Sputnikmusic - Staff Blog

Black Stallion

By Sowing Friday November 13, 2020

White Pony (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) [Explicit]

I’m not normally one who appreciates remixes. Usually they just feel like bad covers designed to take advantage of club goers and helpless mainstream addicts who want the same three beat variations for the rest of their lives. However, I’ve been proven wrong a lot lately when it comes to music, and I think that’s something that’s important to admit when you’ve been analyzing and critiquing music for well over a decade. Sam Amidon’s self-titled album of mostly early-1900s folk/Americana covers was released last month and completely altered my view on what a “covers album” is capable of, and now Deftones might be on the cusp of changing my mind about remixes. These two similar but separate avenues of re-imagining art have always been throwaways, but the tide is changing.

The myth of Black Stallion has been a topic of discussion for years in diehard Deftones circles, and now we’re finally getting it on December 11th via the White Pony 20th Anniversary Edition. I have to say, the two remixes released so far (‘Knife Prty’ and ‘Passenger’) have done more than merely avoid disappointment – they’ve caused real excitement from a fan of the band who just spent the last 2 months relentlessly jamming Ohms and who should be tired of the band’s sound by now. Purity Ring’s ‘Knife Prty’ remix is something to behold – a gorgeous, dazzling blend of keyboards, synths, and drums that has a smooth glazed finish and a downright haunting air. It…

Weekly Releases 11.13.2020

By Sowing Tuesday November 10, 2020

20 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 13, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: November 13, 2020 –

POWER UP

AC/DC: POWER UP
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Columbia

Spirit World Field Guide

Aesop Rock: Spirit World Field Guide
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label: Rhymesayers

DEMIDEVIL [Explicit]

Ashnikko: Demidevil
Genre: Hip-Hop/Pop
Label: Parlophone

Szabodelico

Causa Sui: Szabodelico
Genre: Psychedelic/Stoner Rock
Label: El Paraiso

Starting Over

Chris Stapleton: Starting Over
Genre: Country
Label: Mercury

Night Network

The Cribs: Night Network
Genre: Indie-Rock/Post-Punk
Label: Sonic Blew

Off the Deep

The Darcys: Fear & Loneliness
Genre: Indie-Rock/Shoegaze
Label: The Darcys Inc. Records

Buddies II: Still Buddies [Explicit]

Frank Turner & Jon Snodgrass: Buddies II: Still Buddies
Genre: Folk/Rock/Punk
Label: Xtra Mile Recordings

Survival Kit [Explicit]

Goodie Mob: Survival Kit
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label: Organized Noize/Goodie Mob Worldwide

Terminus

Jesu: Terminus
Genre: Shoegaze/Drone/Post Metal
Label: Avalanch Recordings

Renegades

L.A. Guns: Renegades
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Golden Robot

Trip

Lambchop: Trip
Genre: Country/Americana
Label: Merge

Through Shaded Woods

Lunatic Soul: Through Shaded Woods
Genre: Progressive Rock/Ambient/Psychedelic
Label: KSCOPE

Carnival Of Killers

Macabre:…

Weekly Releases 11.06.2020

By Willie Friday November 6, 2020

17 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of November 6, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: November 6, 2020 –

Alter Bridge: Walk The Sky 2.0
Genre: Hard Rock
Label: Napalm Records

Déluge: Ægo Templo
Genre: Post Black Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records

Fates Warning: Long Day Good Night
Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records

Kylie Minogue: Disco
Genre: Pop
Label: BMG

Lal: Meteors Could Come Down
Genre: Electronic
Label: Coax Records

Little Mix: Confetti
Genre: Pop
Label: Sony UK

Madison Cunningham: Wednesday
Genre: Americana
Label: Verve Forecast

Novo Amor: Cannot Be, Whatsoever
Genre: Indie Folk
Label: All Points

Ólafur Arnalds: some kind of peace
Genre: Ambient
Label: Mercury

Sangre de Muerdago: Xuntas
Genre: Folk
Label: Independent Release

Sólstafir: Endless Twilight of Codependent Love
Genre: Post Black Metal
Label: Season of Mist

Surma: The Light Within
Genre: Symphonic Metal
Label: Metal Blade Records

Teen Daze: Reality Refresh 4
Genre: Electronic/Dream Pop
Label: Flora

Tunning: DEAD CLUB
Genre: Indie Pop
Label: Full Time Hobby

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Weekly Releases 10.30.2020

By Sowing Monday October 26, 2020

23 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of October 30, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: October 30, 2020 –

The Human Demands

Amy MacDonald: The Human Demands
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: Infectious Music

HARK!

