#N0V3L

[omegaremix]

Omega Radio for December 14, 2019; #215.

N0V3L “To Whom It May Concern”

Institute “Deadlock”

La Dispute “Rhodonite And Grief”

David Vassalotti “The Light”

Tropical Fuck Storm “Can’t Stop”

Garcia Peoples “Feel So Great”

Gong Gong Gong “Ride Your Horse”

Ing “Closet”

Thanks For Coming “Bully”

Water From Your Eyes “Adeleine”

Big Brave “Holding Pattern”

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds “Ghosteen”

Lost Under Heaven / LUH “Black Sun Rising”

Better Oblivion Community Center “Didn’t Know What I Was In For” (self-titled)

My Brightest Diamond “Quiet Loud” (non-album track)

Kills Birds “Ow” (self-titled)

Jenny Lewis “Heads Gonna’ Roll” (On The Line)

Stella Donnelly “Old Man” (Beware Of The Dogs)

Ex Hex “Cosmic Cave” (It’s On)

Sleater-Kinney “Can I Go On” (The Center Won’t Hold)

Fontaines D.C. “Roy’s Tune” (Dogrel)

Idles “Mercedes Marxist” (self-titled single)

Sleaford Mods “Into The Payzone” (Eton Alive)

Royal Trux “White Stuff” (White Stuff)

Kim Gordon “Hungry Baby” (No Home Record)

Bambara “Serafina” (single)

Priests “Jesus Son” (The Seduction Of Kansas)

First of two Winners Of '19 broadcasts.

[senorboombastic]

Live Review: Mock Media at SOUP in Manchester 10 November 2023

Words: Andy Hughes It can make you sound like a bit of a crank, but there’s a certain type of pride to be found in discovering a band early doors, before fame, fortune and/or acclaim follows (though rarely the three these days, let’s face it). It’s a real trip seeing a band go on to bigger and better things after you’ve initially caught them in their infancy, playing some basement venue to a few…

[headlinerportugal]

Humaniza-te: entra no universo Humana Taranja – a resenha do concerto no Maus Hábitos | Reportagem Completa

Humana Taranja com a participação de Evaya | mais fotos clicar aqui O ambiente começava a ter mais agitação, com mais gente a chegar, já depois da abertura de portas registada por volta das 21h. A fria noite portuense, da última sexta-feira 13, não consistiu em empecilho nem redundou em azar para algumas boas dezenas de pessoas que se arriscaram numa calorosa sexta-feira, dentro de portas, na sala de concertos do Maus Hábitos. Motivo: uma performance dos Humana Taranja. Certo é que a sala não registou lotação esgotada, no entanto, quem esteve presente fê-lo com a mentalidade 100% focada, atentiva e até ligeiramente apaixonada. Amigos e fãs da banda marcaram presença de forma bem notória.

Enquanto os membros da banda não subiam ao palco, a instalação sonora confortava-nos com temas como More Big Birds dos Dry Cleaning, Group Disease dos N0V3L ou Pain Without a Touch dos Sweeping Promises. Escolhas muito particulares e que, definitivamente, ajudaram a criar a vibe correta para o que aí viria…

Humana Taranja puxando pelos fãs | mais fotos clicar aqui Estes Humana Taranja são uma jovem  banda, da margem sul, especificamente do Barreiro. Guilherme Firmino (guitarra e voz) David Yala (guitarra), Filipa da Silva Pina (teclado e voz), Marta Inverno (baixo e coros) e Afonso Ferreira na bateria são os cinco destemidos e surpreenderam-me imenso Não contava por ser tão impactado pela sua atuação, é uma sensação incrível quanto isto acontece. Tão bom ver jovens portugueses talentosos a fazerem um trabalho com muita qualidade e a trilharem o seu caminho humildemente.

Esta atuação a norte foi a segunda, depois de uma aparição na Galeria Zé dos Bois, como as oficiais de apresentação do álbum novo ‘Eudaemonia’. Este é o segundo longa duração da discografia destes Humana Taranja. O álbum anterior, de 2023, apelidado de ‘Zafira’ teve igualmente algum foco.

