Korobushka Records – New Music Jason’s Picks

The New Music I’m Listening To Egregiously This Week, November 11 – 17, 2023:

Wooohoooo! What a tremendous week in New Music! A glorious mix of “Hotly Anticipated,” and “New Surprises” to get my endorphins flowing.

We have fifteen(!) titles to deeply dig. No walls, only the bridge. My supper dish, my succotash wish! Sing it, baby!

A single to start this week’s findings comes from MC and Producer Deca. The NYC Artist preaches on the frustration of life during wartime on War. Who’s going to get peace, when they’re still getting a piece?

Deca – War

The week began with raised eyebrows at the news of an album from former OutKast member André 3000. The notoriously strange person has indeed dropped a new album, but it’s not what you’d expect. The completely instrumental New Blue Sun features Dre’s newfound love; his big wooden flute. Featuring production from Carlos Niño, the ninety-minute album contains 7 tracks featuring lengthy, expository titles like, “That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther And Started Making These Low Register Purring Tones That I Couldn’t Control…Sh¥t Was Wild”. New Age/Ambient, and quite meditative.

A multi-instrumentalist based in Iran has amassed an ensemble to create a lush and nuanced album. Arif Mirbaghi’s Mutual Occultation breathes new life in the household, with Chromatic Harmonica, flute, and Accordion providing much of the lead. Textured Production offers the listener much to explore, and begs for multiple listens.

Nicole Brady is a pianist and composer that is from Australia, but is based on Vancouver Island. Her debut album, Lost Palace, was made in conjunction with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The eight tracks are a delicious blend of Classical and modern beat-making.

*Nicole Brady, Royal Scottish National Orchestra – Lost Palace*

Directly from my BandCamp Wishlist, but more accurately from the swinging City of London, duo VÄLVĒ has released their sophomore album. On Tiny Pilots Chlöe Herington provides lead vocals along with an arsenal of instruments, whilst Emma Sullivan brings backing vocals and bass. It’s a very agreeable journey, where harp twists and turns around tight harmonies. Brilliant.

To Detroit we go now, to meet up with Zoos Of Berlin. The Indie quintet has released Busy With People; an eleven-track album that harkens to early New Wave with deep bass and Dance grooves.

The City of Barrie, Ontario was the closest City to where I was growing up, a 40-minute drive away. It was where you would move if you were too intimidated by Toronto, but wanted to assert some independence. My sister works at the McDonald’s in the Walmart. If you’re in town, say hi to Lorri. Meanwhile, check out this compilation from Barrie Label Tarantula Tapes. Tracknaphobia Vol. 3 contains twenty-four bands from Ontario, including Peterborough’s Garbageface, Newmarket’s Bilious, and Barrie’s own Angry Spells. Spanning sounds from Garage Pop, Hardcore Punk. Hip-Hop and beyond.

Alex Walton is a Songwriter and Producer from Boston, Mass, with a brash confessional streak. The Artist wears her heart on her sleeve throughout the twenty-three tracks of I WANT YOU TO KILL ME. Don’t let the title scare you away, because first of all, it rocks and requires full volume. Secondly, the album ends with the anthemic I Don’t Want To Kill Myself Anymore.

A band from Chicago that I recommended back in February is back with another EP. Cel Ray is a feisty Punk combo that is riling up the pit at My Imaginary Sweaty Dive Bar. Piss Park is four tracks, eight minutes, no messing around!

If you were to ask me to name a country that I think is cool, I would immediately respond Czechia. I’ve never been there, and it probably has its downside, but it seems to have, per capita, the largest population of forward-thinking and unique Artists and Musicians in the world. You can give thanks for that impression, in part, to the excellent Independent Label Korobushka Records. It’s not merely the home to my favourite living Artist, Petr Válek, but it seems that every release is inspired, and just to the left of normal. Take this week’s release from Brno’s sinks. born into this only to get through this is nine tracks of punchy, crooked guitar and catchy hooks. Vocals have a slightly Emo, and oddly American sound to them. Slightly like early U2, if Jonny Greenwood played guitar. Don’t sleep on the Czech Republic!

*sinks – born into this only to get through this*

An Artist and Producer from Baltimore has been releasing a series of remixes and mashups called his Trash Series. J.Robb’s sixth volume released this week and it runs the board in terms of style and substance. Jungle beats mix with Downtempo flips of current Club hits. #NoSampleSnitching

It’s an excellent week for conscious, intelligent and experimental Hip-Hop. Including André 3000, four of my favourite MCs are back to rock my world, and I’m also discovering new Artists that fit that mould. From Ninja Tune side-label Big Dada, H31R is a duo based in Brooklyn and New Jersey. Producer JWords and rapper/vocalist maassai combine to create the terrific HeadSpace. Positive courageous vibes.