Andrew Bird: Hark!
Genre: Indie-Folk/Classical
Label: Loma Vista

After The Great Storm

Ane Brun: After the Great Storm
Genre: Folk/Indie-Rock
Label: Balloon Ranger

Ariana Grande: Positions
Genre: Pop/R&B
Label: Republic

Black Foxxes [Explicit]

Black Foxxes: Black Foxxes
Genre: Alt-Rock/Emo/Post-Hardcore
Label: Spinefarm

The Human Condition

Black Stone Cherry: The Human Condition
Genre: Hard Rock/Blues
Label: Mascot

POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR [Explicit]

Bring Me The Horizon: Post Human: Survival Horror
Genre: Metalcore/Post-Hardcore/Pop-Rock
Label: RCA

Despicable

Carcass: Despicable
Genre: Melodic Death Metal/Grind
Label: Nuclear Blast

Crack a Light

Dope Body: Crack A Light
Genre: Noise-Rock/Punk/Grunge
Label: Drag City

Under A Godless Veil

Draconian: Under a Godless Veil
Genre: Doom Metal/Death Metal/Gothic
Label: Napalm

Are We Alright Again

Eels: Earth To Dora
Genre: Indie-Rock/Indie-Pop/Lo-Fi
Label: E Works

Hey Clockface

Elvis Costello: Hey Clockface
Genre: Pop-Rock/Post-Punk
Label: Concord

May Our Chambers Be Full

Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou: May…

Weekly Releases 10.23.2020

By Sowing Tuesday October 20, 2020

22 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of October 23, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: October 23, 2020 –

songs and instrumentals

Adrianne Lenker: songs
Genre: Indie-Folk/Country
Label: 4AD

Adrianne Lenker: instrumentals
Genre: Indie-Folk/Country
Label: 4AD

Karma & Desire

Actress: Karma & Desire
Genre: Techno/House/IDM
Label: Ninja Tune

Punching the Sky [Explicit]

Armored Saint: Punching the Sky
Genre: Heavy/Thrash Metal
Label: Metal Blade

Paperback Writer (In Isolation)

Blossoms: In Isolation
Genre: Indie-Rock/Pop
Label: Virgin EMI

Wachito Rico [LP]

Boy Pablo: Wachito Rico
Genre: Lo-Fi/Indie-Rock
Label: 777 Music

Letter To You

Bruce Springsteen: Letter To You
Genre: Rock/Americana/Folk
Label: Columbia

Celestial Season: The Secret Teachings
Genre: Doom Metal/Death Metal/Stoner Rock
Label: Burning World Records

Visions of Bodies Being Burned [Explicit]

clipping: Visions of Bodies Being Burned
Genre: Hip-Hop/Industrial/Experimental
Label: Sub Pop Records

Order of Magnitude - Empath Live, Vol. 1 [Explicit]

Devin Townsend: Order Of Magnitude – Empath Live Volume 1
Genre: Progressive Rock/Metal
Label: InsideOutMusic

All Blessed [Explicit]

Faithless: All Blessed
Genre: Electronic/Trip-Hop/Trance
Label: BMG

III

Fuzz: III
Genre: Psychedelic/Sludge Metal/Stoner Rock
Label: In the Red Records
…

Weekly Releases 10.16.2020

By Sowing Tuesday October 13, 2020

21 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of October 16, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: October 16, 2020

Dark Hearts

Annie: Dark Hearts
Genre: Pop/Electronic/Indie-Pop
Label: Annie Melody

SIGN

Autechre: SIGN
Genre: IDM/Experimental/Ambient
Label: Warp

Fake It Flowers [Explicit]

Beabadoobee: Fake It Flowers
Genre: Grunge/Indie-Pop/Indie-Rock
Label: Dirty Hit

Legacies [Explicit]

Chaos Divine: Legacies
Genre: Progressive/Death Metal
Label: Chaos Recordings

The Rockfield Files - EP

The Damned: The Rockfield Files
Genre: Post Punk/Gothic
Label: Spinefarm

Impossible Weight

Deep Sea Diver: Impossible Weight
Genre: Indie/Alt Rock
Label: High Beam

The Time it Takes (Transparent Marigold Orange Vinyl)

Goldmund: The Time It Takes
Genre: Classical/Minimal/Post-Rock
Label: Western Vinyl

