Hello there, my fellow music lovers! 🎶 I’m writing this post with a bit of a twist—literally. I recently had to undergo a double root canal (ouch!) and let me tell you, not being able to yap has been a real challenge for someone like me. But, as always, I found solace in my true companion: music. Unable to talk, I dove headfirst into my Notion listening list—a project I started back in 2016 to document every single piece of music I've ever listened to. Yeah, you could say I’ve got the music flavor of ADHD, where cataloging tunes is my superpower. I didn’t know why I did it back then, but now it all makes sense, and I get to share that treasure trove of sounds with you all.
Honestly, if I ever lost my Notion account, it would be like the burning of the Library of Alexandria—years of music cataloguing up in smoke! So, while I was forced into silence, I used the time wisely to catch up on some albums I hadn’t gotten around to. Out of the 13 I plowed through, these were the eight that really stood out to me. Let’s dig in, shall we?
Black Noise Rating System
🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire - modern classic, must listen These albums are my top recommendations. They are modern classics that you absolutely must listen to.
🔥🔥🔥 High Heat - potential classic, highly suggested listen These albums have the potential to become classics and are highly suggested listens for any fan of the genre.
🔥🔥 Warm Glow - for any fan of the genre These albums are great for any fan of the genre and will definitely keep you warm and satisfied.
I only talk about albums I liked in this newsletter so even the “Warm Glow” albums are still good 😉
Christina's Trip - Forever After (Cherub Dream Records)
Genre: Indie Rock, Noise Pop
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp
Hold onto your hats, because Christina's Trip's debut album Forever After is an all-out sonic rollercoaster! This record grabbed me right from the first track and hasn’t let go. Imagine if Guided By Voices and Yo La Tengo had a noisy, beautiful baby—that's the vibe Christina's Trip is serving up here.
Tracks like "Swim, My Friend" and "Burning" are steeped in that sweet '90s alt-rock essence, but with a modern twist that’ll have your heart singing. And then there’s "Depresso" and "Playthings"—they crank up the tempo and dive headfirst into noise-pop bliss.
But the real magic? It’s in the slower, more introspective tracks like "Companion" and "Can't Hurt Me Now," where Christina Busler's vocals absolutely shine. The raw emotion in these songs is something special, making them perfect for those rainy day reflections.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Blazing Hot - A modern classic, an absolute must-listen
Standout Tracks: "Companion," "Can't Hurt Me Now," "Depresso"
WITCH - Zango
Genre: Zamrock, Psychedelic Rock
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp
Get ready to have your mind blown, because Zamrock legends WITCH are back with their first album in nearly four decades—and it’s an absolute powerhouse! Zango isn’t just a comeback; it’s a celebration of survival and musical evolution.
For those not in the know, WITCH were pioneers of the Zamrock scene in the '70s and '80s in Zambia formerly know as Northern Rhodesia, but their story seemed to end with 1984’s Kuomboka. Fast forward to the 2010s, and a resurgence of interest in Zamrock (thanks to some killer reissues) has led to this incredible new chapter.
Zango (which means "meeting place") brings together original WITCH members with a new generation of musicians, creating a sound that marries the classic Zamrock vibes with fresh, contemporary elements. Tracks like "Waile" and "Stop The Rot" are a perfect blend of Afro-funk and psychedelia, while guest appearances from stars like Sampa The Great on "Avalanche of Love" add a modern twist.
This album isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a bold statement of Zamrock’s ongoing relevance and energy.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Blazing Hot - A modern classic, an absolute must-listen
Standout Tracks: "Waile," "Stop The Rot," "Avalanche of Love"
Alice Kat - Around the World & Back To You (Subjangle)
Genre: Indie Pop, Noise Pop
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp
Alice Kat, aka Alice Katugampola, is back with her third solo album, and wow, it’s a journey you don’t want to miss. If you’re familiar with her work in the duo Fine, get ready to have your mind blown—her solo stuff takes noise-pop to new heights.
Don’t worry, though—Alice hasn’t lost her touch for crafting "undiluted pretty." Singles like "Get High Feel Alive" and "Could You Promise" are drenched in jangle-pop perfection. But it’s when she amps up the fuzz on tracks like "Pretty Blue 108" and "Sun Goes Down" that you’ll see where the real magic happens.
If you’re in the mood for something dreamier, "Waves" and "Rush" take you on a jangle-gaze journey that’s pure ear candy. Trust me, this album is a treasure trove for noise-pop fans.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 Sizzling - Potential future classic, highly recommended
Standout Tracks: "Pretty Blue 108," "Waves," "Get High Feel Alive"
Wau Wau Collectif - Mariage
Genre: World Fusion, Experimental
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp
Last but certainly not least, we have Mariage by Wau Wau Collectif—a musical marriage of cultures, sounds, and styles. This album, a collaboration between Senegalese multi-instrumentalist Arouna Kane and Swedish producer Karl Jonas Winqvist, is a vibrant, genre-defying journey that builds beautifully on their debut.
Featuring a rich assembly of Senegalese musicians, Mariage blends traditional instruments like the kora and xalam with modern studio wizardry. The result is a sound that’s both rooted in tradition and fearlessly innovative.
Tracks like "Yay Balma" take you on a spiritual jazz odyssey, while "Yonou Natangue" mixes dubby bass with effervescent flute and music box melodies. The loose, spontaneous feel of the album is its greatest strength, inviting you to lose yourself in its many layers.
