So. Here we go again, I suppose. I took a small break and skipped The Noise Of December because of things like our AOTY list and life and other boring stuff, but we are back with full force for the very first installment of The Noise Of in 2022. January slapped some great records on the table, and we are here to do the only thing logical: going in.
Lasiodora – Molt
January 6 // Indepedent
Well, what a bummer. This awesome band called it quits with the release of this record, due to endless postponing thanks to the pandemic. Gladly, they are going out with a bang. Molt is a wild-ass mix of post-hardcore, mathcore, and prog, along with tons of other stuff. Just dig in!
Monodrama – mndrmooaa
January 14 // Everlasting Records
Mizmor – Wit’s End
January 14 // Gilead Media
Grace Cummings – Storm Queen
January 14 // PIAS/ATO/Rough Trade
Probably the best record I’ve heard this year so far. Storm Queen is delicate and powerful, bringing timelessly great vibes from Joni Mitchell to the energy of modern gloomy folk like Dorthia Cottrell‘s solo work. Grace Cummings outdid herself with this incredibly strong album, and I urge you to give it the attention it deserves.
foxtails – fawn
January 14 // Skeletal Lightning
Bonobo – Fragments
January 14 // Ninja Tune
Bonobo‘s The North Borders was one of the essential listenings that really got me into electronic music years ago. In the years before, I was okay with electronica, but never really fell in love with it. Bonobo changed that. The releases that followed The North Borders were kinda lukewarm for me, so I’m extra happy that Fragments managed to rekindle that admiration.
Hikaru Utada – BAD mode
January 19 // Epic Records Japan
What’s better in between grim metal and challenging jazz than some ultra-catchy J-pop with a catchy r’n’b twist? Utada Hikaru creates immersive soundscapes and ultra beautiful hooks!
40 Watt Sun – Perfect Light
January 21 // Cappio Records/Svart Records
AURORA – The Gods
January 21 // Decca Records/Glassnote Records
Super happy to see her coming back strong after the fantastic A Different Kind of Human (Step 2).This is extraordinary art pop, colorful and compelling, and AURORA should be on your radar for fascinating pop artists!
Pan Dajiing – Tissues
January 21 // PAN
Silvana Estrada – Marchita
January 21 // Glassnote Records
I first discovered Silvana Estrada when she teamed up with jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter a couple of years ago, and I tried to keep up with what’s she’s doing ever since. However, I wasn’t aware that she had an album coming out, and damn, did it hit me when I checked it. This is heartfelt and heavy. I don’t understand the lyrics, but I feel them.
SOM – The Shape Of Everything
January 21 // Pelagic Records
I knew that The Shape Of Everything was a hit the moment I’ve put it on. SOM‘s appetizer EP last year was already intriguing, but this is hitting all the right spots for me. You can definitely say that they are beating the bush with that one vibe they have going on, but the songs are so well-executed that I don’t give a fuck. I love this album.
The Waltz – Looking-Glass Self
January 24 // Labelman
Bye Bye Tsunami – Bye Bye Tsunami
January 28 // Nefarious Industries
This is fucking wild. I hate to admit that Bye Bye Tsunami‘s intrinsic weirdness lured me into its comforting chaos a little too often, but on the other hand, that’s what keeps us in the loop. Some great and super jazzy experimental metal for those adventurous enough to delve in.
Celeste – Assassine(s)
January 28 // Nuclear Blast
To be honest, when the first singles dropped and they started their big-metal-label-fueled and rather aggressive PR campaign for the new album, Celeste kinda lost me a bit. I was enjoying their whole obscure post-black metal shebang a lot, and the new direction felt a bit shallow to me. Fortunately, Assassine(s) turned out to be a great album despite confirming my initial worries. Both things can exist at the same time, apparently.
Cloakroom – Dissolution Wave
January 28 // Relapse Records
Sarah Wiliams White – Unfathomable
January 28 // First Word Records
South London artist. Well, I don’t have to elaborate further, right? This part of the world seems to produce fantastic music on the assembly line, and Sarah Williams White‘s fantastic new album Unfathomable is an phenomenal run through neo-soul and art pop, lush and rich, intricate and compelling.
Det Eviga Leendet – Reverence
January 28 // Dissociative Visions
St. Paul and the Broken Bones – The Alien Coast
January 28 // ATO
If you already know St. Paul and the Broken Bones, chances are high you discovered this soul act through their iconic appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk. With The Alien Coast, the band progresses their classic soul-influenced sound towards a more futuristic, adventurous one. A fantastic leap into a contemporary and compelling new chapter!
Pinegrove – 11:11
January 28 // Rough Trade Records
There is a unique warmth within Pinegrove‘s music that is just special to them. Although they progress through various musical ideas (more indie, more folk, you name it), they keep their identity in check. 11:11 continues their wonderful streak of records, and will fulfill what their fans find in them again and again.
Modern Nature – Island Of Noise
January 28 // Bella Union
There is so much magic to find on Island Of Noise, because there are interesting and sweet ideas around every corner. Modern Nature‘s sound design is unmatched, capturing the organic and honest spirit of the compositions on display. I’m looking forward to get lost in this record again and again.
Grégory Privat – Yonn
January 28 // Buddham Jazz
You love Tigran Hamasyan but think that he got rather full of himself with his more recent stuff? Grégory Privat might be the right kind of guy for you. Mesmerizing piano work and a charismatic voice are all it takes!
deathcrash – Return
January 28 // untitled (recs)
Black Flower – Magma
January 28 // Sdban Records
Anaïs Mitchell – Anaïs Mitchell
January 28 // BMG
Virginie B – INSULA
January 28 // Independent
Yearning – MMXXII
January 28 // No Funeral Records
Thanks for scrolling.
