ajcollins15 | Sputnikmusic

	SYML DIM Although I don?t love the closer on this EP, the rest of the album is a delightful and bright singer/songwriter record with RnB leanings on ?YES AND KNOW?. Although the ideas on this EP aren?t the most original, Brian Fennell has a booming and seductive voice that keeps you entranced through the 20-minute run time. I will say the rather odd Radiohead influence is really interesting on ?BLACK TEETH?. Still, a solid release that gives me wanting more.	3.5 04.21.21
	Cory Hanson Pale Horse Rider Psychedelic folk is slowly becoming my favorite form of folk music and it makes sense why; the avant-nature of the guitar work, the usual rich and thick ambiance that backs the guitar, and the usually hypnotic drums, fills, or synths/drones. On this brand new album from Cory Hanson, he creates a dense, sophisticated, and yet light, and airy folk record drenched in psychedelia, ambient, and rock underpinnings that help you vibe out for the short run time. Although the interludes are a bit questioning (some fairly dark ambient passages) the overall ideas and moods of this record are nearly flawless. The album truly builds to its conclusion on ?	4.0 04.21.21
	Amigo the Devil Born Against There is something so fulfilling to listen to country music that heavily lives in making fun of all thing?s country. Not to say that this is intrinsically making fun of country, but there is something so against the norm of this gothic country record that it really brings me a smile. From the opening raw recording on ?Small Stone? to the cabaret-style instrumental on ?Quiet as a Rat? there is something really simple yet complex about this record. Although the record is quite sure it sure does pack a punch with different styles and ideas all throughout the ten songs on the record. Wish some of the weaker tracks: ?Better Ways to Fry a Fish? and	4.0 04.21.21
	The Armed Ultrapop Where to even begin with this record. I have had to listen to this over and over again just to get a grasp on what I feel about it and I have concluded that it is a great listen from front to back, however, the production leaves me scratching my head. For example, the intro track ?Ultrapop? is a grand and explosive way to introduce the record, however, it sticks out like a sore thumb to the rest of the record because it is the only real noise pop/synthpop song on the record. From there ?All Futures? is a post-hardcore and art punk rager with a nice balance between noise and cohesiveness. While on ?Real Folk Blues? all the instruments are so c	3.5 04.21.21
	Holding Absence The Greatest Mistake Of My Life On the sophomore record for the 5-piece post-hardcore band, they drop a lot of the thick atmosphere (although that shows up on this record) for more of a classic alternative rock rager. Big vocals, building instrumentals, memorable hooks, and grooves are all over this record. For how many times I have listened to this record the more I enjoy it, however, there is still the nagging feeling of, this could have more presence for a post-hardcore record. Still, as an alternative rock record, this is a really strong contender for one of the best in the last few years.	3.5 04.21.21
	Hail the Sun New Age Filth For many years people have always said ?Hail the Sun is a weaker version of The Mars Volta? ?however, those people are also those who say ?The Mars Volta is too much to listen to?. For me, and many of us who thoroughly enjoy swancore as a genre, believe Hail the Sun has just hit the top of the board for swancore bands (which means they have surpassed the creators of the sound, Dance Gavin Dance). New Age Filth almost hits the classic listens of their 2014 record ?Wake? while also going toe-to-toe with the classics of The Mars Volta. The reason for this is just how tight the playing is, how intricate yet simple the instrumentals are, and how t	4.5 04.21.21
	Vladislav Delay Rakka II On the first installment on this Kakka series, back in 2020, took the ideas of power-noise and post-industrial and created these intense yet enticing sonic soundscapes that took my ear for the 45-minute run time and never let up. However, on Finland-based producer's second record under the name, it feels noisier but less interesting. Although much of this album is still enticing to listen to, there is a heavier challenge with sitting through this album, and honestly, it can be a bit much at times. Still a decent listen from front to back if you really want some abrasive music, but it is a far cry from the other record under the name and a muc	3.0 04.21.21