Logical Dreamlike Explosions In The Wilderness

Today is miserable in old London town, so I thought I would double down on two masterful acts releasing new records in anticipation of new albums this year. First up is Texan gods Explosions In The Sky. They have already released a feverish first track in 'Disintegration Anxiety' which hinted at a change of pace. 'Logic Of A Dream' is more EITS in its anthemic majesty, although there is a sonorous wash that bleeds into a Beatles-esque orchestral spiral and fluttering militaristic drums to the first third of the track here that certainly continues this push into weirder territory. And also continuing with their film clips being subtly changing photographs - how change bleeds incrementally yet irrefutably forth. Both tracks feature on the band's forthcoming album The Wilderness (pre-order here - you can get your own mug or slipmat too if you want!) and their Euro tour, where they play the Royal Albert Hall April 25. Yeeeeeeeeeees.

Disintegrating Explosions In The Wilderness

Texas gods Explosions In The Sky are releasing a new album! The Wilderness is the follow-up to 2011’s Take Care, Take Care, Take Care (although they have been involved in soundtracks for the films Lone Survivor, Prince Avalanche and Manglehorn). Having received a ticket to see them play at Royal Albert Hall in April for Christmas, this news is spiking my excitement exponentially. That said, it looks like some EITS preconceptions may have to be left at the door. The first track from it, ‘Disintegration Anxiety’, is a much more tetchy, synthetically-washed beast than anything the four-piece have put together before. Words such as “ambitious” and “aggressive” have been bandied about on press releases, and there is a ominous foreboding that permeates this song. Still, the trademark shimmering orchestration and guitar interplay is, as would be expected, central to the piece. When I listened to it the first time, I enjoyed it but wasn’t transcended the way I usually am when I listen to these guys. I have listened to this song in excess of eighteen times today – and it’s a kneejerk reaction, an impulsive need to hit replay. There is definitely something lurking underneath the surface here that has latched on and won’t let me go – bodes very well for the rest of the album – a hypnotic narcotic to add to the rest of this amazing band’s history. Pre-order The Wilderness here (with limited edition red and maroon etched vinyl - always looking out for you...)

Motorik Rehumanises Maserati

I was on my way to see Maserati last week until an emergency pulled me away - and another great gig was missed. I have been listening to Rehumanizer (out now through Temporary Residence on amazing Exploding Sun vinyl now - see below and buy here) incessantly over the past month. I have been becoming more and more obsessed with electronic music that either makes method out of nihilistic noisy madness, or creates a motorik mantra fitting of a retro-futurist dystopia. Rehumanizer is definitely of the latter. Insistent on molding classic rock riffs into a cyclical barrel roll, blown up to resemble cyber colossi, substance and style intrinsically interwoven. The 21st century hard rock amalgam of Trans Am and Goblin (with 'Living Cell' sounding almost 'Great Southern Land' era Icehouse?!), Rehumanizer is both a throwback and a pitch forward, synthetically confronting yet organically immersive.

Vangelising A Space-Age Maserati

Another legendary instrumental band to be releasing an album this year is Maserati, who seem to have melded with Vangelis and Trans Am on new track 'Rehumanizer II', the first taste (and closing track) off Rehumanizer, out next month through Temporary Residence. The artwork itself is pretty spectacular, evoking William Gibson, Dune, Deus Ex and other steampunk/cyberpunk/desertpunk literature. The track itself is a colourful pastiche of krautrock stuck in a big-riff prism and shot into a neon-lit galaxy far, far away. It's atmospheric, it's tense, it's a hell of a lot of fun. You can pre-order Rehumanizer here.

My Severe King Disco

THEY ARE BACK...

One of my all time favourite bands, My Disco, are preparing to release Severe, their 4th LP and first record since Little Joy back in 2011. And first cut 'King Sound' sounds so much darker than I was anticipating! They have never been a joy and light band by any stretch of the imagination, but the almost industrial edge this minimalist marching dirge holds is a colder shade of black. I guess the album is called Severe for a reason, right? Their tightly-coiled precision and roiling mantras are blasted out into a darker space here - rather than controlled aggression, we have something more abject, more uncomfortable, more disturbing. I'm reminded of the creeping unease that I felt when watching the victims' demise in the great film Under The Skin last year - but something baser, more nihilistic is at play here. In short - I'm fucking excited for this record.



Pre-order Severe from Temporary Residence here - first 200 copies are clear with black smoke swirl - NICE.

