Looking for some new music? Here’s what the team at Art As Catharsis have been listening to recently.

Daniel Nesci

‘Perception’ – NF:

I recently started listening to NF (Nathan Feuerstein) from a friend’s recommendation. ‘Perception’ blends together his rap style with orchestral instrumentation and creates a very raw, emotive and piercing experience. The majority of the tracks have been created by him and his co-writer/producer Tomme Profitt who does a lot of films/show orchestration and that influence definitely comes through in the music. To me, this album steps away from the traditional hip-hop style that rap is generally partnered with and creates something fresh and interesting.

Favourite track: ‘Let You Down’

‘151a’ – Kisha Bashi:

I found the track ‘I Am The Antichrist To You’ from watching the show Rick and Morty, a really awesome track that led me to an awesome album. At some points, the album is quite peaceful and you can really get lost in the serenity of it. At other times the use of strings and lyrical motifs hook you in to create powerful moments. There are lots of little sub-genres the tracks could fit into having some folk, acoustic, orchestral and indie elements blended together. Some tracks feel like they could be in a love scene in a movie whereas others feel like they could bring on the end of the world so there is a wide emotional spectrum that is being conveyed throughout the album.

Favourite track: ‘I Am The AntiChrist To You’

‘Sentiment’ – Said The Sky:

This album has a lot of features from a wide array of artists and could almost be looked at as a collaboration album given that the featuring artists’ presence definitely dictates the track vibe. The production on this is crisp, smooth and high quality, everything from the arrangements to the final mix is top tier, probably what has attracted me to this album. Having electronic, acoustic, dance, rock and punk elements to it the album as a whole doesn’t land on one sonic tone to me but I think it’s a great collection of songs that you can pick and choose based on your mood.

Favourite track: ‘Legacy’

Lachlan Dale (Hashshashin)

Dylan Carlson & Lori Goldston – Feral Angel

Look. I’m a sucker for drone, and for Dylan Carlson of Earth fame. This release is a peaceful, flowing stream of drifting guitar and cello improvisations, recorded live in tribute to a departed friend. I’m increasingly drawn to this simple and expressive music, as my recent solo release might suggest.

Favourite track: Crystalline And Earthy

Daniel Rossen – You Belong There

Oh my, is it comforting to hear Daniel Rossen’s voice again! He’s taken a step aside from his work in Grizzly Bear to offer up this beautiful, timeless folk album. The warm production is welcoming, as is the mature, refined songwriting. This is an artist at the top of their game.

Animals As Leaders – Parrhesia

So. Many. Rhythms. This is Animals As Leaders’ most coherent and mature release to date. Their compositional skills have taken a step up. These tracks feel less like a grab bag of random (and admittedly sick) riffs, and rhythmically, they’re far above any of their imitators. In an era where Meshuggah have long foregone pushing boundaries, I am grateful for Animals As Leaders.

Favourite track: Monomyth

Conway The Machine – God Don’t Make Mistakes

Some of you may not know this, but I have plenty of love for dark, gritty, experimental and conscious rap. That said, Conway is anything but conscious. He’s of the old-school, and his dark, visceral and frankly at times terrifying solo album has stayed with me over these last few months.

Favourite track: Lock Load, Piano Love

Benjamin Shannon (Milton Man Gogh, Kodiak Empire)

Vijay Iyer Trio – Historicity

Vijay is in full flight on this trio release with long-time collaborators Stephan Crump (Upright Bass) and Marcus Gillmore (Drums). Although the group has recorded many albums and performed live countless times, there’s something particularly exciting about this album that keeps bringing me back. Released in 2009, Historicity features a wide array of moods, irregular grooves, improvisational interplay and an unbridled compositional expression. Check out the cover of Andrew Hill’s Smoke Stack and the ridiculously cool cover of M.I.A.’s Galang, that’ll give you some overall scope for what you’re in for.

Favourite Track – Smoke Stack

Tim Miller – Synergy

Admittedly I’m a fiend for modern fusion that’s heavily inspired by Alan Holdsworth. Tim Miller’s Synergy certainly scratches the itch. Sam Minaie (Bass) and Nate Wood (Drums) make up a formidable rhythm section, especially when Nate Wood decides to drum with two hands! Thrilled I stumbled across this record (and guitarist) recently. If you’re into modern jazz/prog/rock that doesn’t sound too clean and polished (mixing and mastering wise that is!), give this a listen.

Favourite Track – Synergy

Frontierer – Oxidized

The recent announcement of Frontierer‘s first Australian tour (October this year) had me revisit my favourite release of 2021. This album is an absolute assault on the ears in the best way possible. Foreward thinking heavy music is hard to come by and the welcomed addition of brutalised electronics adds to an already lethal blend of chaotic riffage and discordant harmony, served up at a terminal velocity.

Favourite Track – Opaque Horizon

Tom Brand

A Light For Attracting Attention – The Smile

Admittedly I was a little worried that this upcoming Radiohead side-project would be more of the same stuff we’ve got from the band in their twilight years. In some ways I’m right – the production on many of the tracks retains that big, cinematic feel we saw on A Moon Shaped Pool. However, I’ve been pleasantly contradicted on a few of the songs – particularly You Will Never Work In Television Again. I’m loathe to echo what other music media already said about the track, but there’s an itch scratched by this song that I didn’t think Radiohead (or adjacent projects) could still reach. I need to give the album a few more spins, but there’s some interesting production techniques, riffs and vocal techniques that prove Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood are still trying to challenge themselves and their listeners. Tom Skinner’s drumming also gets a strong credit – the way he manages to keep up with Greenwood on tracks like Skirting on the Surface is very commendable, but not even the strongest point of the album. A strong release, and not as ‘more of the same’ as one might think.

Crush – Floating Points

I started going backwards on Floating Points’ discography after the phenomenal Promises which he released last year. Crush captures a certain feeling I’ve missed during two+ years of Melbourne lockdowns – it’s got me thinking about friends I’ve missed, festivals I’ve been to, bizarre electronic music I’ve stumbled upon and the joy of dancing in the midst of all these elements. I’m older now. Opportunities where these feelings collide seem few and far between. For now, glitch-ridden tracks such as Last Bloom remind me of these places and give me hope that I’ll be able to see my friends again in these weird, wonderful moments.

Microphones in 2020 – Mount Eerie

Ever get handed the aux cord in the car and decide to make it painful for everyone in the car but you? 44 minutes, 44 seconds. The song’s been around for a bit, but Phil Elverum did a phenomenal job of talking about his history in music with this track. I’ve loved his stream-of-consciousness storytelling ability for over 10 years now, and every time I listen to him it stirrs something deep and contemplative just by virtue of his delivery. The track itself is great – he uses a lot of repetition in the musicianship but adds a lot of texture through subtle changes as the track progresses. 44 minutes, 44 seconds. My partner, driving at the time, didn’t seem to mind. I’m hoping you won’t either.