Artist: Gianni Carlin | Album: In nessun luogo | Genre: Progressive rock | Bandcamp
In nessun luogo features a mildly-lo-fi sound, but it works well. Flute is always prominent, providing some great, breathy contrast to the fat and rubbery bass that underpins much of the music. The songwriting is overall solid, though the 21-minute album opener is a bit unfocused at moments. There are some surprisingly catchy passages mixed in, and with the occasional dash of jazz and blues, it makes for a well-balanced record.
Score: 73/100
Band: Hesse Kassel | Album: La Brea | Genre: Post-rock | Bandcamp
The debut record from this Chilean ensemble features intricately structured epics that unfold slowly. Delicate moments contrast heavier passages. Post-punk and art rock influences abound, and there is also clearly a deep debt to Windmill scene bands like black midi and Squid. While I overall like this record, it does have one glaring flaw, and that it is way too damn long. 78 minutes across eight songs leaves a lot of fat to trim, even when taking into account the fact that this is a post-rock record. This band is at their best during their heavier moments, like on “A. Latur”.
Score: 75/100
Band: Magic Fig | Album: Valerian Tea | Genre: Psychedelic rock | Bandcamp
Last year, I praised Magic Fig’s debut EP as an excellent example of how the classic Bay Area psychedelic sound could be updated for the modern era. And now their first LP continues in that same mold, giving us seven great slices of lush, dreamy psychedelia (plus three interludes). The pace is usually relaxed, with elements of post-rock informing the overall air of the album. I really like the instrumental tones they use, and when they bring in the rare dash of something heavier or noisier, it’s a great complement.
Score: 82/100
Band: Radiant Thought | Album: Transcendence | Album: Progressive rock | Bandcamp
This one-man project from Portugal plays a somewhat somber and moody brand of progressive rock that often verges on metal. Tool and Porcupine Tree are obvious influences, and the music is all quite melodic and thoughtfully-crafted. However, it honestly doesn’t do a ton to stand out from the field of rather similar acts out there. It’s overall good, and it could definitely scratch a particular itch.
Score: 71/100
Band: SEIMS | Album: V | Genre: Post-rock | Bandcamp
SEIMS’ newest album sees them take a lush, melodic turn that draws a lot from late ‘90s Porcupine Tree. This might just be their best album yet. The songs swell and shift organically. They take surprising turns that keep the listener on their toes. Each song stands on its own while complementing the other tracks surrounding it. A great example of this can be experienced in the shift between the gentle “Flowing Upstream” and the aggressive, off-kilter synth-powered “Preoccupations”. On V, SEIMS effortlessly nails a balance between clever, engaging compositions and post-rock’s abstract tendencies.
Score: 88/100
Band: Seoi Nage | Album: No Retreat, No Surrender | Genre: Psychedelic rock | Bandcamp
This German instrumental act plays a very diverse style of psychedelia. From the opening notes of this record, you’re greeted by some unorthodox retro sounds. Funk, jazz, blues, and krautrock elements emerge throughout this record. The band focuses on laying down groovy, hypnotic rhythms, but there’s always some sort of avant-garde-tinged edge to it. I’m not really sure this necessarily holds up to close listening, however. This would make for a fantastic soundtrack to a modern homage to ‘70s exploitation films, but most of the songs grow a little repetitious around the two-minute mark.
Score: 68/100
The Elite Extremophile 