Will Samson announces new album, Songs of Beginning & Belonging

05 December 2024

There’s wonderful news from incredibly talented British musician Will Samson, who has today announced the release of a new album of ambient instrumentals, following last year’s Harp Swells. Entitled Songs of Beginning & Belonging, it will see the light of day on January 31st through Dauw. The upcoming album embodies a personal evolution for Samson, who has throughout much of his career wrestled with notions of “belonging and acceptance, both within the music industry and in his personal life”, as the press release describes. Representing a bold step forward into new inscapes, Songs Of Beginning & Belonging “reflects a sense of inner peace and renewal”. Samson comments:

“This album is about freeing myself from old wounds and starting fresh and light; I now feel settled in ways I haven’t ever done before”

The announcement arrives with the first single, the tender and enthralling ‘Loshult’, featuring Swiss percussionist Julian Sartorius. Wrap your ears around it.

Borokov Borokov announce new EP, World War, and share first single ‘Alles’

04 December 2024

Borokov Borokov, the Antwerp based analogue duo of Boris Van den Eynden and Noah Melis, have shared details of a new EP titled World War. Known for their infectious fusion of genres, from angular synth-pop and hi-NRG to krautrock and acid house, they remain focused on producing music “that we ourselves want to dance to”, as they put it. World War EP is set for release on February 28th through Magma Records and today they are teasing it with the first single, ‘Alles’. The track features guest vocals from Lara Chedraoui (Intergalactic Lovers), and as the press release describes, it was “born from a surreal, feverish dream of one of the band members”. Listen to ‘Alles’ below.

Bandler Ching drop second single, ‘Époustouflant’, from upcoming LP Mercurial

30 November 2024

It’s next year’s releases that are grabbing our attention right now and one we’re particularly excited for is the new album from Bandler Ching. Two years on from the release of their debut Coaxial, the Brussels based outfit, led by composer and saxophonist Ambroos De Schepper, are gearing up to release a new album titled Mercurial. On the new record, they push music forward “navigat[ing] the fringes of industrial trap, while expertly bending and pushing the possibilities of their instruments”, as the press release describes. “The band edges even closer to the ever-evolving world of electronics and dance music while retaining the improvisational spirit that has always defined their sound at its core.”

Following the lead single ‘Mochi’, Bandler Ching have let loose a second taste from the record, the radiant and intoxicating ‘Époustouflant’. The single is offered with a visualizer made by Benoit Vangeel. Watch it below and watch out for the release of Mercurial on Mercurial 21st through Sdban Ultra.

Donder’s fifth full-length album, De Wonderen, out now

28 November 2024

Photo: Björn Comhaire

Last week Belgian outfit Donder released their fifth album, De Wonderen, through W.E.R.F. Records. Casper Van De Velde, Harrison Steingueldoir and Stan Callewaert, who make up the band, returned to their core trio to compose and record the new album, following their previous record Het Verdriet, which saw them collaborate with Sigbjørn Apeland. Conceived without any concepts or limitations, and “characterised by the usual unorthodox playing techniques and carefully documented imperfections”, as the press release explains, De Wonderen “is a chaotic blend of abstract and melodic work featuring both solos, duos and trios, two covers of pop songs and some occasional whistling and Norwegian lyrics.”

Preceding the album release, Donder had previously shared two singles, ‘Het Mierenlied’ and ‘Vader Ademt’, both offered with video accompaniments. 3D and motion designer Robbe Callewaert created the visuals for ‘Het Mierenlied’ and visual artist and ceramist Juliette Pons made the film for ‘Vader Ademt’. Watch both below.

Astrobal announces third album, L’uomo et la natura; shares lead single ‘L’abeille pourpre’

27 November 2024

Astrobal, the solo project of Emmanuel Mario, has announced the release of his third album, following 2019’s L’infini, l’Univers et les Mondes. Entitled L’uomo e la natura, which means Man and Nature, the album arrives on February 7th through Karaoke Kalk. The French drummer, composer and producer decided to take a different approach, and the upcoming record marks a new chapter in his creative journey. “I wanted to make music that was both pop and ambitious in its chord progressions as well as surprising in its construction,« explained Astrobal. Paying homage to library music, Astrobal turned to artists such as Alessandro Alessandroni or Bruno Nicolai, and the more cosmic strains of electronic instrumental music for inspiration “to create a soundtrack that would immediately bring to mind outer space”.

Astrobal is previewing the album with the lead single ‘L’abeille poupre’, a track radiating nothing but positive energy. The single comes with an accompanying video made by Raz Ullah and you can watch it below.

The Young Mothers return with third album Better If You Let It

19 November 2024

Photo: Malwina Witkowska

The Young Mothers, the project led by Norwegian born bassist Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, are back with their third album, six years on from the release of Morose. Entitled Better If You Let It, the new album arrives on February 21st through Sonic Trasmissions, and unlike previous records, is a group effort, with all members sharing writing credits.

Alongside the album announcement, the six-piece unveiled today the title track, which serves as an enthralling taste. Of the track, trumpet player Jawwaad Taylor comments:

“Better if you let if is a song that came together in the typical way TYM’s work. It is a song that pulls from the things going on in the world at large and the culture the band has developed over many years of working together. The song aims to take the listener on a journey that begins in the way it ends.
Jason Jackson brought the band a whimsical ballad that the band immediately embraced. Later Jawwad sampled and deconstructed Jason’s original tune turning it into what you the listener hears in its final form.
It is both a tribute to a very special time when the Great American song book was being formed and a time when producers were digging through what had become old records that where being repurposed to create brand new songs for the world to enjoy. Hence, the song beginning where it ends. With Jason Jackson’s original tune and morphing into it’s final form.
Begins where it ends.
We THE YOUNG MOTHERS hope this aids you in your listening pleasure!!”

‘Better If You Let It’ is a song that strikes upon first listen. Here it is.