American Football Replay

I have only been a fan of the self-titled debut record from Chicago trio American Football for the past couple of years. The fact that it is the band's only full-length release heightens the appeal; the fact that they barely played any shows before disbanding piques the interest further; the fact that Mike Kinsella went on to play in another band with only one release (up until last month), Owls, and his brother Tim formed Joan Of Arc, makes the short-lived fire that much more fervent. Now fifteen years on from its initial release in 1999, Polyvinyl has seen fit to reissue American Football - and I for one am so excited about the prospect of having this on vinyl for the first time. Never heard of it? Maybe not. But if you are a fan of Explosions In The Sky or other introspective, gossamer-knitted, emotive instrumental bands (see most of Temporary Residence's early roster), then you have tasted their influence. They aren't entirely devoid of lyrics though - yet on tracks like opener 'Never Meant' they perfectly encapsulate the tone and timbre of the music itself, playing out as a true complement rather than a counterpoint or embellishment. But what makes American Football such a great record is the emotional resonance that emanates from its very pores, something that very few bands (excepting the aforementioned Explosions...) can evoke. It for me is a true, deserved holder of the term timeless.

You can pre-order American Football here - it's out May 20. The deluxe edition includes an album's worth of rare live recordings, demos, and practice sessions (in which the group rehearsed material they never recorded elsewhere) to complement the original record. Beautifully expanded packaging incorporates new
photographs from Chris Strong along with lyrics, detailed liner notes written by the band, and never-before-seen band pictures. The below unreleased track is 'The 7s', which comes from a 1997 live recording. IT WAS THE FIRST SONG THEY EVER WROTE. It was the set closer until they wrote my favourite track (neck and neck with 'Honestly'), 'Stay Home'. They discarded this - most bands will never write something this good in their lives. Incredible.

Eluvium Washes Nightmares Away

You guys up for chilling out this weekend? Here are a few tracks that should facilitate that. It's been almost four years since Portland native Matthew Cooper dragged out his Eluvium wares in their full glory. The wait is nearly over, with double album Nightmare Ending coming out next month. Three of the tracks have leaked their way onto the interweb over the past couple of months, and their dexterity, intricacy and beauty have been dearly missed. For Eluvium isn't just the type of music you wished they played at your local cafe, although you definitely do wish that (I used to frequent one cafe until they started playing Nelly Furtado because, and I quote, "it's the best music for a hangover"...fuck...). No. I talk about immersive worlds being created by music quite often on Sonic Masala, and Eluvium is one of the few artists that truly embodies that. There is no stasis, or inertia, or ephemeral anger - it is all pulsing along at a calm rate, impressing a peaceful tranquillity through you. It's rare that such relaxation can come from sound without it sounding hokey or coming pre-packaged with incense sticks. Eluvium is worlds apart, yet deserves to be within all of our own.

Nightmare Ending comes out on Temporary Residence May 14. Pre-order the double LP here and receive a limited edition Giclee print. But really, it's all irrelevant - you need this in your life. Listen to the three tracks below, in isolation, on headphones. Let all manner of stresses and responsibilities wash away. There is nothing overtly spiritual about this - it just is.

Belated Ships A Tall, True Discovery

I received On Tariffs & Discovery, the second LP from San Diego trio The Tall Ships, last week. I initially thought it was from the UK band of the same name, who we have mentioned on Sonic Masala before and are pretty great. It wasnt, obviously (the THE at the front should have given it away...), and the fact that this was initially released back in March filled me with trepidation. I wasn't disappointed when I sat down to listen to it though - far from it. Whilst distinctly American indie in composition and general structure, it is the interesting, moody instrumental breakdowns that add the guts and gristle to this tracks and makes them incessantly listenable. To hear that they have shared the stage with instrumental behemoths Sleeping People explains a lot there. The rhythms inherent in tracks like 'D Is For Dogs' is an exemplary example of this, understated yet insistent, and the precise guitar compositions are such a strong ethereal influence throughout that when it combines with Steve Kuhn and Kyle Conwell's hushed, often urgent vocals it becomes an organic entity. Part Constantines, part Parts & Labor, part Sleeping People, On Tariffs & Discovery (out on Minority Records)is an impressive release from an impressive act.