Visão geral dos Humana Taranja em palco | mais fotos clicar aqui Ao vivo todos estes temas ganham uma vitalidade bem pujante condizente com a personalidade artística dos elementos da banda. Tem rock, tem indie pop, tem outros traços sonoros e dizer que é somente indie rock soa-me demasiado parco. Pelo menos, por esta curta tentativa de descrição, acredito que já têm uma noção da sonoridade dos Humana Taranja. Não conhecem a banda? Oiçam os temas na sua versão álbum e imaginem a sua intensidade ao vivo x 100.

João Bernardo Valente conhecido nas lides musicais como polivalente participou no concerto, logo na música de abertura, em “LONGE”. Ele que utilizou sintetizador e fez uso da sua voz. Curiosamente é com este tema que o álbum tem a sua abertura. “DIGO TUDO” e “Zafira” foram a seguintes, permitindo levar a atuação alcançar o ponto de vivacidade pretendido pela banda.

Marta no baixo dos Humana Taranja | mais fotos clicar aqui Ao quarto tema tivemos Beatriz Bronze, artisticamente conhecida como Evaya, como a segunda convidada e, tal como no álbum, deu voz ao tema “CASA”. Participação calorosa num dos belos momentos da noite, ela que também tem disco novo, lançado em abril deste ano. Vi o concerto dela no passado sábado em Braga é mais um talento emergente que merece ser seguido.

Os Humana Taranja vivem, alicerçados de forma imponente, de duas vozes: de Filipa e de Guilherme. Uma voz feminina e outra masculina: tendo ambos ficado nas pontas do palco, Guilherme à esquerda e Filipa à direita. Vozes com direito a um bocadinho de reverb maroto. Duas atuações incríveis e muito concentradas, lideraram a banda rumo a uma performance muito positiva.

Marta no baixo demonstrou-se irrequieta e interventiva, David na segunda guitarra fez um contraponto muito competente e Afonso na bateria sempre certinho e compenetrado. Um quinteto muito espontâneo em palco. Efetivamente merecem props extra pela forma solta e alegre como que se apresentaram.

Guilherme, guitarrista e uma das vozes dos Humana Taranja | mais fotos clicar aqui “DE PÓ A NADA”, “Estrela Polar” e “GUERRA” soaram muito bem ao vivo com muito boa onda mesmo. Surgiram depois de um momento muito bonito de Guilherme a solo na guitarra em que os restantes elementos da banda ficaram a ver, espalhados pelo palco, a performance do companheiro.

Depois de interpretada “DEIXA ARDER” num momento já de êxtase, eis que a agitação foi bem amplificada em “PODEM ENTRAR” com jarda total. Comunhão total entre banda e público, as pessoas não se fizeram rogadas e participaram no tema.

Filipa, a destemida teclista e vocalista dos Humana Taranja | mais fotos clicar aqui A pedido do público lá surgiu um encore marcante: Filipa Pina deambulou pelo palco e plateia com um “demoníaco” poder vocal e uma cativante presença física em que deu tudo. Esta interpretação de “Tum Tum” ficou-me na memória.

Fiquei fã dos Humana Taranja e vou, definitivamente, seguir a carreira deles. Uma das coisas maravilhosas de seguir mais atentamente o universo musical é este: o de encontrar incríveis bandas com imenso talento.

Reportagem fotográfica completa: Clicar Aqui

Marta no baixo, Afonso na bateria e David na guitarra, o trio central em palco | mais fotos clicar aqui Texto: Edgar Silva Fotografia: Aitor Amorim @ torstudio (Instagram)

[school-in-london]

20231007 10TH ANNIV. TOUR [OSAKA]

（※誤って1度消してしまい再掲です、、、） ■ DJ: 遠藤孝行

Animal Collective / Broke Zodiac

Groove Armada / At the River

Doja Cat / Attention

Portishead / Mysterons

Caleb Landry Jones / Dig Your Dog

The Beatles / Happiness Is Warm Gun

Vampire Weekend / Ottoman

Patience / White of an Eye

Little Dragon / Disco Dangerous

Blur / Music Is My Radar

Laundromat / Combo

■ DJ: 村田タケル

Black Country, New Road / Athen's, France

Sorry / Twinkle

Porchlight / Spin Doctor

Squid / Swing (In A Dream)

