In an ever-changing world, relying on constants can be a safe harbour! It’s important to remember that this is about noise, and there’s a lot of it! We’re already in February 2024, and good music is everywhere!
Persefone – Lingua Ignota: Part I
February 2 // Napalm Records
To be honest, I was initially skeptical! Although I am a big fan of Persefone, their recent releases did not captivate me as much as Spiritual Migration did years ago. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed their slightly new sound! It is trimmed down in the big spectacle department, but this change is beneficial for their overall progress!
Vægtløs – AFTRYK
February 2 // Released in 46 labels around the world
20 Seconds Falling Man – Resilience
February 2 // Independent
The best band you’ve never heard of. I was absolutely blown away by this amazing album, like a more versatile, hardcore-adjacent version of Amenra, so if that sounds like something you would dig, this is a must listen. I’ll be following 20 Seconds Falling Man from now on, looking forward to what they have to offer in the future!
DIVR – Is This Water
February 2 // We Jazz Records
Manu Delago – Snow From Yesterday
February 2 // One Little Independent Records
And the jazz train continues. Wow, what an album, what an experience. Incredibly rich and packed with so many different influences, Snow From Yesterday creates soundscapes with surprises around every corner, making each song so intriguing that I couldn’t wait to see how it would end. It kept me on the metaphorical edge of my seat.
Plantoid – Terrapath
February 2 // Bella Union
Yeah, prog is a fizzy genre. It gets stale pretty fast. It’s hard to find interesting entries in the genre these days, at least for me. And to be fair, I’m a grumpy snob. BUT – when a prog album hits me right, it’s pure joy. Plantoid probably wouldn’t call their music prog at all, but their new album Terrapath is both fresh and charmingly old-school, and touches that little space of prog love deep in my heart.
Sex, Fear – the grackly glare of interference broadcast on every station – why bother having stations? why bother bragging to people that they’ve reached another dead end?
February 2 // Independent
The first thing you need to know is that this album is wilder than its band’s name. Let’s find out.
Vijay Iyer Trio – Compassion
February 2 // ECM
To be fair, it’s very, very hard to follow up a record like Love In Exile. Vijay Iyer‘s involvement in that project marked a high point in his already impressive catalog. With Compassion, his trio is back, and while it may not make the same waves as Love In Exile, it will end up being one of the best jazz albums of 2024.
Vera Sola – Peacemaker
February 2 // City Slang
meth. – SHAME
February 2 // Prosthetic Records
Birds In Row & Coilguns – You and I in the Gap
February 2 // Humus Records
MXLX – APOCRYPHA
February 5 // zamzamrec
A-Sun Amissa – Ruins Era
February 9 // Gizeh Records
Rosie Frater-Taylor – Featherweight
February 9 // Cooking Vinyl
Incredibly hard to explain what makes it so cool. It has some Van Morrison singer/songwriter qualities to it, but otherwise it’s so much different. There is an experimental edge to these songs that reminds me of last year’s Hannah Marks album (which was one of my favorite records of the year) – you will find out for yourself in the end.
Spectral Voice – Sparagamos
February 9 // Dark Descent Records
Brittany Howard – What Now
February 9 // Island Records
This is. SO. FUCKING. GOOD. Brittany Howard can obviously do no wrong, and what comes out of her is pure gold. After the phenomenal Jaime, What Now continues her journey into the mainstream of modern soul.
Chelsea Wolfe – She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She
February 9 // Loma Vista Recordings
I never really connected with or cared about Chelsea Wolfe, to be honest. But when the first singles for her new album dropped, I got really, really curious. Going full trip-hop alongside her usual dark pop sound gave her music that extra little something, and I’m loving it!
Friko – Where we’ve been, Where we go from here
February 16 // ATO
Somewhere between nostalgia and stellar songwriting, Friko blossoms into one of the most important indie acts in 2024 with Where we’ve been, Where we go from here. Undeniably, this isn’t necessarily the most original music you’ll ever hear, but there’s so much heart and compassion pouring out of it every second, and in the end, that’s what counts.
Jordan Mackampa – Welcome Home, Kid!
February 16 // Independent
I didn’t know how much I needed this album, but it came at just the right time. Empowering, uplifting soul to make your day brighter and more colorful.
Louien – Every Dream I Ever Had
February 16 // Jansen Records
It just sounds fantastic. One of the best produced records I’ve heard this year, super warm and cozy, but with great dynamics. Also, Jansen Records is a fantastic label you should check out.
Quadeca – SCRAPYARD
February 16 // Independent
I’m probably too much of an old, snobby fart to understand all the viral dynamics surrounding Quadeca and his fanbase – I’m just listening to a forward-thinking collection of songs that take hip-hop to new places. This is a beyond beautiful experience and some of the best tracks I’ve heard in a long time.
Yirinda – Yirinda
February 16 // Chapter Music
I’ve dabbled in tons of different musical styles all over the world, but I can’t really say that I’m very familiar with Aboriginal folk music. Luckily, this beautiful project is giving me a little glimpse into that musical world, and besides being fantastic in and of itself, I’m grateful for that.
Blemishes – Ambivert
February 16 // Independent
A Burial at Sea – Close To Home
February 23 // Pelagic Records
Uh, what a step up. I had A Burial at Sea in my head as an okay-ish post-rock act a couple of years ago and never really checked them out after that. Now, with Pelagic Records on their back, I gave their new album a spin and my goodness, if this isn’t one of the better post-rock albums I’ve heard in a while.
Erick the Architect – I’ve Never Been Here Before
February 23 // Independent
Erika de Casier – Still
February 23 // 4AD
Amigo The Devil – Yours Until The War Is Over
February 23 // Regime Music Group
I only listened to Amigo The Devil in the past because my buddy and fellow editor Jake loves his stuff. Not bad, but not really my cup of tea. Out of the blue, that changed with Yours Until the War is Over, which is an absolutely phenomenal display of witty, creative modern country.
Job For A Cowboy – Moon Healer
February 23 // Metal Blade Records
And we are back. The job’s not going to do itself, so I’m glad to have a bunch of cowboys back in the saddle swinging the meanest riffs. I was driving home from a show the other night with some friends and we put on Moon Healer and everyone had a good time. And that was after seeing Botch!
Gregory Uhlmann – Small Day
February 23 // Colorfield Records
Revival Season – The Golden Age of Self Snitching
February 23 // Heavenly Recordings
Thanks for scrolling!