The Tall Ships - D Is For Dogs
The Tall Ships - Freight Train Riders Of America

Take Care Of Falling Explosions

I think You all know what Im going to say about the new Explosions In The Sky album, evocatively titled Take Care, Take Care, Take Care. "Yeah yeah yeah, obligatory grovelling, wild gesticulations, self-flagellations and degradations aside, there is nothing special there. The guy is an Explosions... tragic, therefore the album is shitter than a haemorrhoid after a daily diet of Cajun chicken".

Ok, so you think Im biased? Yes, it is true, I do worship at the altar of this Texan instrumental band. but have you ever heard anything as sublime as this band? Nothing can create the full gamut of emotions through sound that this band can. And this album, whilst not necessarily reinventing their own wheel, offers greater scope upon which their emotive atmospherics can be adorned. The most differing track of theirs here would have to be 'Trembling Hands', with the synth adding a further sense of urgency to what is also close to their shortest track ever committed to tape. But it is when they explore the paradigms of their sonic boundaries that they truly soar.

Actually, you know what? You are all right - I am far too biased to give the best objective review of this, or any, album by this band. There isnt a single track of theirs that has ever disappointed me, and the new album proves this rule. Im listening to album for months now - it has taken all my willpower not to gush all over this site about it til now - and it still gets to me. Best band ever? Quite possibly...

Take Care, Take Care, Take Care comes out next week through Temporary Residence.

Explosions In The Sky - Trembling Hands

Explosions In The Sky - Let Me Back In

Young Widows Crawl Out Of The Light And Into The Youthful Darkness

I will solemnly swear on a stack of Necronomicons that discordant Louisville Kentucky noise rockers Young Widows’ last album, 2008’s Old Wounds, was one of the most underrated rock albums of the last decade, showcasing a band willing to infuse their incessant squalls of distortion and dark angst with moody gaps and silences that most bands of their ilk are unable or unwilling to procure. I can't believe how little fanfare these guys get. They destroy, then resurrect so that they can kill again. They are a canny band, offering rock that cajoles as it bludgeons, sliding along in the darkness, seductive yet destructive. And they make the Apocalypse seem sexy.

Their follow up LP, In And Out Of Youth And Lightness (out on Temporary Residence, also about to drop Explosions In The Sky's new one - nice way to go guys!!) heightens the trio’s penchant for traversing the tightrope that separates the dark dirge of sludge rock from the dangerous sexuality of desert rock, yet does so in such a manner that is often jaw-dropping. The unrelenting crawl through In And Out Of Lightness explodes to a call and response ending that wouldn’t be remiss on a more psych tinged effort, whilst Lean On The Ghost’s repetitive broiling thunder perfectly encapsulates the themes of isolation and loneliness. First single Future Heart is as close as a straight up rock song as Young Widows gets – its rollicking and dark and addictive, and close to the weakest track here. Evan Patterson’s impassioned growl perfectly captures the brooding nature of lyrics such as “Seal up the cracks in my voice then swallow the pity like rain/To avoid the black cloud” from The Muted Man, while the brutality is always wavering, barely reined in, by bassist Nick Thieneman and drummer Jeremy McMonigle.

In And Out… is an album of constant doom and dirges – there aren’t many light moments here at all. But as the re-emergence of the excellent Swans last year attested, darkness is often far more exciting and liberating than the light. Young Widows take up the dark mantle perfectly. Seriously, get this if you want to know how to live.

In And Out Of Youth And Lightness is out now. The artwork is, as usual, brilliant. And what's more, you lucky devils over in the US get to see them live next month - with support from their BFF's (and SM mega faves of death) My Disco! If you dont go to this show, you're dead to me. Dead.

Young Widows - Future Heart

Young Widows - In And Out Of Lightness

Grails Find Themselves In Deep Politics

Portland's purveyors of frontier doom instrumentation Grails are set to release Deep Politics, which is set to further stretch taut the landscapes the band has manufactured (most notably through their Black Tar Prophecies volumes). Their brand of instrumental rock has veered away from the post-metal leanings of Isis and the like, instead marrying the elegant yet rustic stoicism of Morricone with the mystical evangelism of Oriental and far Eastern musicology, and this has never been more prevalent. 'Future Primitive' establishes the album’s template, with ominous strings and a shuddering, chugging, low tuned guitar riff soon joined by spaghetti-Western guitar, all to create a lush yet brooding aural aesthetic that emanates throughout the rest of the record (this is my favourite track here - kinda like the show Deadwood if done with the nuances of Animal Kingdom's David Michod). 'All The Colors Of The Dark' is a fusion jazz rendition of a futuristic, drunk-to-sobering-up Morricone score; the title track is a ethereal slinky number, all gauzy piano, slowly leaking in strings, horns, guitar twang before a drum beat sweeps us off into a brooding 70s closing credits sequence; 'Almost Grew My Hair' is a woozy jam that evokes Black Sabbath playing space cowboys. 'I Led Three Lives' is the longest track here, and the closest to anything that Black Tar Prophecies has produced - a truly cinematic, Pink Floyd meets Tangerine Dream miasma that is electrifying in its gorgeous desolation.

