October is really over? It’s already November? Well, isn’t that crazy – the year is flowing by like nothing. The fall peak is hopefully over now, and with writing that out loud, I know that November will come with full force.
VIRTA – Horros
October 6 // Svart Records
Teeth Of The Sea – Hive
October 6 // Rocket Recordings
There is simply no other band like Teeth Of The Sea. You can’t really know what the next album brings to you, and that’s their magic – creative freedom. With Hive, the band decided for a less abrasive approach, and despite my initial doubts, they won me over with this one in no time!
Svalbard – The Weight Of The Mask
October 6 // Nuclear Blast
When I heard that Svalbard singed with Nuclear Blast, I was worried. Some years ago, the label had signed another promising young UK act – Conjurer – and somehow, the lost what was special about him. I was beyond relieved that The Weight Of The Mask, Svalbard‘s Nuclear Blast debut, is not only up to par with their older material, but in subjective fact their best work yet. Glad that I was wrong this time.
Meernaa – So Far So Good
October 6 // Keeled Scales
Heart Hunger, Meernaa‘s previous album from 2019, was absolutely phenomenal – so phenomenal that it was part of my AOTY list back then. Now, Meernaa is back with So Far So Good, and it’s simply amazing to see how she progressed as an artist. So Far So Good is so much different to Heart Hunger, but still carries the soul of it.
Heretoir – Nightsphere
October 6 // Northern Silence Productions
Hania Rani – Ghosts
October 6 // Gondwana Records
Growing is important. It can lead to things you not even thought were possible. When Hania Rani started, she was already a super promising artist – yet I wasn’t ready for what she achieved with Ghosts. This is such a step up from her already fantastic sound, that I can only imagine where her journey is leading her towards.
Butcher Brown – Solar Music
October 6 // Concord Jazz
Social Caterpillar – Alphabet Crown
October 7 // Softseed Music
When we got the offer to premiere “The River” prior of the release of the Alphabet Crown, I had never heard of Social Caterpillar. But within the first few second, I knew that I’ gonna love this band. Delving into the album solidifed this first impression – to a point in which I have troubles naming an album in 2023 which moved me more than this masterpiece.
ONEWAYMIRROR – onewaymirror
October 11 // Tomb Tree
Justin Walter – Destroyer
October 13 // kranky
Over 6 years after the fantastic Unseen Forces, Just Walter returns with Destroyer, a dark and very intriguing collection of electronica compositions. It’s hard to put into words how spectacular those soundscapes are – Walter managed to outdo himself on this new album, and everyone who is into more complex and compelling electronica have to check this out.
The Answer Lies In The Black Void – Thou Shalt
October 13 // Roadburn Records
L’Rain – I Killed Your Dog
October 13 // Mexican Summer
Blaer – Pure
October 13 // Ronin Rhythm Records
A sweet little jazz gem from one of the most interesting jazz records out there. Not as flashy as their label mates Ikarus, Blaer deliver a much more ambient-flavored approach to jazz, and continue to build upon their sound on their new album Pure.
Sulphur Aeon – Seven Crowns And Seven Seals
October 13 // Ván Records
Best metal album of the year? Not sure. One of the best? Definitely. Sulphur Aeon comes in like a sledgehammer, armed with massive riffs and dense atmosphere. With no bad album under their belt so far, Seven Crowns and Seven Seals still manages to step up the game for the band. It’s unforgiving and hellishly elegant.
Dreamwell – In My Saddest Dreams, I Am Beside You
October 20 // Prosthetic Records
When I heard about Dreamwell‘s signing with Prosthetic Records, part of me was anxious about their soul. This band releases such a wonderful album with Modern Grotesque, so I felt it was impossible to match that. Turns out, I’m an idiot and they actually matched their previous. What do I know?
Baring Teeth – The Path Narrows
October 20 // I, The Voidhanger Records
Beharie – Are You There Boy?
October 20 // V2 Records
I wasn’t aware about Beharie before his album dropped, and it was a pleasure to get to know him throughout those songs. There is some magical Michael Kiwanuka energy going here that is pure joy.
Hannah Marks – Outsider, Outlier
October 20 // Out Of Your Head Records
You’ve probably never heard something like that. I didn’t know Hannah Marks before that album reached me, and when I started to listen to hit, it was simply jaw-dropping. Outsider, Outlier is wild ride between jazz and punk rock, and I insist for y’all to check this out. Soooo good.
Pink Navel & Kenny Segal – How To Capture Playful
October 20 // Ruby Yacht
Hip Hop rule of thumb #37: When Kenny Segal is involved, spin that shit.
Jane Remover – Census Designated
October 20 // deadAir
Forest Swords – Bolted
October 20 // NinjaTune
Ana Frango Elétrico – Me Chama De Gato Que Eu Sou Sua
October 20 // MR BONGO
Closure In Moscow – Soft Hell
October 27 // Bird’s Robe Records
Pidgins – Refrains of the Day, Volume 1
October 27 // Lexical Records
Based in Mexico City, electronica/percussions duo Pidgins created one of the most addictive albums of the year for me – I already spent hours trying to figure out the patterns, the layers and the arrangement. But mostly, I just close my eyes and space out to the fantastic sound design and the psychedelic nature of that fantastic record.
END – The Sin of Human Frailty
October 27 // Closed Casket Activities
Robohands – Palms
October 27 // Bastard Jazz Recordings
Black Pumas – Chronicles of a Diamond
October 27 // ATO Records
Thanks for scrolling.
