Ear Fuel #37: A Trio of Awesome Albums You May Have Missed
Decades ago, The Who sang “…got a feeling ‘21 is gonna be a good year…,” and while that instance was meant to be looking back at the world in 1921, it also served as a prophetic statement on the state of music in 2021. From the biggest mega-stars on the planet to garage bands putting out their first music, 2021 overflowed with fantastic releases across the musical spectrum.
Even narrowing things down to just three albums for the newsletter was a tough task, and outstanding contributions from Eric Hilton, Billie Eilish and Sangam all got placed on the back-burner.
I instead chose to focus on a trio of records that deserve a TON more exposure than they’ve received, and all three prove that fresh approaches to music are alive and well in our current decade. So, in case you missed them, here comes some excellent new music for your ears.
Finally, if you’re not already following me over on Facebook, Bluesky or Instagram, please do so.
I’ve referred to this album MANY times in these newsletters, and I was shocked at the realization that I’ve never actually written about at length. I just can’t fathom how I’ve yet to dig into what was my absolute favorite album of 2021, and one that remains in heavy rotation - so, let me fix that.
Tako Tsubo is the second full-length release from the French nu-disco group L'Imperatrice, and it is absolute musical perfection. Don’t let the word ‘disco’ scare you away; this album is a gorgeous, funky, bubbly slice of groovy-dancey-pop magnificence! The mood and energy throughout are truly infectious, as the band explores the concepts of love and heartbreak, and all the emotions those experiences create.
Every song makes you want to get up and dance, or sit back and chill-out. Yet even as the tempo shifts, the band keeps the overall mood intact. The songs flow seamlessly into one another, bringing an almost vintage sound that is simultaneously modern. It’s this ability to have a firm foot in both worlds that makes Tako Tsubo sparkle and pulse, and gives it a sense of cool unlike anything else in recent years.
From the skipping funk of “Anomalie Bleue” and “Off To The Side,” to the slower sway of “L'equilibrist,” to “Submarine,” which is a bit of both, the band is at their creative peak throughout Tako Tsubo. There are irresistible dance numbers like “Fou” and “Voodoo?,” and this is just an addictive musical experience everyone needs to hear.
Just trust me on this one, you’re going to dig this album and play it a LOT!
Get your dancin’ shoes on! Spotify
I don’t remember which of my friends passed this album along to me, but whomever it was, thanks! Present Tense is a dark, unsettling and abrasive musical affair; but at no point is sonic quality or melody sacrificed. They aren’t being loud and angry just for the sake of screaming and turning things up to eleven - there’s solid writing and musicianship underneath every note.
The album opener, “XOUT” sets an incredible tone, as it stalks around, looming over you, with a pulsating, menacing mood. This is what so many bands miss when attempting the post-punk sound or more aggressive musical approaches. It gives nods to the best of bands like Killing Joke and PiL, with a few hints of dark psychedelia mixed in.
FACS shows a solid amount of depth, with more angular rhythms on the title track, and deep leanings into a dark, gothic sound on “Alone Without.” The way the drums and bass lock in is largely the source of these gothic moods, and the rhythm section drives most of these songs to the disquieted heights they achieve.
One of the best things about Present Tense is how the band manages to deploy so many intricate ideas without the songs feeling like a jumbled mess or like short experiments on a specific direction. It is this ability to be complex without becoming overwhelming that makes this a special record.
At the same time, the album is very overwhelming in terms of the sheer sound coming across at times - but that is on purpose and works extremely well. As wave after wave of sound comes crashing into your ears, it manages to drag you in deeper, making you want more of their brilliant sonic agitations.
If you like uniquely loud music, with a solid helping of gloom, this should be the next record you play.
Check it here: Bandcamp — Spotify
Blending musical cultures and styles is often fraught with peril, as finding the right way to mix them together is a nearly impossible task - with the end product usually being a muddled mess. However, all across her debut album, Arushi Jain absolutely nails a unique combination of traditional Hindustani classical ragas with modern modular synth music.
For those unfamiliar, ragas are basically the building blocks of Indian classical music; and the term generally means you’ll hear melodic patterns that use just a few notes, but allow space for endless improvisation - sort of akin to jazz in some ways. Also, most ragas are written with a very specific time of day in mind; and in the case of Under The Lilac Sky, it was written for sunset.
The album is hard to define, as I am hesitant to use the word ‘experimental;’ because I think that term brings with it a number of negative or intimidating connotations. The record sits largely in the world of ambient music, with periods of drone; but overall, this is a gorgeous, spacious record that will surround you and pull you deep into its magic.
For me, one of the most captivating elements of Under The Lilac Sky is the way Jain uses her voice on these tracks. It truly serves as an instrument, painting grand streaks of color across the orchestrations she creates with her modular synthesizer. Most of my favorite moments on the album are when her voice comes into the composition, as the way it interacts with the synth lines is beyond captivating.
There are moments that are comforting, others which are unsettling; but even as the album runs this swath of mood, the overall hypnotic effect is never broken. You can hear influence from her Indian roots, but also clear nods to visionaries like Terry Riley and Suzanne Ciani - which collectively create a musical experience that defines the word ‘unique.’
Under The Lilac Sky is a captivating and singular blending of styles and cultures, and provides a musical journey unlike anything else your ears have heard before.
Find your bliss: Bandcamp — Spotify
That’s all for this week. As always, share and enjoy.