Exclusive: Onomatopoeia Playlist Series: Vol.7 – “Tout de suite"

Much like the last time I shared a new playlist six whole months have gone by so it’s gonna be another long one for y’all with volume 7, entitled Tout de suite. At this point you probably know the deal, this is ninety tracks at five and a half hours representing sounds from the past, present and future along with some remixes and exclusives that span a multitude of genera’s.  

I will not be posting any of the track information here or in the metadata normally attached to the mp3 files. If you would like a copy of the full track list you can contact us via email and we will gladly send it your way. 

Onomatopoeia Playlist Vol. 7  -  Tout de suit

90 Tracks, 5 hours 27 minutes

10-18-2015

Design: Jediak

DOWNLOAD (638 MB)

Video: HEALTH – “Stonefist”

HEALTH have released a video for a radio edit of "Stonefist" off their new album Death Magic. I already shared the audio stream multiple times so you know how I feel about the song and band but just in case you missed it, or still need some convincing, maybe this clip will push you over the edge. Directed by NAKED FACES, “Stonefist” sees the band undergoing plastic surgery to both humorous and disastrous effect.

Listen: HEALTH – “DEATH MAGIC” LP

I’ve been praising HEALTH for years and come next week when the LA band releases their new LP, Death Magic, I’m fairly certain many others will finally take notice. Death Magic follows in stride with the direction the band has been moving towards for the better part of the last five years. The collection of songs is infinitely more poppy and the electronics are more prominent then on Get Color. This version of HEALTH probably has most in common with “USA Boys” or “Tears” and for better or worse tones down on the noise elements found on earlier works. I’ve heard the record a whole lot in the last five days and love it but my personal tastes wish a little bit more of the noise was retained or even sustained in the songs that do go down that road and from past recordings. The record is well sequenced with songs, not directly flowing into the next per say, but more so rhythmically or sonically. If you don’t like what you hear in the first four songs then this record isn’t for as it’s a killer lead-in as far as these things go and offers a good blend of poppy HEALTH vs. noisy HEALTH.

Studio engineering comes from the Haxan Cloak, Mars Volta engineer Lars Stalfors, and longtime Kanye West engineer Andrew Dawson which only adds list of things that will make the record more high profile then anything the band has done before. It’s well deserved, the record is great and they are always amazing live so do yourself a favor, if you like what you hear, make sure to catch them next time they are in your town.

On a final note I hope the band continue with their tradition of releasing a remix album for this record as well, they always have really interesting people tinkering with their songs, often to great results and possibly even acting as inspiration or a stepping stone for where the band sonically finds themselves today. DEATH MAGIC is out August 7th.

DEATH MAGIC Tracklist: 01. VICTIM 02. STONEFIST 03. MEN TODAY 04. FLESH WORLD (UK) 05. COURTSHIP II 06. DARK ENOUGH 07. LIFE 08. SALIVA 09. NEW COKE 11. L.A. LOOKS 11. HURT YOURSELF 12. DRUGS EXIST
 

Video: Death Grips – “Powers That B”

Death Grips’ new video for “Powers That B” juxtapositions the bands extreme sound with the very mundane act of cleaning a floor. If that doesn’t excite you, don’t worry you’re not alone, but it falls in-line with what the band does, bringing home video into the mix and letting the music tell the story.  

Here is something kinda funny, try muting the track and throwing up some pop music, video ends up looking like a montage in some feel-good film.

Listen: HEALTH - "Stonefist"

Back in April I mentioned that HEALTH would be releasing a new LP on August 7th titled Death Magic. First single, “New Coke,” pushed forward with the LA noise group’s more dance oriented sound, but that should come as no surprise as they’ve been aggressively going that direction for quite some time now. “Stonefist” follows in those same footsteps with its immediately catchy pulsating rhythms and sharp sterile stabs that really has become something that defines the band’s sound. Whatever the case it’s another awesome tune from the group who I’ll be checking out again this Thursday when they roll into town to preview the new material live.

As a reminder Death Magic will see some studio engineering from the Haxan Cloak, Mars Volta engineer Lars Stalfors, and longtime Kanye West engineer Andrew Dawson and is coming out via Loma Vista.

Exclusive: Onomatopoeia Playlist Series: Vol.6 – “Online Dating"

Wow it’s been six months since I last shared a new playlist, it was October, almost Halloween and the long winter was just about to get started with us. Well It’s late April now and we are starting to hit those much needed sunny days so it only seemed right I buckle down and finish this extended edition to make up for the long gap with something to play on those outdoor adventures and road trips.  Online Dating is what I’m calling Vol.6 in the series and its an eclectic eighty-eight song long mix including five and a half hours of music from the past, present and future, spanning a wide range of genera’s that's sure to have a little something for every internet personality. 

I will not be posting any of the track information here or in the metadata normally attached to the mp3 files. If you would like a copy of the full track list you can contact us via email and we will gladly send it your way. 