Deep Politics is a great album - the best Grails release to date. It has them finally embracing the various aspects of their collective strengths, overlaying it all with incredibly lush production, and offering up a cinematic sonic feast. Out now on Temporary Residence.

Grails - Future Primitive
Grails - I Led Three Lives

Watch Grails - Daughters of Bilitis

Grails'Deep Politics comes out March 8th - we featured a taste last week - and here is another one, just as deliciously dark and warped as ever. Im loving Temporary Residence's output this year - with the imminent Young Widows and Explosions In The Sky albums, its gonna be a huge 2011...

GRAILS - Daughters of Bilitis from The Fact Facer on Vimeo.

Young Widows Show No Heart - Thank Fuck

Old Wounds was one of the most criminally underrated albums of 2008. Fuck it - Young Widows is one of the most underrated bands out there. Here's hoping that their new LP, In And Out Of Youth And Lightness (out on Temporary Residence). Whilst having only heard the single 'Future Heart', this album promises to be a contender for best noise rock album of the year. Whilst still dark as fuck - it was recorded at a funeral home, just because I guess? - there is talk of much more expansion in the build up to the guttural explosions that YW are infamous for, which should to give them a much more devastating response. I am positively salivating at the brutal possibilities here! The tracklist is below:

“Young Rivers”
“Future Heart”
“In and Out of Lightness”
“Lean on the Ghost”
“The Muted Man”
“Right in the End”
“Miss Tambourine Wrist”
“White Golden Rings”
“In and Out of Youth”

In And Out Of Youth And Lightness isnt out til April. Cant wait that long? Grab the Future Heart 7" with B Side 'Rose Window' here - or hunt down one of the four 7" splits they did on Temporary Residence in 2009 (with SM faves My Disco, Melt Banana, Pelican and Bonnie "Prince" Billy) - too much Young Widows is never enough.

Young Widows - Future Heart

Searching For The Political Grail, Grimy VHS Style

Portland instrumental brooders Grails are prepping the release of new album Deep Politics on March 8 on Temporary Residence. Now when i wanted to know what direction the guys may have been leading us towards, I went to their website - as you do - and got this promo...

GRAILS - DEEP POLITICS from The Fact Facer on Vimeo.

Suffice to say I was amused and bemused in equal measures. But mainly amused - its fucking amazing isnt it? Still, there is a clearer view of what to expect as they release the track 'I Led Three Lives', which you can have at below. I dont know - I kinda liked the premise of peering into a unique but highly unpredictable world of tragedies and inhumanities when Man can be the wildest animal of all. Green skies. Trumpets scoring polluted beaches and people standing around and watching a dead guy. A burning building. Revelations 20:7 - my favourite Biblical verse...

Grails - I Led Three Lives

Pyramid Of The Sun Provides Bittersweet Brilliance

Athens Georgia's post rock Gorgons Maserati are releasing their latest album Pyramids of the Sun on Temporary Residence - and it is what you'd expect from the three piece who have cornered the instrumental rock-via-LSD-via-Stonehenge-via-Studio 54 market. In fact, it surpasses that to actually capture the innate intricacies, grooves and emotions that Maserati have been dealing out for the past decade. Nevertheless it is with more than a tinge of sadness to think that they are now reaching the summit of power that they themselves have created, as long time drummer and integral songwriter Jerry Fuchs passed away late last year in a freak accident. The songs ooze with confidence, perfectly shaping a Trojan's horse of noise that can one minute be making your body move whilst tinging the disco aura with menace; or colouring their rock orchestrations with a kaleidoscopic miasma of joy and hope. You have the sense that the remaining members, Coley Dennis, Matt Cherry, Chris McNeal, have gone the extra mile to ensure that Fuchs' final legacy is monumental. I believe that their efforts are duly warranted - whats more, the end result is incendiary.

Maserati - Pyramid Of The Sun

Maserati - Bye M'Friend, Goodbye