Also from NYC is a Producer and DJ known as Blockhead. The reason I’m excited for The Aux, aside from the excellent Production, is the many featured MCs. Aesop Rock, Open Mike Eagle, Billy Woods, Danny Brown and Bruiser Wolf are just a few of the great rappers making their presence known. Drop the needle!

Brooklyn’s own Homeboy Sandman has been rocking my world these last few years. His ingenious rhymes and singsong delivery place him well above his peers. His work pace is also prolific, and evidenced by his new release. Last year, Sand released a collection of tracks that he’s unable to monetize for various reasons. This week, I Can’t Sell These Either follows it up, and if you don’t know, now you know.

*Homeboy Sandman – I Can’t Sell These Either*

No surprises here, but my Feature Pick for this week is Danny Brown’s new album. Quaranta. After I discovered Brown, via his features on his Bruiser Brigade label, I’ve been eagerly anticipating a new solo album. Danny is a very astute and funny MC, with a twisted view of life, and this album has him grappling age and sobriety with his trademark sense of humour. Also featuring is the mighty Bruiser Wolf, who could use a new album himself.

Groove is in the heart! And I truly couldn’t ask for another. What about you, friends!

Take care of yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To Unceremoniously This Week, October 28 – November 3, 2023:

Holy Sheep Shit! Such a tremendously girthy Release Week, you need two hands to hold it properly. And you may need to sit down. I have fourteen recommendations this week. Buckle up!

Oh! And I listened to what is purported to be “The Last Beatles Song” so you don’t have to. Please take this from a huge Beatles fan: Don’t waste your time. It’s a great big NothingBurger. For heart-stopping emotionality, I recommend Derek Stevens’ The Lady I Know. For mediocre banality, Now And Then might be for you.

Derek Stevens Audition

I think that my first pick for this week is my first to come from Asbury Park, New Jersey. You would expect the home of Bruce Springsteen would have scads of Garage Bands who were inspired by The Boss to live a life of poverty through Music. NYLON is one of the few, I suppose. The quartet’s new single, PC VIOLENCE/SUSPECT is a furious one-two punch of snappy guitars and unrestrained vocals. Pogo while you work!

An Artist from the great collegiate city of Athens, Georgia that I recommended back in January is back again with a new EP. On PIN PRIK FUK YU ! Rubber Udder has gone from a solo operation to a full-fledged Rock & Roll combo. Starting off with the only kind of ‘Intro’ song I want to hear (3 seconds. Long enough to say the album title.) the band go through some short punchy Punk, before an extended instrumental jam at the midpoint. After Ethiopia, they return to their noisy and dissonant haze, with mad distorted vocals. Feel the power!

A Power-Punk trio from London is gripping my ears by their trunks and shaking them furiously. Girls In Synthesis have been recording since 2017, and their latest EP Die Leere finally has my attention. Four tracks of energetic and noisy Rock driven by thunderous bass and synth. The vocals brings a sense of foreboding to the backdrop of Industrial Noise.

I love Punk Bands. There’s such an earnestness to the ethics of being in a proper Punk Band. It comes to a point where it can get exhausting, which is why it’s important to maintain a sense of humour. London band RITES OF HADDA refers to their style as “Sax ‘n’ drag and rock ‘n’ roll.” They began at a weekly jam session that was held at a North London squat and they’ve gone on to release their debut album. OCCULT SEX WORKER. The seven-piece shine on ten tracks, lovingly adorned with charming out-of-tune saxophone. Vocalist Wasp is Peter Murphy/Lux Interior levels of Gothic Punknicity.

Korobushka Records is a label straight outta Czechia that releases Music by left-of-centre Artists, including my favourite living Artist, Petr Válek. This week, another solo Artist, of whom I believe Petr would approve, is Bedroom Rock Musician Nichi Mlebom. He’s released his Bear Tape, vol. 2 EP and it is five songs that showcase his slightly detuned vision of radio-friendly Pop. The EP is sliced n the middle with the instrumental and ponderous Cassettery, but picks right back up with Breakfast at McDonald’s, which is lofi Bee Gees at its finest.

Valentina Magaletti is a Percussionist and Composer from London who I’ve featured in the past, both as a Solo Artist, and in cohort with others, such as her Holy Tongue project with Al Wootton and Susumu Mukai. Better Corners is her collaboration with former Wire member Matthew Simms, and member of Kim Gordon’s band Sarah Register. Continuous Miracles, Vol. 2 is a six-track full-length that nods to sonic inspiration from Kim Gordon’s other band Sonic Youth. Atmospheric and gentle with crashing electronics and Ambient waves. Time for Deep Thought.