Gulfer

Gulfer: Gulfer
Genre: Emo/Post Rock/Math Rock
Label: Topshelf

DISCO4 :: PART I [Explicit]

HEALTH: DISCO4 :: Part I
Genre: Noise Rock/Alt-Rock/Electronic
Label: Loma Vista

Horse

Holy Motors: Horse
Genre: Alt-Rock/Dream Pop
Label: Wharf Cat

Sundowner

Kevin Morby: Sundowner
Genre: Indie-Folk/Rock
Label: Dead Oceans

Wildhorse

Malin Pettersen: Wildhorse
Genre: Country
Label: Die With Your Boots On

Serpentine Prison

Matt Berninger: Serpentine Prison
Genre: Indie Folk
Label: Concord

Anime, Trauma and Divorce | Open Mike Eagle

Open Mike Eagle: Anime, Trauma and Divorce
Genre: Hip-Hop/Experimental
Label: AutoReverse

I Don't Feel Well

Pluralone: I Don’t Feel Well
Genre: Indie-Pop/Alt Rock
Label: Org Music

All of Us

Sam Roberts: All Of Us
Genre: Indie-Rock
Label: Known Accomplice

Big Vibe

Seaway: Big Vibe
Genre: Pop Punk/Emo/Pop Rock
Label: Pure Noise

Strange Days [Explicit]

The Struts: Strange Days
Genre: Pop Rock/Indie Rock
Label: Interscope

Ta-ku: All Things Considered Vol. 1
Genre: Hip-Hop/Ambient/Electronic
Label: 823 Records

Projections

Tomberlin: Projections
Genre: Folk/Ambient
Label: Saddle Creek

S16

Woodkid: S16
Genre: Folk/Alt-Rock/Electronic
Label: Island

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Weekly Releases 10.9.2020

By Sowing Wednesday October 7, 2020

21 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of October 9, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: October 9, 2020

Sad Hunk

Bahamas: Sad Hunk
Genre: Indie-Folk/Alt-Rock
Label: Brushfire/Universal

The Symbol Remains

Blue Oyster Cult: The Symbol Remains
Genre: Hard Rock/Psychedelic
Label: Frontiers Music SRL

Skeletons

Brothers Osborne: Skeletons
Genre: Country
Label: EMI Nashville

Ellengæst

Crippled Black Phoenix: Ellengæst
Genre: Post/Progressive/Stoner Rock
Label: Season of Mist

Dealing with Demons I [Explicit]

Devildriver: Dealing With Demons I
Genre: Thrash/Melodic Death Metal
Label: Napalm

Tragic Separation

DGM: Tragic Separation
Genre: Progressive Rock/Metal
Label: Frontiers Music SRL

April/月音

Emmy the Great: April/月音
Genre: Indie-Pop/Folk/Electronic
Label: Bella Union

As Long As You Are

Future Islands: As Long as You Are
Genre: Indie-Rock/Pop/Electronic
Label: 4AD

The Affair of the Poisons [Explicit]

Hellripper: The Affair of the Poisons
Genre: Thrash/Black/Heavy Metal
Label: Peaceville

Somewhere Nowhere

Hundredth: Somewhere Nowhere
Genre: Shoegaze/Hardcore/Post Metal
Label: Hundredth

Moon Piano

Laraaji: Moon Piano
Genre: Ambient/Experimental
Label: All Saints

Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory: 20th Anniversary Edition [Super Deluxe Edition] | Craft & Vinyl - #YouBelongHere

Linkin Park: Hybrid Theory – 20th Anniversary Edition
Genre: Nu-Metal
Label: Warner Records

A View Of U (SILVER, BLACK, WHITE MARBLED VINYL)

Machinedrum: A View Of U
Genre: House/IDM/Electronic
Label: Ninja Tune

Silver Ladders

Mary Lattimore: Silver Ladders
Genre: Ambient/Minimal/Experimental
Label: Ghostly International

Atlas Vending

METZ: Atlas Vending
Genre: Noise Rock/Post Punk/Hardcore
Label: Sub Pop Records

SISTER

Mina Tindle: SISTER
Genre: Pop/Folk/Soul
Label: 37d03d

Space For The Earth

Ozric Tentacles: Space For The Earth
Genre: Psychedelic/Progressive/Jam Rock
Label: Kscope

I Wonder

Teramaze: I Wonder
Genre: Progressive Metal/Power Metal/Progressive Rock
Label: Wells Music

