New music - w26
Sonic Explorations: Four Albums That Are Changing My Listening Landscape
There are moments when music transcends its role as mere background noise and becomes something far more profound. In these instances, we're not just hearing sounds; we're experiencing new worlds being constructed note by note, beat by beat. The four albums I'm sharing with you today represent exactly this kind of transformative listening experience – each one a distinct universe with its own gravitational pull, atmosphere, and emotional weather systems.
As I carefully placed each record on my turntable this week, I found myself transported across a remarkable spectrum of musical expression – from contemplative jazz improvisations to electronic innovations, from classical fusion to hip-hop poetry. What binds these seemingly disparate works together is their unwavering commitment to artistic integrity and their ability to create spaces where the listener can truly wander, discover, and reflect.
Let's embark on this journey together, shall we?
Daniel O'Sullivan - Eros: Where Classical and Electronic Collide
LABEL: Sonoton GENRE: Jazz/Electronic
The first time I dropped the needle on Daniel O'Sullivan's "Eros," I was immediately struck by its gentle audacity. This isn't music that announces itself with fanfare; rather, it slowly unfolds like a rare flower opening at dawn – delicate yet somehow inevitable in its beauty.
O'Sullivan, perhaps best known as a member of Grumbling Fur, has created something truly special here. Backed by a 14-piece classical ensemble, the album traverses terrain that feels simultaneously ancient and futuristic. The compositions breathe with organic life while electronic elements provide structure and unexpected counterpoint. It's like watching a ballet performed inside a computer simulation – organic movement within digital architecture.
What particularly captivates me about "Eros" is its refusal to settle into predictable patterns. Just when you think you've grasped its essence, O'Sullivan introduces a new texture or melodic phrase that gently redirects your attention. There's a quiet confidence in this approach – never showy, always purposeful.
The track "Luminous Dial" exemplifies this beautifully, beginning with sparse piano notes that hang in the air like suspended droplets before gradually incorporating strings that swell and recede like ocean tides. The electronic elements enter almost imperceptibly, creating a foundation that feels both solid and somehow ethereal.
This is music for the liminal spaces – those moments between wakefulness and dreaming, between certainty and doubt. It's also remarkably effective as a soundtrack for those early morning hours when the world is still quiet and possibilities seem endless.
If "Eros" speaks to you, I'd highly recommend exploring O'Sullivan's earlier solo work, particularly "VELD" (2018), which shares similar contemplative qualities. You might also find yourself drawn to the more experimental compositions of Nils Frahm or the textural explorations of Jon Hopkins.
Purchase "Eros" directly from Sonoton Records: https://danielosullivan.bandcamp.com/album/eros
Phi-Psonics - Expanding To One: Spiritual Jazz for Modern Souls
LABEL: Gondwana Records GENRE: Jazz
There's something wonderfully appropriate about finding Phi-Psonics on Gondwana Records. The label has become a reliable compass for those seeking new expressions of spiritual jazz, and this Los Angeles trio fits perfectly within that tradition while carving out their own distinct identity.
"Expanding To One" is their third album, and it demonstrates a remarkable evolution in their sound. The title itself hints at the philosophical underpinnings of the music – the notion that through exploration and expression, we can connect to something larger than ourselves.
What immediately strikes me about this record is its sense of space. These compositions breathe in a way that's increasingly rare in our compressed, maximalist musical landscape. The trio – comprising saxophone, bass, and drums – creates environments rather than simply performing pieces. Listening feels less like witnessing a performance and more like entering a carefully constructed sonic environment where every note serves a greater purpose.
The track "Driftless" exemplifies this approach beautifully. Beginning with a contemplative bass figure that establishes both rhythm and harmony, it gradually introduces saxophone phrases that seem to search the musical landscape, questioning and responding to their own utterances. The drumming provides not just timekeeping but textural counterpoint – sometimes reinforcing the rhythmic foundation, other times challenging it with subtle polyrhythms.
This is music that rewards active listening but doesn't demand it. You can allow it to wash over you as ambient sound, or you can focus on the intricate interplay between the musicians. Either approach yields rewards.
If Phi-Psonics ignites your curiosity, I'd suggest exploring other Gondwana artists like Matthew Halsall or Mammal Hands. You might also find kindred spirits in the works of Shabaka Hutchings or the more meditative recordings of Charles Lloyd.
