reviews of contemporary underground psych, drone, sound art, and electronic/experimental music from the fringes
Kevin Drumm/Taku Unami, “Zero Talk” (Erstwhile, 2026)
This fascinating and unusual collaboration first began to take root back in 2024, as Erstwhile tapped Unami to master Drumm’s Sheer Hellish Miasma II album. Apparently, that went so well […]
Sun Ra | Merzbow, “Strange City” (Cold Spring 2016/2026)
This wild album was first released a decade ago, but it is now back again in a new form, as the previous release was essentially two completely different albums depending […]
Celestial Power (Feeding Tube/Cardinal Fuzz, 2026)
This absolutely ripping new trio is something of a Dead Sea Apes side project, as guitarist Brett Savage and drummer Chris Hardman teamed up with guitarist/Cardinal Fuzz label head Dave […]
Magic Tuber Stringband, “Heavy Water” (Thrill Jockey, 2026)
The latest album from this unconventional avant-folk project was inspired by fiddler Courtney Werner’s experiences working as an ecologist at the Savannah River Site in rural South Carolina. As Werner […]
“Aftermath and Transitions (Traces Of The Ukrainian Underground in Cologne (1994-1996))” (Stroom, 2026)
This unique and fascinating compilation celebrates the unique and lamentably short-lived scene that centered around Cologne-based producer Guido Erfen and engineer Michael Springer and their Rhenania recording studio (built in […]
Jake Muir, “Pareidolia” (Enmossed, 2026)
According to the press release, this latest ambitious feat of sonic sorcery from Berlin-based sound artist Jake Muir extracts “the headiest, most atmospheric sections from hundreds of death metal and […]
Mad Iris, “Mad Iris” (Ba Da Bing, 2026)
This is this Toronto quartet’s first album, but they’ve been playing shows and releasing singles since 2023. In fact, a chance encounter with one of those singles in a record […]
Mere of Light, “Heat of Ritual” (Lighten Up Sounds, 2026)
This is my first exposure to this solo project from New Orleans-based harpist/electronic producer Elise McArdle, but she self-released a couple of digital EPs before this physical debut on Minnesota’s […]