*Better Corners – Continuous Miracles, Vol. 2*

Wayne Grim is a Composer and Sound Artist from Richmond, California who has worked with many Artists in the past, including Kronos Quartet. His new album, Electric Space Gardeners is inspired by Poet Jovi Schnell’s piece of the same name, and features quotes from the original. The Music is wondrous and ponderous, with the magical voice of Majel Connery there to comfort.

Steven Lee is an Indie Outsider Hip-Hop Artist from LA. He has made a name for himself at quangou, but after getting to know Beastie Boys keyboardist Money Mark, the instrumentalist bestowed Lee the nickname steebee weebee. On his new album puer aeternus Lee demonstrates what the kids used to call ‘mad skills on the mic’. He has a melodic flow to his rhymes, without the aid of Autotune. Lee brings an updated boombap production, though it be the lowest of fi. Don’t sleep on this one, beatheads!

*quangou aka: steebee weebee – puer aeternus*

Animal Hospital is the name for Experimental Musician Kevin Micka, from Cambridge, Massachusetts. The multi-instrumentalist and composer has released a new four-song LP, titled Shelf Life. These longer songs are hypnotic, and fully immersive. Think: the instrumental meanderings of Kid A/Amnesiac, with a prolonged sense of purpose. The Main Course is the sixteen-minute His Amazing Friends, with it’s first taste of human voice, humming through the drone before succumbing to dirty Synth punches, leading to the drums. Choon!

My Imaginary Nightclub is having an African Week in The Main Room. Warming up the imaginary masses is a White Label from Uganda. WULFFLUW XCIV is an anonymous DJ AND Producer recording for HAKUNA KULALA Records. The skittish and refined beats on Toxica take Afrobeat and thoroughly abuse it with harsh Electronics. Highlight is Kluck, with its flute loop and pounding Bass, and abrupt stops and starts.

The Headliner in The Main Room is a Collective from West Africa that was amassed by Gianna Greco and François R. Cambuzat. Ndox Electrique features member of Cape Verdian n’döep community. Tribal voices and drums meld with guitar and tasteful electronics on Tëdd ak Mame Coumba Lamba ak Mame Coumba Mbang. The troupe will surely be a big hit when they play the Main Stage at My Imaginary Festival next Summer.

*Nox Electrique – Tëdd ak Mame Coumba Lamba ak Mame Coumba Mbang*

I haven’t watched a TV Show or Movie in years. I’d rather spend my time listening to Music, and as you can see, it never ends! And from time to time I can enjoy a new movie in the most vicarious of ways; by listening to its Score. Rye Lane is a new British RomCom, and the Music from it is worth your time. The Musician behind it is London Producer kwes. and his Original Score is a slice of life in the city, which I assume ties to the movie. Sampha and Tirzah make a couple of appearances.

With it being the beginning of the month, it still means (for the time being) that BandCamp Friday is still a thing. I hope you’re taking advantage of it while we still have the chance. I didn’t really need my Wishlist to find ample New Releases to talk about this week, but it still came through. As I mentioned on Tuesday, Marnie Stern has returned to her de facto Solo Career, after establishing herself as the Guitarist for Seth Meyers House Band. I’m pleased she’s returned with such a great record. The Comeback Kid is an energetic Indie Rock record that leans on Stern’s athletic guitar skill. Her voice isn’t anything to sleep on either.

London trio bar italia have been steadily making a name for themselves via steady gigging and their successful debut album, Tracey Denim, back in May. They’ve already followed up with a new full-length, and The Twits is a great demonstration of their winning hooks and boy-girl vocals. It’s my Feature Pick for this week.

Are you okay? Did I overwhelm you with awesomeness? I’m sorry for party rocking, it’s just the man I am. Drink a Gatorade, you’ll be fine. You have to take care of yourself! Be good, Possums!

The New Music I’m Listening To This Reasonable Week, March 11 – 17, 2023:

Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends! We have a fairly light amount of New Music to share this week, with only six titles on deck. Shall we get down on it?

A single to start the week comes from one of my favourite Hip-Hop artists, in collaboration with another talented artist. Danny Brown has teamed up with JPEGMAFIA for an upcoming album. The lead-off single, Lean Beef Patty is a 2-minute bop to get your heart racing.

JPEGMAFIA x Danny Brown – Lean Beef Patty

It is March Break, and the kids have had the week off from school. This doesn’t mean that they don’t have to learn. A Hip-Hop Producer from D.C. has released a Beat Tape with the goal of educating the masses about the noble Octopus. Choppy Chop-e Sound’s nineteen-track Dr. Choptagon serves up delicious samples and downtempo beats, while spouting facts about the eight-legged invertebrate, before turning into a full-on Dance Party. It also provokes aquatic beef with fellow water animals. I’m awaiting the Squid’s response diss.