Purchase "Expanding To One" from Gondwana Records: https://gondwanarecords.bandcamp.com/album/expanding-to-one
GoGo Penguin - Necessary Fictions: Where Jazz Meets the Electronic Frontier
LABEL: XXIM Records GENRE: Jazz
There's something utterly captivating about watching traditions evolve in real time. GoGo Penguin has been doing exactly this since their formation in 2012, occupying that fascinating borderland where jazz composition meets electronic music sensibilities. With "Necessary Fictions," their seventh album and second with drummer Jon Scott joining pianist Chris Illingworth and bassist Nick Blacka, they've refined this approach to its essence.
What's particularly impressive about this Manchester trio is their ability to create music that feels both meticulously composed and surprisingly organic. There's a clockwork precision to their interplay that could feel mechanical in less skilled hands, but GoGo Penguin infuses these structures with genuine emotional resonance.
The piano often establishes minimalist patterns that serve as both rhythmic foundation and melodic framework, while the bass alternates between anchoring these explorations and embarking on journeys of its own. The drumming deserves special mention – Scott has integrated himself seamlessly into the group's aesthetic while bringing his own distinct voice to the proceedings.
On tracks like "Tion," the electronic influence is most apparent, with rhythmic patterns that would feel at home in club-oriented music providing the foundation for more expansive jazz explorations. This juxtaposition creates a productive tension – a conversation between different musical worlds that generates something entirely new in the process.
I find myself returning to this album during those transitional moments of the day – when the afternoon begins its slow transformation into evening, or when night gradually gives way to dawn. There's something about its balance of structure and improvisation that seems particularly suited to these in-between times.
If GoGo Penguin strikes a chord with you, I'd recommend exploring the work of Portico Quartet, The Comet Is Coming, or Floating Points. Each approaches the jazz/electronic intersection from different angles but shares a similar commitment to creative exploration.
Purchase "Necessary Fictions" from XXIM Records: https://gogopenguin.bandcamp.com/album/necessary-fictions
Little Simz - Lotus: Hip-Hop Blossoming in Quiet Brilliance
LABEL: Dust Science Recordings GENRE: Ambient
Six albums into her career, Little Simz remains something of a paradox – a critically acclaimed artist who somehow still feels like a well-kept secret.
"Lotus" continues the remarkable trajectory that became undeniable with 2019's "GREY Area" and reached new heights with the Mercury Prize-winning "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert." The album's title feels particularly apt – the lotus flower grows in murky waters yet emerges unblemished, opening itself to the light. Similarly, Simz transforms life's complexities into art of remarkable clarity and beauty.
What immediately strikes me about "Lotus" is its confidence. There's no posturing here, no desperate attempts to prove relevance or capability. Instead, Simz delivers verses with the assurance of someone who knows precisely who she is and what she wants to say. Her flow alternates between measured precision and fluid explosions of virtuosity, always in service to the narrative rather than mere technical display.
The production throughout the album creates space for these narratives to breathe. On tracks like "Fever," sparse piano figures and subtle percussion create an atmosphere of intimacy that pulls you closer to the lyrics. When the arrangements expand, as on "Control," they do so organically, mirroring the emotional intensity of the verses without overwhelming them.
What continues to set Simz apart is her willingness to explore vulnerability alongside strength. Where many artists mistake bravado for power, she understands that true strength often reveals itself in moments of honest reflection. This balance gives "Lotus" a depth that rewards repeated listening – each return revealing new lyrical details or production nuances previously overlooked.
If Little Simz resonates with you, I'd recommend exploring the work of Noname, Rapsody, or Sampa The Great – all artists who similarly prioritize substance and artistic integrity over fleeting trends. You might also appreciate the jazz-influenced hip-hop of artists like Loyle Carner or the more experimental approaches of Kojey Radical.
Purchase "Lotus" from AWAL Recordings: https://littlesimz.bandcamp.com/album/lotus
Check out the FAB 50 playlist on Spotify for all of my recent discoveries!
Whether it's O'Sullivan's delicate balance of classical and electronic elements, Phi-Psonics' spacious spiritual jazz explorations, GoGo Penguin's rhythmic innovations, or Little Simz's poetic narratives, each offers something increasingly rare – the opportunity to wander through soundscapes crafted with intention and integrity.
What albums have been expanding your musical horizons lately? I'd love to hear about the records that have been accompanying your days and nights. Until next time, happy listening.
