Fordamning Arkiv レコード& CD

Review: Rachel Shearer's work as Lovely Midget offers a hypnotic blend of ambient minimalism and abstract experimentation. Across the record, Shearer's deft touch transforms small sonic details into immersive landscapes, each piece feeling both delicate and deliberate. 'North Head' stands out as a serene and haunting meditation, its subtle shifts in texture creating a quiet sense of unease. Elsewhere, cascading tones and near-silent pauses draw the listener deeper into her auditory world. By weaving sparse instrumentation with an almost tactile approach to sound design, Shearer crafts a listening experience that is deeply introspective yet strangely inviting. This is a work that rewards patience, demanding you listen not just to the notes but to the spaces between them, offering moments of profound stillness and clarity.

Review: A limited pressing of early and previously unreleased recordings from New Zealand folk outlet The Strange Girls, a band that initially consisted of Clayton Noone, Kaaterama "Motty" Morehu and Jon Arcus, who left in 2002. The Strange Girls existed on and off from 1999 up until Motty's passing in 2019 and left behind a peculiar trail of gems scattered around on a myriad of limited lathe cuts, cassettes and CDrs. 'It's OK To Be Happy' starts at the very beginning with 'Satan', the first song at the first gig they ever played, which is a lo-fi, atmospheric droner. 'Girl by a Stream' is a personal favourite, the guitars are overflowing with emotion, and had me on the edge of my seat - a common feeling throughout the project, a mixture of somber longing and road trip headboppers. The package comes also with an insert with liner notes to each track by Clayton Noone themself..