Hannah’s Staff Picks

Scroll down to read an archive of Hannah’s staff pick write-ups.

ORDEAL, Vatterns Parla

“Super cold drone & noise, perfect for the harshness of winter that’s around the corner. A surreal soundtrack for walking around a forest of dead trees.”

Tiny Vipers, Hands Across the Void

“Achingly beautiful, sparse, acoustic singer-songwriter tracks with occasional noise moments, situated somewhere in the Cat Power, Adrianne Lenker, and even Joanna Newsom orbit. I hadn’t listened to this record before until recently and I probably won’t stop now.”

Alex York, Black Tupelo

“A completely mesmerizing, beautiful CD by Alex. His droning, minimal collages speak perfectly to how in sync folk and minimalism are.”

Diamanda Galás, The Litanies of Satan

“Not for the faint of heart vocal permutations. There are few albums that can instill terror in me the way this one can. A classic of experimental vocal technique.”

Mary Lattimore, Goodbye, Hotel Arkada

“‘Blender in a Blender’ might make you transcend just a little. Stellar collection of spacey, glimmering harp compositions.”

Sarah Davachi, Selected Works I

“A comprehensive collection of Sarah Davachi’s compositions from the past decade or so, featuring eerily gorgeous drone and minimal pieces.”

Chlorine, Waiting for the Light to Shine

“The instrumentals on this record are fantastic – super hazy synths, steady drum machine, all creating this surreal wash of sound. Perfect for lonely days.”

Oneohtrix Point Never, Again

“An incredibly creative reflection by OPN on the many paths his music could have taken throughout his career so far. Very collage-like, like splinters of his styles cut up and pasted together. One of my top records of 2023. Fave track is Ubiquity Road.”

V/A, INASOUND: retour aux sources de l’électro avec l’INA GRM

“Found this gem hidden inside the modern comp section. Ranging from sparse musique concrete to early synth compositions, this comp is a fascinating document of music created by the postwar collective Groupe de Recherches Musicales, founded by musique concrete pioneer Pierre Schaeffer.”

Stereolab, Transient Random Noise-Bursts With Announcements

“One of the best Stereolab records to zone out to in my opinion. I’ve definitely gotten lost in my thoughts to the droning masterpiece ‘Golden Ball’ before. There’s something grittier about this Stereolab record that I just love.”

Bob Desper, New Sounds

“A quintessential lost record backstory for this record. The name drops in the album writeup are exactly right too, would definitely recommend FFO Bert Jansch and Nick Drake – I’d also say Jackson C. Frank. Downtrodden acoustic singer-songwriter tracks for wanderers.”

Sonic Youth, Daydream Nation

“I’m coming out of a busy week, and when times get hectic, my listening depends on the albums that I could listen to a million times and they’d never get stale. This one was in constant rotation. There isn’t a wasted second here. A certified game-changer of a record. Beautiful, terrifying, and exhilarating all at once.”

Jeff Parker, Slight Freedom

“I know I’ve picked guitar records almost five weeks in a row, but here I go again. Parker brings chilled out, looping guitar compositions that perfectly balance the precision of minimalism with the meandering quality of improv.”

Bill Nace, Through a Room

“Fever dream experimental guitar with an array of other instruments that are all completely abstracted. Uneasy listening.”

Ernest Hood, Back to the Woodlands

“Such an odd, charming album bringing together field recordings of the forest and kind of ambient, acid?, folk. This previously lost album continues on the path of Hood’s ‘Neighborhoods,’ but with a different soundscape. RIYL the Entourage Music and Theatre Ensemble.”

Hayden Pedigo, The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored

“Beautiful instrumental acoustic guitar for late-summer relaxing. Hayden Pedigo has a great touch for crafting melodies and setting atmospheres.”

Bill Orcutt, Jump On It

“Digging the new Orcutt album. Although I love when he completely rips into the acoustic guitar, this record has a very pastoral simplicity and tranquility that is breathtaking. Orcutt allows for space and silence amidst his musical turns of phrase.”