Lament

Touché Amoré: Lament
Genre: Hardcore/Emo/Post-Hardcore
Label: Epitaph

10 Songs

Travis: 10 Songs
Genre: Britpop/Indie-Rock/Pop
Label: BMG

Sleepless Night

Yo La Tengo: Sleepless Night
Genre: Indie-Rock/Shoegaze
Label: Matador

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Weekly Releases 10.2.2020

By Sowing Thursday October 1, 2020

42 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of October 2, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: October 2, 2020

Wild, Free

Acceptance: Wild, Free
Genre: Alt-Rock/Pop-Punk/Pop-Rock
Label: Tooth & Nail

All Love Everything

Aloe Blacc: All Love Everything
Genre: Soul/Pop/R&B
Label: BMG

Endarkenment

Anaal Nathrakh: Endarkenment
Genre: Grind/Black Metal/Industrial
Label: Metal Blade

DEMIDEVIL [Explicit]

Ashnikko: Demidevil
Genre: Hip-Hop/Pop/Experimental
Label: Parlophone UK

For the Music

Blackfield: For the Music
Genre: Progressive/Alt-Rock
Label: Parlophone Int’L

THE ALBUM [Version 1]

BLACKPINK: The Album
Genre: Pop/Hip-Hop
Label: YG

2020

Bon Jovi: 2020
Genre: Rock
Label: Island

SQUEEZE

Born Ruffians: SQUEEZE
Genre: Indie-Rock/Post-Punk
Label: Yep Roc

Keep 'Em On They Toes

Brent Cobb: Keep ‘Em On They Toes
Genre: Country/Americana
Label: Ol’ Buddy

CMFT

Corey Taylor: CMFT
Genre: Metal/Hip-Hop/Hard Rock
Label: Roadrunner

Good Luck With Whatever

Dawes: Good Luck With Whatever
Genre: Folk/Indie-Rock
Label: Rounder

Under The Spell Of Joy (Gold Vinyl)

Death Valley Girls: Under The Spell Of Joy
Genre: Alt-Rock/Garage
Label: Suicide Squeeze

A Holly Dolly Christmas

Dolly Parton: A Holly Dolly Christmas
Genre: Country/Bluegrass

Interview: Black Sheep Wall

By DrGonzo1937 Sunday September 27, 2020

15 Comments

The return of Black Sheep Wall in 2020 definitely comes with auspicious timing. I mean, who else is as appropriately equipped to lay down a fresh batch of songs that will undoubtedly straddle the unrelenting mayhem and melancholy of one of the most unsympathetic years in a generation? Indeed, without an ounce of hyperbole coming from my stern sentiment, Black Sheep Wall are true veterans of the sludgy, doom-dirge sound – palpable legends at this point who wield nihilism and anguish with an atypical bravado. Similarly, their works – even the less favourable ones – exhume a raw honesty seldom felt with a good portion of other bands. New music aside, the long-awaited announcement of their flawless, nihilistic masterpiece I Am God Songs getting its very first vinyl release back in June was a joyous revelation for fans – a fitting re-release, eighteen years on, that is certainly qualified to be 2020’s soundtrack – but more to the point, it became the starting posts for a band with a bright future ahead of itself. Here we deep-dive into the band’s long, esoteric history, analyse I Am God Songs, discuss the imminent new album, and talk a little about what the future holds – so hold onto your butts.

Let’s start by giving out a little backstory on the band. You guys have been at this a very long time now and all things considered, Black Sheep Wall is somewhat of an enigma. Can you give us…

Tags: Black Sheep Wall

Weekly Releases 9.25.2020

By Sowing Monday September 21, 2020

44 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of September 25, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: September 25, 2020

2 Chainz: So Help Me God
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label: Def Jam

A Certain Ratio: ACR Loco
Genre: Post-Punk/Funk
Label: Mute

Only For Dolphins [Explicit]

Action Bronson: Only For Dolphins
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label: Loma Vista Recordings

All Thoughts Fly

Anna von Hausswolff: All Thoughts Fly
Genre: Experimental/Drone/Ambient
Label: (Red) Southern Lord

Transitus

Ayreon: Transitus
Genre: Progressive Metal/Rock
Label: Music Theories

Deep Dark South

Bendrix Littleton: Deep Dark South
Genre: Folk/Indie-Rock/Americana
Label: NNA Tapes

