#alt electornic

[iheartmoosiq]

Hanne Hukkelberg is one of Norway’s most acclaimed, influential, and vital artists, but she hasn’t released an album in five long years. Her fifth full length, Trust, is set for release on October 20th on Propeller Recordings, and she’s utterly transfixed me with new album cut Embroidery, which features fellow Norwegian singer songwriter Emilie Nicolas. She explains of the song, brimming with haunting art pop dissonance and dusky trip hop: “It’s about us, and our friendship; about how difficult it is to hold on to this profession and to be strong and patient in your music, and your work, and your life.” Embroidery really seems to braid and throttle like its finely and ornately woven. At times, it reminds me of Hundred Waters, but at other times, it’s like Massive Attack and Portishead. Pre-order new album Trust, here.

[sxsweveryband]

Will Johnson - “Predator”

SXSW 2019 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 3

Pairs Well With…Rayland Baxter, Jim James, Centro-Matic

The folk/alt country tones of Will Johnson’s music is somewhat deceptive as he leads his songs through studied psych rock tones, subtly dispersed across his latest 2017 record Hatteras Night, a Good Luck Charm. Expansive instead of seeking pop tightness, Johnson lets his sound be explored while still respecting his Americana roots. Hattaras Night is Johnson’s third solo record, but the Centro-Matic frontman has been putting out quality music with that jangly indie rock band, as well as fronting South San Gabriel and as a part of the Monsters of Folk & New Mutltitudes. These collaborates have certainly informed Johnson solo sound, lush soundscapes accompanied by slight electornic-based textures. That future-focused sound in enhanced by Johnson’s roots-ready songwriting and rich, indie folk vocals. Those more experimental tones are balanced by Johnson’s advanced, classically minded songwriting that fits this setting as much as loosely jammed Centro-Matic passages.

[iheartmoosiq]

This iridescent song has been filling me with wonder for the better part of the month, and it’s high time it does the same for you if you haven’t already fallen for it. 23 year old Brighton musician Oliver Spalding takes us on an elevating journey with Novemberism, a sprawling beauty whose glossy smooth vocals are reminiscent of Asgeir and James Vincent McMorrow. The track, a triumphant, magnificent flux of folk-tinged pop and driving electronica, arrived alongside Spalding’s announcement of his debut album, also named Novemberism. The record was written and produced with Novo Amor’s Ed Tullet. There’s no mistaking Novo Amor’s touch in its title track’s sweeping peaks and capacious vistas. Oliver Spalding’s debut album arrives November 15th via Monotreme Records. I suppose it would be criminal for an album named Novemberism to arrive during any other month. It will be released in digital and CD formats as well as a 180 g white vinyl LP with a free CD enclosed (pre-order via the Monotreme Records webshop).