I’d heard of the one-man doom cult Hell at different points over the past few years, but I was never sufficiently interested to actually give the band a listen. … read more
Review: Honeyslide – Drippin/Deep Architecture
This double A-side bucks most retro-brain nu-gaze trends by not trying too hard to ape MBV, and just sort of arrives there nonchalantly. … read more
Review: Holograms – Forever
Forever uses the upbeat power of nearly unbroken speed to avoid any clashes with boredom while finding identity through unique vocals. … read more
Review: Heavenly Beat – Prominence
Prominence expands on the downtempo aesthetic of Talent by incorporating darker, introspective lyrics into the same exuberant sound. Peña’s airy falsetto floats through the tracks here, cozying up with lush loops of nylon strings, steel drums, and New Order–styled harmonica. … read more
Review: Heaven’s Gate – Transmuting
I’ve felt starved for feminine vocalists in the upbeat lo-fi community up until Transmuting. Heaven’s Gate mix reverberated guitars and non-stop ride cymbal with a voice between the sustained notes of Best Coast and the tone of Siouxsie Sioux. … read more
Review: Hickoids – Hairy Chafin’ Ape Suit
Boom! Right off the bat, I’m hit by the opening song “Fruit Fly” with an upbeat blues guitar solo and organ playing that sounds a lot like Gregg Allman was contributing to the song. … read more
Review: His Clancyness – Vicious
His Clancyness is a solo endeavor spawned by the lead singer of little-known Italian indie group, A Classic Education. Within the first 10 minutes of Vicious, Jonathan Clancy easily demonstrates more of a strength within American melancholic bedroom rock than the average college slacker. … read more
Review: hERETICS iN tHE lAB – SUTURE
This is your basic cross between metal and industrial music. It is not horrible, and it’s put together well, but nothing really stands out. The typical, grinding guitar riffs and slower bass lines are reminiscent of those that we have heard over and over at the local strip club. … read more
Review: Have A Nice Life – The Unnatural World
I’ve never been in a deprivation chamber before, but The Unnatural World renders an audial consciousness for me similar to how I imagine that complete darkness—except for Have A Nice Life flash wet, silver lights of sound. … read more
Review: Helms Alee – Sleepwalking Sailors
Sleepwalking Sailors is fun, melodic and disjointed post-rock that gathers many influences without committing to any of them. There are constant shifts from moments that are heavier and metal-adjacent, to discordant, sludgy aggression, to traditionally comfortable melodic lines. … read more
Review: Harsh Toke – Light Up and Live
The fact that bassist Richie Belton and guitarist Justin “Figgy” Figueroa are at the forefront of professional skateboarding is a mere footnote when talking about these SoCal shredders. The music speaks for itself—and loudly it speaks. … read more
Review: Hauschka – Abandoned City
When I listened to the album, all I could think of is how great of a soundtrack this would be for a post-apocalyptic movie. Piano is the main instrument, along with computer-generated drumbeats, which are incredibly organic sounding, and various strings being plucked to provide an interesting texture. … read more
