reviews of contemporary underground psych, drone, sound art, and electronic/experimental music from the fringes
Holy Tongue, “Basilikum” (AD93, 2026)
This third full-length from the UK dub trio of Valentina Magaletti, Susumu Mukai, and Al Wootton feels like yet another creative leap forward for the project, which is quite impressive […]
Maria W. Horn, “Melting Pillars of Snow” (XKatedral, 2026)
This latest opus from Swedish composer and XKatedral co-founder Maria W. Horn is billed as her most ambitious work to date, as she enlisted a full chamber ensemble for a […]
Shit and Shine, “0 aa RIOT” (Riot Season, 2026)
This latest statement from the long-running, inscrutable, and gleefully self-indulgent solo project of Craig Clouse is billed as Shit and Shine’s “krautrock album.” Longtime fans will no doubt be familiar […]
Curbside Lambsear, “Put Rings On All My Fingers To Weigh Down My Hands” (Scenic Route, 2026)
This bombshell debut EP felt like it came out of nowhere, but these two Austrian expats (Annabelle Mödlinger (synth) and Magdalena McLean (viola)) have both been pretty active members of […]
Huerta Ensamble, “S∞S” (Elevator Bath, 2026)
This new “collaborative research project” by Mexican artists Concepción and Daniela Huerta is their first recorded collaboration, but the two artists have been working together ever since they first met […]
Water Damage, “Repair” (12XU, 2026)
This is apparently the seventh formal album from this Austin-based “experimental/noise rock/drone supergroup” featuring members of Spray Paint, Swans, USA/Mexico, Marriage, and host of other underground luminaries, but such distinctions […]
This Heat, “This Heat” (Piano 1979/Superior Viaduct 2026)
Newly reissued on Superior Viaduct and their own newly minted imprint, This Heat’s 1979 debut remains one of the most radical and influential opening salvos in underground music history. Notably, […]
lovesliescrushing, “xuvetyn” (Projekt 1996/Numero Group 2026)
Originally released on Projekt back in 1996, the newly reissued xuvetyn was the second album from the (then) Arizona-based duo of visionary guitar sorcerer Scott Cortez and vocalist Melissa Arpin-Duimstra. […]