Franciska, Tryghed

“Another Discreet pick for me this week. This record crafts the ultimate comfort sound, dropping you into a soundscape that feels like laying on the couch, listening to a lazy piano as someone else putters around the house. A beautiful collection of wistful, lo-fi minimal piano compositions with environmental sound.”

Troth, Forget the Curse

“Haunted and surreal downtempo – this album sounds like an old electronica record that’s been tampered with.”

Colin Andrew Sheffield, Images

“Gorgeous ambient soundscapes through manipulated samples of jazz records. While the source material is mostly unrecognizable, completely repurposed into amorphous swaths of sound, there are moments where the original context of these sounds is clear, which is really cool to experience.”

Broadcast, The Noise By People

“In my opinion, Broadcast is one of the best indie bands of the 2000s, with a debut album that launched the first decade of the twenty-first century with a retrofuturistic stupor. Eerie and dreamy, this record has always been timeless.”

Donald Byrd, Places and Spaces

“One of my favorite jazz-funk records, you can’t really go wrong having this Donald Byrd on your shelf. Clocking in only a little over a half hour, this album flies through tight pieces of earworm hooks and bursts of solos that sit right down the middle of jazz and funk.”

Cat Power, Moon Pix

“Getting this record on vinyl completely altered my relationship to it. With a couple scratches and a beat up cover, the LP I bought looked the way it feels to listen to it. Although this one is a new vinyl copy, I still can’t recommend it enough. It’s haunting to put this on, turn off the lights, and be transported to the visceral spiritual experience she had. One of the most raw, important singer-songwriter albums.”

Neu!, Neu! 75

“There’s nothing like the contagious energy of a Neu! record. Who else can truly pull off putting such different songs like ‘Isi,’ ‘Leb’ wohl,’ and ‘Hero’ on the same album?”

V/A, Artificial Intelligence

“No AI here, only the essential figures of early 90s ambient techno. Listen to this comp to hear the catalyst of the classic Warp sound. Includes Autechre, Aphex Twin (as The Dice Man), Alex Paterson (The Orb) and others.”

Pharoah Sanders, Karma

“Between this record and ‘Journey In Satchidananda,’ Pharoah Sanders’ approach to saxophone completely changed the way I think about listening to and playing a wind instrument. Groundbreaking spiritual jazz.”

Tony Conrad, Arnold Dreyblatt, Jim O’Rourke, Tonic 19-01-2001

“Three experimental mainstays from across decades come together to conjure this gnarly drone. Dissonant, overtone-laden, and completely mesmerizing.”

Gavin Bryars, The Sinking of the Titanic

“I’m not sure there are words to accurately describe listening to ‘The Sinking of the Titanic’ or ‘Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet.’ It simply needs to be experienced. A heartachingly sublime, haunting, and crucial modern comp record. Chills over and over.”

Alan Licht and John Krausbauer, Self Titled 7″

“Insane amplified violin shredding on top of electric guitar on A side – I’ve never heard a violin sounding like that, blending completely with the guitar. The B-side is totally different, more eerie and dissonant. Both sides are droning, but in different ways. An incredibly worthwhile ten minutes of free freakout.”

Cameron Knowler & Eli Winter, Anticipation

“A lovely, lowkey set of fingerstyle acoustic guitar duets that draw from the folk & blues side of American primitive, while also not shying away from modern harmonies that remind me more of Yasmin Williams or Alan Licht’s acoustic music.”

Faust, Momentaufnahme I

“Spaced out and/or disjointed jams from the krautrock greats. The perfect music to lose your way to. Weird sounds sound bizarre.”

Strawberry Alarm Clock, Incense and Peppermints

“A very fun psych classic reissued for RSD. So much of Strawberry Alarm Clock’s sound on this debut album is model psych-pop (plenty of flute, harpsichord, organ, and xylophone), alongside some wacky moments like all the time changes in ‘Lose to Live.’”

V/A, New York Noise – Dance Music From The New York Underground 1978-82

“Originally released in 2003, take the opportunity on RSD to grab this 20th anniversary pressing of the quintessential comp of post-punk and no wave dance music of NYC. Mars, The Contortions, Glenn Branca, the crucial figures are here. It also has beautifully done inner sleeves with photos and info on the major players.”

