Protenomaly, by Directives

Intriguing and satisfying lofi noise tapes by Directives, released by Colorado-based label Aubjects.

Protenomaly is a fascinating, psychedelic project – knit together from eclectic plunderphonics and harsh, washed-out guitars. The depth of audio exploration displayed here is breathtaking – with truly intense and complex compositions gracing both sides of the cassette.

As the sounds pass by – the listener is exposed to very unique and visceral samples, structured and presented in a way that guarantees a connection or reaction. There’s thick tape nostalgia in everything from the soaked tone of the mix to bouncing ribboning of guitar experimentation.

Passive percussion accompanies most of the pieces on Side A, though it’s role in the compositions is less about tempo and more about grounding the sound. Pitter-patters of miscellaneous hand drum elements are scattered here and there, offering a pleasant juxtaposition to the rest of the production.

Side B begins with some truly avant-garde plunderphonic arrangement – with aliens gathering together with distorted angels to deliver stuttered spoken word while taking the worlds longest celestial bong hit. The project continues to revel in its experimental and exploratory glory for the remainder of the playtime, indulging in fragmented guitar riffs + noodling as well as delving even deeper into the dark atmospheric ambience presented on Side A.

Protenomaly can be considered a multisensory aesthetic experience – being divided over 3 mediums. First being obviously the audio portion of the project, which can be purchased or streamed via Aubjects bandcamp page. Secondly there is a limited run of 66 handmade cassette tapes, each with a unique handmade presentation. Third and certainly not least is the visual portion which manifests as a full video interpretation of Side B.

Cartoon Forest II, by Cartoon Forest

Cartoon Forest II is the second full-length project from experimental trio Cartoon Forest – released on Crash Symbols in May, 2022.

Recorded live in 2018 – the tape basks in a raw beauty that is both refreshing and intriguing. Cartoon Forest II is a wonderful blend of experimental ambience and psychedelic drone with a touch of post-rock. It’s quite easy to become lost in the hazy, distorted soundscapes – laying back on the gritty foundation before letting luscious, morbid riffs wash over you.

I adore the sounds used in this project – often morphing between semi-acoustic to ethereally ambiguous. By track 4-5 you will start to peel back and realize the true experimental and progressive nature of the album. There’s no holding back from the trio as the dive deeply into incredibly unstable and emotional territories – embracing soft distortion and semi-dissonant waves amidst the already established landscape.

Cartoon Forest truly exemplifies the experimental group format – demonstrating the benefit of weaving together the threads of several avant-garde minds. This tape is a blissful journey dense with ideas and riffs that you don’t want to miss. I’ve only heard the digital version myself but I can already tell these tracks will benefit from being heard with the warm process of cassette ribbon passing through a tapedeck.

You can support the band by picking up a Cassette from the Crash Symbols Bandcamp Page – or give them a couple dozen streams on our preferred streaming platform Tidal!


World Carousel, by Orvang Halmer

World Carousel by Orvang Halmer is a collection of lovely and playful psychedelic noise tracks.

I found myself drifting deeply into a new world while listening to this one. I felt like perhaps I had become an NPC in some abandoned massively multiplayer realm, left to my own devices long after the player had wandered off. Tones, riffs, moods, energies and flavors all drift in and out of view as I stand firmly in my designated spot.

The sounds themselves are a healthy balance of humble nostalgia and brave experimentation. Synthesized melodies bend and warp around each other, briskly dissolving into the hazy atmosphere.

Lucky for us, the album is available on tape from the family at Ingrown Records! Order yourself a copy or stream the digital version now via Bandcamp.

PREMIER: Dunk, by Sleep Movies

We are incredibly excited to present you a brand-new single Dunk by Pittsburgh’s Sleep Movies (Skyler Brimmeier) off his upcoming album Melt Transmission, coming July 2nd on Crafted Sounds records!

Dunk is a beautifully spacious and psychedelic track that soars to magnificent heights within its 3 minutes of playtime.

Lo-fi bass thumps and slides around, syncing perfectly with the downtempo drums propelling the journey forward, all build upon the foundation of some slightly gritty guitar riffs.

The vocals are absolutely slathered in buttery reverb and echos, adding layers to the already hazy dense atmosphere. It’s a delicious balance between head-bopping downtempo jam and utterly ethereal psychedelic wandering.

You can stream Dunk NOW as well as 2 other advanced singles, 5G DAYDREAM and Darkness (feat. Lys Scott) which both sound pretty fantastic.

The project drops July 2nd and Crafted Sounds has some beautiful Tapes and CD’s in store for us, you can catch a preview on the pre-order page or their website!

Crafted Sounds were also kind enough to give our listeners some download codes ~ so redeem yours now to get your pre-order locked in.

bnvk-wgcw
ww9t-h3ls
cpt2-vwvd
sfn5-kstc
swd9-643x

Hyperdrive, by Spooky Tavi

Hyperdrive is a new full-length record from Los Angeles Singer/Songwriter Spooky Tavi, brought to us by Doom Trip Records!

It’s a fun and humble psychedelic trip spanning 10 magnificent tracks. Built on a foundation of pure bedroom pop – Spooky Tavi then takes the structures and concepts to swirl them around in a hazy magical storm.

Hyperdrive itself is a microcosm of a massive journey – akin to taking a long spiritual road trip in the comfort of your bedroom. Melodies and progressions are swollen with blurry nostalgia. Guitars twang and drums pitter-patter from the corner of the room. Vocals float in amplified by a rotating, unknown presence.

The energy within the tracks ebbs and flows. Even on songs with slightly more urgency and up-ticked tempo, the project maintains it’s ethereal sense of wonder. Atmospherics work together with rhythms, lending an almost *psychedelic jam band* quality to some of the instrumentals.

