Hiya! Yet one more yr goes by the place post-rock and post-metal proceed to do far more attention-grabbing issues that folks give them credit score for. Evidently each genres are doomed to endure from one of many worst photographs within the public eye, deemed as boring and repetitive whereas bands do one million various things with their primary premises and constructing blocks. To be sincere, at this level I've given up on attempting to alter that picture and I simply deal with the true purpose we proceed to cowl the areas on the weblog – wonderful music.
This yr, we stored phrases to a minimal, as a substitute throwing in three wonderful lists of ten albums which share fairly a couple of releases between them but in addition have their very own taste, reflecting our diverging pursuits within the put up subject of music. I hope you dive into these picks and see simply what number of colours, kinds, and approaches are continued therein in order that perhaps the inaccurate thought that each one of post-rock is only one massive buildup and crescendo is a lie.
-Eden Kupermintz
Nick
In earlier years I’ve included bands/albums that fairly squarely fall beneath the instrumental prog label, and whereas I don’t remorse that, I believe it most likely goes towards the spirit of what we’re truly doing right here when there are many extra “conventional” post-rock/metallic albums to spotlight. All of that’s to clarify why Night time Verses doesn’t seem in my listing right here regardless of releasing certainly one of my favourite albums of the yr.
10. Tangled Ideas of Leaving – Oscillating Forest
Not that the experimental Aussies in TToL have been trending in direction of accessibility, however their earlier document No Tether at the least appeared to search out the band of their consolation zone and transferring in direction of actually honing in on a selected sound. Welp, overlook that. Oscillating Forest is the band’s most difficult and inscrutable launch up to now, extra of a stew of percolating noise and propulsion than assortment of easily-definable songs. It won’t be my favourite launch of theirs, but it surely’s one which has left me with greater than sufficient to chew on with each pay attention.
9. Bear the Mammoth – Purple Haus
What I all the time respect about Bear the Mammoth is the benefit by which they slip in math-y and extra progressive buildings and time signatures with out breaking the movement of their cinematic compositions. Purple Haus takes all of that and throws it right into a dreamy synth-filled blender for a psychedelic post-rock journey that may be as clean (“Cridge”) or boisterous (“Freshwater”) as they like.
8. Hashshashin – Śaraṇaṃ
Simply realizing now front-loaded this listing is with Australian acts. Not intentional, although it’s a testomony to the power of the post-rock/metallic scene there that so many launched superb music this previous yr. Anyway, Hashshashin occupy a really distinctive place in post-rock with their dedication to using central Asian instrumentation (particularly the rubab), modes, and composition of their work. On their newest launch, Śaraṇaṃ, the result’s much more transportive and intoxicating. The three tracks are constructed on easy sufficient concepts that loop, drone, and develop superbly into off-kilter groove machines. Many bands will borrow bits and items of center jap and central Asian music custom to easily increase their very own factor, however Hashshashin continues to be the one band that may totally embrace the musical tradition and infuse it effortlessly with post- and progressive rock language.
7. Liongeist – S/T
Oslo’s Liongeist got here out of nowhere this yr to drop one of many heaviest and energetic albums that may nonetheless be referred to as “post-rock” as a substitute of metallic. You possibly can doubtless thank the band’s roots in post-hardcore for that, which locations a premium on each uncompromising loudness and melody. It’s also possible to thank that bass, as a result of hooooo-boy does it go onerous. S/T ought to have been a breakout success in 2023, so hopefully we are able to play some half in rectifying that oversight by others now.
6. Ranges – 33
There’s a purpose why Ranges have grow to be one of many standard-bearers of contemporary American post-rock. Each launch they put out appears like an immaculately deliberate and executed package deal, from artwork to idea to the music itself. 33 is one more meticulously-constructed album of emotional and heavy post-rock, one which completely deserves a spot excessive up on individuals’s lists regardless of its late launch.
5. Scaphoid – Echoes of the Rift
Hiya, can I curiosity you in some scrumptious and nutritious riffs? The most recent from Austin’s Scaphoid is packed to the gills with them, sufficient in order that I nearly didn’t embrace them right here for a similar purpose why I in the end didn’t embrace Night time Verses. Echoes of the Rift has sufficient environment and non-technical components going for it although that I really feel comfy with its inclusion (or maybe I’m simply being arbitrary). As Eden talked about in his writeup on this column over the summer season although, what prevents the album from being simply one other technical train is that there’s precise human emotion and complexity past the riffs. It’s a gorgeously composed album and has a ton to supply past the preliminary pleasure of its extra technical aspect.