Body/Head, The Switch

“Electric guitars that barely sound like electric guitars anymore, just the way I like it. Kim Gordon and Bill Nace craft some of the most unnerving atmospheres with churning, abrasive guitar drones and fragments of moments that could maybe be considered melodies.”

God’s Own Country: A NZ Mixtape

“Very cool mix from Brian McCabe (Sorry Eric) of the highlights from New Zealand’s indie rock history. A great primer for the uninitiated or a fun blend of tracks for Flying Nun devotees.”

Schloss Tegal, Oranur III “The Third And Final Report”

“Completely desolate, immersive, and unsettling dark ambient. This record may be the most evocative depiction of what being trapped aboard a UFO would sound like.”

Adrianne Lenker, Abysskiss

“Totally gorgeous Adrianne Lenker record, with a nice blend of her folk side and her indie rock side. There’s a focused, sparse instrumentation on this album that really lets her voice take center stage.”

Boards of Canada, Tomorrow’s Harvest

“If you haven’t grabbed it yet over the past ten years, here’s your chance to get Boards of Canada’s most recent album. Tomorrow’s Harvest is in a bit of a darker sonic realm than their late 90s/early 00s output, making it stand out on its own in the BOC catalog.”

Agincourt, Fly Away

“Mellow private press 70s British folk rock for those wishing to expand their listening outside of Pentangle and Fairport Convention. Complete with all the classic folk rock elements: thick vocal harmonies, reverberating slide guitar, and subtle orchestral textures. A relaxing, pleasant listen for a lazy day.”

Elliott Smith, S/T

“On one of the most laid bare records out there, both musically and lyrically, Elliott Smith proves how powerful simply a voice and guitar can be. The restless ‘Single File’ is my personal favorite, and I’ve gone on a lot of walks to that one.”

Plantamos, Razones Para Vivir

“This debut LP from Plantamos is filled with chilled out, languid, ever so slightly psych, indie rock tracks reminiscent of Yo La Tengo, perfect for taking a stroll in this unseasonably warm weather (if you’re in Cincinnati, that is). I’ll definitely be following where this band goes next.”

Everything Everywhere All At Once

“I finally got around to seeing this movie recently, and I highly recommend. Zany and bittersweet, this movie is a clever approach to considering the different paths we could have taken in life, as well as generational relationships and traumas within families. Michelle Yeoh’s performance is fantastic, and this movie definitely deserves the Oscar noms.”

Bratmobile, Pottymouth

“Along with Bikini Kill’s Revolution Girl Style Now, Pottymouth is Riot Grrrl 101. FFO of The Shangri-Las, The Runaways, Beat Happening, and fast, loud, lo-fi punk.”

Bridget St. John, Songs for the Gentle Man

“Some of the sweetest recordings of the British folk crew. I love Bridget St. John’s voice, which is lower and huskier than the vocals of her contemporaries like Anne Briggs and Vashti Bunyan. The instrumentation on this record is delightful too, from simple arrangements to Baroque pop ensembles. Super accessible and very artful!”

The Stone Roses, S/T

“Been listening to this one a lot this rainy week. An absolute indie essential, this record has a little bit of something for everybody with its jangly psychedelic sound. You can’t go wrong adding this to your collection.”

Eliane Radigue, Jouet Electronique / Elemental I

“A great pair of sonic experiments by the influential Eliane Radigue. She crafts abstracted illustrations of the natural world with her use of feedback and field recordings. Completely captivating.”

The Jam, All Mod Cons

“One of the most catchy and clever British punk records, ranging from the unrelenting ‘A Bomb’ to the wispy track ‘Fly.’ An essential for anyone’s collection.”

Manuel Göttsching, Inventions for Electric Guitar

“Fantastic record that sounds like shadows of a guitar, but ultimately transforms the instrument into something new entirely. This is music for traveling through the atmosphere, or at least making you feel like you are.”

Matthew J. Rolin, Passing

“I’m a big fan of Matthew Rolin’s guitar style, and this recent record is stunning. Each track is a dense, glimmering passage of fingerstyle guitar work that is bound to put you in a trance.”

