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Datblygu :: Wyau / Pyst

Wales has always had an abnormally high number of interesting bands per capita, and listening to these early ‘80s reissues it’s obvious that Datblygu, whose unique style can range all over the musical map while remaining recognizable, is why.

Jeff Rosenstock :: SKA DREAM

You can love something so completely and sincerely that it becomes hard to tell whether you are mocking it. This is what Rosenstock does with third wave ska, with no detail, trope, or subgenre too small to escape notice and inclusion.

Paul McCartney + Friends :: McCartney III Imagined

This takes McCartney’s third “fine, I’ll do it all myself” effort and delivers it into some surprising and very capable hands, a diverse roster of artists who take these McCartney songs and fumble nary a one.

The Spirit Of The Beehive :: ENTERTAINMENT, DEATH

I DON’T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHY BANDS MAKE ALLCAPS PART OF THEIR BRANDING AND MOSTLY FIND IT ANNOYING, BUT I CAN MAKE AN EXCEPTION FOR THIS PHILADELPHIA OUTFIT AND THIS ALBUM THAT SOUNDS LIKE A DREAM RADIO WITH A FAULTY FREQUENCY LOCK.

The Routes :: Mesmerised

Rowdy and thunderous guitar rock is what’s on call for the months ahead, and it’s easy to fill that order with this set of ten fuzzy symphonies meticulously assembled for all your bombastic musical needs.

Schneider TM :: The 8 Of Space

For a quarter century, Dirk Dresselhaus has been putting out sparse, intelligent electronic compositions that even at their calmest crackle with some subtle form of nervous energy.

The Deathray Davies :: Time Well Wasted

The band is back after an extended hiatus, picking up where they left off, with low-key catchy tunes making up an album that slowly develops into an outstanding collection of propulsive melodies and infectious hooks.

Dry Cleaning :: New Long Leg

Trebled-out bass lines, disaffected vocals that could very well be reading from a dream journal, and a penchant for occasional dissonance are taking the forefront in this outing, refining their savage punk structures with a more stylized approach.