4. Reformat – Precursed
With the unlucky latest information that Three Trapped Tigers are falling by the wayside, somebody would wish to step in to select up the mantle of high-octane synth-led post-rock. Thank god for Reformat. Their first album, The Singularity, displayed flashes of brilliance and potential to be in league with the likes of TTT and 65dos. Precursed, nonetheless, takes issues to the subsequent degree and delivers an entire package deal of thrilling and breathless electronics-tinged instrumental rock. And I really imply breathless. Each monitor after the eponymous intro picks up the place the final one ends to move the baton of ceaseless momentum. Crammed with catchy melodies, knotty chord progressions, driving bass, and sufficient synths to throw a Bladerunner-inspired rave, Precursed is a close to flawless album for each synth rock fanatics and extra informal instrumental followers who simply need to really feel alive for 38 minutes.
3. Breaths – Floruit
As a common rule I are likely to not put a ton of inventory in one-man initiatives, particularly as most appear to be guitar showcases with the remainder of the instrumentation relegated to an afterthought or easy shoegaze initiatives that sound like each different bed room shoegaze undertaking. Breaths, aka Jason Roberts, appears decided to be an exception to that rule although. Floruit is a doomgaze/post-whatever album that explores each the very best and worst that humanity has to supply. For each triumph of magnificence by artwork or innovation that improves the lives of individuals, there’s as a lot, if no more, greed and avarice that results in pointless struggling. In flip, the music of Floruit is a showcase of real musical magnificence and gentleness by its frequent layering of shiny guitar chords and earworm melodies as a lot as it’s a crushing exploration of doomy post-metal. That the stress by no means overwhelms the music and as a substitute works synergistically to additional emphasize the qualities of the opposite is a testomony to Roberts’ prowess as a songwriter.
2. Grails – Anches En Maat
Thank the maker that Grails exists and remains to be round creating distinctive musical worlds. Each album that the Portland collective places out at this level appears like a present we don’t deserve, particularly ever since they began taking a broader, cinematic strategy to their compositions with Deep Politics. Anches En Maat is true soundtrack music in the very best form of manner that closely evokes imagery and screams for movie to accompany it. What I respect specifically about Anches is that for as wealthy and dense the music typically is, it ceaselessly doesn’t go for the best path to construct up pressure and pleasure by climatic use of strings and guitars, as a substitute permitting every composition to exist by itself phrases and easily play out. Significantly although, simply let Grails rating a spy thriller already.
1. Spurv – Brefjære
Now this is podracing. I can’t consider a single album that higher represents what the style is and its eternal potential than the newest from Oslo’s Spurv. Brefjære is what occurs while you take the very best of cinematic post-rock’s previous from the likes of Mono, GY!BE, Explosions within the Sky, and others and place a novel spin on them. From the opening refrain of Krokete, rettskaffen” to the ultimate climatic piece of “Urdråpene,” Brefjære is superbly and meticulously plotted out to comply with conventional storytelling types of establishing place and time, of rising motion and battle, and of good climax and backbone. If I wished to get somebody who’s heard some traditional post-rock into and excited concerning the fashionable type of the style, that is simply one of many few data I might ship their manner. It must be handled as a part of the fashionable canon.
Trent
I often sneak a bunch of screamo-laden post-rock onto my yr PRP listing however there was a stunning lack of that in 2023, so that you get a extra purist listing this yr… with a few exceptions, albeit good ones.
10. Shipwreck Karpathos – Being Human
A refreshingly eclectic take at fashionable American guitar-centric post-rock. It aptly shines in its capability to show the total vary of human feelings, with loads of wistful craving and moments of passionate fury. With drawable strains to massive names like Explosions within the Sky and Russian Circles, it isn’t reinventing any wheels, but does sufficient refined issues across the margins to face out and supply an entire package deal of a post-rock listening expertise.
