Steve Hauschildt NONLIN (2019)

album's been out for a whole damn week and yet to get a review in the Zine of Record, so I am dusting off my special blogging keyboard to let you know that the most maestro of propulsive-yet-calming synth odysseys is here to tie you to the mast and sail you straight into the future

Chromatics CLOSER TO GREY (2019)

Portland's own, arguably most influential contribution to the state of modern music.  The emotional state of meta goth, emo-thrice removed, submission to, subversion of, oblique answer to commodification.  pop for those with ankle bracelets and docked wages. pop for those with alimonies.

Joan Shelley LIKE THE RIVER LOVES THE SEA (2019)

Coming Down For You is one of my top ten songs of the year, it is magnificent and timeless. The rest of the album is a true bluegrass album with that alchemical Celtic Transatlantic spirit

Lana Del Rey NORMAN FUCKING ROCKWELL (2019)

your girl out here with the album of the decade.  just savage.  serving up God in a burnt coffeepot for the Triad

kitty ROSE GOLD (2019)

outsider pop from the former Kitty Pryde, someone who is completely capable of being a major mainstream success, and has flirted with it before.  The Window is evocation magic