On June 21, Chicago darkwave act Lunar Paths released the Consequences EP, featuring collaborative tracks with Irish post-punk band pMad and Australia’s Killtoys. The project is inspired by the parlor game "Exquisite Corpses," where the bands created songs around shared percussion tracks. The EP includes two new collaborative tracks and the previously released single "Zero Trust Mentality." This initiative led to a total of nine tracks that will also be part of the upcoming Exquisite Corpses album, set to release in early August. Given this innovative approach to collaboration, how do you think the practice of sharing isolated musical elements,…
Author: Ritualcontrol
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Superheaven has announced a September 2025 US tour, kicking off on the 9th in Nashville and winding through East Coast and Southeast cities before wrapping up at the Louder Than Life festival on the 20th in Louisville, KY. They’ll be joined by Cloud Nothings, End It, and Soul Blind, marking their first tour in support of their self-titled comeback album after a decade-long hiatus. With the resurgence of 90s and early 2000s rock bands, how do you think Superheaven’s new music will resonate with both long-time fans and newer audiences? Read the Full Article
After two years, King Yosef is set to release his new album Spire of Fear on August 15. Featuring 11 tracks that showcase his unique industrial hardcore sound, the album is produced by Tayves Yosef Pelletier, with contributions from multiple artists and instruments. Pre-orders for digital, vinyl, and cassette formats are available on Bandcamp, following his earlier works this year, including singles like "Cut the Cord/Shame’s Mirror." Given the collaborative nature of the album, how do you think the blend of different artists and styles will influence King Yosef’s established sound? Read the Full Article
Re:Mission Entertainment has unveiled “Black Lipstick,” the latest single from DC-based dark electro group Maduro, marking the first preview of their upcoming Death Kiss album, described as representing an artist at a creative crossroads. Following the release of their debut album, Pretty Cages, in 2023, Maduro also revisited past work with a remastered edition of their 2016 project, Noise From a Distant Star. Mastered by Adam Stilson, “Black Lipstick” was released on June 23 and is currently available on Bandcamp. As Maduro navigates their artistic evolution, what themes or innovations do you think will define the Death Kiss album, and…
Umlaut, the Melbourne-based project led by Clinton “Bär” McKinnon, is set to release their latest album, Desolë, on July 25 via Overdrive Records. Featuring a new four-piece lineup with drummer Danny Heifetz, the album showcases a shift toward "unapologetically earnest, higher-energy songs" while maintaining the band’s signature chaos across diverse genres like pop, jazz, metal, and electronica. Many tracks were penned during the pandemic, and the recording process balanced meticulous crafting with spontaneous captures in single takes. Limited edition vinyl formats will be available alongside digital releases. Given this intriguing mix of energy and musical diversity, how do you think…
The author reflects on a collection of tour shirts sold off during a culling process, highlighting shirts from iconic bands like Cocteau Twins, INXS, Duran Duran, and Webb Wilder. Despite once being dedicated fans who bought every track and merchandise, time has reduced the emotional attachment, leading to the decision to part with these memorabilia. Nostalgic memories blend with practical realizations about changing tastes and priorities over 18 years. Discussion Prompt: How do our attachments to music and its memorabilia evolve over time, and what influences our decisions to let them go? Read the Full Article
Mari Kattman shines in the electronic music scene, blending her roles as a vocalist, songwriter, and producer to craft innovative sounds in her third solo album, Year Of The Katt. With tracks like "Anemia" and "Sharp Shooter," she showcases her mastery of fusing dark rhythm and impeccable production. Since 2012, her collaborations span a diverse array of genres, yet it’s her solo work that reveals her true artistic depth, effortlessly mixing elements from trap to industrial. As she prepares for the release of her new album on June 20, 2025, one has to wonder: how does blending diverse genres influence…
After a 16-year hiatus, the Cologne-based band The SlimP has made a triumphant return with their new single, “Nothing to Forget.” This track showcases their signature moody post-punk sound, with lead vocalist Elise Day emphasizing the band’s intact creative chemistry and the joy of the recording process. Released on June 20, this single signals the start of a series of new releases, following their last album, Wavelands, in 2009. What do you think contributes to the enduring connection and creativity of a band after such a long break, and how might "Nothing to Forget" reflect the evolution of their sound…
In early 2025, Johnathan|Christian, a Los Angeles-based duo, released their new single "Where Do We Go From Here," capturing the anxiety and disillusionment prevalent in U.S. politics. Their sound, reminiscent of German dark alt music, features deep vocals and danceable rhythms, further enhanced by remixes from artists like Dan Milligan and Steven Archer. The poignant lines reflect growing protests against the Trump administration, emphasizing the struggle against racism and injustice. The duo seemingly calls for action: to educate and resist. Thought-Provoking Question: In a politically charged landscape, how can artists effectively contribute to social movements while maintaining their artistic integrity?…
Since their 1988 debut, the Macedonian band Mizar has established a cult following with their unique blend of traditional Byzantine and Macedonian music infused with gothic, industrial, post-punk, and darkwave elements. Their latest single, “Grozomora,” released on June 16, 2023, serves as a poignant reflection on global greed and injustice, emphasizing humanity’s passive response to these pervasive issues. The song, inspired by Pink Floyd’s “Set the Controls For the Heart of the Sun,” is a collaboration of guitarist Gorazd Čapovski, lead vocalist Niko Gjorgievski, and keyboardist Aleksandar Ristovski Princ, who also created the accompanying video. In what ways can music…