Entourage Music & Theatre Ensemble, S/T

“A charming, oddball, and gorgeous release on Folkways from a fascinating musical ensemble that defies categorization. It’s free and minimal, melodic and abstract. For fans of folk, ambient, minimal modern comp, and just about anything in between.”

Weyes Blood, And In the Darkness, Hearts Aglow

“Thoroughly enjoyed the new Weyes Blood album, which expands the strengths of Titanic Rising. The orchestras are more lush and the intimate tracks are even more stripped. My personal favorite song is ‘God Turn Me Into a Flower,’ which highlights layers of Natalie Mering’s resonant voice through aching twists and turns.”

Dalibor Cruz, Deviance EP

“Super tight, unrelenting techno with ragged edges. No spot to breathe, no spot to hit pause.”

Edgar Froese, Aqua

“Froese’s first solo album, now reissued for RSD, a completely immersive electronic experience of pulsating synths and library music-like atmospheres. He creates ambient landscapes that feel like they’re in stasis but constantly moving at the same time. Favorite Track: ‘NGC 891.’”

Locust, The Plaintive

“I really like checking out what we get in from Suction, a must label for fans of its contemporaries like Warp and Skam, and in this recent batch I’m really taken with this record. Lonely and yearning synths either sprawl out or bustle in repetitive motifs, grounded by a steady drum pattern. The influences from groups like Cluster are clear, and I’d definitely recommend this to those who have well-loved and worn Boards of Canada or Autechre records too.”

Jon Collin, Bridge Variations

“A really cool Discreet release from this year! Recorded under bridges to capture the surrounding environment as part of the music, this album merges field recording and modern composition into a glorious, shimmering work. Beautiful to listen to and fascinating to think about!”

Alvin Lucier, I Am Sitting in a Room

“An essential experiment of how sound behaves within a space, and how the line between speech and music is blurrier than we imagine sometimes.”

Richard Pinhas, Rhizosphere

“I’m a big fan of Richard Pinhas’ solo material, especially this one and ‘Chronolyse.’ A few months ago, I chose Heldon’s ‘Stand By’ as my staff pick, and ‘Rhizosphere’ definitely draws upon the same sonic palette as that record: repetitive motifs accompanied by spacey, sustained textures and reverberating melodies. ‘Claire P.’ is absolutely transcendent.”

Suspiria (1977)

“One of my favorite horror movies and soundtracks, all in one. The incredible use of vivid colors, constantly uneasy atmosphere, and the equal parts hypnotic and startling score by Goblin makes for a classic.”

RX-101, New Discoveries

“Another fantastic release of RX-101’s unearthed nineties electronics. Crisp beats and silky synths make these chilled-out, Detroit-inspired tracks perfect for unwinding after a long day. Highly recommended Suction release from this year.”

Björk, Post

“I’m convinced you can’t stop listening to Post from the second you hear the ‘Army of Me’ bassline, which starts at 0:03. Swooning strings, club-inspired tracks, intimate to epic, Post is the perfect hinge between Debut and Homogenic. Pure art pop perfection.”

Similar Shapes, Sites

“Ambient soundscapes, environmental noise, all tinged with decay. Listening to this tape feels like library music you heard as a kid appearing in your dreams. Nostalgic, deteriorating, and aching.”

Joanna Newsom, Ys

“Baroque pop to the fullest. Newsom changes where she’s going in each song on a dime, and all you can do is ride on this dizzying journey with her. Personal favorite, ‘Sawdust and Diamonds’: ‘And then the furthermost shake drove a murthering stake in, and cleft me right down through my center, and I shouldn’t say so but I know that it was then or never.’ Heart wrenching.”

The Awakening, Hear, Sense and Feel

“A sublime entry in Black Jazz’s catalog. Coming out of Chicago in the seventies, The Awakening’s sound is sometimes free, other times mellow soul-jazz, and then the track name ‘Convulsions’ can speak for itself on how gripping this record can get.”

Julia Jacklin, Pre Pleasure

“Julia Jacklin nails it again, a record that meanders through disillusionment with organized religion, ever-changing relationships, and loving someone ‘too much to die,’ all conveyed through wistful guitars, lush strings, and overall sparse tracks that give room to breathe. Artfully crafted.”

