TranscendNoise

10. Kelman Duran – 13th Month Actually released in 2018, 13th Month saw a first vinyl release in 2019. From those producers and electronic minds working on pushing the dancefloor to resemble an art space, or rather breaking the idea of spaces of art being secluded from real experience, music, and places of dance, Kelman Duran´s second record feels like an archeologist, anthropologist and DJ engaging in research of global sounds, local sentiments and the politics of oppression at once. Initiated by a stay a the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota and a film documenting the living conditions of the Native Americans amidst social depravity and political troubles of the prominent pipeline, Duran chose his mode of beat making and clashing dembow riddims, reggeaton, dancehall, hip hop, and even some batida among other influences to a introspective collage of subversion. Powerful statements and lyrics become slowed down, stripped of their original background and music to reoc...

30. Ragana – Inviolate (Let Our Names Be Forgotten) While Ragana appear on the same split with dark overlords Thou, "Inviolate" purposefully seems to delay and misdirect their crushing outbreaks in a post-punk cloak. What the band has been perfecting for a few albums now comes in full effect on the slow start, growing from a form of tedium and invocation into a bolt of focussed friction. As Thou drag these moments through sludge and dirt, Ragana´s guitar remains clear even in the black metal turnups. After a small silence the song transitions into a more direct assault, the harsh vocals sweeping in and exploding into a clean section of both voices congealing. The dynamic here is airtight, Ragana not only hold their own against two superb Thou tracks but with "Inviolate" alone carve a different wound of dread and draw blood by never standing still to let light or relief subside into a sense of beauty and comfort.  LET OUR NAMES BE FORGOTTEN (Split with THO...

To finish of the lists of 2015, my top picks for the best EP´s of 2015. No comment, just music. Thank you. 13. Ryan Hemsworth & Lucas – TAKING FLIGHT 12. FKAtwigs – M3LL155X 11. Nao – February 15 10. Rothko – Severed Tense 09. Driftoff – Modern Fear MODERN FEAR by DRIFTOFF 08. Japanese Wallpaper – Japanese Wallpaper Japanese Wallpaper by Japanese Wallpaper 07. Towkio – .Wav Theory 06. I´m Glad It´s You – Daydreams Daydreams by I'm Glad It's You 05. AQSTIK – XORBITANT XORBITANT by AQSTiK 04. JK Flesh – Nothing Is Free Nothing Is Free by JK FLESH 03. Mick Jenkins – Waves[s] 02. Wavves X Cloud Nothings – No Life For Me Wavves x Cloud Nothings by Wavves X Cloud Nothings 01. Roy Wood$ – Exis

90. Failure – Snow Angel ( The Heart Is A Monster ) I´m still fighting with myself if the return of Failure is a good thing or not. After disbanding in 1996, their work, especially the last album, Fantastic Planet grew to be one of the most beloved albums in term of alternative and space rock. Many bands I admire, admire Failure with good reason and the band members have had their hand in many great other projects. The Heart Is A Monster , with the whole build up (for example reissuing Fantastic Planet with a heavy price tag) can only be considered a fan service for those who wanted to see their favorite band live and experience new-ish songs from them, too. They could have done much more and much better and instead did a still good rehash of Fantastic Planet . On consequence Snow Angel will click instantly for everyone digging the band already, the apathetic and still emotional singing by Andrews, the zither like guitar picks and the star bursting chorus are played to perfe...

10. Saba – Comfort Zone Strange dancing Chicago rapper Saba is the best newcomer in Hip Hop this year. Well, he has been around but this mixtape will hopefully turn a bunch a people on to him. Comfort Zone works in almost every direction of hip hop you want it to. There is the socially conscious, the fame-rap and many positive messages. Saba´s style of rapping is as variable as it is enjoyable. For someone making this kind of blend, not going into the dark, scruffy or gangsta rap might be a stepping stone as such, but hopefully, with affiliation to the likes of Chance The Rapper and the overall urge to finally deliver more positivity in hip hop music (read: messages that evoke thinking and not having a good time) hopefully Saba will see great success and musical growth in the future. Read my full review here. 09. WIFE – What´s Between James Kelly, the man behind WIFE is better known for his work with Alter of Plagues, a black metal act , that as many ...