This is world fusion at its best—respectful of its roots, yet unafraid to explore new sonic territories. It’s a marriage that will transport you to places both familiar and utterly new.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Blazing Hot - A modern classic, an absolute must-listen
Standout Tracks: "Yay Balma," "Yonou Natangue," "La Paix Du Senegal"
Think About You - Taxi Kids (Holly Records)
Genre: Indie Pop, Art Pop
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp
Okay, I know I’m a little late to the game on this one (it dropped back in December 2022), but better late than never, right? Taxi Kids by Think About You is one of those rare albums that defies easy categorization—and that’s exactly why I’m hooked.
This Melbourne-based quartet effortlessly swings between art-pop quirkiness and indie pop charm, crafting a sound that’s both familiar and fresh. Tracks like "Intro" and "Isaac" blend dreamy guitar riffs with post-punk edges, topped off with vocals that remind me of Alec Ounsworth from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. The addition of violins, trumpets, and other unexpected instrumentation gives the album a unique, almost theatrical vibe.
Where this album really shines, though, is in its more laid-back moments. Songs like "Lou" and "Start Anew" channel that effortless Aussie indie pop feel, giving a nod to bands like The Go-Betweens while pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 Sizzling - Potential future classic, highly recommended
Standout Tracks: "Start Anew," "Lou," "Isaac"
Various Artists - A MOI LA LIBERTE – Early Electronic Raï – ALGERIE – 1983/1990
Genre: Electronic Raï, World Music
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp
Time for a change of pace! This compilation is a goldmine of electronic raï from Algeria, capturing a pivotal moment in the genre’s evolution. It’s like opening a time capsule, each track offering a glimpse into a world where tradition meets electronic innovation.
One standout artist is Chaba Fadela (spelled "Fadila" here). At just 17, she was already pioneering electric raï, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations. Her defiance against the restrictions on women in music is nothing short of inspiring.
This compilation is more than just a historical artifact—it’s a vibrant, energetic slice of musical history that still feels fresh and relevant today. If you’re looking to expand your musical horizons, this is a great place to start.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Blazing Hot - A modern classic, an absolute must-listen
Standout Tracks: Anything by Chaba Fadela (seriously, don’t skip her tracks)
Various Artists - Southeast of Saturn, Vol. 2 (2022)
Genre: Dream Pop, Space Rock, Shoegaze
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp
Get ready for a cosmic trip through the Midwest’s 90s underground scene with Southeast of Saturn, Vol. 2. This compilation is a love letter to the overlapping dream pop, space rock, and shoegaze scenes from Detroit and beyond.
The standout track for me is "Impulse Red" by Xebec, a Toledo, Ohio band that somehow managed to save their master on a PlayStation 3—talk about DIY ingenuity! This album is full of fuzzy, droning rock that’s heavier and groovier than your typical shoegaze, offering a unique glimpse into the Midwest’s alt-rock flavor.
If you’re into sonic exploration, this compilation is your ticket to an often-overlooked corner of 90s alternative music.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Blazing Hot - A modern classic, an absolute must-listen
Standout Tracks: "Impulse Red" by Xebec (but honestly, just dive into the whole thing)
Sofiene Saidi - El Ndjoum
Genre: Contemporary Raï, Electronic
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp
Fast forward to the present with Sofiene Saidi, the "prince of Raï 2.0." Collaborating with the band Mazalda, Saidi has taken the classic raï formula and given it a modern twist, blending traditional sounds with analog synths and live percussion.
El Ndjoum is like a cultural time machine, where the past and present collide in a dance of Algerian music. Saidi’s Parisian influence is evident, with hints of new wave and even rave culture woven into the mix. This album is a testament to the power of musical fusion—it's raï, but not as your parents knew it.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 Sizzling - Potential future classic, highly recommended
Standout Tracks: (Unfortunately, no specific track names, but trust me, the whole album is worth a listen!)
Bounaly - Dimanche à Bamako
Genre: Desert Blues, Malian Guitar
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | Youtube | Bandcamp
Let’s head to Bamako, Mali, where Sundays are a time of celebration. Bounaly’s Dimanche à Bamako captures the spirit of these weekly gatherings, offering a raw and joyful live recording straight from a wedding celebration.
From the growling vocals of Alousseyni Maiga to Bounaly’s mesmerizing guitar work, this album is a masterclass in Malian guitar tradition. The fuzz-drenched riffs on tracks like "Touré Iseye" and the intricate runs on "Wato To" will transport you to the heart of a Bamako celebration.
The unpolished nature of the recording adds to its charm—you can hear the occasional buzz of the equipment, the peak of the vocals, and the roar of the crowd. It’s not pristine, but it’s real, and it’s all the more powerful for it.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Blazing Hot - A modern classic, an absolute must-listen
Standout Tracks: "Touré Iseye," "Wato To," "Ma Chérie"
And there you have it, music lovers! Another eclectic journey through some of the most exciting sounds from around the globe. From the psych-rock revival of WITCH to the boundary-pushing fusion of Wau Wau Collectif, this week's selections showcase the incredible diversity and creativity in today's music scene.
❤️🔥 Thank you so much for reading this issue of Black Noise. ❤️🔥 Your support keeps this community alive and kicking. If you enjoyed this content, please share and forward this email to friends or enemies 😏. Let's spread the love for great music far and wide. Stay tuned for more. In the meantime you can listen to some of my selections on Spotify.
As always, I want to hear from you! Which of these albums caught your ear? What records have been on repeat for you lately? Any hidden gems you think I should check out for the next volume? Drop a comment, shoot me a message, or hit me up on Instagram or TikTok @st_vrgl. And don't forget to vote in the poll below—I love knowing what you all think of these issues.
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Until next time, keep those speakers bumping and your minds open to new sounds. This is your host signing off. Stay noisy, my friends! 🤘
Thanks, listening to southeast of saturn right now