Black Noise Volume 009
Going Beyond the Mainstream: The Best Albums You Haven’t Heard Yet
Holy moly, music lovers! 🎵 I just woke up to a tsunami of new subscribers! 😳 Triple the crew overnight? I'm absolutely floored! For those just tuning in, I'm your host, Saint Virgil —and welcome to my little corner of the internet, Black Noise, where we dig into the deep recesses of underground, forgotten, and obscure music that the algorithms love to ignore. This isn’t about trends; we’re here to discover gems that have been buried under the mainstream radar.
Whether you’ve been here for a while or just joined, get ready to discover some hidden gems—and maybe even your new favorite album. Let’s dive in.
Lingua Ignota - CALIGULA (2019)
Genre: Experimental, Doom Folk
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Bandcamp
Okay, I'm gonna level with you – this one's not for the faint of heart. Lingua Ignota's "CALIGULA" is like the audio equivalent of a punch to the gut, in the most artistically profound way possible. This isn't background music; it's a full-on emotional exorcism set to sound.
Tracks like "May Failure Be Your Noose" and "Spite Alone Holds Me Aloft" are brutal, intense, and at times, hard to bear. But that's exactly the point. Kristin Hayter's searing lyrics and haunting vocals confront the harsh realities of abuse and power dynamics head-on, no holds barred.
Fair warning: you might need to take a few breathers while listening to this one. But if you're up for a profound, gut-wrenching musical experience, "CALIGULA" delivers in spades. This is "High Heat" that'll leave you changed.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat – potential classic, highly suggested listen.
Standout Track: May Failure Be Your Noose – This track drags you through its intense emotional landscape with breathtaking vocals and relentless energy.
Neutrals - Kebab Disco (2019)
Genre: Post-Punk, DIY Pop
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Bandcamp
Holy DIY energy, Batman! Neutrals' "Kebab Disco" is like a time machine back to the gritty, rebellious spirit of late 70s punk. This album doesn't just wear its influences on its sleeve – it's got them tattooed across its chest in big, bold letters.
Tracks like "I Can Do That" and "Technical College" come at you fast and furious, packed with snappy rhythms and cheeky lyrics. If you're a fan of early Buzzcocks or The Undertones, you're gonna eat this up with a spoon.
While it might not reinvent the wheel, "Kebab Disco" is a solid "Warm Glow" album that captures the essence of what made post-punk so exciting in the first place. Sometimes you just need to thrash around and pretend you're in a dingy London club circa 1978, you know?
Rating: 🔥🔥 Warm Glow – for any fan of the genre.
Standout Track: I Can Do That – Two minutes of pure punk attitude that'll have you pogoing around your living room.
Muzi - Interblaktic (2021)
Genre: Kwaito, Bubblegum Pop, Afro-Electronic
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
Buckle up, space cadets! Muzi's "Interblaktic" is about to take you on a wild ride through the cosmos of South African music. On this album Muzi took Kwaito, Bubblegum Pop, Afro- Electronic strapped a jetpack to it, and launched it into the future.
Tracks like "Come Duze" and "Tjuu Wena" are a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, bursting with positivity and Zulu pride. Muzi's production skills shine throughout, creating a soundscape that's both familiar and otherworldly.
If you're in the mood for music that feels like a space adventure with a distinctly African twist, "Interblaktic" is your ticket to the stars. This is definitely "High Heat" material that pushes boundaries and gets your body moving.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat – potential classic, highly suggested listen.
Standout Track: Tjuu Wena – An upbeat, feel-good banger that'll have you dancing through the galaxy.
Delusion Spree by Eades (2022)
Genre: FPost-Punk Revival, Garage Punk
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Bandcamp
Holy smokes, folks! Eades' debut album "Delusion Spree" hit me like a ton of bricks, in the best way possible. These Leeds lads have cooked up a scrappy, energetic record that's equal parts fun and fierce. It's like they took the best bits of Sports Team and Dehd, threw them in a blender, and hit puree.
From the get-go, tracks like "Backseat Politic" and "Smoking Hour" showcase their raw, youthful energy. But don't let the chaos fool you – there's method to their madness. When they slow things down on "Reno" and "Ever Changing," you really get a sense of their songwriting chops.
My ears perked up big time for "Voodoo Doll" – it's got this perfect Melbourne dolewave vibe that'll transport you straight to a sun-soaked Aussie beach party. Trust me, this is one "Absolute Fire" album you don't want to miss!
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire – modern classic, must listen.
Standout Track: Reno – Jangly riffs and melancholy vibes that'll have you daydreaming of open roads and endless summers.
