Nihiloxica - Biiri

8.2

The second EP from the Ugandan ensemble once again defies what "traditional music" actually means by blending Bugandan rhythms with industrial techno, schizophrenic ambient and a perpetuating feeling of danger and disdain.

Highlights

- The music is absorbing and heavy-loaded.

- The musicians are at the peak of their revolutions and moods.

- The record is dark, menacing and relentlessly savage.

Lowlights

- The technique of speeding up the pace in the last minute gets repetitive after the first half.

Standouts

- Baksimba

- Ding Ding

- Digga Dagga

Country: Uganda

Released: February 13, 2019

Length: 19:17

Yak - Pursuit of Momentary Happiness

8.0

The sophomore release from garage revivalists Yak astounds with its imperfect debauchery and innocent anger at and from the world, providing a trenching, exhilarating feeling that transcends comparisons and competence for its vibrance and ugly delicacy.

Highlights

- Oli's voice feels aggressive and tender, giving space for variability and layered sentiments.

- The instrumentals play a decisive role in communicating mood and energy.

- The tracks are catchy, well-executed and well-distributed all throughout.

Lowlights

- Some songs have an excessive pace and energy that might turn into saturated noise.

- There's a lot of Cage The Elephant influences here, as well as Lou Reed and Iggy Pop; maybe too much sometimes.

Standouts

- Pay Off vs. The Struggle

- Bellyache

- Pursuit Of Momentary Happiness

Country: UK

Released: February 8, 2019

Length: 41:35

Solange - When I Get Home

8.8

With When I Get Home, Solange reaffirms her unbeatable ability to concoct effortlessly sequenced tracks that seem like a whole long song while still sharing varied layers and moods altogether. Not only that, but she cements herself as an unstoppable force redefining soul and crafting galactic production that plays with ambient and stoic repetition. More of a complement of than a contraposition to her previous magnum opus, the album lulls with the universal and the sensual in a work of art that transcends and awes from beginning to end relentlessly.

Highlights

- The stellar production team, in love with tiny details, delirious moods and constant magic.

- Solange's voice, as deadpan as savvy, offering just as much as it wants to and no more.

- The sequence the songs hold is a feature few other artists can show off.

Lowlights

- The use of repetition does have a purpose, but it gets excessive at certain parts.

- The majority of the tracks seem like interludes or mini-songs. While they find ways to grab power and substance, one is left wanting for even more.

Standouts

- Almeda

- Down With The Clique

- Binz

Country: USA

Released: March 1, 2019

Length: 39:02

Ultramarine - Signals Into Space

7.3

The introverted duo returns with another classy, moody ambientronic record that exhumes breathiness, calm and instrumental creativity. Anna Domino turns out to be the gem element, and the piece that saves the record from falling into sea-level outrun.

Highlights

- Anna's voice gives power, mystery and substance to the tracks where she's involved.

- The tropical percussion and the nocturnal saxophones play a heavy role in developing the pace of the album.

- While long, the men never seem to lose their focus and inter-momentum.

Lowlights

- Some songs are too subdued in ambience that they get run out of strength.

- The record is 5-or-10-minute too long.

Standouts

- Arithmetic

- Breathing

- $10 Heel

Country: UK

Released: January 1, 2019

Length: 57:18

Bring Me The Horizon - amo

6.2

While it occasionally blossoms, the main problem with amo is that its ambitious ideas hardly ever match up with its repulsively generic lines, lyrics and performances. There's potential for change and versatility; there are not great ways to achieve them, nonetheless.

Highlights

- The production (while at times suffering from overload) is risky, detailed and multi-faceted.

- On some tracks, the vocals feel expressive and in-the-point.

- As long as concept albums go, this pretty much stands in the line.

Lowlights

- We've heard this heavy-pop crossover on Twenty One Pilots and The 1975 already, and much better-performed.

- Some tracks contain cheesy ideas that are executed in an even more underwhelming manner.

- The record is at least 3-song too long.

