Saturday, 5 March 2022

Outcast Tape Infirmary - Hope For Spring (Charity Compilation 2022)

 


GENRE : alternative, indie rock, punk rock, punk, emo, experimental, charity,
RECORD LABEL : Outcast Tape Infirmary

There was a lot of charity compilations released on yesterday's Bandcamp Friday, in support of various different causes. I had a super busy day, so I couldn't keep up with it all myself, unfortunately, but I was able to check out a couple of them and donate. 

Here's an awesome charity compilation from new-ish DIY tape label Outcast Tape Infirmary. See below for info...

(I'm going to do a separate blog post for compilation albums in support of Ukraine)

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100% of all purchases will be donated to Hope For The Day - an organization that provides important resources for mental health issues and suicide prevention. It's no secret that we're all struggling right now, and we all know somebody else who is struggling. There is always hope. There is always someone out there who cares. It's Ok Not To Be Ok. For more info, check out HFTD.org

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The artists who have contributed to this compilation are of no specific genre or style, which makes the whole thing unpredictable and chaotic, and brilliant. It bounces from lo-fi indie folk to emo to abstract electronica to dark ambient to ear-splitting punk rock. It's a great compilation of songs, and it's for a very worthy cause. Give it a blast and please consider donating.

A few personal highlights :

Ali Murray - Dear Evelyn - a stunning electro-acoustic dark atmospheric pop song by sinfully unrecognized Scottish songwriter Ali Murray. I'll be reviewing his new album when it comes out on 17/04/22, which is now available for pre-order.

Jonny Fallout - Dark Space - a breathtaking ethereal electronic pop song by Boston synthwave artist Jonny Fallout. Awesome stuff. Check out his Bandcamp page here.

Frick. - Bike - a cool fun simple lo-fi punk song by a band called .frick that would be right at home on any of the wonderful 90's Epitaph or Fat Wreck Chords compilations. I love it.

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Stream/Download the compilation here :



Wednesday, 2 March 2022

Stefán Hafsteinsson – Heima EP (2021)

 


GENRE : neo classical, modern classical, instrumental piano, ambient, electronic, Iceland
RECORD LABEL : Moderna Records

Here's a beautiful little EP by Icelandic composer/pianist Stefán Hafsteinsson. It's short and delicate, yet powerful and heartbreaking. These four instrumental piano pieces are generally minimalistic. The piano playing is gentle and beautiful, and accompanied by cold ambient electronics and a soaring yet understated string section. This EP feels like seeing a distant beacon of light, welcoming you in after you've spent far too long, lost and alone, away from everything you love.  Another great release by Moderna Records.

Oh yeah, I absolutely adore the EP artwork too. It perfectly complements the music. It's a painting called 'Half Light' by Eva Ullrich. Splendid.

Stream/Download the EP here :














'Half Light' by Eva Ullrich



Menthol - Decade: Remastered and Resequenced (2021)

 


GENRE : vaporwave, ambient, electronica, shoegaze, dreampop
RECORD LABEL : self-released

This is a wonderful vaporwavey/shoegazey album from Californian solo artist Menthol. Ideal for staring at the stars and completely zoning out. It's smooth, dreamy, floaty and nostalgic. I don't know the story behind this music, or the artist, but that doesn't really matter. This album is a really cool random discovery for me, and I want you to listen to it.

Stream/Download the album here :