Razzle_Dazzle

Most probably, Portuguese album of the year. The degree of erudition taken here tingles surprise and slow-burning formulas, as arresting as ever could have, channeled through deep states of inner focusing, and gardened with such care and beauty that it sometimes detracts from the Stars Of The Lids’ suite style and reaches a vaster pictorial harmony, almost otherworldly, a la Angelo Badalamenti, which borders a conjoined effort of new age relaxation and psychedelic-pinched requiems. This ... read more

In a post-modern world where truly democratic art forms like hardcore sub-genres are stepping out the stage and giving up valuable space, Sectioned enlivens the heart of powerviolence with Annihilated, a fierce and gripping manifesto commitment to emulating as much gore-y bands of the past as they are allowed to penetrate the group’s misanthropic intents. Despite how this looks, the band does a terrific job at stockpiling numerous influences, assembling recalls of Nails and Botch strident ... read more

Posh Isolation is hovering over a certain frenzy this year. If conviviality of irresistible rhythms and beats found a place to grow and prosper in Warp for so long, later developing to the dancefloor-oriented niches of Hyperdub for e.g., it now seems to culminate in Posh’s intricate industrial lineage, which is trending with some interesting, even unheard-of sound mixtures.

In a back-and-forth game of illusions and sinister sketches, swarms of metallic bees vibrate to the sound of some ... read more

I had such high hopes for this album but I’ve only come to realize the capping to its unaccomplished promises, as I dug deeper.

Song after song, the slick-rendered lyricism pushes the drive forward, though the underdeveloped progressions puts it off quite smugly. The interchangeable vocals between the two girls endorse sweet, eased lengths; still, do they make it worth your while? Well, the Norwich regional accent is lovely and comfy about a reasonable headroom. The smears of synths ... read more