MentalMap

bar italia return with 'Some Like It Hot', an album that keeps true to their messy style, but delivers a much cleaner experience.

bar italia have previously shown a real pop sensibility underneath their messy rock, but 'Some Like It Hot' is much more pop-centric than previous offerings. Unfortunately this comes at expensive of some of their more trance inducing like work. There are fewer winding guitar solos, less drowning noise.

It is a record that feels light, but ... read more

Music is ultimately a completely subjective topic. I am however a firm believer of upper and lower bounds in between which this subjectivity lies. There is objectively bad music, that is enjoyed only by those who convince themselves that it is good, be it because of some loyalty to the artist or desire to be in a specific group. And there is objectively good music, music that cannot be dismissed by any listener, any listener who actually takes the time to listen fully, hated only by those who ... read more

In a world of monotony, something truly unique, like nothing else, stands out like a bright light in the dark. Geordie Greep's first (hopefully of many) solo LP, 'The New Sound', does just that.

While holding onto just enough of the dark math-rock that brought black midi so many loyal fans, Geordie Greep gives us an album that delivers on all fronts. Don't be mistaken, this is no black midi album.

When I initially heard the first single from the album, 'Holy, ... read more

AotW 2: 5/7:

By 'We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank', Modest Mouse have almost entirely shaken their art-rock roots. The fuzzy, meandering emo-grit is gone. Instead, we have a folk-rooted pop-rock album, ironically buoyant is feeling. More focus is put on traditional rock instrumentation, acoustic rhythm guitars, drums, and electric leads, perhaps in part due to Johnny Marr (The Smiths) joining the band. It is still sharp, rough, and unpredictable, in the way that Modest Mouse do ... read more