This is the last – I SAY THE LAST – episode of THE NOISE OF in 2023. Crazy, right? But what can you do? Things come to an end, and a new year will come, and then the circle starts again. A constant stream of stuff, and I’m here to tell you what’s worth your time.
Poil Ueda – Yoshitsune
November 3 // Dur Et Doux
I said it in previous episodes, and I say it again – I love Dur Et Doux. The french label provides me with the most fantastic experimental music, Poil being one of them. Since a couple of years, the band is teaming up with Japanese artist Junko Ueda, who adds vocals and the satsuma-biwa, a Japanese lute, to the bands already crazy sound. And damn, it’s wild.
pigments – pigments
November 3 // Popup Records
A small, generally overlooked gem which won my heart right from the start. Good songs, good sounds – don’t miss this if you like catchy indie stuff.
Closet Witch – Chiaroscuro
November 3 // Zegema Beach Records/Moments Of Collapse
Tkay Maidza – Sweet Justice
November 3 // 4AD
Tkay Maidza‘s previous releases were always solid, but never more than that. I was checking her stuff regularly, since SOMEONE on the staff kept nudging me towards it in AOTY discussions and other occasions. Finally, I’m convinced – her second studio album is smooth and catchy, full of empowering songs.
Sen Morimoto – Diagnosis
November 3 // City Slang
Sen Morimoto‘s previous releases always showed great potential, but they also gave the vibe of ‘not being quite there yet‘. There were some layers to be unfold for sure – and damn, did he burst into what he is capable of with Diagnosis. This is so much more that what I’m used to hearing from him, that I can only sit here and listen in total awe. What a great record.
Rid Of Me – Access To The Lonely
November 3 // Knife Hits/Den of Wax
Searching for the best rock album of the year? Look no further and listen to Rid of Me. We are hyping this band for a quite a while, and I was among the people who was beyond excited for that album. Access To The Lonely is a grungy, punky and incredibly well-written rock album with a charismatic vocalist and some damn good songs. Nothing to miss.
Badge Époque Ensemble – Air, Light & Harmony
November 3 // telephone explosion records
Badge Époque Ensemble are a regular by now at THE NOISE OF – nearly all of their previous releases were featured in here. So you can definitely say I have a soft spot in my heart for their smooth and lovely jazz. Their newest album Air, Light & Harmony is yet another beautiful addition to their catalog, and if you like your jazz light, airy and smooth, this is for you.
SÂVER – From Ember and Rust
November 10 // Pelagic Records
I was never fully convinced on SÂVER, but with From Ember And Rust, they entered a new realm in my books. This is easily their most interesting and versatile record yet, as every song made me curious about the next riffs, the next groove – which is always a really good sign.
Niecy Blues – Exit Simulation
November 10 // kranky
Absolute and utter magic. I tend to gravitate towards music which is both kinda uncomfortable and intriguingly wholesome, and nothng projected that better in 2023 than Niecy Blues‘ Exit Simulation. The hazey art pop lurks you closer and closer into its soundscapes – spending time here is ultimately rewarding.
The Ritual Aura – Heresiarch
November 10 // The Artisan Era
The Ritual Aura and The Artisan Era – a match made in heaven. I honestly thought they were already working together, so imagine my surprise that Heresiarch is the first album they are working together for. One of the best tech death labels finally teaming up with one of the most interesting tech death bands around should tell you everything, though.
PinkPantheress – Heaven knows
November 10 // Warner UK
Silky smooth and clever – PinkPantheress‘s breathtaking new album Heaven knows is a listen to hehold, full of clever twists and turns, but never losing focus of the character of individual songs and the chohesiveness of the album as a whole.
Horsewhip – Consume and Burn
November 10 // Iodine Recordings
For me personally, a lot of mathcore is kinda whatever. Style over substance songs hidden behind goofy meme-country watered down the genre for quite some years. This impression makes bands like Horsewhip extra special – they take their craft seriously, writing awesome songs and keeping the fun in balance.
Material Girl – Izumi Hazuki End of Day
November 15 // Independent
There is nothing out there like Material Girl. Listen and found out for yourself.
Rich Hinman – Memorial
November 17 // Colorfield Records
I’m not necessarily a big fan of the pedal steel guitar – which is connected to the kind of music I associated the instrument with. Rich Hinman popped into my musical feed here and there, but it took his new Memorial to gave me a new perspective on him as an artist and his instrument of choice, the pedal steel. Placed in an ambient jazz environment, I can’t imagine a more beautiful sound. Thanks, Rich!
Ancient Infinity Orchestra – River of Light
November 17 // Gondwana Records
Ah, Gondwana. You are the gift that keeps giving. The jazz label releases great record after great record, and with River of Light, the new album by Leeds-based jazz collective Ancient Infinity Orchestra, channels Pharaoh Sanders and other jazz legends, transporting thoese spirits into a modern sound design.
Real Bad Man & Youngmorpheus – The Chalice & The Blade
November 17 // Real Bad Man Records
LA-producer Real Bad Man has appeared on numerous noteworthy hip hop albums throughout the last couple of years – so teaming up with YUNGMORPHEUS, who I appreciate a lot, naturally raised my curiosity. The Chalice and The Blade shows off a smooth sound and cinematic storytelling, making up a cool hip hop gem.
Racetraitor – Creation and the Timeless Order of Things
November 17 // Good Fight
Mingjia – star, star
November 17 // New Amsterdam Records
One of the best “pop” album you can listen to this year – although the term pop can be misleading in that case. There is so much going on here, style-wise and sound-wise, that it is basically impossible. It’s something you have to experience as a music-enthusiast, there is no way around it.
Danny Brown – Quaranta
November 17 // Warp Records
Aldrig – Yağmur
November 23 // Wolves And Vibrancy Records
Marrying black metal with artistic elegance is a rare treat, only a few bands manage to pull it off in an organic fashion. And even fewer bands can give everything their own spin in the end, letting their music soar above most of their peers. Aldrig‘s Yağmur is a one of a kind record, and I’m already beyond curious what this band will bring to us in the future.
Panopticon – The Rime of Memory
November 29 // Bindrune Recordings
Speaking of artistry, elegance and black metal. The legend.
Thanks for scrolling,
