THE NOISE OF JULY 2023

Wait wait wait – July is already over? We are practically in the second half of 2023, the year is nearly gone, everything is basically over. The world is ending. Some wiggly noise is the only thing we have left.

Beautifully Black was part of our AOTY list back in 2021, and a new mixtape by Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon is a reason to celebrate. With tender beats and captivating storytelling, this album is a much-needed place of contemplation, and I’m thankful to have it.

Bandcamp // Youtube

Soul without necessarily being a soul record. It just has soul. It’s special, unique. This album is something else.

Bandcamp // Youtube // Review

I’m following Alice Phoebe Lou as an artist for quite a while – I really loved Glow when it dropped 2 years ago.

Bandcamp // Youtube // Review

PJ Harvey is already considered to be an legendary artist, delivering records which are too cool to be true. Now, in 2023, it’s baffling that she’s able to stay relevant and contemporary while creating her signature singer/songwriter vibe. A timeless artist.

Bandcamp // Youtube

I’m always searching for unhinged energy in extreme metal. With Czech black metal act Somniate, that energy is real. We Have Proved Death is an uproar, a scratching and biting beast of an album, often reminding me of death metal outfit Vitriol. And that’s some praise.

Bandcamp // Youtube

Radiant Knife have produced some of the most interesting post metal around, and still carry the weight of being an overlooked gem. PRESSURE continues their journey into prog even more, while keeping the Louisiana swamps’ dirtiness.

Bandcamp // Youtube // Review

Jazz pianist par excellence Aki Rissanen blesses us with yet another nordic treat, meddling Finnish reserveness with warmth and wholesomeness. An exciting, yet relaxing piece of jazz.

Bandcamp // Youtube

To be fair, without Jacob Collier and his song “All I Need”, I would probably never have checked out Mahalia. Her feature on the song is so charming and smooth that I was really excited to listen to her solo music. Her modern and relatively dark r&b, sprinkled with flavors of London jazz, is all I need.

Get it here! // Youtube

Truly just a sweet little gem with a bunch of fantastic bedroom dream pop tunes.

Bandcamp // Youtube

A gritty noise assault was never more beautiful. This album is only aggressive on the surface – the deeper you delve into it, the more of its elegance and beauty reveals itself. Be brave and listen through it.

Bandcamp // Youtube // Review

I’m ridiculously in love with Oxbow. Thin Black Duke is one of my favorite albums of the last 10 years – and I was head over heels about the announcement of Love’s Holiday. And to no surprise, it managed to amaze me once again, and to make me love this band even more.

Bandcamp // Youtube

Sweet jangle vibes, sweet bedroom vibes. It’s easy to get lost in those vibes, and it rewards you with a damn good time.

Bandcamp // Youtube

I wasn’t planning to like this album as much as I ended up doing, but here we are. There is an irresistible energy on Moments Elsewhere, something which reminds me of the early ’00s. Or END, but not as dark.

Bandcamp // Youtube

Straight away the best prog of the year. There is something unpolished about Mechanical Fiction which makes this album extra good. Just listen to it and thank me later.

Bandcamp // Youtube // Review

This is some serious magic. When Beverly Glenn-Copeland‘s voice embraces you, you just know that there is something special happening. Something warm, something wholesome. Damn, this is good.

Bandcamp // Youtube // Review

Absolutely stunning material. A real jazzy sleeper hit of 2023. UK outfit Wandering Monster delivered a modern fusion masterpiece – don’t miss this.

Bandcamp // Youtube

Freaking awesome. Mongolian jazz vocalist Enji, who now lives in Munich, released this beauty of an album – there isn’t enough vocal-centered modern jazz, so I’m extra grateful for Ulaan.

Bandcamp // Youtube

So overlooked. I rarely saw people talk about this album, why they should. I Am Not There Anymore is rich and lush, and so well written and produced. Fucking good.

Bandcamp // Youtube

I, the what the fuck is going on with this ridiculous and over the top death metal album. Voidhanger magic does it once again.

Bandcamp // Youtube

Thanks for scrolling.