Vantana Row – New Music Jason’s Picks

The New Music I’m Listening To Contemporaneously This Week, September 30 – October 6, 2023:

As I type these words I’m waiting for my Daughter at the Dentist’s office while she gets two baby teeth pulled. The darn assistant won’t let me have a huff of the nitrous!

I was right about the high quality of New Releases this week, and Drake actually pulled the trigger on his new album. It’s nearly an hour and a half long and is time better spent.

In all, I’ve come up with nine recommendations to share with all my friends. Ready, friends?

A single to get my recommendations rolling for the week comes from one of my favourite MCs, Homeboy Sandman. I’ve recommended Sand plenty in the past, most recently with with new LP, Rich. He’s released a ‘remix’ of the track Therapy, but not your average remix. Off the top of Therapy (Truth Hurts Remix), Homeboy explains, “This is the Remix…Back in the day they’d do a remix that was a whole new song, with new lyrics, and a new beat. Like The Roots did to You Got Me…” It’s completely unrecognizable from the original, with jaunty horn samples and freestyle rhymes. But be careful! At a brisk 93 seconds, sneeze and you miss it.

Homeboy Sandman – Therapy (Truth Hurts Remix)

For Artists who toil in Experimental Sound, or in the case of Rafael González and Hal McGee, “Audio Folk Art”, it’s a fine line between transcendence and navel-gazing. fortunately for us, this duo, based in Gainesville, Florida have assembled a brilliant and exciting experience with COLLABORATORY. Throughout ninety minutes, divided into six fifteen-minute tracks, the recordings created by each Artist separately, and then they “mixed the recording together using an automated random chance shuffle procedure.” The harsh noise and electronic chirping, spliced with barking dogs and conversation harken the chaos of everyday life and works great among the rest of my New Music Playlist. Recommended if you believe The Beatles’ Revolution 9 is too short.

*Rafael González and Hal McGee – COLLABORATORY*

An EP arrived this week from an Artist that I discovered August of last year. Tek Lintowe is from Åland Islands and he makes eccentric Electronic Music. On I am a evil person they’ve teamed up with California producer Pentagrvm for four moody tracks with bubbling autotune and deep bass.

*tek lintowe and pentagrvm – I am a evil person*

An anonymous Artist known only as rrao, who hails from China (Texas) released a three-track EP this week. Hara is smart Electronic Production with bounding beats that cleverly utilize tabla, and Indian samples. It’s warming up the early crowd at My Imaginary Nightclub.

Next up is a duo that I can’t help but love, despite my wife’s complaints. From the Northwest coast of California, “Cybergrind” Act Vantana Row is back with a new EP. Following up from their latest Full-Length back in May, the four-song DOGGEMFUCKEM UDONTKNOWMEWELLENUFFYET VXROW3 continues with their abrasive and abusive style of crunchy Electronic Rock, capably led by vocalist Volly. The two have a good sense of taste, and know how to most effectively destroy it. It gets my adrenaline flowing!

*Vantana Row – DOGGEMFUCKEM YOUDONTKNOWMEWELLENUFFYET VXROW3*

Whenever I see an Artist or a band refer to themselves as “Shoegaze”, it is immediately off-putting . To me, it signifies a distance from the audience, and a lack of attention. But that’s just me. You can not accuse Tokyo Artist (or band) what is your name? of simply going through the motions. The lead-off to their new album the now now and never is the nine-minute title track. It begins with a wash of synths that glitch and arpeggiate and you begging to hear voices talking. The drums and guitar come in and the animated conversation continues before it all gets shut down abruptly. The cinematic track continues to evolve and progress, and that is the main feature of this entire eight-track Instrumental LP. It’s a trip!

*what is your name? – the now now and never*

Much of what I recommend comes directly from my BandCamp Wishlist. And with it being BandCamp Friday (a tradition I hope never ends, despite a change in ownership) I’m extra proud to be recommending an artist I never would have discovered without this fantastic website. Chouk Bwa is a sextet from Haiti, and The Ångströmers are a production duo from Belgium. Together they create a thrilling combination of tribal drumming and vocals with Electronic Club infusion. Somanti, their second full-length, is a journey into deep Vodou culture and directly to a sweaty My Imaginary Nightclub.

