Black Noise Volume 012
From trippy Japanese pop to raw Cameroonian funk—exploring the sounds that time almost forgot.
Hey friends, Saint Virgil here, ready to take you on a journey through some seriously underrated albums and sounds that absolutely deserve a place on your playlist. Whether you’ve been with me from the start or you’re just tuning in, welcome to the noise! Today’s picks cover everything from dreamy synth-pop to gritty funk straight out of 1970s Cameroon, crossing continents, decades, and genres. But before we dive in… I’ve got to tell you—I met the legendary Nardwuar!
They say, "don’t meet your heroes," but this week, I did just that—Nardwuar, the Internet’s Busiest Music Nerd! Doot doola doot doo... Meeting the man who inspired my dive into college radio and music broadcasting was beyond surreal. His quirky, hyper-specific questions and ability to unlock fascinating stories from every artist have cemented his place as a true legend in music journalism. Meeting him reminded me why I love digging into the deeper stories behind the music we love. If you ever get the chance to see him, don’t miss it!
Black Noise Rating System
Before we jump in, here's a quick reminder of the Black Noise Rating System to help guide you through today’s picks:
🔥🔥🔥🔥 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. 😉
POiSON GiRL FRiEND – Melting Moment
Genre: Trip Hop, Art Pop
Released: May 21, 1992
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
POiSON GiRL FRiEND (aka nOrikO) is a hidden treasure from Japan’s early 90s pop scene, blending dreamy whispers with trippy synths. The album opens with “Hardly Ever Smile,” a lush, elegant soundscape that wraps around you like a daydream. It’s like floating through a haze, and the whispered vocals almost feel like secrets meant just for you. “Fact 2” shifts things into a more upbeat, synth-heavy track that still retains that ethereal quality.
But here’s the thing—about halfway through the album, the vocals start to lose their magic. Songs like “Quoi” start to feel a bit repetitive, and the charm that carried the earlier tracks fades. However, the final track, “Melting Moment,” redeems it all. The strings and dreamy synths come together perfectly, wrapping up the album on a high note.
Standout Track: "Melting Moment"
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat
If you love dreamy, left-field pop with a touch of melancholy, this one’s for you.
Cameroon Garage Funk – Compilation
Genre: Afrobeat, Garage Funk, Soul
Released: August 20, 2021
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Bandcamp
Straight out of 1970s Cameroon, this compilation is a raw, infectious mix of funk and soul, recorded live in a church with just one microphone. Yeah, you read that right—one mic. But that’s what gives this album its gritty, unpolished charm. Every track feels like you’re right there with the band, soaking in the sweaty, unfiltered energy of the moment.
“Ma Wde Wa” by Los Camaroes is an absolute jam, blending surf guitars with Afrobeat rhythms and a touch of fuzz. “Esele Mulema Moam” cranks up the funk, complete with punchy horns and a groove that would make James Brown proud. This album is a time capsule, capturing the raw power of Cameroon’s music scene in the 70s, and it's irresistible.
Standout Track: "Esele Mulema Moam"
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
If you’re into Afrobeat, funk, or soul, this one is a must-listen. It’s the perfect soundtrack for a hot summer day.
Flávio Venturini – Nascente
Genre: Música Popular Brasileira
Released: January 1, 1981
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
Flávio Venturini’s Nascente is one of those albums that instantly transports you to another place—one full of sunshine and warm breezes. With lush string arrangements and delicate harmonies, this record feels like dipping your toes into a cool river on a hot day. “Teu Olhar Nos Meus” and “Qualquer Coisa A Haver Com O Paraíso” are beautiful, sweeping tracks that wrap you up in their melodies and don’t let go.
Venturini, a key figure in Brazilian pop, blends country, pop, and folk influences effortlessly, creating a sound that feels timeless. His collaborations with bands like Clube da Esquina are felt throughout, but Nascente stands out as something truly special.
Standout Track: "Espanhola"
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
This album is a joy to listen to, and if you’re into Brazilian pop or anything with lush, dreamy melodies, you’re going to love it.
Gasper Nali – Abale Ndikuwuzeni
Genre: Traditional, World Music
Released: December 7, 2015
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
Gasper Nali is a one-man party. Armed with his self-made one-string instrument (the babatoni), Nali creates music that’s as joyful as it is unique. Abale Ndikuwuzeni is filled with infectious rhythms and melodies that make it impossible to sit still. The title track showcases his inventive style, blending traditional Malawian music with a playful, celebratory energy.
