Music
Local Review: Alexander Ortega – Wallwalker EP
You may have seen SLUG Magazine’s Managing Editor, Alexander Ortega, playing around town, including Friday night in-store local-band appearances at Diabolical Records and the busking area at the Craft Lake City DIY Fest. … read more
Review: Lauren Redhead – Entoptic Landscape
In the last several years, there has been a noticeable expansion in the amount of time it takes for me to finish a book.
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Local Review: Alumni – Decohesion
This is EP number two for these dudes of deathcore, which is always nice to see: a band with work ethic keepin’ on. They scored an impressive guest spot on “Decohesion (II)” with CJ McMahon of Thy Art Is Murder, but it’s not like their vocalists needed the help. … read more
Review: Literature – Chorus
Sifting through the flavors of indie pop on Literature’s debut album might be as bad as calling the whole bloody thing the dreaded “T” word, but there’s a history here. … read more
Local Review: Andrew Maguire’s Art Project – Artsy As Fuk
“Artsy” is in the eye or—in this case—ear of the beholder. Usually, “art” in conjunction with rock music makes one think of turgid, overblown prog rock, but Andrew Maguire’s Art Project have a punkish garage band energy that’s infectious, awkward and fun—full of “art school confidential” type self-referentiality and fake gossip. … read more
Review: Mark Rogers & Mary Byrne – I Line My...
For a soothing retreat, I Line My Days Along Your Weight by duo Mark Rogers & Mary Byrne dabbles in the bluesy twang of older folk songs, with a fresh take that gives this album a timeless appeal. … read more
Local Review: Anthony Pena – Apology
The inside cover of this album says, “With my sincerest heart, I am so sorry for who I was.” The music that follows is apologetic and cathartic, yet full of yearning. “Junius” combines upbeat vocal harmonies and emotional bursts of guitar with the lyrics “I never thought I would die right next to you.” … read more
Review: Myrkur – Self-Titled
Myrkur—Icelandic for “darkness”—is making waves in the black metal community. All we know of this mysterious act is that a single Danish woman has created a gorgeous atmospheric black metal album, which is apparently controversial, because what would black metal be without its constant bitching about authenticity spiced with a little misogyny? … read more
Local Review: AudioTreats – Vol. 2
I’m stunned by the quality of music that has come out of Utah’s EDM scene as of late. AudioTreats’ Vol. 2 is no exception. This album is a hypnotic tapestry of hip-hop and electronica. Each track is incredibly fluid, and they each fit together in perfect harmony. … read more
Review: Obscure Burial – Epiphany
This is a neat, little release from Finland’s death dealers, Obscure Burial. Epiphany can be considered a demo, both in its rough production, length and the grim cover artwork, yet it could stand up to many of the studio albums from major labels that I’ve heard this year. … read more
Local Review: Braeyden Jae – Heaven House
SLC native and ambassador Braeyden Jae has created an album full of near-perfect textures. The timbre of all-encompassing waves drone, and obscured melodic passages peer out of cavernous, swelling sounds. … read more
Review: Oscillator Bug – Bursts of the Million
Oscillator Bug’s Zaid Maxwell is offering a disturbing dose of “new” with his debut album. Befitting its name, Bursts of the Million is equally full of carnival-like synth explosions—some messier than others—and jagged guitar licks. … read more