What I Listened To - Mar 26
This is late because I’ve been reading Count of Monte Cristo instead of writing. What a book! I’m also being hit hard by hayfever right now so expect more grammatical mistakes and factual errors than usual.
Unyielding Desires…Pierced By The Light of a Swollen Moon - Puritan Bone
A necessary pallet cleanser after witnessing an abominable acoustic set from a (former?) black metal legend, that came highly recommended to me by one of the two most knowledgeable black metal scholars I know (both of whom are bandmates of mine in the same band). “Ecstasy on the Frontier of Blood” is basically everything I want from a black metal record. As soon as you press play you are immediately transported into the heart of a blizzard in a barren desolate landscape. It’s all sandpaper guitars, crispy production and throat scratching vocals - in the other words, my idea of a good time! “Unyielding Desires…Pierced By The Light of a Swollen Moon“ epitomises everything good about this release and Puritan Bone, well worth a listen if this preamble has piqued your interest.
Dogsreddim - M.I.C. & Nammy Whams
M.I.C. follows up the incredible “Cursed” with “Shamtarctica”, a drumless tribute to winter (his favourite season) in collaboration with Nammy Whams.
I’d argue (perhaps committing based blasphemy in the process) that “Shamtarctica” is more listenable than the Lil B album it references and is influenced by. Nammy Whams doesn’t rely on stereotypical new age sounds, instead his beats to bring to mind iconic video game winter stage themes (and old favourite Rustie). There’s the usual great performances from M.I.C. (more hooks than you’d expect a drumless album to have) and some sick guest spots too. It’s a more compelling listen than the premise might suggest and a highlight of the year for me so far.
To be honest, I do get pretty bad SAD these days (I blame it on there being a much larger contrast between summer and winter down south). Next winter that I’m feeling down, I’ll listen to “Dogsreddim” and hopefully be as inspired to appreciate the season as much as M.I.C. does.
Star - Iceage
Iceage’s new single “Star” reintroduces the gothic and cow punk aspects of Beyondless and Ploughing the Fields of Love to great effect here. I was pleasantly surprised and would advise fellow Seek Shelter skeptics to check it out (now looking forward to the new album!).
Battered Chips - Tony Bontana
If I were you, I’d have a great couple of days listening to the many releases of Tony Bontana. You’re gonna enjoy what you find, trust me! If you want more direction, check out latest release “My Name” which serves as an excellent introduction to what makes Tony Bontana great. Of the singles, I’ve been bumping “Battered Chips” the most (but you should just listen to all of “My Name”).
The Weight - Cashier
This is just good uh, shoegaze music. I know nothing about Cashier but Julia’s War released their new EP of the same name and if that label means anything to you (and you’re a fan of the first Yuck album), you’ll dig The Weight (and by extension The Weight EP).