X-Ray Spex, Germfree Adolescents

“Poly Styrene’s vocals were groundbreaking, a completely new approach to what a punk vocalist could sound like. So many punk records owe a lot to this album: Lora’s wailing sax, the piercing vocals, synthetic visual aesthetics, and lyrics about identity conflicts, artificiality, and oppression at the hands of capitalism… X-Ray Spex laid the foundation.”

Eno, Moebius, Roedelius, After The Heat

“Slightly uncomfy ambient electronic music in the best way possible. At moments atmospheric, others motorik, others twisting and turning, After The Heat is ambient that doesn’t let you rest. I’m a big fan of the electronic Eno output, and whenever you bring him together with Moebius and Roedelius, you really can’t go wrong.”

Adrianne Lenker, Songs & Instrumentals

“I didn’t know this album was recorded in the Berkshires when I first heard it, and now I can’t unsee those trees and hills when I listen to this gorgeous record. One of the most beautiful acoustic singer-songwriter records in recent years. ‘Everything eats and is eaten, time is fed.’”

The Chills, Soft Bomb

“I’ve been in the mood to listen to this record all the past week. I love how The Chills can make jangle pop sound dreary. A must for anyone into the genre.”

Francis Bebey, African Electronic Music 1975-1982

“Mesmerizing electronic tracks combining synths, acoustic instruments, and both sung & spoken word. One of the coolest parts of listening to Francis Bebey’s music is hearing the layers and layers he adds as a track progresses. ‘They keep dreaming of war, man, hate and crime everywhere. That is the way they can find the money they need to buy coffee cola’ – ‘The Coffee Cola Song’”

Club Music, Beyond New Beat

“Any time someone puts this on the turntable at the shop, I’m elated. Adrenaline pumping EBM that is hard not to play on repeat. We’ve got limited copies left in the shop, so make sure you grab yours soon.”

Slant 6, Soda Pop Rip-Off

“Urgent and dark mid-nineties punk record from the Dischord label. Essential for anyone interested in nineties feminist punk or DC punk in general. FFO Sleater-Kinney, Team Dresch, and Autoclave (from which band member Christina Billotte hails from).”

Heldon, Stand By

“Completely cosmic. Put this one on if you want to lose sense of the world around you and exist only in your mind for forty minutes.”

Yoko Ono, Grapefruit

“A wonderful collection of Yoko Ono’s art, poetry, and musical instructions, the latter of which is my favorite part of the book. ‘Secret Piece – Decide on one note that you want to play. Play it with the following accompaniment: The woods from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. in summer.’ This book is a fantastic insight into one of the great minds of avant-garde and performance art. I guarantee you’ll stumble upon something you didn’t notice before every time you open it.”

Pauline Oliveros, Accordion & Voice

“Awesome pair of compositions on this record by the essential Pauline Oliveros. Side A features a drone created through accordion and voice that gradually shifts and adds dissonance as time progresses, side B continues with a drone, but with a folk-like melody on top of it. Completely peaceful and idyllic, music I’d like to stare at a landscape to.”

Sleater-Kinney, The Hot Rock

“Perhaps my favorite band, and this record is one of my favorite albums, period. Truly one of the great indie rock records of the nineties. S-K’s characteristic interlocking and sparring vocals + guitar is to the max on this record, two separate narratives consistently fighting for attention, yet complementing each other at the same time. This record is more downtrodden than their other work, so if you’re familiar with full-blast punk S-K, this one’s a little different. I also have to mention Carrie Brownstein’s guitar work, which I think is some of the best she’s ever done, intricate and restless lines that weave in and out of the spotlight. This record changed how I listen to rock and how I play guitar.”

Weyes Blood, Titanic Rising

“One of my favorite records of recent years. These songs have intertwined with the lives of me and my friends, accompanying long drives on Ohio highways surrounded by the expanse of the state, fighting its way out of a tinny phone speaker as we drink morning coffee in the kitchen, and on. It’s the perfect record for this. The sixties chamber pop feel of ‘Everyday,’ the ethereal synth landscape of ‘Movies,’ the instrumental decay of ‘Titanic Rising,’ the grand proclamations of ‘A Lot’s Gonna Change.’ It’s a record that meets you where you’re at.”

