Erick Mertz - Reviews


Cold Spells

Cold Spells - Interstitial

Haunting and dreamy second album from London-based indie/psychedlic folk duo the Cold Spells


Craig Finn

Craig Finn - I Need a New War

Lyrical and stripped down latest solo album from Hold Steady front man and guitarist Craig Finn


Various

Various - Nigeria 70: No Wahala: Highlife, Afro-Funk and Juju 1973-1987

Excellent compilation of previously unreleased African pop, funk and rock, the first in the 'Nigeria 70' series in over eight years


Half Japanese

Half Japanese - Invincible

Eccentric but surprisingly mellow latest album from durable American alternative rock band Half Japanese


Motorpsycho

Motorpsycho - The Crucible

Enjoyable but over-stated latest album from Norwegian progressive/psychedelic rock trio Motorpsycho


Novo Amor

Novo Amor - Birthplace

Melancholic but carefully constructed and compelling official debut album from Novo Amor, the moniker for Welsh-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Ali John Meredith-Lacey


Robert Coyne

Robert Coyne - Out of Your Tree

Mature but melancholic third album from British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Robert Coyne


LWW

LWW - 3PE

Enthralling space rock on debut album from LWW, the new project of Portland, Oregon musician and AU frontman Luke Wyland


Lark

Lark - The Last Woman

Compelling but chaotic and flawed lo-fi electronica from London-based musician and visual artist Lark


Malmo

Malmo - We Come from the Stars

Evocative but flawed debut album from Malmo, the project of Danish singer-songwriter Maria Malmo


Die Nerven

Die Nerven - Fake

Relentless but haunting fourth album from Stuttgart post punk/noise rock outfit Die Nerven


Green Seagull

Green Seagull - Scarlet Fever

Enjoyable but flawed album from London band Green Seagull which simply rehashes its 60's influences


Half Japanese

Half Japanese - Why Not?

Discordant and disjointed but compelling latest album from American art rock duo Half Japanese which, e


Astrid and Rachel Grimes

Astrid and Rachel Grimes - Through the Sparkle

Melancholic yet powerful collaboration between French experimental ensemble and American pianist Rachel Grimes


Pale Honey

Pale Honey - Devotion

Evocative and sensual but rock-influenced second album from Swedish duo Pale Honey


Bark Psychosis

Bark Psychosis - Hex

Rewarding reissue of Essex post-rock band Bark Psychosis' bleak but influential debut album


Various

Various - Silhouettes and Statues: A Gothic Revolution

Definitive five CD box set from Cherry Red which explores the history of Gothic music


Armstrong

Armstrong - Fragments and Curiosities: The 4 Track Sessions

Uneven but enjoyable compilation of B-sides and other obscurities from pastoral Welsh folk act Armstrong


Lake

Lake - Forever or Never

Nostalgic-sounding yet often innovative eighth album from harmonic husband-and-wife Washington-based duo Lake


Moles

Moles - Tonight's Music

Hit and miss first album in twenty years from acclaimed Australian post-punk outfit, the Moles