9. Liongeist – S/T
The debut LP from Norwegian group Liongeist was a shock deal with this yr. The previous post-hardcore band has shifted in direction of a extra instrumental post-metal sound, however a few of that oddly distinctive European atmospheric post-hardcore sound remains to be discernible of their music, with frequent shifts in tone and velocity. The audible rumbling bass is a very nice contact right here, giving the entire thing a layered heaviness even through the comparatively lighter moments.
8. Confronted Out – Confronted Out
Put merely, in the event you like Black Nation, New Street, that you must give this little band from Missouri some love. Confronted Out takes that orchestral post-everything components with sleepy, typically spoken-wordy vocals and provides it a little bit of an American Soccer midwest-emo spin, full with loads of trumpet and adequately twinkly riffs.
7. Reformat – Precursed
Ever puzzled what a collaboration between 65daysofstatic and Astronoid would sound like? It’d simply be one thing like Precursed. The eclectic digital rock group Reformat’s spectacular sophomore launch sees them take their fusion of sounds to better, extra optimistic heights with additional prog-influenced song-writing, efficient vocoder utilization, and hovering sci-fi-fueled synths.
6. The Infinity Ring – Nemesis & Nativity
Anytime a band brings some contemporary concepts and creativity into post-rock is welcome, which made The Infinity Ring’s debut Nemesis & Nativity one of many extra memorable releases within the style this yr. Their fusion of post-rock with a dusty gothic nation sound, constructed round some Nick Cave-esque vocals offers a really immersive and transportative listening expertise. The occult-like repetition and ominous folks instrumentation takes this even additional with dramatic pressure. The Infinity Ring have produced an album with great substance and a whole lot of character, and I can’t wait to listen to no matter they do subsequent.
5. NYOS – Waterfall Cave Fantasy, Ceaselessly
Each time an artist releases two albums in shut succession I can’t assist however strategy it with slight apprehension. The Finnish two-piece NYOS captured my consideration final yr with their launch Celebration making my 2022 PRP year-end listing. Happily, they’re evidently nonetheless overflowing with creativity and have maintained their inertia this time round with one other nice album in Waterfall Cave Fantasy, Ceaselessly. They bring about a mixture of energetic, tapping-loop-driven math rock with explosions of heavy distorted post-rock, backed by a very impressed drum efficiency. This dynamic creates a enjoyable steadiness of the playful danciness of bands like Battles and And So I Watch You From Afar with the sheer drive of heavier instrumental acts reminiscent of Russian Circles. This album is form of like observing a pal taking psychedelics, in direction of the start it appears like one probably the most joyous releases of the yr, however fair-warning, it appears to get progressively weirder because it goes on.
4. Austin TV – Rizoma
Mexico isn’t sometimes recognized for its post-rock, however Austin TV is seeking to change that. They’ve one way or the other slid beneath the radar for 20-years now since their debut, however with their now fifth album Rizoma, that ought to actually be altering. This factor is numerous, energetic and plain enjoyable, delivering about each little side of the style that I like. There’s only a heat too it like a comforting blanket, that offers all of its contemplative reflection, pressure and keenness a way of protected familiarity in the very best sense of that phrase. The guitar and synth tones together with their song-writing, all carry this zesty, colourful heat in a manner that perhaps solely a band from Mexico might.
3. World’s Finish Girlfriend – Resistance & The Blessing
World’s Finish Girlfriend are each a frightening band to take heed to, and to write down about. The enigmatic Japanese solo-artist has crafted 18 albums since 2000, together with a number of soundtracks and collaborations with the likes of MONO and Vampilla. Their music spans post-rock, fashionable classical, glitchy breakcore, and ambient sound collages, typically flirting with all of these within the house of 1 track. That is typically the case on their intimidating new launch Resistance & the Blessing, which spans an admittedly overly lengthy run-time of virtually 2.5 hours. That being mentioned, in the event you’re not within the temper to take a seat down for a function size theatrical efficiency (which this very a lot is) it’s most likely greatest to not deal with this like an everyday album. Both divide it into a number of sittings, or discover what you’re keen on about it (which for me, there was loads of) and revisit these segments of tracks. Regardless of the entire size, this album delivered extra particular person moments of brilliance than most different releases I heard this yr in full, and there’s a superb probability I find yourself revisiting these particular tracks greater than I’ll different albums that executed higher brevity.