Wanda Jackson, There’s A Party Goin’ On

“When it comes to people who I think have some of the most interesting voices in rock, Wanda Jackson is on that list. The way her voice cracks with the “on” in “There’s a Party Goin’ On” is so cool. Simultaneously rough and sweet, Wanda’s voice makes you listen. Her vocals aside, this record is full of rockabilly tracks with those distinctive twangy guitars that all go hard.”

Myriam Gendron, Ma Delire – Songs of Love Lost & Found

“There is something about Myriam Gendron’s music that feels so old, not in a nostalgia trip way, but in a sense that the echoes of the past reverberate through her performances. Fingerstyle guitar, her resonant, no-frills vocals, and little more than that here and there. Straight ahead folk music for the die-hards.”

Courtney Barnett, The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas

“Some of my favorite Courtney Barnett songs are on this record, and some of my favorite lines, compelling turns of phrase delivered in her plain, bored-with-you drawl. The double EP shows some of her strongest songwriting abilities, with a fine balance of catchy indie rock and more aching singer-songwriter tracks. ‘I may not be one hundred percent happy, but at least I’m not with you.’”

Stereolab, Dots and Loops

“Picking one Stereolab record out of the slew we got in recently for my recommendation was a challenge, because each of their records has elements that make it distinctive and special. Ultimately, I landed on popular fave Dots and Loops. This one pulls me back time and time again, a brilliant amalgamation of Stereolab’s influences, futuristic lounge music that defies a specific place on the timeline.”

Jeff Parker, Forfolks

“Peaceful and clever solo guitar works from the versatile Jeff Parker. He layers an array of guitar techniques to create a calming yet engaging listening experience. Perfect to listen to during that time of the evening when you’re winding down but not totally ready to sleep yet.”

Bobbi Humphrey, Fancy Dancer

“I absolutely love Bobbi Humphrey, especially Blacks and Blues, and this record. Mellow, utterly soothing jazz funk. She is an incredible flutist, completely floating but virtuosic at the same time. This record is perfect for strolling down the street on a stifling summer night, or for laying in the park when the temperature’s just right.”

Sandy Denny, Gold Dust Live at the Royalty

“An excellent RSD release this year. This record is of her last live concert before she passed away in 1978, never before released on LP, and it’s a fantastic performance. The tracklist is a great mix of her solo material and work with Fairport Convention and Fotheringay. Her vocals are as emotive as ever, and the record also preserves her speaking between songs. Super special and bittersweet.”

The Feelies, The Good Earth

“The Feelies are awesome, and I love this record in particular. I could listen to their casual, laid-back acoustic guitars strumming away all day. But the excitement definitely comes in their more Velvet Underground-inspired tracks when those acoustic guitars build and build towards a climactic ending. I like putting on this record in the morning on a sunny weekend day when I blissfully have nothing to do and hours ahead of me that are all my own.”

John Harrison, The Day of the Dead OST

“Watched this movie last weekend, so I’ve got Day of the Dead on my mind. This soundtrack is truly top-notch, one that heightens the tension in the film’s stark, concrete bunker setting. While not every soundtrack is super listenable outside of the context of the film, that is not the case here. A riveting synth score! Plus, it’s always exciting to have the full score for a movie released!”

System Exclusive, S/T

“Initially, I gave this record a listen because I was very drawn to the cover (which is the impetus behind me listening to a lot of things for the first time). Now I’ll be brought back for more listens because of the catchy synth-pop inside the cover. Let the 80s-sounding synth hooks pull you in and then stay for the compelling songwriting and the vocals by Ari Blaisdell.”

Nick Keeling, Queensgate

“I’m pretty sure someone had the first pressing of this as their staff pick, but I think this repress deserves staff pick status too. Whenever I listen to Nick Keeling’s work, I’m entranced. This one’s got gorgeous piano melodies that weave around tape loop delays, carrying the ability to make nothing else really matter while you’re listening.”