Jasper Marsalis is a progeny of the great Jazz Dynasty that includes his father Wynton, uncle Branford, and grandfather Ellis Jr. With such rich Jazz genetics, you would expect a talented musician named Marsalis to continue the Jazz tradition. And in a way, he is. But Jasper is removing that famous last name from his recording projects, and as Slauson Malone 1, he’s just released his new album. EXCELSIOR steers more toward the futuristic R&B of Flying Lotus and Moses Sumney, and the multi-instrumentalist conjures Stevie Wonder at his most introspective. Deep bass drops and warbled vocals tell you that this is a recording for Warp Records, not Blue Note.

In my BandCamp adventures, an Artist that I keep coming across in various bands and collaborations is percussionist and multimedia Artist Valentina Magaletti. One of her many ongoing concerns is her trio with multi-instrumentalist and singer Cathy Lucas and bassist Susumu Mukai. Vanishing Twin has been together since 2019 and on Afternoon X, their latest full-length, they cast a downtempo spell with novel arrangements and a slight Pop scent. Massive Attack’s smartass little siblings, and my Feature Pick for the week.

Thanks for tuning in. Remember to be good to yourself, and floss your teeth every once in a while.

The New Music I’m Listening To, This Scintillating and Titillating Week, May 13 – 19, 2023:

Great things are afoot! It’s a glorious day, and the New Releases are flowing like refreshing water from a spring. I have eleven titles on tap, so come and have a sip!

There appears to be a gaggle of duos making Music to my taste this week. A single to start my findings comes from a Producer and MC pairing from Atlanta known as Revival Season. Chop is released by Heavenly Recordings, and comes with two versions of the track. The second of which is a remix by Inner Space Quartet that stretches it out an extra ninety seconds. Get your freak on!

Revival Season – Chop

A husband-and-wife duo from Oakland that I recommended last September is back with another fifteen new songs, none longer than two minutes. Homelist continues the exciting pairing of unhinged screaming and pounding bass. Lead singer, Volly, needs a throat lozenge sponsorship, stat.

A long-distance partnership that began over twenty-five years ago between London’s Jason Cambridge and Auckland’s Nathan Haines has resulted in a new album. Recording as Sci-Clone, the pair mash up Drum & Bass and House beats with Jazzy melodies on Radio Therapy – Part One. From the much-lauded Electronic label Metalheadz.

The continent of Africa factors heavily in my recommendations for this week. The Saharan Tuareg Band Tinariwen has long been lauded, and has won multiple Grammy Awards. Their latest, Amatssou, features Canadian treasure Daniel Lanois on two tracks, and carries a moody resonance throughout.

A vocalist from Mali got my attention this week. Namian Sabidé has released a new album of eight stripped-down performances that are accompanied only by the acoustic guitar of her cousin. Emotional and heartfelt vocals on self-titled release make this a touching album.

Completing my African trek is a Ugandan group that is centred around a Xylophone-type instrument called an Embaire. Nakinembe Embaire Group have also released a self-titled debut. On the eight tracks, the wooden instrument is played in such a way that almost mimics Electronic Dance vibes. Get on your feet!

Hannah Jadagu is a Singer/Songwriter from California who’s 2021 debut EP What Is Going On? is a favourite of mine. While that was produced completely on her i-Telephone, she’s gone into a proper studio for her first full-length for Sub Pop Records. Aperture is a lush and fully-focused effort with slinky guitar and fantastic vocals.

Also from Oakland, California is a songwriter and producer who’s ep from 2020 was one of my favourites. Salami Rose Joe Louis is Lindsay Olsen, and her latest full-length is Akousmatikous. Bubbling wonky synths and tight beats drive Olsen’s dreamy voice.

A producer from Berlin struck my ear this morning. Blawan’s dark and edgy beats on Dismantled Into Juice are exploratory and funky fresh.

