardships to create this independent masterpiece. His unwavering faith and artistic integrity shine through in every track, making this album a testament to his perseverance and creative vision. With its innovative approach to genre-blending and emotionally charged performances, Fools is a must-listen for anyone seeking fresh, boundary-pushing music that defies easy categorisation. – IA
Berke Can Özcan & Jonah Parzen-Johnson – It Was Always Time
It Was Always Time marks an electrifying debut from the unlikely duo of Berke Can Özcan and Jonah Parzen-Johnson, offering a potent antidote to our era’s cynicism. This transcontinental collaboration between Istanbul’s veteran drummer Özcan and Brooklyn’s baritone saxophonist Parzen-Johnson emerged from a serendipitous encounter, blossoming into a musical partnership that defies geographical and cultural boundaries. The album weaves a rich tapestry of thunderous percussion, gritty samples, and audacious sax melodies, creating a sound that’s both urgent and timeless. Standout tracks like Portrait Of a Brick and São Paulo showcase the duo’s ability to blend acoustic elements with electronic textures, framing poignant saxophone lines against a backdrop of meticulously layered found-sound samples. What sets this album apart is its infectious spirit of joy and curiosity. In a world grappling with polarization, It Was Always Time serves as a reminder that authentic connection and shared creativity can bridge divides. The effortless chemistry between Özcan and Parzen-Johnson shines throughout, belying the fact that they met just moments before their first performance together. This is more than just an album; it’s a clarion call for curiosity and collaboration in our increasingly fractured world. Highly recommended. – IA
Oaagaada – Music Of
Music Of by Oaagaada is a spiritual journey into the heart of free jazz, emerging from the unlikely setting of rural Southern Finland. This mysterious quartet, featuring members of Black Motor and Taco Bells, has been a hidden gem in the vibrant Finnish scene until now. The album’s sound is deeply rooted in the tradition of acoustic free jazz innovators, evoking comparisons to Art Ensemble of Chicago and Archie Shepp. However, Oaagaada carves its own path, eschewing both sterile contemporary production and deliberate lo-fi aesthetics. Instead, they offer a raw, authentic representation of their acclaimed live energy. Seagull Shapes stands out as a mesmerizing track, driven by meditative shruti box tones that channel the spirit of Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders without mimicry. The four-part Suite Tuli dominates the album’s second half, showcasing the band’s ability to sustain and develop their improvisational prowess over extended periods. Recorded at their home base, Odd Funk Studios in Hämeenlinna, Music Of captures the intimacy and organic ethos that define Oaagaada’s live performances. This debut album is a must-listen for fans of adventurous, spiritually-charged jazz that pushes boundaries while honouring its roots. – IA
