With so many releases flying at you, here are recommended vetted listens from Nialler9 for you this week, as collated in the Nialler9 New Albums Spotify playlist, updated weekly.
1.
Lowly – Heba
Textured and layered music from a Danish five-piece who mix guitars, electronics with the voice of Nanna Schannong. These songs are imbued with a magical ethereal quality that has kept me coming back. The album was released on Bella Union a few weeks ago.
Favourite tracks: ‘Morning’, ‘Word’, ‘Look At The Sun’.
2.
Why? – Moh Lhean
Not only was 2008’s Alopecia the best Why? album in their discography for me, it is also one of my albums of the last decade – so yeah I love that record. Their albums since haven’t really captured my imagination so much but newest release, the home-recorded Moh Lhean has Yoni and Josiah Wolf sounding rejuvenated and less cynical than before. Why?’s music has increasingly prettified in recent years but Moh Lhean feels like it has the balance of indie-folk, orchestral arrangements and a fresh outlook. Wolf suffered a severe health scare that has given him a different perspective and even samples his doctor for the album.
Favourite tracks: ‘Proactive Evolution’, ‘George Washington’, ‘This Ole King’
3.
Methyl Ethel – Everything Is Forgotten
An imaginative second album of indie rock from a Perth band on 4AD. Everything Is Forgotten feels like stepping into the world of a band who already have an identity that you’ve just caught up on. It’s reminiscent of Metronomy in tone in that it’s got a bit of taut pop funk vibe but definitely of the guitar world.
Favourite tracks: ‘Ubu’, ‘Drink Wine’, ‘L’Heure Des Sorcieres’
4.
Talaboman – The Night Land
John Talabot and Axel Boman collaborate on an album that decidedly more atmospheric and slo-mo than their previous solo output. The Night Lad builds on the duo’s previous EP and revels in Africa-inspired drum-programming, warm spacious dance and distorted ambient productions.
Favourite tracks: ‘Samsa’, ‘Safe Changes’, ‘Loser’s Hymn’.