The babatoni gives the album a sound that’s unlike anything you’ve probably heard before—raw, vibrant, and full of life. It’s Afro-pop, but with a unique twist that sets it apart.
Standout Track: "Abale Ndikuwuzeni"
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat
This album is pure sunshine in audio form. If you need a mood booster, Gasper Nali has you covered.
Né Ladeiras – Corsária
Genre: Jazz, Folk, Smooth Jazz
Released: 1988
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
Né Ladeiras’ Corsária is a hauntingly beautiful album that floats somewhere between jazz, folk, and ambient music. The opener, “Madrugada,” is a slow, ethereal track that feels like a whisper carried on the wind. There’s a deep melancholy running through the album, with each track feeling like it’s part of some forgotten dream.
Ladeiras pulls from traditional Portuguese fado but adds her own modern twist, blending minimalistic production with rich emotional depth. It’s an album that takes time to fully sink into, but once it grabs you, it won’t let go.
Standout Track: "Madrugada"
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat
If you love moody, atmospheric music that lingers in your mind long after it ends, this one is for you.
Coeur à l’Index – Adieu Minette
Genre: Powerpop, Punk, Indie Pop
Released: September 13, 2024
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
Coeur à l’Index is a modern powerpop trio out of Belgium, and their debut album Adieu Minette is brimming with energy and catchy hooks. The album kicks off with “Rattrapez Moi,” a track that blends jangly guitars with 60s girl-pop harmonies. It’s sweet, it’s fun, and it’s the perfect introduction to the band’s upbeat sound.
Tracks like “Dernière Fois” and “Minette” bring in a bit of a New Wave vibe, while others like “Loin D’ici” crank up the punk energy. If you’re into catchy indie pop with a bit of edge, this album is a delightful listen from start to finish.
Standout Track: "Dernière Fois"
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat
A sugar rush of jangly guitars and upbeat vibes—this album will definitely put a smile on your face.
Therapy? – Semi-Detached
Genre: Punk, Alternative Rock
Released: 1998
Listen on: Spotify, YouTube
Everyone knows OK Computer, but Therapy?’s Semi-Detached deserves just as much recognition for capturing that same late-90s feeling of existential dread. The album blends punk, metal, and alternative rock into something raw and biting, with lyrics that take aim at the chaos of modern life.
“Church of Noise” is a blistering opener, while tracks like “Lonely, Cryin’, Only” dig into themes of isolation and technology’s impact on our lives. Therapy? might not have the same commercial success as Radiohead, but Semi-Detached is just as relevant today as it was in ’98.
Standout Track: "Church of Noise"
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat
If you’re looking for something with an edge, Therapy? will scratch that itch. This album still holds up.
The Lemon Twigs – A Dream Is All We Know
Genre: Powerpop
Released: May 3, 2024
Listen on: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Bandcamp
Closing out this week with a total gem—The Lemon Twigs’ A Dream Is All We Know. This album is dripping with 60s and 70s pop influences but sounds as fresh as anything on the scene today. “My Golden Years” sets the tone with its Brian Wilson-esque harmonies and jangly guitars. Every song on this record feels like a sun-drenched summer day, nostalgic but still very much alive in the present.
“Sweet Vibration” is the track that jumps out the most for me, with its upbeat piano and joyful vibes. It’s the kind of song that instantly lifts your mood and makes you want to bask in the sun. The album’s closer, “Rock On (Over and Over),” ties everything together with a guitar riff that feels like a nod to the best of 70s rock.
Standout Track: "My Golden Years"
Black Noise Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire
This album is a must for anyone who loves vintage pop sounds with a modern twist. The Lemon Twigs are on fire with this one.
That’s a wrap for this week! ❤️🔥 Thanks for reading Black Noise. ❤️🔥 If you enjoyed this volume, share it with a friend—or even an enemy! Good music might just turn them around. 😉
As a bonus, here’s one of my all-time favorite Nardwuar interviews—watch it here. He’s got a way of making every interview an unforgettable experience!
As usual my dms, email and messages are open let me know what you think!
STAY NOISY FRIENDS! ✌️
—Saint Virgil