archived brainwashed reviews
“The Travel Agency Is On Fire” (Infrequent Seams, 2026)
This fascinating and ambitious boxed set is a star-studded celebration inspired by a trove of previously unpublished cut-up works by William S. Burroughs unearthed by Burroughs scholar Alex Wermer-Colan in […]
Helen, “Linda’s Head” (Kranky, 2026)
It may have taken a decade or so, but Liz Harris’s wonderful indie/jangle pop throwback trio have finally resurfaced with their follow-up to 2015’s The Original Faces. Notably, I had […]
Raphael Loher, “Figuren” (Präsens Editionen, 2026)
I was quite a big fan of this Swiss pianist’s solo debut (2022’s Keemuun), which is rather fortuitous because this latest album is both the spiritual and literal descendent of […]
Maxime Denuc, “Club Imperiale” (light-years, 2026)
The pipe organ has undergone quite a renaissance in recent years, as the instrument’s uniquely sonorous, room-filling sound understandably holds a lot of allure for many contemporary drone artists. However, […]
Andrew Chalk, “Mystical Obscurant” (Students of Decay, 2026)
I believe this is Andrew Chalk’s first release for Cincinnati’s Students of Decay, which is a bit surprising given that the artist and the label have long shared a close […]
Carmen Villain, “Memoria” (Smalltown Supersound, 2026)
This latest statement from this shapeshifting Oslo producer is quite a radically deconstructed foray into “decelerated, spectral dub.” The album borrows its title from Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s elusive, haunting, and uncategorizable […]
Etelin, “The Chair and the Faucet” (Pentiments, 2026)
This latest full-length from Alex Cobb (the man behind the Students of Decay and Soda Gong labels) is a fascinating departure from his usual fare, as it was inspired by […]
Dean McPhee, “Northern Earth” (Bass Ritual, 2026)
This sixth album from English slow-motion guitar magician Dean McPhee is something of a major creative leap forward, as he has newly expanded his arsenal of gear to now include […]