Back catalogue: Post Rock/Experimental

Review: The collaboration between Chihei Hatakeyama and Shun Ishiwaka on their latest ambient release represents a convergence of diverse musical backgrounds. With over 70 albums under his belt since his debut in 2006, Hatakeyama brings a wealth of experience in ambient and experimental music, while Ishiwaka, known for his prolificacy in modern jazz, adds a dynamic rhythmic dimension. Their encounter, sparked by a radio appearance and cemented through live gigs, led to the creation of this two-volume epic recorded in March 2023. Drawing inspiration from a spectrum of genres including ambient, experimental, jazz and metal, the duo's sonic exploration is enriched by references ranging from My Bloody Valentine to Alice Coltrane. The album reflects their shared love for free jazz and spiritual jazz, evoking the improvisational spirit of Sun Ra and Coltrane's later works. Guided by psycho-acoustic considerations and embracing spontaneity, the musicians engage in a dialogue of sound where responses unfold in the heat of the moment. The result is a remarkable project brimming with creativity and mutual understanding.

Review: Experimental noise rock outfit Shizuka was formed as the gothic sonic outlet of one Shizuka Miura in 1993. Known for making ghostly dolls to aid her performances, Shizuka's heyday was one of mesmerizing eerieness, with her 1994 'Heavenly Persona' being the emblem of that outlook. With haunting rock instrumentation and screeching meditations on materiality's tension with the incorporeal, this is a distinctly creepy album for those unafraid to (at least temporarily) cross over to the other side.

Review: The 35th anniversary edition of Tweez offers a fascinating glimpse into Slint's early sound. Originally recorded in 1989 and produced by Steve Albini, this remastered version adds new life to an album that's raw and unconventional. Slint's unique blend of punk, indie and math rock feels unpredictable, as songs like 'Ron' explode with distorted guitar and shifting rhythms, creating an intense atmosphere. The album's eerie, unsettling vibe is further emphasised by moments of spoken dialogue and ambient noise, giving it a haunting quality. The newly included tweethan mix, remixed by bassist Ethan Buckler, adds an intriguing perspective to the original tracks. This version strips back some of the Albini production and delivers a cleaner, more direct sound that allows the intricate musicianship to shine. Though Tweez may feel chaotic at times, its raw energy and experimental edge make it a compelling listen, showcasing Slint's early brilliance and setting the stage for their seminal work, Spiderland.

Review: US producer SSPS is a ram outsider who is well known to fans of the weird and the wonderful. His adventurous experiments have landed on labels like L.I.E.S. and Kode run by Traxx and collide punk, noise, wave, hardcore, slow beat and jakbeat. This is a retrospective release that brings together some of his many highlights and proves why he is so well-loved by a community of fans on the fringes of the underground mainstream. As well as this genre references there are plenty of odd vocals and smeared synths unifying the sounds which here included four tunes recorded live For Unlimited Nation Summer Of 2020.