2. Abriction – Interstates
This one-woman bed room undertaking was one other shock standout for his or her uncooked and emotional take at a lo-fi post-gaze sound that totally embraced the which means of the style modifier “bed room” in one of the best ways. Constructing off their nice cut up earlier within the yr with Disappointment, Interstates fused the expressive ardour of blackgaze with the introspective melancholy of post-rock. An actual lonely late evening drive by the town album, or sitting along with your cat watching the world go by out your window. Past the good textural partitions of environment, there’s a pure earnestness right here that’s actually refreshing.
1. Sprain – The Lamb as Effigy
Undoubtedly probably the most uncomfortable and stunning post-rock listening expertise you’ll discover this yr, Sprain’s mix of experimental, dissonant, and anxiety-inducing noise rock with droning early-wave post-rock is a harrowing and extremely human expertise. The entire thing appears like a harrowing tension-building journey right into a tormented and deranged thoughts, all main as much as the monolithic 24-minute Robert Eggers-esque climax of “God, Or No matter You Name It.” There was nothing else fairly like The Lamb as Effigy launched this yr, and our collective psychological well being might be the higher for that.
Eden
2023 wasn’t the strongest yr for me and the broader “put up” genres and subgenres. Which might be extra to do with me than any indication of the standard of music launched this yr; I used to be merely craving meatier, extra direct albums this yr. Then once more, I can simply write this high ten listing and there are some phenomenal albums on it, together with a few of my most listened to releases. So, take the general narrative, as all the time, with a grain of salt and let’s simply deal with how good these releases actually are.
10. Lethvm – Winterreise
It takes quite a bit from a post-metal album to essentially seize me as of late and Winterreise did that and extra. It’s Lethvm’s most full launch up to now, perfecting their mix of sludge, post-metal, and even hardcore into one moody, aggressive album that actually delivers on the promise first sketched out on 2017’s This Fall Shall Stop. For those who’re in search of a darker, heavier album from this listing however nonetheless need to maintain the flourishing, emotive palette that often arises from these areas, then Winterreise is for you; it’s certainly one of 2023’s extra expressive, and harrowing, albums.
9. TDK / ТДК – Namaste
Namaste might be 2023’s greatest “what the fuck” second for me. Often once I drop the phrase “jazz” on this column, you think about a really particular type of sound or perhaps two; maybe you envision the technical, agile virtuosity of jazz-fusion or the hotter tones of post-rock however each wavelengths are heat and considerably diffuse. Namaste is neither of these issues. It’s all edges, fury, and angular assault, channeling post-punk, post-metal, and a bizarre, contorted type of jazz to create its darkish music. OK, simply take heed to this one, yeah? It’s intense and difficult but in addition expertly written and carried out. It’s a doozy and a half.
8. Leonov – Procession
The primary half of this listing is darkish as fuck, huh? Leonov continues the dominance of post-metal on this listing however with a extra ethereal spin, led by its stunning and haunting vocals. The devices appear to be constructed round their wonderful timbre, creating the build-ups and the back-drops for his or her unfurling and alluring sound. Which isn’t to say the devices aren’t nice in their very own proper; Procession has some improbable moments of pressure and launch, leaning onerous into traditional post-metal buildings whereas all the time retaining them tight, executed with restraint and a focus to particulars the place others can be happy with a easy copy. Procession is an album for reflection and introspection but in addition for some improbable crashes and crescendos.
7. Ambia – Someday
OK, the releases are getting barely brighter. Someday might be probably the most “classically post-rock” album on this listing, constructed out of a sequence of build-ups and crescendos. Nevertheless, look out for some extremely highly effective vocal passages (assume extra choirs than lyrics) and an total dedication to tight, properly positioned musical moments. These concepts and recurring themes emerge from out of the general summary compositions to create powerfully arresting moments, channeling that good previous catharsis that this sort of post-rock is so well-known for. Someday proved to me that there’s nonetheless some worth in “cinematic” post-rock, if solely the individuals making it are devoted to retaining issues attention-grabbing and have put in a whole lot of thought into the id of the discharge, as Ambia clearly have.
