Let's get this out of the way: Yes, many critics are spot on when comparing Norway's Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson to both Appleseed Cast and Explosions in the Sky; if anything, this is about as apt a correlation as one can make. But as talented as both those groups are, there is a lot of territory left to explore between them, and Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson do a fantastic job rambling through this attractive region. On this self-titled release (split into two different parts: "Puzzle" and "The detective"), that hard to define, yet unmistakable sound that American labels like and made their names promoting is deftly evoked and subtly expanded, demonstrating that there is still plenty more room to grow in this particular subgenre without sacrificing any of the '90s indie nostalgia (an aspect the warm, analog-like recording quality helps to enhance). "Puzzle" and "The detective" are triumphant achievements, their contents mingling the contemplative with the immediate, the ethereal with the tangible, and all on YPOFH's own terms. Instead of being merely an echo of the past, YPOFH are very much their own voice, and one well worth listening to. - Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Yup, you sure will, by releasing a pathetically gutless and mediocre "rock" album, the latest culmination of a slow, downward arc. Imperial State Electric's new self-titled album pissed me off when I first heard it, it was so damn wimpy, but it has somewhat redeemed itself on repeat listens. A few bright spots shine out among the rubbish and I suppose that even this revved-up Beatles imitation isn't truly m>thatm> bad. Give me three or four weeks though, it will be a distant memory gathering digital dust, Nicke Andersson's marquee name it's premiere saving grace. I am curious to see what the Swedish press will say about it though. I predict fawning adoration, but who knows? I've been wrong before.
"meet a bear", the first single fromBritta Persson's forthcoming album"Current affair medium rare", will be officially released on June 14. As for the full-length, that's officially confirmed for release on September 8 via /.
Isis announced their impending breakup last week which leaves a vast emptiness in the world of post-metal. Who will fill the void? Perhaps it could be Kausal -- they're one of the few bands I've heard of this ilk who seem to be charting their own path rather than stride down the tired, tried and true. Like countrymates Logh, they take many cues from solemn art-pop and evoke much of that band's same dark loneliness and longing, but they take it in a different direction by building on heavy repetition and incorporating subtle elements of improv. "Evac" shows them at one of their most accessible moments, as much of their debut album"In dead cities" is built on sprawling instrumentals, but there is still plenty of oomph in their sound, most notably in that huge kick and that cyclic and-one-and rhythmic pattern. The heavy mood is crucial too; in fact, I'd even say that's the most important aspect of getting this post-metal thing right. If you can still feel the weight of darkness pressing down during the most lush or quiet moments, you win. Kausal does, thus they earn my praise. I've generally felt positive towards everything I've heard from before, but this is by far the best of the lot.
Karl X Johan, the duo of Kalle J and Nicolas makelberge vocalist Johan Tuvesson, will be releasing their debut single "So ON" b/w "Flames" on June 8 via upstart label . Preview here: motion.se/" target="_blank">https://www.eeemotion.se/