We're so back. Sort of. The track progressions is much more enjoyable than on the previous two albums. Feels like they're really Going for something this time around. The cinematic sound is a little boring and clique at times but still very cool at other points. I do think they could have done a lot better with this sound. Again it feels like the new ground they broke on Mess was completely abandoned and any thought of pushing into new territory was abandoned. Maybe that's just ... read more
I mean the groove is good. But 30 Minutes??!? The absolute commitment of a last song takes this from practically a fleshed out EP or very concise album to something totally different. I think the rest of the tracks are pretty good and pretty fun. Generally dance-punk bangers with varying quality and uniqueness. The last track is just a fascinating choice and I suppose I am not wholly opposed but I am can say I'm interested in listening to more than maybe 8 of so minutes of it again.
Liars take the quiet meditative ambiance and the explosive weirdo bangers of Drums Not Dead and add more of their original post punk, alternative rock style to it. The results are certainly lesser than the wholly unique experience of Drums Not Dead but there is still a level of quality and unique style that can't be found just anywhere. In general the tracks sound good and the album offers something very cool to listen to. There are just a few spots where the hyper-quiet nature of the ... read more
Commits the terrible sin of having the best most high energy song right at the beginning. The rest of the album is very good too. But I can't pretend I didn't feel mildly disappointed when nothing after the first track had a moment as great as when that base synth comes in right at the beginning. Quite good tho. Just wish there was a little more of that high energy slightly electronic kick ass funk more in the back half.
Once again the style is good and the songs generally bang. Could certainly be doing more tho. A bit of missed potential but still certainly one of the more unique offering in techno
![Tzusing - 東方不敗 [Invincible East]](https://cdn2.albumoftheyear.org/100x0/album/72423-.jpg)
Some really cool sound work and bumpin beats. Just wish the unique industrial and electro acoustic style was fleshed out and pushed a little further. Feels like it shoots for The Knife but ends up just being pretty neat
This album makes the listener the noise. Through the dissonant static-y mixing of white noise and what feels like weak radio signals Mirages goes beyond simply presenting ambient noise and instead turns the experience of listening into a living experience of noise. It makes you feel as if you are the sputtering electrical signals and the radio waves washing around aimlessly. The brief snippets of signal that sharpen into clarity and disappear just as quickly. Your body disintegrates into the ... read more
One of the most powerful and thoughtful records alternative hip hop has to offer. In the past I have not been much of a fan of Ka's very subdued style. The incredibly lowkey soulful beats and quiet delivery never did much for me despite some very good writing. However this album hits just a bit different, likely in part because of his recent passing, but also due to the content. The subjects that Ka speaks on are so incredibly complex and handled with such nuance and care that it truly ... read more
Edit: (88 -> 95): Raygun Bush is unparalleled as a vocalist and writer in metal tbh
88
Genuinely gut wrenching noise rock sludge. The emotional climaxes of the songs on here are so horrifically intense. It takes the intensity of its contemporaries and brings them to a new level of manic, anxiety-inducing horror. There is an emotional range and maturity on this album that I honestly just don't think other very intense metal and rock acts have, even if they appear to display that ... read more
Konoyo's more minimal sleepier sibling. Where I found Konoyo to be interesting and minimal I find this one to be more uninteresting and unnecessary. Still some interesting sound work but mostly feels like a more minimal interpretation of an already minimal album.
this is probably what modern synth pop should strive for if it's not going for hyper pop. This level of instrumental creativity and style
Edit: (85 -> 90): I get it even more now. Keep being fucking crazy magdalena bay fans I love yall
Edit: (90 -> 98): Yeah. Yeah!!
Everyone want to make ambient music but no one wants to listen to ambient music.
Reeeeeeaaaal pretty stuff on this one. Maybe not as much noise play as I typically prefer on my ambient stuff, but if you're looking for melodic, pretty ambient this is absolutely the place to start. Worlds above many that go for the same thing and end up with boring uninteresting results.
Past the gloomy Nordic ritual intro this album blooms into color with some of the most bright, organic synth work I have ever heard. Captures the sounds of a forest in a Studio Ghibli movie (I can't emphasize this comparison enough). The lushness and life in every noise is so entrancing. The rhythms and melodies, while often having simple foundations are undeniable and infectious. Not to mention the writing is amazing and something to really sink into with it's themes of time, life, ... read more
An Incredible musique concrete experience. The textures are immaculate. The sound is beautiful and ominous. Every new sounds sparks my curiosity and fascination. Minimalist yet the atmosphere is palpable throughout. very ritual.
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Recent Review Comments
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On Billie Eilish - HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
"@Dallamalla For me touching a good amount of other genres doesn't always mean that it's diverse. Yes it hits on pop, altpop, electronic, indie, synthpop, even a bit of rock, etc. But to me a lot of the diversity in that kinda gets washed away under the soft alt pop style. It all has a cool soft blue filter over it. It takes a lot of different inspirations but makes them more one note. And that may not be a bad thing cause with some albums it can make them cohesive, which it does do here, but I also think it takes away the flavor of those influences. To again reference the synths on Chihiro, they stand out on the album, but there's just not that much more to them outside the soft pop sound, ie not much diversity."
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