Yves Tumor / Fear Evil Like Fire

King Krule / Humbergerphobia

Sextile / Crash

Moin / Melon

Yo La Tengo / Fallout

Horsegirl / Anti-Groly

The Hazmats / Skewed View

Working Men's Club / Suburban Heights

N0V3L / To Whom It May Concern

bar italia / Clark

■ DJ: タイラダイスケ

Chicks on Speed / Wordy Rappinghood

Dante Elephante / Jeni

Donny Benet / Mr Experience

Neil Frances / Music Sounds Better with You

easy life / skeleton

Overmono / Is U

Fred again.. / adore u (feat. Obongjayar)

salute / Joy

Romy / Strong (feat. Fred adainn..)

Lily Allen / Alfie

Liquid Liquid / Optimo

Viagra Boys / Ain’t No Thief

bed / Kare Wa

slowthai / Sooner

The Strypes / You Can't Judge a Book By the Cover

■ DJ: 遠藤孝行

Buzzcocks / Everybody’s Happy Nowadays

The Strokes / New York City Cops

Paramore / This Is Why

Communions / Two Worlds

Grandaddy / The Crystal Lake

R.E.M / Losing My Religion

Olivia Rodrigo / bad idea right?

Mystery Jets / Young Love (feat. Laura Marling)

The Smiths / Bigmouth Strikes Again

U2 / Atomic City

Oasis / Hello

Weird Nightmare / Lusitania

Fontaines D.C. / Jackie Down thr Line

Yard Act / The Trench Coat Museum

!!! / Me And Giuliani Down by the School Yard - A True Story

Fatboy Slim / Song For Shelter

Mura Masa / Drugs

■ DJ: 村田タケル

Deadletter / Line The Cows

Roye Otis / I Wanna Dance With You

cumgirl8 / llc

Water From Your Eyes / True Life

Crack Cloud / Image Craft (LIVE IN LONDON)

Model/Actriz / Amaranth

Yves Tumor / Lovely Sewer

Nia Archives / So Tell Me..

Arlo Parks / Weightless

Emily Yacina / Gleaming

Leel Neale / I Am The River

The Horrors / You Could Never Tell

Highschool / Only A Dream

Cajun Dance Party / Colourful Life

Horsegirl / Billy

My Bloody Valentine / Nothing Much To Lose

shame / The Fall of Paul

Double Virgo / No Sweet

Enumclaw / Jimmy Neutron

Beach Fossils / Don't Fade Away

Indigo De Souza / Smog

bar italia / Polly Armour

bar italia / Punkt

Tramhaus / Karen is a Punk

■ DJ: タイラダイスケ

The Undertones / Teenage Kicks

The La's / There She Goes

The Strokes / Is This It

d4vd / Here With Me

Massive Attack / One Love

Blur / Tender

Ari Lennox / Pressure

Koffee / Lonely

Primal Scream / Loaded

Miso / Emotions

Mura Masa / Whenever I Want

Nia Archives / Bad Gyalz

Watch the Ride & Nia Archives / Mush Up the Dance

Clipz / Again (Featuring Ms Banks, Ms Dynamite & JayKae)

Flume / The Difference feat. Toro y Moi

Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar / The Hillbillies

Netsky & Babl Lemmens / Everybody Loves The Sunshine

The Libertines / Up The Bracket

Thee Michelle Gun Elephant / Revolver Junkies

The Who / My Generation

The Lemon Twigs / The One

Anna Of The North / Thank Me Later

Stella Donnelly / Mean to Me

~Ending~ Fairground Attraction / A Smile In A Whisper

[adultalternative]

2021 best of. At least I beat my time last year and actually wrote?

Starcrossed- More of an All for You divorce album than a Butterfly, in a 'it stinks, but whatever. Now do you want the wedding china that I'm unloading?' kind of way. I didn't like it at first because of the tracklist making the songs feel too samey (Also, even this long into the new music model, I'm not used to songs being under 3 minutes). The movie and listening to the songs out of order helped a lot. The best songs are justified, simple times, and camera roll. An interesting example of the Glass Animals/Tame Impala sound.

If I can't have love, I want power- Halsey's first impressive album, to me. Really glad this body of work came out. Best songs are you asked for this, Girl with a gun, and One Eye closed.