The Gaslamp Killer is William Bensussen. I haven’t solved a serial murder case, The Gaslamp Killer is his recording name. He’s recently collaborated with UK production ensemble The Heliocentrics. The Gaslamp Killer Meets The Heliocentrics is crazy beats and euphoric production.

*The Gaslamp Killer Meets The Heliocentrics*

My Feature Pick for this week is an album that was created with the skills and talents of over forty Artists. British comedian James Acaster amassed dozens of MCs, instrumentalists and singers to create, under the moniker Temps, PARTY GATOR PURGATORY. Among the ten tracks you’ll find contributions from Quelle Chris, Open Mic Eagle, Louis Theroux, Xenia Rubinos, and so many others, for a fully-immersive experience.

Aaah, refreshing! Now, doesn’t that taste good? Feel free to let me know what you think. I like a good chat.

Take care of yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To While I Examine My Inner Biases This Week, January 21 – 27, 2023:

I cannot believe that we are already four weeks in to the New Year, and February is already upon us. It’s been a crazy time around here with renovations taking up our time and space, but they ended today, and we can begin to claim our new space.

Despite all of the kerfuffle these last several days here at home, I’ve still been able to find ten New Releases with which to dazzle both you and I. Also, I was taught a hard lesson about myself. But more on that later. Let’s get down to business.

A single comes this week from California’s Noise Rock duo Vantana Row. I’m still loving their full-length that was released back in September, particularly their irreverent cover of Dolly Parton’s Nine To Five. This week Fiver, with its b-side Not Enough David Thompson from Pacifica was released. Plucky Electronic Production alongside Ragecore (read: Screaming) vocals and heavy bass get the party started. Right?

A one-track single came out this week from London’s Brother May. He’s a singer, songwriter and MC. He’s been recording since 2019, and his latest cut is Gully Hymns. Minimalist Production keeps the focus on the bars spit and creates a comfortable groove.

I have one more single this week, and this one comes via Nevada. Reno’s Rotary Club has released their first 7-inch. American Tower is gritty and in-yer-face Punk with Lydia Lunchesque vocals and the B-side, Planet 67 turns up the frenetic Pop meter.

My BandCamp Wishlist came through again this week, with two of the three listed making the cut. I highlighted The Drin on Tuesday, and I’m pleased to be able to add Today My Friend You Drunk The Venom to my listening life. The Cincinnati, Ohio sextet, led by Dylan McCartney, has released ten tracks of exploratory Rock, with wailing guitars and introspective lyrics , leaving plenty of room for Spaced-out Funky Trips.

*The Drin – Today My Friend You Drunk The Venom*

I’m happy to have found New Music that was written and created during the artist’s time while living in Vietnam. Just in time for Vietnamese New Year celebrations, Florida beatmaker and Producer Batsauce has released Dispatches From Da Nang. It is fifteen Downtempo Instrumental Hip-Hop adventures that were made without the luxury of samples. Perhaps best used in the Chillout Tent at your Tėt Party.

I found a peculiar project this week from Munich, Germany. Lö Mat is the name of what sounds to be the work of a young person with a pre-pubescent voice, with only drums and guitar to accompany. ProberaumUnterwelt is their third ep and it bubbles with lo-fi intensity and brilliant use of space.

From the great and eccentric town of Athens, Georgia comes a great and eccentric solo project. A human who goes by the name SuL E. HoLmSs has released their first full-length album, as Rubber Udder. Mechanically Separated Chicken is eleven tracks, clocking in at just under an hour, of adventurous Rock-adjacent meanderings. By turns Psychedelic Freak Out and Amphetamine grandstanding, it’s a grand strand of mental floss.

*Rubber Udder – Mechanically Separated Chicken*

Czechia’s Korobushka Records (the great independent label that is home for Petr Válek’s recorded Music) has released an album from a band from Ostrava. München Konflikt’s third album, Muscle Pain, Panic Fever, is twelve tracks that remind me of The Sugarcubes at their most raw, minus the Björk, but with Karen O instead. Quirky instrumentation sets it apart.

