Today’s edition of The List is a hodgepodge of great material: some of it new, and some of it new to me and perhaps (even hopefully) new to you. There’s a bit of experimental electronic mixed in with Zimbabwean classics, some Midwestern synthwave, and even a score from good ol’ OPN.
Metavari — House Tetra Sessions, Vol. 1
Metavari has largely been a solo effort for Nathaniel David Utesch since 2015, but a few months ago we were treated to the project as a trio with the addition of drummer/percussionist Colin Boyd and guitarist Ian Skeans. Sessions features an array of live re-imaginings and re-recordings, along with constructions of odds and sods into a cohesive array of sonic splendor. Metavari is always worth your time, but this release really hits as a trio effort. You can get the digital and tape via Metavari’s Bandcamp (released by Mind Over Matter Records). It is, of course, also on streamers.
North Innsbruck — “Archduke of Nightmares”
The Minneapolis-based synthwaver North Innsbruck has long been part of a local movement to keep the Twin Cities synth scene vibrant. His latest is Ritual, which rides the wave deep into darkly appointed post-punk and darksynth territory. Specifically, on “Archduke,” with the help of Greg Online on vocals, we’re treated to a killer blend of classic post-punk and the likes of the Carpenter Brut or Perturbator side of synthwave in a way that isn’t gimmicky; it’s just plain earnest and appealing, and damn good songwriting and performance. The dark synthwave elements serve as a propulsion engine for the catchy gothic elements that fly around them.
Ritual is available on the streamers via Cryptigem. It looks like it’s still in a pre-order on Bandcamp, if this platform is more your speed.
Oneohtrix Point Never — Marty Supreme OST
The most Tangerine Dream-sounding score OPN (AKA Daniel Lopatin) has turned out to date. It’s for the latest joint from Josh Safdie, his first since he and his brother Benny decided to direct their own films apart from each other. Perhaps because of the TD-infusion, this is my favorite OPN/Lopatin score so far. You can find it on the streamers, but A24 has a lovely vinyl pre-order up in its store. It includes a Japanese obi strip plus a double-sided Koto Endo/Marty Supreme poster designed by Special Forces.
Spectre Horseman Pale With Dust — “The Futility in the Act of Running from the Air”
This cut came out more than a year ago, but the mournful ambient electronic number appealed to me so much that I had to share it. In press materials the British artist frames the song as a post-devastation track that captures “the moment time slows down after a catastrophic event.” I can hear that: The minor-key swirl of the hypnotically repeating chord progression does indeed evoke a scene from a film that follows some destructive denouement. You can find it on the album Odes to Ends I Part B on streamers and Bandcamp via Les Ebranlées.
Various Artists — Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare’ Townships 1975-1980 (Analog Africa No.41)
One day I’ll make enough money so that I can fill a whole room with the important and visually appealing physical releases of Berlin-based label Analog Africa. Until then, I’ve been enjoying the Bandcamp downloads of many of their reissue comps. The good people behind the label uncover a lot of under- or barely-heard gems that those of us an ocean away have likely never encountered. For Roots Rocking Zimbabwe, we’re treated to some great songwriting and highly skilled musicality of rock bands who endured both apartheid-era Rhodesia and its autocratic successor state, Zimbabwe. The songs stand out to me because they’re a blend of foundational Western rock with genres and traditions like Congolese rumba, South African mbaqanga, and soul and traditional local music.
A few standouts for me: the kinetic “Amai A Kwatu” by New Tutenkhamen that features some appealing organ and guitar solos and fantastic vocal and instrumental hooks that fuse with one’s soul. “The Towering Inferno” by The Green Arrows is a fuzz-laden, reggae-infused blast of bliss. Blacks Unlimited’s “Yarira” is a killer understated garage-band track with fantastic vocals.
Overall, this comp is a can’t-miss if you’re into these genres and exploring music outside the usual geographic bubbles.
