Something a little different for this volume. As you listen to the audio you’ll notice my voice starts to crack a little. Before I stepped into the studio I felt a scratchy-tickley throat thing starting to happen, it’s the beginning of allergy season in my neck of the woods. Realistically, it’s always allergy season here. So I kept the commentary to a minimum to spare you from listening to me croaking away in between each cut. Consequently, I managed to squeeze in an exceptional amount of new releases. 

Kenniston – April Song

That thundering sound that begins this song is definately ominous. I’m convinced it’s not a drum but someone banging on a large empty box of some kind in a massive vacant chamber. Then the piano comes in followed by Kenniston’s haunting voice. It’s a strong voice, determined yet vulnerable. As with all the songs on her Timelights EP, this artist confidently tells her stories. That she is the writer, producer, arranger, vocalist and pianist explains why you may question how come you have not been entranced by her talent earlier. Catherine Provenzano says she grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts listening to tugboats and foghorns. Kenniston is her mom’s family name. Sho goes on to say her songs are about driving and the ocean, love and loss and childhood and life’s murky corners. After 13 years in New York, she moved to another big body of water and now lives in Los Angeles, California. Like her music Catherine’s website is carefully crafted – do visit. 10/10

Sherpa – The Mother Of Language

“I don’t know if Sherpa has a future or will ever return, but for now, the project is on an extended break.” These are the words of Matteo Dossena, who continues, “Franz and I are fully immersed in new projects and exploring sounds that drift away from what we’ve created so far. We feel the need to leave this experience behind and venture into new sonic visions, pushing ourselves further along our musical paths. This release includes an unreleased track, Alignment, along with a selection of early versions of songs from our albums. I wanted to share these moments of compositional intimacy with you—the very first sparks of an idea, the rush of excitement, that unique energy when something new begins to take shape. There’s still a long road ahead. I don’t yet know all the sounds that will shape my future, but we’re moving forward.” Sherpa are from Italy and this is my first exposure to their music. I’m looking forward to enjoying their back catalogue.

Oklou – Endless

Marylou Vanina Mayniel from Poitiers, France is Oklou. Mayniel spent her youth playing cello and piano and reflects, “My classical background has trained my brain to be sensitive to certain chord progressions, harmonies, and melodies.” On Choke Enough, her debut full-length album, Mayniel’s orchestral chops stand out on 13 tracks that keep true to the lush, drumless ambience of her beginnings. As Oklou her music is could be categorized as alternative-pop-electronic-indie-postclub or any number of assorted genres, yet as you’ll hear on Endless, Marylou Vanina Mayniel has forged her own distinctive blend of genres. The visual aspect of the artist’s work cannot be overlooked, the video for Endless reveal a nondescript room packed with Mayniel and friends gyrating slowly, blissed-out ignoring the intrusive camera. While the video for Obvious, Choke Enough and Blade Bird finds Mayniel staged on the ice at Streatham Ice Rink, South London. (Curiously, a place I frequented weekly as a nipper believing one day I could be an ice hockey star).  As Mayniel sings dressed in a huge down comforter-style coat, reminiscent of Kansai Yamamoto’s impressive late 70s work, resplendent with headphones, guitar mini electronic keyboard. All the while, local aspiring skaters twirl around, smetimes with a camera attached providing a giddy viewpoint that contrast with the almost static posture of the artist. Fabulous. 

Saint Abdullah & Eomac – Organs Without Borders (ft. Aria Rostami)

This is a truly a different collection of experimental songs. These iconic melodies, placing reverie and frenetic drum programming in conversation with one another in a fashion that seeks to express a sense of two disparate tendencies cohabiting together, all while refusing homogenization. This reimagining extends beyond mere homage, serving as a conduit for exploring the narratives of migrant experiences, both in the UK and globally. Sound artist Aria Rostami is featured on Organs Without Borders. TheTrilogyTapes website is worth a visit for their vast music catalogue and charming merchandize. 

Tracey – Sex Life (ft. Riko Dan)

Fuck! Love this. “Two friends making music” They announce. Here we have a brilliant example of the creative energy coming out of London these days – there’s more to follow in this volume. Don’t be alarmed by the X-rated lyrics. Everyone says fuck these days. A tight precise production with Tracey making no excuses for her desires while Zane Williams Riko Dan a one-time member of Grime crew, Roll Deep steps up to the mic and gives his response. The sleeve artwork is not to be missed. A good ‘un.

Greentea Peng – Glory

Oh, yes. Try ignoring this one. Ms. Peng seduced me from the first line. Aria Wells, known professionally as Greentea Peng, born in 1994, is a neo-soul and self-described ‘psychedelic R’n’B’ singer and songwriter from South East London. Her stage name is taken from her love of green tea, and the London slang word ‘peng’, which means attractive or tasty. Forget the sounds-like and influences, Aria takes a respectful nod in the direction of Lover’s Rock while keeping her production in a Dubwise tip all the way through her LP, Tell Dem It’s Sunny. An absolute beauty of an album. Mightily impressed, especially with her colloquial references. Damn fine production and mis. Play loud and often.