Lately I feel Everything- Another fun project, another great side to Willow. I like the different types of alternative rock on it. Listen to Naive, Extra, and Gaslighter, as well as F**k You.

3:33- Did I lose interest in Tinashe now that she’s independent and there’s less of a bad guy or goal for her music career? Yes. Is this album still good? Yes. My favorite songs are Shy Guy and Pasadena.

No gods No Masters- Yes, I would say that their last three albums have been their most similar to each other (See all the Record Store Day songs included in the bonus disc) as songs that would play in a Deadly Class type of genre show about young adults, but that says more about alternative rock nowadays than Garbage. That said, I still enjoy the industrial vibes on this one. I like The Creeps, Anonymous XXX, and This City Will Kill You. It was interesting hearing the Eurythmics influence in songs like The Men Who Rule the World.

Texis- Hyperpop gone rock. Locust Laced is that song. I'm Not down’ is startlingly on point for this point in the pandemic, and Sweet75 is a great opener.

Play with the Changes- Rochelle Jordan is the closest that I liked to dance pop this year. A great combination of UK garage and alternative R&B.

New Long Leg- I guess this is usually when my list is what I’m in the mood for and I’m in the mood for post-punk. Scratchcard lanyard is cool, and if you haven’t yet, watch the music video! I don’t understand what Her Hippo is about but it makes me sad. I like the drums in More Big Birds.

Soberish- Casualties of my schedule change. Not as familiar as I could be. Spanish Doors is both sad and relatable. If you like Liz Phair’s character studies of men like Soap Star Joe and Uncle Alvarez, listen to Hey Lou. Meanwhile, In there is very new and trip hoppy for Liz. These songs are more like her EPs Juvenilia and comeandgetit, and whitechocolatespaceegg outtakes instead of, say, her Girly Sound songs.

Who am I?- Precursor for the Avril Lavigne album this year. It might just be 2000’s pop rock, but if the formula isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Listen to You Don’t Own Me and Fall to Pieces.

Unlimited Ammo- Fun hyperpop, that has both songs that are ethereal and wintry, like Steel, and great bangers like Finish Him.

Pinkpantheress- I enjoy the drum and bass sounds as well as the wistful 19.

Pink Noise- A different kind of going pop. It’s like if the group We Are King made more music. Very lush. I like Magical, Got Me, and Church Girl.

Screen violence- A great combination of alternative rock and synthpop. Lauren’s voice has a lot of urgency. I like Nightmares, How Not to Drown, and He Said She Said.

Pearl Charles- Good country and soft rock combination. Listen to Only for Tonight for disco, and Impostor and Slipping Away for soft rock.

Flux- Countlessth year-of best for me, but I have finally decided to let go of my various reservations and just enjoy. I like Lessen the Damage, On the Level, and As Strange as it Seems. For alternative rock music what Light Years is to disco.

Homegrown- I love the saxophone sample in Slow Down. I like Dysfunctional and Come Over. Good combination of contemporary and alternative R&B.

Death of a Cheerleader- Lux is THAT song. Kind of cheating because I like Popular, a cover of the Nada Surf song released January 2022, more than the album. Sort of how TIME has people on influential lists for potential influence in the future.

Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 3- See Poppy’s review for umpteeneth great project. I like So Cold, Syrup, and Cashmere.

Non-fiction- great post punk. I like Violent & Paranoid.

[goodbysunball]

Best of 2021

What a freakishly dark year. Amidst our dystopian descent, one where D-beat and grindcore record covers seem particularly apt, independent record labels and artists keep providing and grinding, delays and inflation be damned. What the fuck else are ya gonna do? I wince reading headlines - the world is dying, tribalism reigns, someone just burned down the Planned Parenthood blocks from where I live - but music remains a constant source of elation, solace, rejuvenation and invigoration for me. It's helped me through a lot this year, and turned into a form of self-care in a way, given that increasingly rare free time was almost always accompanied by immersion into music. When I survey the past 12 months, these are the records that resonated. Grown man photographs his precious belongings, 2021. Take care of yourselves and each other, support the music venues and artists suffering through the pandemic's never-ending coda, and I hope this list can introduce you to something new even if I gave away the top dog months ago. Damn, what an amazing time for new music - happy digging.

