The Last of the Month (1/24)

January usually is one of, if not the most quiet months in terms of releases and it was just like that in 2024. Yet, I've got a handful of records I'd like to give some space. Here we go:

CLAY BIRDS - A Reflection of... (Demo)
There was no chance of catching everything that was going on in Screamo in the phenomenal year that was 2023. CLAY BIRDS is a band I missed out on, but thankfully there's Oliver Glenn Records who just put out their demo. The four-piece from California plays that emotionally, raw stuff that came from other young Screamo-acts of the sunshine state, like HEDONIC or LETSMAKENOTHINGHAPPEN. CLAY BIRDS can definitely hang and I'm looking forward to what they'll do next. (Stream)

CLIQUE - Communique (EP)
Just a few weeks ago I was moaning in my EP-list of 2023 about the fact that CLIQUE's releases were too short thus far. And then they brought out "Communique". It's another EP, but this time around with a solid length of 12 minutes. With these 5 new tracks they continue their way of fast and angry No-Bullshit-Metalcore. Me likes. (Stream)

HOLY TEARS - s/t (LP)
This is really good stuff from a three-piece (guitar/bass/drums) out of San Diego, California. It's somewhere inbetween Post-Hardcore, Post-Metal, Noise-Rock, Alt-Rock and a little Sludge, pretty driving and dynamic and full of atmosphere. The one thing they truly lack are vocals, but... that's probably just me. I never was all too high on pure instrumental music and I think that won't change anytime soon. If you're the kind of guy who can do without a voice, then this should be up your alley! (Stream) 

JOCKEY - Time for you to bury me (EP)
...and Oliver Glenn does it again. JOCKEY is another band that was new to me, despite the fact that they already put out a full length and two EPs. And this is their third one. Personally I never was too high on the Shoegaze-thing, though I can tolerate it as subtly as they do it. Similar to GRAVESS., they melt those influences (sleepy vocals, dream-y guitar work) carefully into their Punk/Screamo/Post-Hardcore/Emo-shtick, to ultimately sound like no one else. Good good stuff! (Stream)

LA PETITE MORT/LITTLE DEATH - On Stilts (EP)
The band out of Frankfurt, Germany is such a refreshing act and therefor it's really sad that they were so quiet in the last few years. This is their first output since "Disco" from 2019. With their crazy, hyper-nervous, and either parts danceable and silly Post-Indie-Dance-Punk-shtick, they settle themselves somewhere in the middle of Q AND NOT U, NOMEANSNO, TRIP FONTAINE and THE BLOOD BROTHERS. If they prove one thing with this new release, it's that Punk needs less seriousness and more light-footedness... (Stream)

OUR FUTURE IS AN ABSOLUTE SHADOW - LP
Very good debut album by the band composed of Dave Norman (Zegema Beach Records), Adrian Manges (CLOUD RAT) and Jesse Mowery (APOSTLES OF ERIS). If you like APOSTLES OF ERIS or bands like BEAU NAVIRE and STATE FAULTS, who have those dreamy guitars and feel pretty epic eventhough the songs aren't that long usually, than this record was made for you. Check the video for "Vanessequestrian" below! (Stream)

R.A.P. FERREIRA & FUMITAKE TAMURA - The First Fist to make Contact while we dap
While FERREIRA's abstract and experimental style is fresh, he's always at his best when he sticks to more conventionally beats. That's why his first album "Purple Moonlight Pages" was so awesome! On this new collaborative effort there are some of these more straight tracks and they're really really good, though a lot of the other tracks lack direction. It's still among his better projects yet and definitely worth checking out. (Stream)