Onomatopoeia Playlist Vol. 6 -  Online Dating

88 Tracks, 5 hours 29 minutes

4-26-2015

Design: Jediak

DOWNLOAD (626 MB)

Video: HEALTH - “New Coke”

Fuck yeah! I love me some HEALTH and the L.A. band have finally announced Death Magic, their first studio album since 2009's Get Color. The record will be released on August 7 via Loma Vista and with the announcement comes a new song and video for "New Coke.” As with most things HEALTH the experience can be a tense one, the clip was directed by the bands own John Famiglietti and the song checks off all those boxes that make HEALTH one of my favorite bands, ghostly vocals, interesting rhythms, thoughtful breakdowns and more. 

Death Magic will see some studio engineering from the Haxan Cloak, Mars Volta engineer Lars Stalfors, and longtime Kanye West engineer Andrew Dawson, I’ve started counting down the days till this drops already.

Video: Death Grips – “I Break Mirrors With My Face in the United States"

Death Grips have just shared the video for "I Break Mirrors With My Face in the United States", from their upcoming album Jenny Death, which coincidentally is fantastic for those who haven't heard it in one form or another yet. Like much of the groups output the video and song are seemingly an exercise in how to be intense!

Listen: Zu - "Corta Tordo" (Full LP Stream)

Italian noise act Zu are gearing up to drop their fifth record via Ipecac Recordings on March 24^th. Corta Tordo was recorded in Bologna, Italy and for those not acquainted with the bands sound it’s a combination of atmospheric, heavy, sludgy moments (Think Melvins) and super chaotic outbursts (Think The Locust). While I wouldn’t compare them in sound, people who found themselves enjoying the last Deafheaven record unexpectedly might have a similar experience with Tordo, as there are some hypnotic moments wrapped up in otherwise abrasive compositions. Give the record a spin below…

(via)

Video: Death Grips – “On GP”

Death Grips shared “On GP,” their newest song from their upcoming LP Jenny Death. The track was shared with a video of a man doing random weird activities, it’s a different sound for the trio and reminds me a little more of Zach’s work with Hella. Look for Jenny Death to drop at the end of the month.

Video: “Here Is A Gift For You” Old Man Gloom Documentary

As the title above states “Here Is A Gift For You” is a 42-minute documentary on metal super-group,  Old Man Gloom (Cave In, Converge and ex-Isis). Kenneth Thomas put together the feature which chronicles the band up to the making of their 2014 album, “The Ape Of God.” The film is a great mix of interviews from various musicians, family remembers and scenesters that often retain a very dry and sarcastic sense of humor. A must for fans of any of the bands these guys are involved with or if you consider yourself a fan of gloomy psychedelic metal. 

OLD MAN GLOOM: HERE IS A GIFT FOR YOU from kenneth thomas on Vimeo.

Video: Old Man Gloom - "The Lash"

Late in 2014 super group Old Man Gloom released their latest record, Ape of God, to much acclaim in the “metal underground.” Now in 2015 we get a video for lead “single” "The Lash." The clip was directed by Andrew Cox who of course also makes music under the names Axed Crown and Andraus.

Listen: Lightning Bolt – “The Metal East”

Noise duo Lightning Bolt recently announced Fantasy Empire, their first album in over five years will be released on March 24 via Thrill Jockey. "The Metal East" is our first taste of the record and it’s a welcome return that definitely brought a smile to my face after hearing it. Lots of polyrhythms going on here with distorted vocals and heavy fuzzed-out baselines.   

Listen: Chromatics – “Just Like You”

About an hour ago the Chromatics shared the first music from their forthcoming LP, Dear Tommy, which is due out in March and one of my most anticipated lof the year. Check out “Just Like You” below and download it for free courtesy of the band.

Onomatopoeia's Best Music of 2014

Welcome to Onomatopoeia’s year-end best of 2014, I am a little late but still here so thanks for the patience.  I feel like I'm starting to sound like a broken record but 2014 truly was an abysmal year for music. To be fair it wasn't so much a bad year for music as it was for the album format. To say it was difficult for me to even compose a list of thirteen would be a huge understatement.

My process usually begins around September, I try and get the ball rolling and start making a list with what I've really enjoyed in the months leading up to this moment. I had something like seven albums listed with only three months to go.  So rather than force a full list I made sure to go back to everything I remember enjoying but not necessarily loving and re-exploring them in greater detail. In the end I did find thirteen releases that I felt happy with along with a solid honorable mentions section.

For those who frequent this space most of the material should be familiar, I don't know if there are too many surprises but as always I hope some of you get something new out of it.

CONTINUE TO ONOMATOPOEIA"S BEST OF 2014.

Listen/Download” Death Grips – “Fashion Week” LP

Happy 2015 everyone! I'm Back from holiday and will slowly get the gears turning again, I should have my year end list up sometimes later in January for those asking but for now here is some new music from Death Grips.