Standouts

- wonderful life

- MANTRA

- nihilist blues

Country: UK

Released: January 25, 2019

Length: 51:59

Better Oblivion Community Center - Better Oblivion Community Center

8.0

The duo composed by Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst is calculatingly successful because it manages to foresee what's best in each other and still find a sense of implicit communion. The tracks are breathy but complex and the atmosphere serene but pulsating.

Highlights

- The singers' voices go so well together, letting space for the other to spotlight and also shine in harmony.

- Lyrics are cynical, realistic and simplistic; they still hold captivating messages of mortality and bittersweet delight.

- The effects and little details on the songs make them stand out even more.

Lowlights

- While "Exception To The Rule" is a good tune, it certainly ruins the momentum and pace of the record.

- Tracks where Phoebe takes the more active role are slightly better.

Standouts

- Dylan Thomas

- Chesapeake

- Didn't Know What I Was In For

Country: USA

Released: January 25, 2019

Length: 37:21

Ustad Saami - God Is Not A Terrorist

8.0

The much respected khyal singer Naseeruddin Saami presents a record that mesmerises with its microtonalities, profound drones and sensational vocals. It's raga, ambient, hypnotic music that transports you to another era.

Highlights

- Saami's magnificent voice, prolifically trained and utterly touching.

- The production is loud and piercing, itching monotones and long passages with bravura and gut.

- The record doesn't abuse from time or over-repetition.

Lowlights

- At this point, it might be absurd to ask for more variety in the album, right?

Standouts

- Twilight

- God Is

- War Song

Country: Pakistan

Released: January 18, 2019

Length: 46:50

Jessica Pratt - Quiet Signs

8.3

Alike female folk heroines Nico, Vashti Bunyan, Joni Mitchell or Sybille Bayer, Jessica Pratt unfolds quiet but concise, tender but menacing psychedelic songs that are cryptic and embracing, accompanied by nothing more than a guitar and a couple of windy effects now and then. It's a surprisingly good example of grandeur made into solitude and coyness.

Highlights

- Jessica's voice is mesmerising, drenched into reverb and lo-fi microphones to create a sordid, intimate effect that's at the same time distant and disturbing.

- The record is so laid-back and low-profiled but still shines and swings in mood and volume.

- The lyrics are modern poetry, and are as difficult-to-classify as universally-inclusive.

Lowlights

- A couple of tracks fall pale in comparison to others.

Standouts

- This Time Around

- As The World Turns

- Poly Blue

Country: USA

Released: February 8, 2019

Length: 27:50

White Lies - FIVE

4.2

FIVE is pure pastiche and almost no sentiment; it wears its influences up on its sleeves and doesn't hesitate to embark on levels of cheesiness that even feel disrespectful. Radio-friendly lovers couldn't be happier, I suppose...

Highlights

- On certain tracks, the instrumentals try to save the day.

- Let's face it: a couple of songs are a bit catchy.

- There's a certain naïvety and breathiness the band possesses.

Lowlights

- Most of the takes are trying so hard to be edgy and epic, and they all pretty much fail at it.

- Most of the choruses are ridiculously repetitive and childish.

- The tracks are excessively long, no matter their length.

Standouts

- Kick Me

- Time To Give

Country: USA

Released: February 1, 2019

Length: 42:04

Girlpool - What Chaos Is Imaginary

6.2

This record contains some truly endearing moments but it's mostly overshadowed by songs who seem too dulled into dreamy nebulas and melodic cul-de-sacs to leave strong impressions. Harmony Tividad shines, Cleo Tucker doesn't. It's unbalanced, and a shame.

Highlights

- Synthesisers and choral arrangements elevate some tracks to heaven.

- Harmony's voice makes up for the most interesting tracks on the album.

- Lyrics are cryptic and clever.

Lowlights

- Sadly, Cleo doesn't find comfortable ways to express himself. His voice doesn't sound good on the ears and most of the tracks where he takes an active role in are extremely drenched into reverb, repetition and/or ambiance.

- The record is at least 3-song too long.

Standouts

- Pretty

- Stale Device

- What Chaos Is Imaginary

Country: USA

Released: February 1, 2019

Length: 45:38