*München Konflikt – Muscle Pain, Panic Fever*

London’s John Joseph Wardle has been known as Jah Wobble since the 1970’s. He first achieved worldwide acclaim as the Bass player for Public Image Limited alongside Johnny Lydon. He has been releasing solo projects since the 1980’s, and is still going strong. His latest album, The Bus Routes Of South London, was composed and created with the use of his iPad while riding the bus. Dub Reggae is the launchpad for Jah’s atmospheric instrumental musical musings. Feel the kozmik riddim.

*Jah Wobble – Bus Routes Of South London*

I discovered something else this week, besides all of this terrific New Music; I learned that I’m biased against L’il People. I just assumed that all musicians who calls themself L’il…Whatever probably makes shitty Hip-Hop, and has a lot of face tattoos. I was pleasantly proved wrong this week. From the State of Georgia, Lil Yachty has come to show me the way. How did I not see that this musician has released eight albums in the last seven years? Time to atone for my discrimination. Yachty’s new release, Let’s Start Here. is my Feature Pick for this week, and not just because of White Guilt. Instead of the Trap Music I expected to hear, the album is a lush R&B statement, with crispy clean production. No surprise that this artist, twenty five year-old Miles Park McCollum, is signed to the legendary Motown Records. And now I have a body of catalog to explore from this talented young musician. Hooray!

I want to thank Lil Yachty, and all the people, both big and lil, for helping me become a better person. Although something tells me that I’ll always be mid. Nevertheless, have a wonderful weekend and be good to yourself!

The New Music I’m Listening To On Another Championship Week, September 3 – 9, 2022:

It’s been a Banner Week in New Music. Good thing that I will never run out of rafters to hang them in My Imaginary Gymnasium. I was able to find thirteen new titles that I’m really happy to recommend.

I should mention, if anyone reading this connects with only one of the titles I talk about, that really makes me happy. I don’t expect everyone to like everything that I like. I contain multitudes.

To start the week off right, I have to start with the pre-release single for Björk’s new album, Fossora, due at the end of the month. Released on Tuesday, Atapos features an Electronic bed, with a Clarinet sextet. Björk’s voice continues to be unmatched, and her lyrics are a call to the heart of everyone, to overcome our differences. “If we don’t grow outwards towards love, we’ll implode inwards towards destruction.”

Björk – Atopos

Another single (of sorts) was brought to my attention this week, thanks to fellow Music Blog New Music United. Catherine Graindorge is a Belgian Violinist and Composer, and has released the four-track, The Dictator. The title track features Iggy Pop, and so too do the two tracks that follow. Track Four is an instrumental piece, simply titled Iggy. Dark, deep, and atmospheric.

Catherine Graindorge feat. Iggy Pop –
The Dictator

My BandCamp Wishlist paid off again this week. As I mentioned on Tuesday, LA Artist Sudan Archives’ second album, Natural Brown Prom Queen, was released today (Friday). It has certainly exceeded my expectations, with its array of sonic palettes at play. Trip-Hop meets R&B, which then meets with Experimental Electronic Music. Highly recommend. Highly.

*Sudan Archives – Natural Brown Prom Queen*

Also on my Wishlist this week was an album by an artist from Cyprus. I’ve always had a fondness for Cyprus, as my old friend Biva visited family there and brought back a keychain for me, in the shape of the island. The easternmost part of the Country (which I referred to as “Cyprus Hill”), was useful for cleaning out my cannabis pipe. I miss it to this day. Nevertheless, Cypriot Antonis Antoniou brings interesting sounds with his second solo album, Throisma. Antonis is a Sound Artist and Producer, and across the nine tracks, he utilizes analog synths, fuzzy bass, and tzouras (which is a small bouzouki), to create a mystical Eastern Mediterranean journey.

Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall had a hit back in 2004 with, Black Horse And The Cherry Tree, and I hadn’t heard much from her since. To my surprise, she’s just released her ninth album since then. I’m pleased to recommend NUT for its creative Pop production (by Martin Terefe), it’s incorporation of unique instrumentation, and Tunstall’s skilled vocals.

