Category: Reviews

Two brilliant albums by Anthony Pateras and the trio of Christer Bothen–masterful aural composition and alert improvisation – are strong entries in this year’s Bocian Records catalogue. *(that’s ‘bocian’ in Polish) Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska Once upon a time, in 2019, when concerts were still a thing, Anthony Pateras visited as many as three Polish festivals […]

Although they rely on completely different means of expression, Yvette Janine Jackson’s radio operas and heavy doom metal played by Divide and Dissolve both aptly recount the oppression suffered by minorities in a globalised world. Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska After the bizarre and sad 2020, the beginning of Yvette Janine Jackson’s Freedom is perhaps what we […]

Surrounded by electronic artists with an overdependence on software and new technologies, who fail to produce satisfying results despite the surplus of equipment, wh0wh0 shows the “human” factor to electronics. Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska Jacek Prościński’s musical path is winding and strewn with obstacles. Yet this obstacle course only makes the result more attractive for listeners. […]

The coronavirus pandemic, music in streaming, locality, Bandcamp Fridays, and 30 albums that made 2020 a little less frustrating. Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska 2020 will be remembered as a tough year for music in Poland and globally: cancelled concerts, artists deprived of income possibilities, left in a tough and unclear financial situation. All of a sudden, […]

From collective improvisation, through minimalism, ambient passages, drones and heavy guitars. Here’s my showcase of the most interesting Astral Spirits AD 2020 releases. Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska Nathan Cross is a crazy man. He issues tons of interesting music, painting a very broad picture of the contemporary improv scene. All Astral Spirits releases have a characteristic […]

Susan Alcorn has released the first album where she is the frontwoman. Brandee Younger documents sessions recorded during the pandemic. Both play two rather rare instruments in a unique and original way. Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska It’s not easy to get a pedal steel guitar on stage. Susan Alcorn always assembles the instrument on her own, […]

From primitive improvisations, through post-punk melodies, prepared instrument  to metal walls of sound. Welcome to the showcase of the so-called guitar music, which uses guitars, preferably in the least obvious way. Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska The ethos of a guitar player, who – bent over the instrument – stands on the stage with a hefty set […]

Sophomore albums from Emil Miszk and Immortal Onion represent a consistent move forward, once again proving that the Gdańsk jazz scene is the leader of the pack. Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska Emil Miszk was quickly noticed in jazz circles, and his debut even got him the 2019 Fryderyk music prize. The musician’s CV is already something […]

The colour pink on the covers of Siksa, Blóm and Mentos Gulgendo’s new albums is confusing. It indicates a new feminist perspective, but not just that. Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska Pink is a treacherous colour. It seems nice and soft, but can surprise you by turning sharp and coarse. It may be perceived as infantile, but […]

Post-punk improvisations, jazz metal, doom metal flirting with folk or algorithmic electronics – welcome to a showcase of the youngest Russian scene in all its eclectic glory. Translation: Aleksandra Szkudłapska Through our constant focus on the West, Poles tend to overlook the latest developments on Eastern scenes.Konstanty Usenko offers an interesting reconnaissance, either through his […]