Hamed Sadeghi is an Iranian-born composer and player of the lute-like stringed instrument called the tar. Now based in Sydney, Australia, Sadeghi incorporates his Iranian Classical training into his solo improvisatory musings on his new album, A Prelude To Silence. It is a dozen tracks, wherein the artist dances with silence, and when there is a rhythmic drone, it is accompanied by beautiful melodies.

A drummer and producer from Lithuania caught my attention this week, along with a cadre of fellow musicians. Marijus Aleksa’s As They Are is a collaboration with twenty-three musicians from all over the world, creating a tapestry of organic and electronic sound. Jazz and Hip-Hop with House and Techno makes this a hearty meal.

From the mighty Czech Republic’s great Experimental Label Korobushka Records comes with an excellent full length album by Electro-Rock band Fotbal. Why Is This Happening To You? is six dreamy and spacious tracks, with quirky guitar, ear-grabbing bass, and melancholy vocals.

*Fotbal – Why Is This Happening To You?*

My Feature Pick for this week is another six-track full-length. It comes from the Belgian label Kraak Records, and it is a trio from Finland. Olimpia Splendid’s second album, 2, is meditative and droning guitar music that sits outside of easy definition. The Breeders meets Velvet Underground?

Lovely! Thanks for hanging out, I’ll talk to you again soon. Be good to yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To This Week, As I Anticipate My Return To ‘Live Music Attendee’ Status, July 16 – 22, 2022:

The wristband. Once I have my wristband, I’ll know that it’s really happening.

You’ll forgive me, dear readers, if I seem a little distracted. This evening (Friday) is the start of Hillside Music Festival, at Guelph Lake Conservation Area. It is returning to the location after a three-year hiatus, and it finally feels like the time is right to gather together again, and share the gift that is Live Music. I don’t even care who’s on the bill. I’m ready to cheer!

All of this, of course, isn’t to say that I haven’t been paying attention to what has been coming out this week. But it is a little quieter, in terms of number of recommendations. I have six titles to put in front of your perfect faces. Let’s go!

I’m pleased to start off this week’s recommendations in Colombia. A Producer from Bogotá known only as Cerrero has collaborated with an accordion player from Finland, named Viivi María, to create “Cumbia de las almas extrañas.” The two tracks (plus extended version of the title cut) evoke a mysterious fantasy, with throbbing beats.

*Cerrero & Viivi María – Cumbia de las almas extrañas*

Philadelphia, PA has again made its presence known to me. First, I had the Hip-Hop collective Wrecking Crew with their new album last week, and now I have a solo project from MC and Producer Ghais Guevera. This imaginative and confrontational artist has released his first full-length, after two eps have given him some underground acclaim. “There Will Be No Super-Slave” is slamming, from top to bottom, with brilliant samples, and fresh and exciting rhymes.

*Ghais Guevara – There Will Be No Super-Slave*

My next recommendation this week comes from a self-professed ‘Noise Pop’ artist from Brooklyn. Nick Forté is the former guitarist of 90’s hardcore band Rorshach, and is now entrenched in Experimental Electronics. I will say that his newest album, “Data Rat,” is flush with welcome earworms and hooks. This has the Main Room of my imaginary nightclub in its grasp.

I was, perhaps, a little too hard in my estimation of the proclivity of interesting Rock Music made in the US of A. Sharing a cassette release are two Experimental Noise Punk bands. Fashion Change hails from Seattle, and they inhabit Side A of, “Hologram & Fashion Change ‘LIVE IN DC’.” What they lack in nuance, they are rich in adventurous beats, pounding Bass, indecipherable vocals, fun with feedback, and raw energy. DC band Hologram close the show with a slightly more technically adept approach to their particular wall of sound. God, I miss going to shows.

*Hologram & Fashion Change – ‘LIVE IN DC*

My next recommendation comes with a provenance that is more akin to what I’ve discovered lately, in terms of Rock Music. From Korobushka Records, the Czech label that releases Petr Válek’s music, comes Kurws. They’re a trio from Poland, and they’ve released their fourth album, “Powięź/Fascia”. I was grabbed instantly by, “Co nas łaczy/What Unites Us”, with its insistent ‘three-against-four’ beat, and exploratory guitar. The rest of the album continues the exploration, with competent and agile playing.

My Feature Pick this week is the album that I teased on Tuesday. Ima ایما is the debut of a collaboration between two Iranian musicians. Adel Poursamadi is a violinist, and Shahin Entezami (better known as Tegh) is an Electronic Experimental Sound Artist. Together they have created five tracks of contemplative and sparse discovery, with drone as its canvas.

My weekend will be focused on the live music and camaraderie of the Hillside Festival. After that, the family is headed north for cottage relaxation and stargazing. Rest assured, I will check back with you on Tuesday (07/26) to go through the Upcoming New Releases. And I may report from the weekend. We’ll see.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, remember kindness. Be good to yourself.