Gulp – Season Sun
Spewed off some Fantastic Planet nightmare riff with a Cubism hard on, Gulp’s “Vast Space” video is a solid point of entry into the airy psych-folk world of this UK group. For a grande taste, hand Nancy Sinatra an acoustic guitar and wash the sound with a haunted synthesizer – and there you have it: Gulp. Season Sun marks their debut, furthering their efforts to meld contemporary with classic, vintage with vogue.
Madlib – Rock Konducta Part 2
First issued in 2013 by the instrumental mad scientist himself, Madlib has continued mashing underground rock scenes from the 1960s through the 80s, weaving together samples spreading from German kraut-rock to American psychadelia to Spanish prog-rock and even synth-laced 80s jams. Going off his annual output, let’s assume Madlib orchestrated Part 2 while gorging on nothing but ginseng roots and espresso shots. (Seriously, I’d imagine he gives himself one day’s rest per album made).
Viet Cong – “Cassette” EP
Picking up the pieces after their venomous on-stage breakdown and guitarist’s unfortunate passing, former members of Calgary band Women took to rekindling their past success under the name of Viet Cong. Backed by Mexican Summer and Scott Munro, their former Women producer Chad VanGaalen‘s bandmate, the unlikely troupe have worked out a catchy sound the rolls as smoothly as a summer surf. Hopes are high this band won’t crumble apart like before, giving opportunity to fine tune more tracks like “Bunker Buster” (which remains as a rough mix not included on this EP).
Also available this week:
Braid – No Coast
Cold Beat – Over Me
Comet Gain – Paperback Ghosts
Craig Leon – Anthology of Interplanetary Folk Music Vol. 1 [Reissue]
Gene the Southern Child – Southern Meridian
Eugene McGuinness – Chroma
French Style Furs – Is Exotic Bait
James Blackshaw – Fantômas: Le Faux Magistrat
Judas Priest – Redeemer of Souls
La Roux – Trouble in Paradise
MNDSGN – Surface Outtakes
Origin – Omnipresent
The Proper Ornaments – Wooden Head
Sia – 1000 Forms of Fear
The Skygreen Leopards – Family Crimes
Wolves in the Throne Room – Celestite
Wolvhammer – Clawing Into Black Sun
Woods – “Tambourine Light” b/w “Tomorrow’s Only Yesterday” 7″
Grooveroo 