LP

Nusidm, Hatred of Pain (self-released)

Cube, Drug of Choice (Alter)

Monokultur, Ormens Väg (ever/never / Mammas Mysteriska Jukebox)

Nightshift, Zöe (Trouble In Mind)

Quarantine, Agony (Damage United 82 / La Vida Es Un Mus)

Heimat, Zwei (Teenage Menopause)

Mortiferum, Preserved In Torment (Profound Lore)

Lea Bertucci, A Visible Length of Light (Cibachrome Editions)

The Body, I've Seen All I Need To See (Thrill Jockey)

N0V3L, NON-FICTION (Flemish Eye)

Six more:

Cerebral Rot, Excretion of Mortality (20 Buck Spin)

CIA Debutante, Dust (Siltbreeze)

Jean-Luc Guionnet & Will Guthrie, Electric Rag (Ali Buh Baeh / Editions Memoire)

Maraudeur, Puissance 4 (self-released)

Emily Robb, How To Moonwalk (Petty Bunco)

Waste Man, One Day It'll All Be You (Feel It)

12" / 7" / cassette

CIA Debutante, Music For Small Rooms 12" (ever/never)

CIA Debutante, Pier 7" (SDZ)

Earwig Deluxe, It's An Emergency To Them CS (Striped Light)

The Fulmars, The Lost Ones 7" (Hüüpnootsche Platen Un Kassetten)

Horrendous 3D, The Gov. and Corps. Are Using Psycho​-​Electronic Weaponry To Manipulate You and Me​... 7" (Whisper In Darkness)

Sial, Zaman Edan 7" (La Vida Es Un Mus)

Suffocating Madness, s/t 7" (Active-8 / Roachleg)

Stomachache, Good Machine CS (self-released)

Taphos, Blood Plethora 7" (Night Shroud)

Treasury of Puppies, Lollos Dagbok 7" (I Dischi Del Barone)

Rap

Separate category because I'm a tourist at best. Here's what I was listening to that hit a nerve.

Armand Hammer feat. Earl Sweatshirt, "Falling Out the Sky"

Bigmutha AKA BbyMutha, Muthalificent 2 and Bastard Tapes Vol. 3 (self-released)

Boldy James & the Alchemist, Bo Jackson (ALC)

Flint & Detroit Rap 2021 mix by the best @thehotboxsocial

MIKE, "Disco!" (10K)

Pooh Sheisty feat. Lil Durk, "Back In Blood"

R.A.P. Ferreira, the Light Emitting Diamond Cutter Scriptures (self-released)

Starlito, Funerals & Court Dates and Insomnia Addict (Grind Hard) Not new, but it's never a bad time to revisit my favorite rapper's discography. The two albums I listened to most this year in any genre or form.

Young Nudy, Rich Shooter (RCA)

Young Slo-Be, Red Mamba and Slo-Be Bryant 3 (KoldGreedy / Thizzler on the Roof) - thx @raygarraty

[omegaplus]

# 3,904

Omega Radio for December 4, 2021; #290.

Marissa Nadler: “Moon / Stars” + “Turned Into Air”

Chelsea Wolfe & Emma Ruth Rundle: “Anhedonia”

Emma Ruth Rundle: “Return”

Halsey: “You Asked For This”

Sault: “9″

Angel Olsen: “Safety Dance”

Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen: “Like I Used To”

Iceage: “Shelter Song”

Squid: “Paddling”

Maxband: “Case Of Dust”

N0V3L: “Status”

Shame: “Alphabet”

Spirit Of The Beehive: “Give Up Your Life”

Dry Cleaning: “Scratchcard Lanyard”

Yard Act: “Dark Days" + “Fixer Upper”

Laundromat: “Milky”

Floatie: “Voyage Out”

Hooveriii: "Erasure”

Water From Your Eyes: “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”

Palberta: “Never To Go” + “Before I Got Here”

Lily Konigsberg: “True”

Maxshh: “500 Miles High”

Sweeping Promises: “Pain Without A Touch”

First show of Year Ten; first of two Best of 2021 broadcasts.