Cowgirl in Sweden - Cowgirl in Sweden (2024)
Genre: Dream Pop, Folk, Psychedelic Pop
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Bandcamp
Alright, fellow music detectives, we've got a mystery on our hands! This self-titled album by Cowgirl in Sweden is like stumbling upon a long-lost reel of film from some obscure 60s movie. It's hazy, nostalgic, and completely captivating.
With nods to the great Lee Hazlewood, this album creates a soundscape that feels both familiar and slightly off-kilter. The limited pressing of 300 copies only adds to the mystique – it's like we've uncovered some rare artifact that wasn't meant for modern ears.
While it might be too niche for some, "Cowgirl in Sweden" is a solid "Warm Glow" for fans of dreamy, psych-tinged pop. If you're in the mood for a musical time warp, this one's for you.
Rating: 🔥🔥 Warm Glow – for any fan of the genre.
Standout Track: Here’s Where You Belong – A dreamy, psych-tinged track that wraps you in a warm, nostalgic embrace.
Sachiko Kanenobu - Misora (1972)
Genre: Folk Rock
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
Alright, time travelers, buckle up! We're taking a trip back to 1972 with Sachiko Kanenobu's "Misora." This album is like finding a perfectly preserved time capsule of folk rock goodness. Kanenobu's gentle fingerpicking and poetic lyrics give off serious Joni Mitchell and Sandy Denny vibes, but with a uniquely Japanese twist.
What blows my mind is how timeless this record feels. It's intimate, warm, and hits you right in the feels in a way that transcends language barriers. There's a reason this album has gained cult status over the years – it's one of those rare finds that sticks with you long after the needle lifts.
This is definitely "High Heat" material, folks. If you're into folk rock or just appreciate beautiful songwriting, do yourself a favor and give this a spin.
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Absolute Fire - modern classic, must listen.
Standout Track: Misora – A wistful, dreamy track that'll have you feeling all sorts of emotions, even if you don't understand a word of Japanese.
Emma Russack - About the Girl (2024)
Genre: Alternative, Art-Punk, Indie Pop
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Bandcamp
Hold onto your hats, folks, because Emma Russack is about to take you on a wild ride! "About the Girl" sees our favorite indie-folk luminary taking a sharp left turn into experimental art-punk territory. And let me tell you, it works.
Tracks like "I Know I Feel It Too" and "Everything Is Big" showcase Russack's newfound love for angular riffs and raw energy, while still maintaining her knack for thought-provoking lyrics. It's like she took her songwriting chops and dunked them in a vat of punk attitude.
This album is definitely "High Heat" material – it's bold, it's fearless, and it pushes boundaries in all the right ways. If you thought you had Emma Russack figured out, think again!
Rating: 🔥🔥🔥 High Heat – potential classic, highly suggested listen.
Standout Track: Everything Is Big – A heavy, introspective track that manages to be both personally vulnerable and socially aware.
Don'ts and Dos by The Radio Field (2024)
Genre: Jangle Pop, Indie Rock
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Bandcamp
Alright, jangle pop lovers, gather 'round! The Radio Field's debut "Don'ts and Dos" is like a love letter to the golden age of 90s indie rock. If you dig chiming guitars and breezy melodies, this one's gonna be right up your alley.
Lars Schmidt and crew have cooked up a batch of vibrant, feel-good tunes that'll have you bobbing your head and tapping your toes in no time. Tracks like "Disorder" and "She Needs Therapy" blend fuzzy guitar goodness with dreamy vocals in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
While it might not be groundbreaking, "Don'ts and Dos" is a solid "Warm Glow" album that'll satisfy any fan of the genre. Sometimes you just need some good old-fashioned indie pop, you know?
Rating: 🔥 Warm Glow – for any fan of the genre.
Standout Track: She Needs Therapy – Fuzzy, feel-good vibes wrapped in dual vocals that'll stick in your head for days.
❤️🔥 Thank you so much for reading this issue of Black Noise. ❤️🔥 Your support keeps this community alive and kicking, and hey, if you enjoyed this volume, why not share it with a friend? Or better yet, an enemy—maybe some good music will turn them into a friend! 😉
P.S. Don't forget to check out the Black Noise playlist on Spotify for a taste of this week's selections. And if you're feeling extra generous, consider supporting the newsletter. Who knows, there might be some exclusive content or discounts coming your way soon... 😏
Until next time, keep those speakers bumping and your minds open to new sounds. This is your host Saint Virgil signing off. Stay noisy, my friends! 🤘
Thanks so much for this post- what beautiful and wide-ranging recommendations!
Absolutely loving Eades today, cheers for the recommendation!