Under 1 House

Blue Hawaii: Under 1 House
Genre: Indie-Pop/Electronic/Psychedelic
Label: Sinderlyn

Blue Hearts

Bob Mould: Blue Hearts
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: Merge Records

End the Summertime F(or)ever

Botany: End the Summertime F(or)ever
Genre: Electronic/Downtempo/Garage
Label: InsideOutMusic

Burrows

Caro: Burrows
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: Yala

My Gift

Carrie Underwood: My Gift
Genre: Country
Label: Capitol Nashville

Blue Summer

Cayucas: Blue Summer
Genre: Indie-Pop/Folk
Label: Park The Van

Ohms [Explicit] …

Staff’s Q3 Playlist

By Sowing Friday September 18, 2020

6 Comments

2020: Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4

Sputnikmusic Staff’s 2020 Q3 Playlist

Welcome to the third installment of our 2020 quarterly playlist/mixtape! Below you will find hand picked songs from July to September. Feel free to jam the playlist below while reading what our writers had to say about each selection. Tell us what your favorites are in the comments, as well as any new artists you may have discovered here – or, alternatively, tell us what we missed! Thanks for reading/listening.

Tracklist:

I Love You

Acid Moon and the Pregnant Sun – I Love You

Jamming Speakin’ of the Devil is like travelling in a time capsule, as the Israeli outfit moves easily between Rolling Stones rock ‘n’ roll and psychedelic cuts a la Jefferson Airplane. “I Love You” is one of the more upbeat tunes of the album, and takes the listener back to late-‘60s San Francisco. — manosg

Adrianne Lenker – anything

Adrianne Lenker is peak Sad Music to Feel Good To: Warm. Patient. Open. In the sun, in the rain; half-asleep, half-awake. Small-scale ‘Holocene’: epoch of the self. — BlushfulHippocrene

The Atomic Bitchwax – Easy Action

‘Easy Action’

…

Weekly Releases 9.18.2020

By Sowing Tuesday September 15, 2020

39 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of September 18, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: September 18, 2020

Apple [Explicit]

A. G. Cook: Apple
Genre: Electronic/Pop/House
Label: PC Music

ALICIA

Alicia Keys: ALICIA
Genre: Pop/Soul/R&B
Label: RCA

Summits of Despondency [Explicit]

Ancst: Summits of Despondency
Genre: Black Metal/Drone/Hardcore
Label: Lifeforce Records

Black Thought - Streams of Thought Vol. 3: Cain and Abel Lyrics and Tracklist | Genius

Black Thought: Stream of Thought Vol. 3: Cain And Abel
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label: Def Jam Recordings

BUCK-TICK: Abracadabra
Genre: Post-Punk/Gothic/Alternative Rock
Label: Lingua Sounda/Victor Entertainment

Where Death Lies

Carnation (BE): Where Death Lies
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Season of Mist

Host

Cults: Host
Genre: Indie-Pop/Psychedelic/Lo-Fi
Label: Sinderlyn

Find The Sun

Deradoorian: Find The Sun
Genre: Psychedelic/Alt-Rock/Experimental
Label: Anti/Epitaph

The Phoenix

Derek Sherinian: The Phoenix
Genre: Metal/Progressive Rock/Jazz Fusion
Label: InsideOutMusic

Why Do We Shake In The Cold?

Elderbrook: Why Do We Shake in the Cold?
Genre: Electronic/Garage
Label: Parlophone UK

Keeper

Elliott Brood: Keeper
Genre: Country/Indie-Rock
Label: Six Shooter Records Inc.

Vredesvävd

Finntroll: Vredesvävd
Genre: Folk/Black Metal
Label: Century Media

Sleeper Vessels [Explicit] …

Weekly Releases 9.11.2020

By Sowing Thursday September 10, 2020

14 Comments

Here’s a list of major new releases for the week of September 11, 2020. Please feel free to request reviews for any of the following albums from staff and/or contributors.

– List of Releases: September 11, 2020

Holy Smokes Future Jokes

Blitzen Trapper: Holy Smokes Future Jokes
Genre: Alt/Indie-Rock
Label: Yep Roc

From King To A GOD [Explicit]

Conway: From King To A God
Genre: Hip-Hop
Label: Griselda/Drumwork/EMPIRE

What Is There

Delta Spirit: What Is There
Genre: Indie-Rock/Americana
Label: New West

Dephosphorus: Sublimation
Genre: Grind/Black Metal/Hardcore
Label: 7Degrees/Selfmadegod/Nerve Altar

The Universal Want

Doves (UK): The Universal Want
Genre: Alt/Indie-Rock
Label: Imperial Distribution

American Head

The Flaming Lips: American Head
Genre: Psychedelic/Dream Pop
Label: Warner Bros.