[omegaradiowusb]

DECEMBER 4, 2021 (#290)

Marissa Nadler: “Moon / Stars” + "Turned Into Air" (Instead Of Dreaming + The Path Of The Clouds) Chelsea Wolfe & Emma Ruth Rundle: "Anhedonia" (single) Emma Ruth Rundle: “Return” (Engine Of Hell) Halsey: “You Asked For This” (If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power) Sault: “9″ (Nine) Angel Olsen: “Safety Dance” (Aisles) Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen: "Like I Used To" (single) Iceage: “Shelter Song” (Seek Shelter) Squid: “Paddling” (Bright Green Field) Maxband: "Case Of Dust" (Top Of The Stairs) N0V3L: “Status” (Non-Fiction) Shame: "Alphabet" (Drunk Tank Pink) Spirit Of The Beehive: “Give Up Your Life” (Entertainment, Death) Dry Cleaning: “Scratchcard Lanyard” (New Long Leg) Yard Act: “Dark Days" + "Fixer Upper” (Dark Days) Laundromat: “Milky” (Red e.p.) Floatie: “Voyage Out” (Voyage Out) Hooveriii: "Erasure" (Water For The Frogs) Water From Your Eyes: “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” (Somebody Else’s Songs) Palberta: “Never To Go” + “Before I Got Here” (Palberta5000) Lily Konigsberg: "True" (Lily We Need To Talk Now) Maxshh: "500 Miles High" (As A Treat) Sweeping Promises: "Pain Without A Touch" (single)

Welcome to Omega Radio, WUSB’s most diverse show on its roster. This month we start our tenth year in operation, a major new milestone for us. We want to thank all of our followers, listeners, and supporters of both our show and WUSB for supporting diversity and non-corporate independent radio.

We start Year Ten like we do every December with our end-of-the-year ‘Winners Of...’ broadcasts. In our first of two shows, we feature two hours worth of 2021′s most notable, talked-about, and best music in indie, post-punk and d.i.y. (Some selections played on previous shows.)

Join us again in two weeks for our second ‘Winners Of...’ broadcast as we say goodbye forever to 2021 and celebrate more victories in other deluxe genres. See you soon.

December 18, 2021 (10PM New York City):  Winners of 2021 Pt. 2.

December 29, 2021 (10PM New York City): bonus Omega. 

[omegaremix]

Omega Radio for December 4, 2021; #290.

Marissa Nadler: “Moon / Stars” + “Turned Into Air”

Chelsea Wolfe & Emma Ruth Rundle: “Anhedonia”

Emma Ruth Rundle: “Return”

Halsey: “You Asked For This”

Sault: “9″

Angel Olsen: “Safety Dance”

Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen: “Like I Used To”

Iceage: “Shelter Song”

Squid: “Paddling”

Maxband: “Case Of Dust”

N0V3L: “Status”

Shame: “Alphabet”

Spirit Of The Beehive: “Give Up Your Life”

Dry Cleaning: “Scratchcard Lanyard”

Yard Act: “Dark Days" + “Fixer Upper”

Laundromat: “Milky”

Floatie: “Voyage Out”

Hooveriii: “Erasure”

Water From Your Eyes: “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”

Palberta: “Never To Go” + “Before I Got Here”

Lily Konigsberg: “True”

Maxshh: “500 Miles High”

Sweeping Promises: “Pain Without A Touch”

First Year 10 broadcast; first of two Best of 2021 broadcasts.

[dustedmagazine]

N0V3L — NON-FICTION (Flemish Eye)

NON-FICTION by N0V3L

N0V3L’s songs bound out of the gate on febrile bass lines, a shushy tension of cymbals underpinning the rhythms. Dual guitars agitate in trebly tangles, throwing off shocks of electricity as they cross. But the Canadian six-piece sounds a good deal more assured and fluid here than on the debut EP from 2019. The singing is a good deal smoother and less spiked with yelps. The production is sharp and spare, but it captures the music with a visceral depth and resonance. If they were jittering across two-dimensional space before, the band is now operating in a full three dimensions.

You can hear the difference right away in “FALLING IN LINE” (all the song titles are in all-caps), as the singer fairly croons over the stutter and sting of post-punk instruments. A saxophone drifts in languidly as guitars and bass buck and dart in syncopation. The sonic distance between the long buzzing bass lines and the exclamation-pointed guitar offbeats is wide and tall and you can hear all the sounds and the space in between them in a remarkably clear mix. On the EP, the debt to late 1970s post-punk bands like Gang of Four and Delta 5 was heavy; here the band seems to be carving out an oddly ominous sensuality. There’s a bend and sway in N0V3L’s ferocious discipline, a haunting human tunefulness in its right-angled wireframe architectures.

