Pom Poko Merge Complicated Guitars and Catchy Hooks
Pom Poko have figured out how to combine complex math rock with big pop hooks, but their willingness to stretch beyond these styles makes Champion intriguing.
Reviews
Quirky Comedy ‘Between the Temples’ Delights in the Unconventional Types
Nathan Silver’s 1970s-styled throwback Between the Temples is a comedy of people awkwardly fumbling toward purpose, faith, and meaning.
Maude Latour Tastes Life’s Sweetness on ‘Sugar Water’
Maude Latour’s ambitious debut LP suggests something rare: a visionary willing to trust her vision. The record offers a cohesive manifesto of mysticism.
Spirit of the Beehive Balance Experimentation and Songcraft
Spirit of the Beehive offer their most rangy yet integrated album, each track striking a notable balance between sonic exploration and hook-leaning songcraft.
Colin James Finds the Blues While ‘Chasing the Sun’
Canadian blues artist Colin James rocks out on the guitar on a new album, Chasing the Sun, and reminds us of strings’ power to pull emotions out of one’s heart.
‘All In’ Offers New Insight Into Justin Townes Earle’s Art
All In: Unreleased & Rarities is a fitting tribute to Justin Townes Earle, as the compilers had hoped, but it’s also a stellar set of music in any context.
Emo’s Ogbert the Nerd Deliver ‘What You Want’ on New LP
Ogbert the Nerd sound exuberant. There is a beating heart and pathos under the hooks, and they have much to offer listeners outside of emo’s ardent fans.
‘Funk Generation’ Is Anitta’s “This Is It” Moment
Anitta’s Funk Generation serves as Brazilian Funk 101 for listeners unfamiliar with the genre. It also serves as her “this is it” moment.
Andrew Combs Paints ‘Dream Pictures’ in Blues and Gold
Andrew Combs’ new album serves as the robin in spring, a sign that seasons have changed. It’s not a chronicle of happiness as much as a statement of normalcy.
STS9 Dazzle the Senses on ‘Chromalight’
Chromalight keeps a long winning streak going as STS9 continue pushing boundaries with their genre-blending sonic alchemy and collective improvisations.
Bad Brains Reissue the Timeless ‘I Against I’
Canonical DC hardcore act Bad Brains remain as vital as ever. Almost 40 years after I Against I’s initial release, it’s remarkable how timeless it sounds.
Ugandan Master Storyteller Ekuka Morris Sirikiti Is Spellbinding
Ekuka Morris Sirikiti’s work reminds us that he and his traditions are very much still here, not artifacts of old media but flesh and blood, spirit and sound.