Frowning: Death Requiem
Genre: Doom Metal
Label: GS Productions

Pharos

Ihsahn: Pharos
Genre: Progressive/Black Metal
Label: Spinefarm

unnamed 18 Arcade Fires Jeremy Gara Announces Solo Album Passerine Finale, Shares wraith: Stream

Jeremy Gara: Passerine Finale
Genre: Ambient/Electronic/Indie-Rock
Label: Invada

Protosapien

JUPITERIAN: Protosapien
Genre: Sludge/Death/Doom Metal
Label: Transcending Obscurity

Polysomn

Kairon IRSE!: Polysomn
Genre: Post-Rock/Shoegaze/Progressive Rock
Label: Svart

ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini: Ballerini
Genre: Pop/Country
Label: Black River Entertainment

Captured Spirits

Mammal Hands: Captured Spirits
Genre: Jazz
Label: Gondwana

WE ARE CHAOS [Explicit]

Marilyn…

Ichiko Aoba: “Seabed Eden”

By JohnnyoftheWell Tuesday September 8, 2020

12 Comments

Ichiko Aoba has a new single and – shock horror – it’s gorgeous and utterly spellbinding. Listen to it.

For those unfamiliar with Aoba, the usual deal is that you sit down and press play, and then she appears like a magical headphone fairy for an hour (give or take twenty minutes) with her excellent guitar and her excellent guitar technique and pretty much nothing else aside from her voice, with which she sings songs so pure and intimate that you’d feel like you were the only person in the world who could her them even if they were being broadcast at deafening volumes on loudspeakers in the middle of Shibuya Crossing or wherever.

“Seabed Eden” differs both significantly and subtly from the Aoba precedent. On an immediate level and in the softest of revolutions, Aoba has swapped her guitar, once her inseparable confidant, for an electric piano. It’s obviously striking that she’s literally playing a different instrument, but the greatest change here is the melancholy minor 7th-fest of a chord progression that she follows throughout; in a similar way to how her January single “Amuletum” was immediately evocative of classic Studio Ghibli soundtracks, this progression is unusual for Aoba that it immediately screams of a real world precedent outside of her own quiet universe (in this case, the wistful melodic jazz of Erroll Garner’s “Misty” and the fifty zillion descendent numbers you’ve heard with or without realising it). Ichiko Aoba hasn’t lost her magic touch – this track is…

Sputnikmusic Album of the Month: August 2020

By DrGonzo1937 Sunday September 6, 2020

5 Comments

August 2020 Album of the Month: Two People – Second Body

Second Body could not have come out at a better time. After keeping myself from checking out most of the singles prior to its release, I pressed play on the album for the first time as I started my morning walk through a picturesque valley in the Swiss Alps. Allowing Two People’s music to adorn my quest for breakfast was nothing short of perfection; from the peppy beats of ‘Loud’ and ‘A Taste’ to dreamier cuts such as ‘Been a Little While’ and ‘Under the Hood’, each aspect of the record capitalises on the band’s newfound sense of immediacy in the best possible way. As I exited the local bakery, however, it was the second chorus of ‘The Line’ that completely floored me. It’s not an obviously grandiose moment, not one of directly distinguishable beauty, but rather one of astonishing subtlety in a song that still manages to retain [i]Second Body[/i]’s instantly gratifying nature. A simple drum beat, some low piano notes and Phoebe Lou’s heavenly croons: everything fits, everything feels right. It’s the moment that solidified Two People’s second body of work as something truly special, connecting the organic beauty of the album with that of the mountains towering over me as the replay button and a paper bag filled with fresh croissants and yoghurt accompanied me on my walk back. – JesperL

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– List of Releases: November 13, 2020 –

– List of Releases: November 6, 2020 –

– List of Releases: October 30, 2020 –

– List of Releases: October 23, 2020 –

– List of Releases: October 16, 2020

– List of Releases: October 9, 2020

– List of Releases: October 2, 2020

– List of Releases: September 25, 2020

Sputnikmusic Staff’s 2020 Q3 Playlist

Tracklist:

– List of Releases: September 18, 2020

– List of Releases: September 11, 2020

Talking Points