Death Grips released a 14-track instrumental album called Fashion Week for free download on their website that you can also stream now from the player below. Fashion Week is not a substitute for  The Powers That B, the Death Grips double album consisting of the previously-released NiggasOn The Moon and the forthcoming Jenny Death, that record is now scheduled to drop on February 10th, but one never knows with this outfit.

Video: Death Grips – “Inanimate Sensation”

Death Grips officially called it quits earlier in the year with the promise of new music before year’s end and it would seem we are seeing signs of the projects imminent release as 2014’s end fast approaches.  Taken from Jenny Death, the second half of their upcoming double album the powers that b, “Inanimate Sensation” sounds a little bigger and bolder than a lot of the material on the already shared Niggas On The Moon disc. The visuals for “Inanimate Sensation” is as with all things Death Grips, unique. Taking place on a fallen jumbotron that has crashed through the floor of a basketball court, the video flicks between distorted computer graphics and MC Ride. Word on the street is that the LP will drop on December 27th which is precisely why I don't release my favorite albums of the year list until the year is officially over.

Listen: These Arms Are Snakes - "Energy Drink And The Long Walk Home"

These Arms Are Snakes are no more but we are still getting some music from the outfit including b-sides, alternate takes and a new song by the name of “Energy Drink And The Long Walk Home.” The song officially appears on a split 7” with the Coathangers that came out on Friday but if you didn’t catch it you can give it a spin below…

On a related note Brian Cook recently opened up about a possible Botch reunion, Brian has always said no way but recently revealed that his band mates told him to stop saying that.

Listen: The History of Big Black From Bulldozer To Atomizer

Jughead’s Basement released his latest podcast highlighting records that are important to him, the focus of this month’s being on Evanston, Illinois’ legendary, Big Black.

Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band's initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun. In 1985 Pezzati was replaced by Dave Riley, who played on Big Black's two full-length studio albums, Atomizer (1986) and Songs About Fucking (1987).The band’s aggressive and abrasive music was characterized by distinctively clanky guitars achieved by using metal guitar picks notched with sheet metal clips; the notch causing the pick to hit each string twice, creating the effect of two simultaneous guitar picks. Equally distinctive was the use of a drum machine (who they lovingly called Roland) that pre­-cursored industrial rock. Big Black's music challenged convention, pursuing an abrasive sound that was more aggressive than contemporary punk rock. The band acknowledged no taboos and Albini’s lyrics openly dealt with loaded topics including murder, rape, child sexual abuse, and racism.  They also held staunch principles, shunning the mainstream music industry and insisting on complete control over all aspects of their career.  Jughead’s podcast successfully attempts to tell a portion of the history of the band from the perspective of their Bulldozer EP through their first full length record Atomizer.  (Marking a transition from a project purely conceived by Steve Albini into a cohesive band with the added influences from collaborators Santiago Durango and Dave Riley.)

This episode is co-hosted by Russ Forster and includes interviews with band members Santiago Durango, Steve Albini, and Jeff Pezzati, including extra interview material with friend and fellow songwriter/musician Camilo Gonzalez. Lastly an audio piece written by journalist/novelist/radio personality Jim DeRogatis.

It’s amazing how well the band’s music holds up thirty plus years later. Steve Albini’s menacing vocals really still are the gold standard on how to sound sinister without coming off as cheesy. The band recently received some well-deserved props via a mainstream outlet with Dave Grohl’s incredible HBO series, Sonic Highways. While the band have always got their just due in the underground it’s immeasurable how important the recent conventional exposer has been, equally important is how Albini’s peer’s speak of the artist/engineer during the series’ flagship episode as his reputation has not always been one that is warm and fuzzy. For myself the influence has been great and hearing other’s speak so highly of his importance, Chicago’s influence and independent music’s influence on the history of music as a whole literally brought tears to my eyes as both the tv series and Jughead’s podcast cut through all the bullshit and rumors and honor one of the greats.

Exclusive: Onomatopoeia Playlist Series: Vol.5 - "/həˈbiləmənt/"

It’s been about four months since I last shared a new playlist, it was June,  hot,  and New Yorker’s were out in full force doing their seasonal impression of someone who has always loved hiking and mountain biking before opting to move to a city that's totally inappropriate for either.  But hey, we all like to live out a fantasy from time to time and what better represents that then Halloween? So in celebration of all things make believe here is volume 5 in the series, “ /həˈbiləmənt/". The festive mix includes over three and a half hours of music from the past, present and future, spanning a wide range of genera’s alongside a healthy dose of remixes, mashups and exclusives that should help move some asses come the 31st.  

I will not be posting any of the track information here or in the metadata normally attached to the mp3 files. If you would like a copy of the full track list you can contact us via email and we will gladly send it your way. 

Onomatopoeia Playlist Vol. 5 -  /həˈbiləmənt/

61 Tracks, 3 hours 36 minutes

10-22-2014

Art: Jediak

DOWNLOAD (381 MB)