Angelo Badalamenti, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me OST

“Angelo Badalamenti’s score for Twin Peaks plays such a huge role in setting the atmosphere of the series’ creepy and sleepy PNW town. The same holds true for his score for Lynch’s unsettling Twin Peaks film follow-up, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. All of the classic Badalamenti elements are here: muted trumpet, soft synths, and the occasional swelling strings. If you’re a Twin Peaks fan, add this 2xLP reissue to your collection and enter the Black Lodge…from the safety of your own living room, of course.”

Aldous Harding, S/T

“Beautiful, sparse folk with an ache to it. I love Aldous Harding’s voice, which reminds me of the vocal qualities of the British folk singer-songwriters of the 60s and 70s. This was her first record, and what better place to start listening than from here.”

Big Thief, Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You

“This one has been on constant replay for me since I heard it. A gorgeous entry in Big Thief’s catalog. In some ways, this record is stylistically eclectic, but its sound is also so cohesive. These songs feel fresh and familiar at the same time. Another release from this year that I loved immediately, and an instant indie essential for me.”

Sarah Davachi & Sean McCann, Mother of Pearl

“Beautiful collaboration from this pair. Sparse, peaceful, and wandering compositions on pianos, guitars, viola, bells, and tape. You can feel each and every note with this one.”

Cate Le Bon, Pompeii

“This record is my introduction to Cate Le Bon, and the second I started listening, I knew I wanted it to be my staff pick. From her rich, dark vocals to the lush texture of wind instruments and guitars that kick off the record, I was sold. Art pop/rock fans out there, listen to this one. FFO Weyes Blood, Jenny Hval, Mitski. So stoked to dive into the rest of her catalog now.”

Alice Clark, S/T

“Beautiful soul record for the fans out there looking for a cult classic. Clark’s voice is super emotive and powerful, the driving force behind each track.”

Snail Mail, Habit

“In some ways, this is my favorite Snail Mail release. While I can listen to “Pristine” with the best of them, there is something so intimate about the songs on Habit. No matter what, that lilting opening guitar line of the song “Habit” just sticks with me. Habit has so much of what is characteristic of Snail Mail’s reverberating, hazy singer-songwriter sound, and it is a great addition to any Snail Mail and/or indie rock lover’s collection.”

Alan Licht, Currents

“Gorgeous acoustic guitar instrumentals, melodies are hidden everywhere within Alan Licht’s thick strumming style. This record will excite you and put you at peace. Fans of solo acoustic guitar music, take note!”

Mark Tester, Devington Circuit

“Delightful, burbling electronics, creating an intricate atmosphere of motifs. Recommended for fans of gentle, minimalist modern comp.”

Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers, Music of Many Colours

“Super collaboration with two greats, released in 1980 after Fela Kuti and Roy Ayers toured Nigeria together in 1979. Each side has one track, and listening to each one unfold over twenty minutes is part of the joy of experiencing this record. Fans of funk, Afrobeat, disco, and even more influences will dig this, and fans of Kuti and Ayers as individuals can enjoy their strengths together.”

Echo & the Bunnymen, Crocodiles

“Debut Echo & the Bunnymen. Downtrodden tracks that go nicely with these cloudy, wintery December days. We’ve got a couple used copies of this one on the site, so there’s plenty to go around.”

Nancy Barile, I’m Not Holding Your Coat

“Awesome memoir about being a part of the Philly hardcore scene in the 80s. Barile’s story is deeply personal while also steeped in punk history. I also love to read stories of how people become involved in DIY scenes, and Barile does a great job of moving chronologically through her life to show this progression. Barile goes on to become an educator, and I really enjoy her discussion of how being involved in DIY music makes her a better teacher, thinking about how DIY can inspire a more radical form of education.”

West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band, Vol. 2

“A psych record with a little something for everybody. Across the record, there are tinges of folk, art rock, and Hendrix-style shredding, each track never staying in one place for too long.”

The Millennium, Begin

“The epitome of sunshine pop. Psychedelic and bright, these songs are super catchy. While every song fits easily into the sunshine pop style, each track is very different from the one before, creating variety throughout the record. Definitely for fans of The Mamas & the Papas and The Free Design.”

