This week’s guide is by CF Smith and contributors, Arifur Rahman, Words By Shoaib and Irfan Ayaan.
Another week, another Between The Cracks! We have six great discoveries this week, from Stereolab’s first full-length album in 15 years, to the mind-tripping colliding musical layers of Alex Figueira, it’s all music for the curious mind. Without further ado, dive into our picks, and if something delights your ears, follow the buy link to make it yours! Enjoy the music, and have a fantastic weekend!
Albums
Stereolab – Instant Holograms On Metal Film
Stereolab’s first full-length album in 15 years, Instant Holograms On Metal Film, is a radiant and cerebral return that lands like they never left. Released last month, the record is a dense, playful, and politically tinged collage of krautrock grooves, retro synths, and avant-pop curiosity. At once nostalgic and forward-thinking, it captures the band’s signature blend of philosophical inquiry and sonic experimentation. ‘Aerial Troubles’, the vibrant lead single, wraps Sadier’s soft-spoken critique in shimmering motorik rhythm, its hypnotic flow masking urgent lyrical depth. ‘Melodie Is A Wound’, a nearly eight-minute standout, spirals through shifting pulses and synth textures with cinematic weight, equal parts lounge, muzak, and fractured pop. The production is crisp, with contributions from Cooper Crain, Rob Frye, and Ben LaMarGay enriching the sonic palette. Despite its cerebral density, the album remains danceable, immersive, and alive. Critics are right to call it timely; Instant Holograms don’t just revive the past; they refract it into something vital. This is classic Stereolab, expanded and sharpened, and it couldn’t have come at a better moment. – WBS
Resavoir and Matt Gold – Horizon
If you’re in the mood for a sun-soaked musical escape, then cop an ear to ‘Horizon’, the debut offering from Resavoir and Matt Gold. The two friends blend the warming rhythms of post-bossa with their own unique compositional flair. With Gold’s prowess as a multi-instrumentalist and Miller’s piano wizardry at the helm, this album is a peaceful and contemplative love letter to the golden era of Brazilian music that they both cherish. The album kicks off with ‘Canopy’, marking their first collaborative piece, with lively acoustic chords that glide into a sultry groove. The track is adorned with bird calls, strings, and Tim Bennett’s fluttering soprano sax leads. ‘Dewy’ feels like the ideal soundtrack as we almost bid adieu to spring and welcome the summer sun, all wrapped up in a vibrant orchestral cocktail. Further into the album, ‘Hazel Canyon’ channels the spirit of legends like Jorge Ben, Arthur Verocai, and Azymuth, with Gold delivering dazzling leads on both pedal steel and electric guitar. Vocals might be scarce, but they sure pack a punch. Take “Diversey Beach,” where New York singer Mei Semones’ ethereal voice soars alongside a stunning string arrangement, gracefully gliding over a dreamy rhythm. Grab your favourite tipple, sit back and relax. This is the perfect soundtrack to watching the sun dip below the horizon. – CFS
Cenk Esen – Endlessly
Cenk Esen’s Endlessly is a spellbinding journey through emotional landscapes, delivered with exceptional musicianship and compositional prowess. The son of Turkish jazz-fusion pioneer Aydin Esen, Cenk has established himself as a formidable pianist on London’s jazz circuit after studying at Berklee. Recorded at the prestigious AIR Studios with MckNasty (drums) and Tom Driessler (bass), the album masterfully balances ethereal moments with intense energy. The music navigates personal struggles and relationships with sophisticated harmonic approaches and tight grooves characteristic of London’s contemporary jazz scene. Air Traffic Controller showcases sporadic key stabs punctuated by rolling bass and eruptive drumming, creating a cyclone of sound with brief moments of tranquillity. The album’s standout track, “Endlessly, I’m Erased,” features Leyla Huysal’s uplifting vocals, painting a picture of heartbreak and disappointment over rippling piano notes. This breathtaking offering firmly establishes Esen as a phenomenal talent whose elegant yet intense compositions deserve serious attention. – IA
Duval Timothy – Wishful Thinking
Fans of the site will know Duval Timothy. The multidisciplinary artist— pianist, composer, music producer, and videographer—from South London who currently works and lives between the UK and Sierra Leone. ‘Wishful Thinking’ is his latest opus. This album, and his music in general, incorporate elements of hip-hop, nu-jazz, and post-minimalism. It resembles a collection of cross-cultural dialogues that always dwell in the present. While listening to Duval’s music, every note and every nuance becomes an intimate portrayal of varying moods, from joyful and playful to introspective. From the first track, ‘road’, which is a riveting and energetic interplay of piano melodies and fat basslines, to the end, the album offers layer upon layer of tangible and memorable walks in a magical soundscape. – AR
PiP & Ambroos De Schepper – Sans Loup
‘Sans Loup’ is a collaborative album by Pepijn Gyssels and Ambroos De Schepper. The project emerged spontaneously out of whim, or one might say, from their friendship and shared sensibility of creativity. Pepijn and Ambrose used to be roommates in Brussels, but Pepijn had to move out. After one year, while hanging out, they thought of recording something just for the fun of it. Sans Loup is the culmination of these spontaneous improvisations, spanning from 2021 to 2024. Both musicians left the traditional structure and nomenclature of music and set out to venture into the world of abstraction, which endowed them with a strange ability to play more freely. What I meant by that can be heard clearly in tracks like ‘ Sans Loup’ and ‘Spring Whistle’ parts 1 and 2, and, of course, throughout the album. – AR
Alex Figueira – Colliding Layers
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to dive headfirst into a sonic whirlpool where jazz funk, Latin rhythms, and psychedelic textures collide, then look no further than Alex Figueira’s latest offering, ‘Colliding Layers’. Feeling more like a late-night jam session in an underground club than a polished studio project, Figueira’s album crackles with spontaneity, born from endless in-the-moment sessions. What started out as a collaboration for Jazzaggression’s New Library Series quickly morphed into a vibrant fusion of tropical rhythms layered with a dazzling array of synth-driven psychedelia. Figueira’s clever use of live electronics introduces an element of surprise, with unexpected drops that seem to leap out from the shadows. In typical Figueira fashion, tracks shift and morph with every twist and turn, keeping you on your toes. His composition shines with a playful energy that is rarely found in typical library music. And what about the track titles, which are as whimsical as the music itself? With names like ‘Curry Crispy’, ‘Lost Marbles’ and ‘Monumental Bowl’. Figueira clearly embodies a playful spirit that permeates the album. Check out this mind-tripping beauty below. – CFS
