Published on
December 6, 2024
Category
Features
Essential weekend listening.
This week’s rundown is by VF’s Kelly Doherty and contributors Annabelle Van Dort, Emily Hill and James Hammond.
Marina Herlop
Nekujja
(Pan)
Keeping a questing and explorative nature at its core, Marina Herlop’s second long player for Pan Records reaches out to brighter pastures than its predecessor. With Herlop’s voice once again as the dextrous and fluid protagonist within the mix, Nekkuja binds string sounds to a shifting vocal matrix that drinks from streams of pop and electronica whilst staking out a territory of its own. A striking expansion of Herlop’s work that puts her intuitive rhythms and impressive vocal range to good use. – JH
Various Artists
Begging the Moon: Phleng Thai Sakon & Luk Krung, 1945-1960
(Death Is Not The End)
London’s foremost archival label, Death is Not the End press their survey of the dreamy, wistful sounds of Phleng Thai Sakon on vinyl for the first time, having first released the collection on cassette in 2022. A popular music style across Thailand in the post-war era, Phleng Thai Sakon — and its urban equivalent Luk Krung — fuse the themes and melodies of traditional Thai folk songs with evocative orchestral arrangements inspired by Western jazz and classical influences. Overlaid with crackles and pops, these hauntingly beautiful recordings are faded and grainy like an aged photograph. Begging the Moon is a wonderfully atmospheric time capsule – perfect for late-night listening. – AVD
cLOUDDEAD
cLOUDDEAD
(Superior Viaduct)
Debuting in 2000 with six 10” EPs that were then collected into a side each of a 3LP set, the mysterious vignettes that established cLOUDDEAD’s identity get a needed reissue this week. The work of Why?, Doseone and Odd Nosdam, the trio pooled all manner of odd undercurrents into this expansive work that straddles a hazy line between hip-hop and ambient music. Disquieting at times, absurd and melancholic at others, for those unfamiliar this is a worthy listen. – JH
TBZ
NEW
(Self-released)
Cologne-based producer, TBZ aka DJ 2Beers offers an exclusive limited edition 12-inch on his own imprint. The chunky six tracker traverses the slinky realms of synthesiser goodness – sounds are clean and clear with a new wave feel to them. The tempo stays low with a balance of more experimental flavours through to sexy lounge vibes. An interesting trip and a real testament to the versatility of TBZ’s musical experiments. – EH
Various Artists
Angel Olsen: Cosmic Waves Volume 1
(somethingscosmic)
Part compilation, part covers album, Cosmic Waves Volume 1 sees singer-songwriter Angel Olsen bringing together the signees of her somethingscosmic label. On the first half, artists including Poppy Jean Crawford and Camp Saint Helene put forward new songs – veering from ’80s goth to tender piano balladry. On the flip, Olsen covers cuts from her label crew, embuing each track with her signature emotional folk approach. A fine taster of Angel Olsen’s vision. – KD
Toulouse New Trax
Fung Day
(TAL)
Detlef Weinrich aka Tolouse Low Trax is a live performer and composer and whose sonic journey has taken him from the dancefloors of Dusseldorf’s Salon des Amateurs through to the corners of the Parisian music scene. Fung Day continues his off-beat swagger with a nine-track album, the first composed of entirely new material since his Leave Me Alone album back in 2022. A fine return to the sleazy driving electronics Weinrich has become known for. – EH
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