Louinel Jean/ Jproject - Shadow

Rate:4/5

A very positive vibration
Very melodic, with a nice, catchy chorus. The vocalist has a vocal flavour very similar to Bob Marley's which is good, but I would not exagerrate with such style, not to end up as an inpersonator ;-). The guitars are also very much similar to ones form "Redemption song" but not in melody but more with production, what creates an extremely nice atmosphere. Song is generally one and a half thumb up. I didn't like the initial African humming (to pop-like) and bass could be a little bit deeper. However it's a nice tune, worth recommending to all soft-reggae, roots flavour fans.

song's site

VS – No TomorroW EP

Rate: 7/10

After half a year we got a new releaseform VS. The first impression is well… The record is different than previous ones. The first tune, 4mn30, begins with a riff very much similar to Arcade’s Fire Black Mirror, so I expected that it would be something in this style, but after that we don’t get much. This tune would have been nice if some debut band recorded, but after VS-suites one wants some more sophisticated. UT is a much better tune. It starts with an elegant, melancholic piano. After that a stormy guitar and drums take over, what creates really engaging piece of music, reminding me of some sort crossover between Muse and postrock bands. What can we say about Crisis?, the third and the last composition on EP? It sounds like a next part of the previous tune. Also guitars, drums, long melodies passages. This one however has the powerful instrumental outburst I like so much in VS’s music. My favourite track on the record.
Overall is 6, I’m afraid because one third of the record is little bit disappointing, but the cover is enigmatic and stylish as always so it’s a 7.
Don’t do that again guys! I’m waiting for another masterpiece!

Elliot Scott - Danger is here

Rate: 4/5

Danger is here indeed
This a catchy and engaging tune. Although it's sleazy, it doesn't lose its rock energy. Vocals are sung with a nice, lazy, alternative intonation, so it's also a plus. The samples at the begining of the tune creates industrial-rock mood that goes through the whole piece. The production is also almost perfect, with only some more reverbs needed. Generally, the band sounds like Deine Lakaien or Wolfsheim gothic-industrial stuff, which, in my humble opinion, is enough for a recommendation.

GIANT SQUID MARCH ON WASHINGTON – City

Rate:8/10

This record has everything one expects from a modern alternative-underground album. There is a Godspeed You! Black Emperor- like, Southern psycho-rock first tune soft apocalypse. After that much more melodic, psychedelic the slow death with very interesting vocals by Vivek Shraya. More experimental, electronic etude non? comes next. Noisy the blessing + the glory with sampled tele-evangelist reminds me of Helios Creed and other, now much forgotten noise-rock bands. All the thing is great till two last songs. The acoustic Sunday Morning simply does not fit in with the rest, not mentioning the rap-sound of St. Ides Malt Liquor, which is a doubtful bonus. Taking under considerations those two tunes, I would give an overall note of seven, but the cover is pretty awesome, so it’s eight.
About hearing them live… Bring them on! The more, the merrier! But seriously… They may be quite a neat live-act, so please, do check them if they would be somewhere around.

Stay cool,

galaktycznyzwiad.

Law of One - Calm the Beast

Rate:4/5

Very enganging
Thies record has its own, quite appealing mood. At first, I thought that the first male vocal is a little bit underproduced, but after the second vocalist everything fitted into place. The music here is dark, even a bit obssessive. The keyboard and the drums set overplas each other in a nice, electronica mixture. It sounds like some Fischerspooner or Devoid early demo, but I'm not really such a music erudite to tell the exact influence the band has. Summarizing, nice, trip-like, trance-electronica background journey. One may enjoyed it. Give it a try.

song's site

Williamson – the trashcan electric ep

Rate:9/10

What we have here is a very nice collage of ambient, post-rock and electro influences. From the first second of the first tune, sietch kids save us one knows the record is produced neatly. Engaging guitar loops overlap sometimes electronic, sometimes organic melodies giving really nice and atmospheric mixture. My favorite track of the ep is tips for sweet-talking a caribou, which is really cool, not only in production but also in its cold atmosphere! You can sense the North of Canada and of these caribous for real!!! ;-)
I cannot find a weak point in this record’s music. Maybe it’s a little bit blurry if one wants something less ambiental, but I quite like such style, so it’s 10 for me. From the other reviews I’ve heard that Williamson’s previous record is even better, so I can’t wait to get it and to listen to it.
The only drawback is a cover that looks more like some gothic band album rather than ambient or idm one. One point down for that, so it’s nine, but it’s still an amazing and very recommendable piece of music. Check it out!!! It’s worth it.

Stay cool,

galaktycznyzwiad.

Steel - Angel's Dance

Rate: 4/5

Nice atmospheric tune
This one is not an ordinary trance-tune. The beat comes pretty late (1' 16'') here, but it's a right choice because, thanks too that, one may enjoys simple but catchy and happy melody of the tune. The best part of the track is when the background melody and beat comes together making this really neat ambient-trance journey (2'00''- 2' 30''). The bass, although soft, fits the whole mood, so it's another advance. The only remark I have is somewhat poor composition. The song simply ends too soon and does not reveal all its values. I recommend creating a 7-minute long remix. Beside this little disadvantage the piece is really engaging and nice to listen.

song's site