Nightlands - Oak Island

Nightlands - Oak Island
Secretly Canadian




This is some dreamy music. Singer and composer Dave Hartley has made something masterful here by combining elements of chillwave and shoegaze pop into an absolute delight of sounds. There are even R&B and IDM influences thrown into the mix, as the tracks seem to vary widely yet somehow coalesce through a signature sound that is constant throughout the playlist.

If you're looking for something that is both refreshingly relaxing and inspiring, this album will deliver in a surprising way; sounding vintage at times and contemporary at other times, each song is a real treat to hear. Many of the moments sound influenced by Brian Wilson which might sound daunting to the experienced listener, but proves immediately satisfactory from the first listen.

Some of my favourite parts are when funkier dance beats come into play, and the ethereal crescendos delve into darker expulsions of primal energy. This album is enjoyable from beginning to end, suitable for many occasions and will definitely present a promising experience to the listener.

Deafheaven - Roads to Judah

Deafheaven - Roads to Judah
Deathwish Iinc.




There have been a few bands emerging out there mixing black metal with other styles. We've seen a lot of black metal mixed with crusty d-beat and hardcore, but Deafheaven fall more in line with the bands attempting to merge elements of post rock with the nihilistic fervor of the black metal sound. I have to say, these guys do it better than most. Roads to Judah perfectly eclipses the lines blurring the two genres and establishes itself as a listening experience both tranquil and emotionally punishing.

At times one can get lost in the soaring beauty of this release, and at others have your heart wrenched out and stuffed in your ears by the scathing, bleak, barren wasteland of metallic fury. The vocals are particularly seething with pain and anguish; Deafheaven have delivered a truly memorable album here.

Get on this if you like Wolves in the Throne Room, Alcest or Lantlos.


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Atlas Sound - Parallax

Atlas Sound - Parallax
4AD




This is my first time hearing Atlas Sound, the solo project of Deerhunter's Bradford Cox, and the first thing that has me hooked on its sound is its versatility. The vocals are quite shogazerish for the most part as the music rolls along sweetly with a predominantly light, indie, pop rock. Occasionally peppered among the songs are electronic effects and percussion, impressing a dreamy and at times almost tropical feel.

While much of it plays as an easy-listening endevour, the mood sways from gloomy and pensively comfortable to upbeat and drivingly inspirational. This is definitely an album worth many repeated listens.