John Glacier – Home

We stay in London for another talent, this time the artist remains hidden behind the stage-name, John Glacier. Despite the deliberate name mystery, the British music press has had a marvelous time praising and dissecting and coming up with long-winded comparisons, yet they all seem reluctant to admit what a bloody wonderfully cool album Like A Ribbon is. Yes, there are a number of producers involved and yes, she does give rap a sparkly new coat of paint and YES, John Glacier maybe the next big star. And that’s all OK by me. Someone commented to me that she is too deadpan in her vocal delivery. My response, deadpan is cool if you know what you are doing and do it well. John Glacier has the cool vibe down perfectly. Great sleeve art for all her releases. 100% gorgeous.

My Neptune – My Bed / Decatur 

Excuse me if I rave on for a moment. Despina, the album from My Neptune is quite simply, magnificent. How often can you say that about collection of songs from a band you have never heard before? Whatever magic potion these people have I’m so honored to be able to enjoy it. A “class act” is not a generous or gracious enough descriptor for My Neptune. These five musicians based in New Orleans have created a sublimely beautiful emotive album. OK, I could go on with all the adjectives I can muster but I still wouldn’t be able to describe how important their music is. Kate Baxter, guitar + vocals; Steve Garofano, drums; Elizabeth Grubbs, piano; Erica Keller, bass; Caitlin Strokosch, cello – all the members of My Neptune are credited with writing the music and the lyrics are by Kate Baxter. From the information I have read about the band, they all have impressive pedigrees mostly hailing from beyond the Big Easy. How and why they all finally got together is probably not as important as how much they obviously understand each other as musicians and compatriots in creating stunning music. Listen carefully to My Bed and Decatur, the inspired arrangements, the poignant lyrics, the overall production is exquisite. I don’t lavish praise so freely or to often, yet, My Neptune deserve every compliment. This is extraordinary work. Do not overlook!

Maria Sommerville – Garden

Pop on over to Maria’s site and you’ll discover on the opening page she has a playful sense of humor. Listen to her music and it will be obvious this artist is steeped in knowledge of important music but she is determined to create her own evocative approach. Fittingly, Maria Sommerville hails from beautiful Galway, known as Ireland’s Cultural Heart. She says having grown up amongst Galway’s rural west coast, she developed her signature dream pop signature style inspired by the landscape of her youth. Luster is her debut album for 4AD Records. Impressive.

Raisa K & Coby Sey – Stay

Raisa K, aka Raisa Khan, is a songwriter, producer and musician based in London.  Having recently released a sophomore album with Good Sad Happy Bad, Raisa now steps out with her debut solo album Affectionately. Almost entirely produced on Raisa’s laptop and written in her home in London, as well as finding small pockets of time on trains and buses, during breaks at work, during the kids’ nap-times, at the playground, in the park. Raisa says, “My melodies appear simple and direct, while the themes explored present a great level of complexity. Whether about trust, kindness, doubt, frustration, annoyance, regret, honesty, insecurity, loneliness or friendship, each of the album’s twelve songs lie somewhere in between a diary and a letter.” 

Mantua – Hurt You

Elaine Malone is an Irish musician whose recent releases include the debut full-length Pyrrhic and a collaboration with Roy Montgomery, and has also played with Soft Focus, Pôt-Pot, and improvising group Géis. Her LP, Galtee Virtual Muse is courtesy of Irish cassette label, Fort Evil Fruit. Like the music released under her own name, Mantua’s third album is rooted in psychedelia, shoegaze and dream pop, but with a more lo-fi approach, delving into murkier subterranean depths. Elaine states, “Galtee Virtual Muse was created in two great furious romantic bursts. It is the consequence of heartbreak and hope.”

N Nao – Risque

N Nao or Naomie de Lorimier is Montréal-based singer-songwriter whose career amidst the Québec underground circuit evades even carbon dating. She explores experimental romance, using nature, images and sounds; her compositions achieved through a performative approach inspired by rituals. Naomie says she draws inspiration from the belief that the Universe is linked in a musical way. She goes onto say, “She explores experimental romance, using nature, images and sounds; her compositions achieved through a performative approach inspired by rituals.” Do spend time with this album, there is a lot to explore.

Jane Bee – River Nile

Inspired by Jane’s travels through Ethiopia. A favorite of mine from a couple of years back. There is something charming about her voice,  the melodica and the drum patterns. Jane Brener has a history of being involved in music promotion in Europe. River Nile is a 10” vinyl  release on the excellent Tuff Scout imprint out of London. The version side is killer.

The photograph is by Jillian K Singer “Caitlin’s garden image #6” 1989 Kodachrome print courtesy of Norman B’s collection