I was wondering when I’d be hearing from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Moreover, what form will the New Music from Minneapolis take? Will it be following in the footsteps of local legends Prince, or Hüsker Dü? Or maybe something else entirely? Surrogates are something else entirely. Their lofi, no frills, self-titled debut showcases the quartet’s in-your-face raw energy. DIY Punk by talented musicians, fronted by unhinged and mesmerizing Lulu on vocals.

A duo that I wrote about in April is back with another release. 106 is comprised of Phew and Dowser n, and they hail from Tokyo. Together they make what they call “Desktop Punk”. Their latest release, 106 DTP02, is seven tracks continuing their experimentations with synth beats, throbbing bass, guitar and expressive vocals. Wonderful.

A husband-and-wife duo from Oakland, CA, is doing something really different. Jamey and Volly Blaze have been recording and performing as Vantana Row since 2015. Their brand of Music takes the best part of heavy Thrash and Screamo, and pairs it with Experimental Hip-Hop. Their new TXTS MIXTAPE is jarring and exhilarating, and requires maximum volume. It features two covers, one of AC/DC, and the other, Dolly Parton. Put this on for size.

A few hours drive south of Oakland is the West Coast’s Punk Capital. Orange County is home to many of the big Punk and Pop-Punk artists of the last thirty-plus years. A set of twins from Orange named Wyatt & Fletcher Shears have been recording together as a duo for over ten years as The Garden. Their fifth full-length, Horseshit on Route 66, contains the Punk aesthetic, mashed with electronic beats, samples, and aggressive vocals. Well suited with pogo dancing.

Taking a sharp ninety degree turn, both in style and geography, we go to London. Here we find Coby Sey, a multi-instrumentalist, producer and poet. His debut album, Conduit, is a twitchy, bass-heavy testament to life at the end of Elizabethan England.

I get the tingles for the sound of backwards drums, and cymbals particularly. So does, I presume, an anonymous DJ and Producer from London who records as Nottap (who wants to bet their first and/or last name isn’t Patton?). Their second BandCamp release is a five-track ep, titled Sandman. Backwards drums accompany backwards vocals, synths, and guitar. To make it further confounding and fun, I think the vocals are in Russian. Get lost in linear time!

In the great city of Montréal there is a writing duo of Abigail Galway and Danny Trudeau that has ganged up with nine other musicians to create their debut album, EDDY. Funk/Soul is the primary template across the ten tracks, with intriguing melodies and phenomenal performances, particularly Galway’s vocals.

The musical and personal mythology of massive and broken pop stars has long been abundant creative fodder that still has much to mine. The trick is to make it interesting, and not a retread. Detroit Artist Timothy Michael Jones has been recording and self-producing music since 2020 as Alice Dreamt. His latest is an alter-ego project; as described on Twitter, a purported ‘Final Album’ by the “biggest band in the world,” The Candy Land Generals. The Visions of Dear Perfection (Or, The Candy Land Generals). Also, it’s my Feature Pick for this week. It’s a Rock Opera, in the same way that Sgt. Pepper is, in that it doesn’t tell a story, and the songs don’t have anything, fundamentally, in common. Without having heard any of his previous work, I can only imagine that this is the artist branching out, and, to my ears, it succeeds. From the attention-grabbing ‘Intro (Variations)’, into ‘Closer To The Light’, (which sounds like Muse, having a great day in the studio with Jeff Lynne), through to its ‘From Peppermints To You’ conclusion, it’s the kind of album that would hold the top eight positions on the Singles Charts, if the world were mine. The production is fantastic, it’s filled with terrific melodies, and he’s a winning vocalist. Can’t lose!

*Alice Dreamt –*
*The Visions of Dear Perfection*
*(Or, The Candy Land Generals)*

So, hey, so if you happened to have found thirteen out of thirteen titles to your taste, I think it falls upon you to let me know. That’s just being polite. Share the love, people!