Personal highlights include Smi²le – an energetic and funky track with a tasty disco beat, along with Behind The Waterfall – a New Age Folk track with a mystical healing energy and beautiful basslines.

On a whole, Hyperdrive sounds like a dream collaboration between a slightly LSD-influenced Bibio gets in the studio with Children of Alice and Brian Eno. I challenge you to listen to this one and not get at least ONE song stuck in your head – the earworms on this record are no joke…

If you were looking for your 2021 summer soundtrack, look no further. Hyperdrive is a fantastic record with big replay-ability. You can pick the album up digitally or on delicious yellow cassette tapes via Bandcamp!

Hypnosis EP, by Deep Shoq

Texan Label Sunset Waves presents us with a beautiful and dynamic EP from Deep Shoq – Hypnosis. A lovely 6-track of diverse yet danceable tracks – pulling inspiration from unique corners of electronic music and swirling them together satisfyingly. Dipping its toes into psychedelic bass, future garage and fuzzy corners of retro club. Surface, the last track on the record, is one of my favorites – if only for the unique juxtaposition of nu-garage ambient atmosphere and fierce dancefloor kickdrum. You can stream it on the usual platforms or throw some support direct on Bandcamp. Nice summertime jams – give ’em a taste….

Healers Paradise, by Healers co.

a3569538589_10

Really enjoying this psychedelic experimental work from Healers co. – Healers Paradise is an inspired flourish of raw creativity. The project takes on many media forms – Digital Audio Album, Cassette Tape and Visual Album cover the spectrum of senses from sound to sight to touch, allowing Healers co. to explore some thick and satisfying world-building.

The style meanders somewhere between desert dwelling peyote psychedelics and some sort of rooftop drone experiments acting as a cyberpunk prayer to future gods. A fantastic balance of electric noodlings and acoustic sounds. Pick up a Tape, or enjoy however you wish…

Ultra Extra, by Shamane

a4009469226_10

Shamane back y’all! A proclamation stated on the releases bandcamp page – ultra extra is the latest full length project from prolific techno-weirdo Pop Culture Shamane! Lush with psychedelic electronic exploration and noodling, it is easy to get lost in this project. Dense textures wash over innocent melodies, all being propelled forward by deconstructed club grooves. It’s truly a satisfying listen from start-to-finish. The album has just been released via Ingrown Records, if you download via bandcamp you will receive a 27-page booklet of shamane rhymes “i can eat my slang” which is equally as twisted-brilliant. If you aren’t familiar with the work of Shamane NOW IS THE TIME!!

popularcultureshaman.com/
Discography
Youtube
Soundcloud
Spotify

Returns, by Chaitune

a2468002902_10

Phenomenal sonic experiments – true to the description of sample collages – these tracks are drenched in atmosphere and emotion. The album is streaming everywhere now but you can support the artist and purchase directly from bandcamp!

Alienation, by The Electric Nature

a2078819010_10

Georgia’s own “The Electric Nature”, conceived and fronted by Michael Potter, have weaved together this psychedelic masterwork over the course of 2 years! Both dense and free, Alienation is a unique listen for sure. The band has a full roster for this album with lots of folks helping out, providing guitars, horns and synths. The result is an impressively bold collection of experimental jams that I can only assume would be even more fulfilling to hear in a live situation. Highly recommended listen, and purchase the album one way or another!!! ( The digital download includes a bonus 20 minute track, and Illuminated Paths records are offering a limited edition Cassette tape of this release!)

Favorite Track: 6. Alienation II/Outro

Recorded in various places and on various devices in Athens and Carrollton, GA between 2013 and 2015, except track 3 – half of which was recorded in 2003.

Purchase the limited edition cassette from Illuminated Paths:

illuminatedpaths.bandcamp.com/album/alienation

Included with the download is the Broken Machine Films produced video for the track “Alienation I” utilizing Tachyons+ analog video synthesizers, which can be viewed on the web here:

vimeo.com/134213551

Digital downloads also include a live, 20-minute bonus track, originally released as one side of a split cassette with Corner Coronah on Stronj Flow Records. There may be one or two copies still floating around out there…

released 01 September 2015

Michael Potter – Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Synthesizers, Electronic Drum Pad, Vocals, Noises, Field Recordings, Arrangements, Recording, Editing, Mixing, Production

-with-

Josh Lamar – Drums (track 4), Chimes (track 1)
Patrick Lowe – Bass (tracks 4, 5)
Michael Pierce – MicroBrute (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)
Thom Strickland – Electric Guitar (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)
John Fernandes – Clarinet (tracks 1, 2, 3, 6), Violin (track 6)
Sean Dunlap – Juno 60 (track 3)
Nick Stinson – Electric Guitar (track 3)
John Spiegel – Electric Guitar (track 6)
Zack Hann – Electric Guitar (track 4)
Jake Merrick – Alto and Soprano Saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 3, 6)
Paul Warren – Drums (track 3)
Thomas Valadez – Electric Guitar (track 6)

Artwork by Jeremy Kiran Fernandes

Many thanks to everyone who played on and contributed to the album – Josh and Wes at Illuminated Paths – Chris White and Mission Trips – Cult of Riggonia – Future Ape Tapes – Easily Suede – Wet Garden – Jade Poppyfield – Frank Hurricayne – Narrator – Corner Coronah – Louie Larceny – Alec Livaditis – Scott Vinosky and Ailanthus Recordings – Fresh Produce Records – Tom and the Go Bar – Scott Crossman the Genetic Outcast – Brandon Locher – Sean Hartman and Joshua Tabbia at Already Dead Records – and Mercer West and the Secret Squirrel