PopMatters reviews new Benni Hemm Hemm
PopMatters reviews the new Benni Hemm Hemm record "Murta St. Calunga": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/108506-benni-hemm-hemm-murta-st.-calunga/
Tag: Reviews
PopMatters reviews Kleerup
PopMatters reviews the US release of Kleerup's self-titled album: https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/94686-kleerup-kleerup/
Norwegian metal round-up
Deathmetal.org does a review round-up on a number of recent Norwegian metal releases: https://www.deathmetal.org/?p=395
Artists covered include Mord, Satyricon, Aura Noir, Keep of Kalessin, 1349 and more.
Pitchfork reviews Jónsi & Alex
Pitchfork reviews the new album "Riceboy sleeps" from Icelandic duo Jónsi & Alex: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13328-riceboy-sleeps/
Don't forget to check out our interview with the group right here.
DiS reviews TTA
Drowned in Sound on the UK release of The Tough Alliance's "The new school": https://drownedinsound.com/releases/14520/reviews/4137399
Pitchfork loves JJ
JJ's album "n° 2", Sincerely Yours' latest release, gets the "Best New Music" tag at Pitchfork: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13326-jj-n-2/
Makabert Fynd/Nice Idiot
Fuck your scene, kid volume 1
Kranium
"Fuck your scene, kid," emphasis on kid. This split 7" pairs up two sort of new-ish Swedish hardcore acts composed of long-time scene vets that attempts to teach the youngsters of this world how it's done. Come to think of it, it's actually kind of amazing how much of modern hardcore has turned into an old man's game -- young upstarts continue to flail and pose while the jaded bastards remain the ones who consistently deliver the goods. The pessimism and defeat of age has its benefits! As for the music, Makabert Fynd deliver four ragers in as many minutes with a fierce, dual-vocal attack and a Missbrukarna cover. On the flip, Nice Idiot does a similar fast and furious thing with the main differences being lyrics på engelska, a slightly longer attention span and a touch of crossover thrash. The get in/get out/wipe your hands approach of the former wins for me in the end, but both sides rage effectively. 447 copies, hand-numbered, dark purple vinyl; shame that the original screened covers got botched as Kranium's graphic design is almost reason enough to pick this up, though the offset print does the job fine. Also nice to know that "Volume 2" featuring Dobermann Cult and Fredag den 13:e is already out, so no waiting to see whether this series will take off or not. Respect your elders!
- Avi Roig
Pitchfork reviews the new Bergraven
Pitchfork reviews the new Bergraven album "Till makabert väsen": https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13256-till-makabert-vasen/
The Radio Dept.
David
Labrador
Waiting for the next album by The Radio Dept. has been a tedious affair. First it was announced for September, then they pulled back at the last minute without much explanation, only to now, somewhat surprisingly, release this new EP. Generally, I've always found The Radio Dept. to be better at EPs than albums -- compare the longing "This past week"-EP or the stellar "Pulling our weight" for example. Unfortunately, "David" comes nowhere close to these classics. In fact, only the title track manages to combine catchiness with innovation, longing, and a popful dose of kitsch (though opinions on that may vary). The other songs, however, just can't live up to that level. Most are plain uninteresting and have a B-sidish feel. The remix of "David" is really interesting though, but the dramaturgy of it seems counter-intuitive: It only takes off after more than half the track and then doesn't dare to take its clever repetitiveness to the much-needed extreme. All in all, this really seems more the single it's intended to be than like a full-fledged EP. And though I'm still eager to hear "Clinging to a scheme" when it finally comes out, I'm not exactly getting my hopes up for a new "Lesser matters". But then again, who in their right minds would hope for that?
- Arnulf Köhncke
PopMatters reviews Jeniferever
PopMatters isn't too crazy about the new Jeniferever album "Spring tides": https://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/102201-jeniferever-spring-tides/
Pitchfork reviews Lacrosse, The Legends
Pitchfork reviews Swedish indiepop act Lacrosse as well as the new album from The Lengends.
The Silent Ballet on Sólstafir, Antifilm
New reviews at The Silent Ballet of Icelandic act Sólstafir and Danish artist Antifilm.
More Swedish pop tracks at Pitchfork
JJ in the Pitchfork track reviews: https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11369-ecstasy/
Also, Lake Heartbeat in the Forkcast: https://pitchfork.com/forkcast/13106-mystery/
Pitchfork track review on The Legends
Pitchfork reviews The Legends' track "Always the same": https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/11368-always-the-same/