VA, Psych Funk 101 (1968-1975)

“Awesome never-before-reissued tracks of late 60s to early 70s psych funk from around the world, sure to scratch any musical itch you have. Great grooves, guitars put through all your favorite psych effects pedals, strange song structures, and more.”

Jean Ritchie, British Traditional Ballads in the Southern Mountains, Volume 1

“An essential collection of some of Jean Ritchie’s performances. Her clear, high voice beautifully captures these Appalachian ballads in a way that you can’t forget. Most of these tracks are solo voice, so there isn’t too much of her iconic dulcimer playing on this record, but her voice can easily stand on its own. ‘Barbry Allen’ and ‘Hangman’ are two personal favorites from this collection. If you’re a collector of folk music, this is a must-have.”

Mark Shippy and Alex Cunningham, Ghost Note

“Gripping free improv guitar and violin. Shippy and Cunningham balance disjunct lines with moments of coming together incredibly, creating tension and release without the boundaries of convention.”

VA, Soul Jazz Records Presents No Seattle: Forgotten Sounds of the Grunge Era

“Very cool comp of lost and forgotten PNW grunge. Super gnarly, getting at both the driving hardcore-influenced parts and muddy, sludgy parts of grunge. If you’ve listened to your Mudhoney, Nirvana, and L7 records over and over again and want something fresh, dive deeper and check these bands out.”

Malagasy/Gilson, At Newport-Paris

“Incredible jazz collaboration between Jef Gilson and Malagasy from the 70s, drawing from the avant-garde, funk, and traditional music. Every track is so unique and keeps you on your toes. And Frank Raholison’s drums, especially on ‘Solo Frank,’ are unreal. Grab this first-ever remaster!”

Sylvia, Sweet Stuff

“Reissue of super influential Sylvia Robinson’s rare LP. Sweet, smooth soul. Brings to mind Millie Jackson through her style of alternating speaking and singing.”

Trey Gruber, Herculean House of Cards

“Heartfelt, laid-back rock tracks by Trey Gruber from Chicago DIY’s Parent. Compiled after his death in 2017. Sometimes I get Leonard Cohen vibes, other times George Harrison. Whoever his music reminds me of, Trey Gruber was certainly too individual to pin down.”

VA, Numero 95

“As a kid who grew up watching the Windows fish and brick maze screensavers loop infinitely, this record of 90s PC soundscapes is oddly nostalgic. Listening to this compilation is like being on hold with CompUSA or waiting for your Microsoft Encarta software to load. It’s the music you never noticed but you’ll always remember – synthetic and unobtrusive. If you’re into vaporwave, mood music, or anything obsolete tech related, this is the comp for you.”

Iota Leonis, The Third Star of Right Wall of Supreme Palace Enclosure

“I get how the star system Iota Leonis inspired this album. Each track is as epic and varied as what’s in the night sky. You’ll find lush orchestral textures, harsh distortion and everything in between.”

Experience Unlimited, Free Yourself

“Mind-blowing funk. The intro to ‘Functus’ can speak for itself. At times mellow, others fiery, Experience Unlimited’s debut is always incredible. A must-listen of the DC go-go scene and of Black Fire Records. FFO Donald Byrd, Herbie Hancock, and Lonnie Liston Smith to name a few. Grab this reissue while you have the chance!”

Alice Coltrane, Lord of Lords

“This record grabs you from the moment it starts and doesn’t let go even after it’s finished. Grandiose and emotional, she carries you on a journey that’s unknown at each turn, but still feels comforting. While an emblem of spiritual jazz, this record is also for fans of late Romantic/twentieth-century modern orchestral composition (like with her nod to Firebird).”

Powers / Rolin Duo, Strange Fortune

“A mesmerizing release from this pair, which hypnotizes as well as captivates with gradually shifting textures on each track. Reminds me of the little changes you hear in Steve Reich’s phases. Strange Fortune is released on Astral Editions, the sister label to store favorite Astral Spirits.”

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  October 8, 2021  |  Staff Picks