6. Empires of Gentle – Aberrations
Alright, the subsequent few entries have been positioned collectively on objective on this listing and, to be sincere, you possibly can swap out their order as you see match (what actually is the distinction between spot six and spot 5 in any case?) They’re all of a brighter type of post-rock and the primary two mix that sound with a whole lot of progressive metallic. Additionally, two of them are solo initiatives! The primary one is Portland’s Empires of Gentle which does an exceedingly good job of taking progressive metallic and, as a substitute of studying into the darker themes which it typically makes use of, melding it with the bright-eyed, hopeful environment of cinematic post-rock. The result’s an expansive, however denser than typical, launch that was a pleasure for me to dive deeper into within the first half of final yr.
5. Scaphoid – Echoes of the Rift
So if the earlier entry was lighter than progressive metallic tends to be due to its post-rock influences, Echoes of the Rift is darker for its post-metal influences. But it surely’s additionally a really technical and cleverly constructed launch, filled with intriguing musical moments and plenty of groove. As I’ve simply intimated, it takes from post-metal thick tones and darker timbres, making a winding launch that’s simple to get misplaced in. Nevertheless, it additionally has a whole lot of emotive substance to it, channeling a full gamut of themes and states of thoughts. Additionally it is this solo undertaking’s most formidable launch up to now, driving its sound to new ranges of expression. Briefly, it rocks, quite a bit.
4. Ranges – 33
The final of our triptych of releases, 33 is probably my favourite Ranges album up to now and that’s saying one thing. It feels extra centered than earlier releases, actually paring down the Ranges components to its obligatory elements. It accommodates each the brighter components talked about above, within the type of Ranges’ expansive and in the end hopeful soundscapes, and the darker components, within the type of the sting of Ranges’ riffs and groove. It’s a crazily full album, leaving no stone unturned because it pursues its concepts throughout its run-length, creating each line, recurring theme, and passage to its utmost conclusion whereas staying tight and lean. That’s maybe probably the most spectacular factor about it: its Ranges at their most formidable however one way or the other their most correct and restrained as properly.
3. Reformat – Precursed
Ah, digital post-rock! Kind of like its considerably adjoining sibling style of synthwave, its peak has come and gone very quick. However there are nonetheless bands on the market making the form of digital post-rock which I like, particularly the richly textured, synth-heavy, ahead considering type. Precursed is all of that and extra, turning the redolence dial all the best way to eleven for Reformat. There are all type of splendidly produced and executed synth tones on this launch, embellished with nice percussion and a few tastefully used vocals as properly. The album can be brief, condensing its components right into a potent capsule of beats, grooves, and fierce supply. It’s the solely digital post-rock album I listened to this yr and, frankly, the one one I wanted because it conjures all the pieces I like about this subgenre.
2. De Lumière – Nebulae Come Candy
Again to the darkness of post-metal, this one is perhaps the darkest launch on this listing. Channeling these good Hypno5e vibes, Nebulae Come Candy is an formidable work of heavy, wealthy, and flagrantly theatrical post-metal. It’s laden with choirs, spoken passages, wealthy vocals, even richer strings, hovering leads, and killer solos. It reaches extraordinarily excessive with its idea and, one way or the other, completely nails the touchdown even because it tackles ideas like loss of life, getting older, time, loss, divinity, reminiscence, and absolution. It’s all the pieces I need post-metal to be, unapologetic about its scope however nonetheless very a lot grounded in immensely properly written second to second tracks, fueled by good chords, huge riffs, crashing percussion, and hovering, inconceivable to disclaim vocals. It’s certainly one of 2023’s greatest deliveries, cashing in on its scope by completely nailing the execution.
1. Go Go Penguin – Every thing Is Going To Be OK
Solely Go Go Penguin might launch an album titled Every thing Is Going To Be OK and make it not tacky. Solely they may nonetheless write it as an extremely shiny launch, nearly (however not quote) devoid of darker distinction, and nonetheless make it attention-grabbing. Powered by enhanced synth tones and extra willingness to experiment with the construction of each the album at bigger and the person tracks, Every thing Is Going To Be OK is Go Go Penguin at their greatest. It’s not solely an attention-grabbing musical expertise however an important emotional one as properly, filling me with power and perspective in a yr the place I desperately wanted each. It’s not essentially true that my most listened to albums find yourself on my finish of yr lists however it’s on this case – in 2023, I stored coming again to Go Go Penguin’s agile, clever, and expressive album many times, because it grew to become the soundtrack to the reforging of my life.