Category Archives: Experimental
Messell ~ Ligesom Rigtige Mennesker
As we review the year’s first releases, it’s fun to meet one of the first new labels as well. And so we welcome Copenhagen’s Textur, whose initial release is a perfect reflection of its name. To complete the trifecta, Ligesom Rigtige
Messell ~ Ligesom Rigtige Mennesker
As we review the year’s first releases, it’s fun to meet one of the first new labels as well. And so we welcome Copenhagen’s Textur, whose initial release is a perfect reflection of its name. To complete the trifecta, Ligesom Rigtige
2020 Winter Music Preview ~ Experimental & Field Recording
What will experimental music sound like at the end of the next decade? In 2030, we’ll look back and pretend that we always knew how influential the mavericks of 2020 would turn out to be. What sounds unusual now may be considered
2020 Winter Music Preview ~ Experimental & Field Recording
What will experimental music sound like at the end of the next decade? In 2030, we’ll look back and pretend that we always knew how influential the mavericks of 2020 would turn out to be. What sounds unusual now may be considered
A Closer Listen’s Best Experimental Albums of the Decade
“Let’s try an experiment, and see if it works!” By all indications, the experiments of the ten artists on our decade chart were successful. They tried new things, and found their efforts rewarded. While we laud the efforts of all
A Closer Listen’s Best Experimental Albums of the Decade
“Let’s try an experiment, and see if it works!” By all indications, the experiments of the ten artists on our decade chart were successful. They tried new things, and found their efforts rewarded. While we laud the efforts of all
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Experimental
From locked grooves to dueling drummers; from abstract voices to plastic instruments; from stories of slavery to modern African drones, the Experimental category represents creativity at its best. These artists follow their own paths, abandoning the marked roads, more interested
ACL 2019 ~ Top Ten Experimental
From locked grooves to dueling drummers; from abstract voices to plastic instruments; from stories of slavery to modern African drones, the Experimental category represents creativity at its best. These artists follow their own paths, abandoning the marked roads, more interested
The Nest ~ Das Lied Der Ankommenden
German trio The Nest have just released two new tracks from the sessions that produced their latest full-length, making for an opportune moment to revisit a record which deserves some attention. Das Lied Der Ankommenden was released in the height
The Nest ~ Das Lied Der Ankommenden
German trio The Nest have just released two new tracks from the sessions that produced their latest full-length, making for an opportune moment to revisit a record which deserves some attention. Das Lied Der Ankommenden was released in the height
IMA ~ The Flowers Die in Burning Fire
In one corner, Japanese percussionist Nava Dunkelman, trained in taiko and gamelan. In the other, Hong Kong electro-acoustic composer Amma Ateria. When the bell rings, the two women approach the center and embrace, dubbing their new partnership IMA. The Flowers Die
IMA ~ The Flowers Die in Burning Fire
In one corner, Japanese percussionist Nava Dunkelman, trained in taiko and gamelan. In the other, Hong Kong electro-acoustic composer Amma Ateria. When the bell rings, the two women approach the center and embrace, dubbing their new partnership IMA. The Flowers Die
Various Artists ~ Now That’s What I Call Silence
Silence is one of the most important elements in music, but it’s often underused or overlooked. Without silence (or rests), everything would be no bueno, a clusterf*** with no end in sight. It would drive us all insane, and that’s
Various Artists ~ Now That’s What I Call Silence
Silence is one of the most important elements in music, but it’s often underused or overlooked. Without silence (or rests), everything would be no bueno, a clusterf*** with no end in sight. It would drive us all insane, and that’s
Matana Roberts ~ COIN COIN Chapter Four: Memphis
COIN COIN Chapter Four: Memphis is essential listening. It screams the past to the present, echoing Spike Lee’s cry at the end of Do the Right Thing: “Wake up!” We still haven’t woken up. We still haven’t faced the sins of our ancestors,
Matana Roberts ~ COIN COIN Chapter Four: Memphis
COIN COIN Chapter Four: Memphis is essential listening. It screams the past to the present, echoing Spike Lee’s cry at the end of Do the Right Thing: “Wake up!” We still haven’t woken up. We still haven’t faced the sins of our ancestors,
a closer listen 