2020 is batshit crazy. Let’s focus on the last beacon of hope in this turmoil. October is usually one, if not the strongest month release-wise, so we are definitely in for a ride. Like, for real.
Rezn – Chaotic Divine
October 1 // Independent
Rezn caught my attention with their incredibly fascinating second album Calm Black Water back in 2018, and now they’re are back and effortlessly outdid themselves with Chaotic Divine. If you are searching for the finest noise the doom/psych/stoner scene has to offer in 2020, look no further.
Legowelt – Unconditional Contours
October 2 // -OUS
Echolot – Destrudo
October 2 // Sixteentimes Music
Remember when I told you that Rezn is the best thing in doom this year? Well, that statement didn’t last that long, since Echolot riffed over it and made themselves comfortable in the doom pantheon 2020. Only three songs, but to be fair, nearly 40 minutes of runtime. Doom, amirite?
Slow Pulp – Moveys
October 9 // Winspear
If you read The Noise Of regularly, you may recognized my excitement for ’90s alt rock this year. There has been some great entries for that in the last month (looking at you, Soccer Mommy), and there possibly will be some more in this installment (looking at you, beabadoobee), but for now, let’s just enjoy the greatness of Moveys, the new album by Wisconsin-based band Slow Pulp.
Mallory Merk – Strangers
October 9 // Field Trip Records
There is nothing much to say here. This EP has some fucking awesome pop songs on it and you should check them out.
Bastien Keb – The Killing of Eugene Peebs
October 9 // Gearbox Records
While routinely listening to some new releases, I started playing The Killing Of Eugene Peebs. And I couldn’t stop for a long while. Stuff like this happens here and there, and it’s always absolutely magical. It’s not like you decide to keep listening, you can’t resist it. Bastien Keb‘s fantastic new album is intriguing and mesmerizing all the way through, elegant and full of details to discover.
Street Rat – Nothing As It Seems
October 9 // Soul Has Not Tempo
север – надлом
October 14 // Independent
Odyssey & Oracle – Crocorama
October 16 // Dur Et Doux
Wendy Eisenberg – Auto
October 16 // Ba Da Bing Records
Auto is a very weird and wild ride through folk and experimental jazz. In some moments, it feels like a scary lullaby in a horror movie, but most of the time it’s just a really compelling, out-of-the-box record about how jazz can be realized today. It’s an unusual angle, which makes this record extra interesting.
Black Thought – Streams of Thought, Vol. 3: Cane and Able
October 16 // Republic Records
Anything to add to the greatness of Black Thought, the leader of The Roots, and his Streams of Thought series. Trotter gathers around a bunch of cool features, and his witty bars and very relevant commentary on the current situation of the Black community in the US, making it one of the most important releases in hip-hop this year.
beabadoobee – Fake It Flowers
October 16 // Dirty Hit
Pluralone – I Don’t Feel Well
October 16 // Org Music
Without a doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers are better off without Josh Klinghoffer, and Klinghoffer is better off without the band. Pluralone is probably Klinghoffer’s best project yet, a place which was taken by Dot Hacker for many years. I Don’t Feel Well is an amazing art rock record, worth checking out!
Sir Woman – Bitch EP
October 16 // Nine Mile Records
norse – blu
October 17 // Kono Dischi
I know you probably don’t wanna read me rattling about skramz again, because I’m doing this on a monthly basis in this feature. Still, I cannot resist highlighting all those gems dropping here and there which capture some of my fondest youth memories and getting this whole style into the present. Norse‘s four songs are that.
The Last Dinosaur – Wholeness
October 23 // Phases
Hypnodrone Ensemble – Gets Polyamorous
October 23 // Wolves & Vibrancy Records
Rïcïnn – Nereïd
October 23 // Blood Music
Convulsif – Extinct
October 23 // Hummus Records
Pallbearer – Forgotten Days
October 23 // Nuclear Blast
clipping. – Visions of Bodies Being Burned
October 23 // Sub Pop
Besides RTJ4, Visions of Bodies Being Burned comfortably sits on the pantheon of 2020 hip-hop, being necessarily uncomfortable. The horrorcore roots of clipping., combined with the conceptual genius and elegance as composers/arrangers, makes Visions of Bodies Being Burned more than just a record. It’s a bold and brave cultural statement, which we so desperately need.
Zeal & Ardor – Wake of a Nation
October 23 // Radicalis
At first, it was hard to warm up for Wake of a Nation. Devil Is Fine and Stranger Fruit are great records, but this new EP by Zeal & Ardor feels different. After some spins, I realized that I focused too much on the musical side of things, and discovered while being differently shaped, it still carries the soul of the art, maybe stronger than ever.
no thank you – Embroidered Foliage
October 23 // Lame-O Records
Embroidered Foliage was probably overlooked by many, coming from a small band without a lot of PR coverage, but it’s such a beautiful and charming little gem. ’90s alt rock, some post-rock influences, great songwriting, and a strong vocal performance makes no thank you‘s surprisingly deep effort a worthwhile experience.
Simen Mitlid – Birds; or, Stories from Charlie B’s Travels, From Grønland to the Sun, and Back Again
October 30 // Sub Pop
Emma Ruth Rundle & Thou – May Our Chambers Be Full
October 30 // Scared Bones Records
Sun Ra Arkestra – Swirling
October 30 // Strut Records
The band of legendary and late Sun Ra unleashed their highly anticipated album and it’s great as you may expect. Nothing more to say about it. Listen!
A/T/O/S – waterman
October 30 // Deep Medi Musik
Thanks for scrolling!
