Thom Yorke – Suspiria (2018) soundtrack
It's hard to think of a soundtrack album that has outshone, as much in media exposure and acclaim than the actual film it accompanies than this from the Radiohead frontman. Whether or not anyone can outdo, or it is even worthwhile to even remake the original 1977 Dario Argento horror film, or indeed the fabulous soundtrack for that by prog band Goblin. But this is certainly a work of otherworldly beauty, ethereal perhaps more than horrific, with Yorke's ghostly voice, and many moment of intimacy making this double album worthy of a listen independently of of Luca Guadagnino's remake film, particularly with tracks, such as Sabbath Incantation, featuring the London Contemporary Orchestra and Choir. Out on XL Recordings
Thom Yorke - Suspirium
Julia Holter – Aviary
It would be more accurate to call the Los Angeles composer and singer's fifth album a menagerie wilderness than a merre aviary, such is the noisy complexity of it all, and indeed her last LP from 2015 foretold this, being titled Have You In My Wilderness, though that one was far poppier. This, however, is a huge, 90-minute opus that throws in the full kitchen sink, ambient, orchestral screaming, swirling violins, electronica, the full works. It is mind-boggling in its vision, full of intimacy as well as vast craziness cacophony of ideas. Tracks to check out include I Shall Love 2 and Les Jeux to You. Out on Domino.
Julia Holter – Words I Hear
Pill – Soft Hell
Punchily and pithily titled, this is highly entertaining, smart, vampish postpunk work by the New York quartet, reflecting life in that city. It is filled with dark, caustic humour, fronted by vocalist and bassist Veronica Torres, a poet and visual artist, who cites Ian Svenonius (previously mentioned on Song Bar) as an influence. Out on Mexican Summer
Pill – Fruit
Soap&Skin – From Gas to Solid / you are my friend
Soap&Skin is the moniker for Anja Plaschg, Austrian singer, multi-instrumentalist and actress or has played Nico in a theatre piece and the comparisons are strong. Better known in her own country and Germany, and for tracks on German and Italian TV and film, this is her third album, a work of sensually soft, elevating beauty, with a variety of orchestral and other instruments and soaring choral work. Another outstanding otherworldly offering this week. Out on PIAS Records.
Soap&Skin – Italy & (This is) Water
Value Void – Sentimental
A debut of warm, luscious, easy-grooving indie from the London-based formed by childhood friends Paz Maddio and Marta Zabala from Azul, south of Buenos Aires, with the latter writing all the lyrics, and joining Luke Tristram to make a trio. On on Tough Love.
Value Void - Babeland
Gypsyfingers – Stranger Things
Gentle, rather gorgeous and ethereal folk/ trip hop, not to mention a sprinkle of prog from the acoustic band formed by Victoria Coghlan and Luke Oldfield (son of Mike Oldfield), and a follow-up to their debut Circus Life.
Gypsyfingers - Stranger Things
Ty Segall - Fudge Sandwich
War, The Spencer Davis Group, John Lennon, Funkadelic, The Dils, Neil Young, Gong, Amon Düül, Rudimentary Peni, The Grateful Dead, and Sparks all get the loud guitar treatment and a whole lot more by the Californian prolific artist, as a follow-up to this year's earlier album Freedom's Goblin. Not really cover versions, more reinterpretations, rough and ready, fresh and fuzzy, though it's a shame this doesn't include his version of Every 1's A Winner by Hot Chocolate. Out on In The Red Records.
Ty Segall - Fudge Sandwich (album sampler)
This week's selection is by The Landlord.
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