archived brainwashed reviews
Diamanda Galás, “All the Way” and “At Saint Thomas The Apostle Harlem” (Intravenal Sound Operations)
After nearly a decade-long recording hiatus, iconic force of nature Diamanda Galás has resurfaced with pair of themed albums of characteristically dark covers and interpretations. Linked by two different versions of the […]
Wolf Eyes, “Undertow” (Lower Floor, 2017)
I am only a casual Wolf Eyes fan, so the bulk of their endless tide of releases passes by me unnoticed. ¬Every couple of years, however, they unleash something big […]
Noveller, “A Pink Sunset For No One” (Fire, 2017)
I have an unfortunate tendency to take Sarah Lipstate’s work for granted, as if it is somehow not enough that she is one of the most distinctive and inventive solo […]
Norman Westberg, “Jasper Sits Out” (Room40, 2017)
Room40’s excavation campaign of Norman Westberg’s wonderfully hypnotic and self-released solo guitar work continues with this 2014 tribute to the Westberg family dog. Notably, this release was already reissued once […]
Growing, “Disorder” (Important, 2017)
After a lengthy six-year hiatus, this long-running bi-coastal duo have unexpectedly resurfaced with a new LP of buzzing, bass-heavy drones. I am not sure if Disorder necessarily counts as a […]
Lawrence English, “Cruel Optimism” (Room40, 2017)
In recent years, my expectations of what a new Lawrence English album might sound like have gotten increasingly blurry, as he has an admirable tendency to explore new concepts and […]
Six Organs of Admittance, “Burning The Threshold” (Drag City, 2017)
Ben Chasny’s latest release takes a quietly melodic detour from the more challenging fare unleashed by his recent hexadic composing experiments, a gentle path that seems to have been willfully […]
emptyset, “Borders” (Thrill Jockey, 2017)
Emptyset has always been a project that I felt weirdly guilty about not appreciating more, as they seemed like a more cerebral and mercilessly deconstructed twist on the UK’s industrial-damaged […]