“STRANGER,” one of the disc’s best cuts, opens with piano, a pensive spray of chords braced by punching drums, stabbing guitars. More than one member of the band is singing. There’s a giddy thread of sax threading through hard rhythms. The song is, as always, an indictment of modern sterility and the corporatist state, but it’s also a call for connection even in dystopia. Its final lines urge listeners to, “Nurture a stranger, stranger a friend.”

Other cuts are sharper, more confrontational and politically explicit. “VIOLENT AND PARANOID” sputters with alienation, cold synths framing a litany of dissatisfactions, including a cameo from our own former guy (i.e., “Loose-lipped and Undignified/White Pride POTUS Justified?!”). N0V3L is from Vancouver, where the opioid crises has raged (though where hasn’t it?), and their song, “PUSHERS” wastes no time in naming names and laying blame (“SACKLERS make a killing from Over-prescription/Lucrative loophole hustling legal addiction/PERDUE has us eating from the palm of their hand/Pushers in lab coats built an opiate wasteland”).  It’s not that they’ve gone soft, more that they’ve rounded the corners and polished the rough bits; if anything, the barbs land with more sting when you can hear them clearly.

It's been a pretty good year for sharp, jittery, adventurous post-punk already, with solid entries from Black Country, New Road, Squid, Black Midi, Dry Cleaning etc. In my book, NON-FICTION is the best of them, taut and rigorous, clear but not too clean and though on fire with rage, touched with a little bit of grace.

Jennifer Kelly

[abductionradiation]

Vancouver, British Columbia -- N0V3L will be releasing their debut album Non-Fiction on May 28 via Flemish Eye Records. This week, the band shared their new single “Notice of Foreclosure,” a hypnotic track that spans just over 3.5 minutes long. The song has elements of dark wave with its droning bass line and the chant-like vocals. It’s a dark track with a dance-y new wave pulse. There’s something machine-like to “Notice of Foreclosure” that represents a monotony in everyday life...but in that monotony comes a soothing comfort. N0V3L perfects that mind-numbing in sonic form.

NON-FICTION by N0V3L

Connect with N0V3L:

Instagram

[burlveneer-music]

N0V3L - NOVEL - old-school postpunk from Vancouver, citing all the right influences

N0V3L occupies a sonic landscape that recalls spring-loaded post-punk dissonance, new-wave’s downcast dance anthems, and skronking political funk. NOVEL, their eight-track debut EP, is a fluorescent, freshly-scorched declaration of intent, a martial, brutalist slab of nimble melodics and group-yelped anti-capitalist mantras: “Time is a resource/To use and to treasure!” they cry on opener, “To Whom It May Concern.” From the numerics in their name to their black/white/red aesthetic scheme, N0V3L is a carefully-calculated machine. Frigid, wiry guitars scramble and sprint in syncopated riffs, circling each other, sparse and chiming in their aesthetic but frenetic all the same. Percussion is at turns stern and playful, from loose, brash funk strains on “Will To Power” to airtight disco beats on “Natural.” Bass work here, with its own thumping neon flourishes, is not so much an accompaniment but an intricate piece of this web of sounds, as critical and imaginative as the leads it lurks behind. Vocals, typically sung in unison, are sneering and sharp and jagged like the provocations they carry: “Sign on the line/Devalue your time!” they jeer on “Sign On The Line.” Later, on closer “Division,” they lament and reject institutionalized oppressions: “State-endorsed bigotry/Lies from the factory!” N0V3L is an engine of entertainment and social criticism weaponizing rhythm and melody against the unsound powers that be. Rigid new-wave, angular funk, polyrhythmic disco and intellectual punk together approximate a radical new sound that forms a principal means of ideological circulation. Drawing influence from such mindful predecessors as DEVO and Public Enemy, N0V3L offers an empowering, socially-charged stance in fierce opposition to aspects of the modern cultural landscape, sounding an urgent call to mindfulness and collaborative resistance.