Honest, in-depth album reviews by KLOF Mag – championing and curating intelligent, uncompromising voices in contemporary and experimental music since 2004.
Albums
by Mike Davies
As the song says, when the nights grow dark and the days overcast, we all need dreamers to shine a light and strike a spark to help us see the path; with Dreamers, the Wild Ponies shine their brightest.
by Thomas Blake
On the latest Folklore Tapes Ceremonial Counties release, a fuller picture of the hidden history of England emerges as Rob St John covers strange beasts of Durham and Preston duo Powders cover Staffordshire’s ceramic industry, both hitting the sweet spot between ambience and narrative.
by Dave McNally
On their self-titled new release, Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper’s sparkling improvisation pushes the kora tradition into a brand new musical space.
by Mike Davies
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings’ Woodland is steeped in timeworn American folk roots but filtered through a contemporary Americana lens; they remain the benchmark for acoustic roots duos – consummate brilliance.
by Bob Fish
Four simple songs have rarely generated such a transformative collection the way Kevin Fowley’s “À Feu Doux” does. Understanding the power of music, these sounds are perhaps the most evocative and revolutionary music you will hear all year.
by Thomas Blake
Despite its stylistic shifts and variations, Jessica Ackerley’s ‘All of the Colours Are Singing’ feels like a single complete journey, an impressive achievement given the comparatively minimal ingredients she works with. It also demonstrates how deep her talent as a musician, composer and improviser runs.
by Thomas Blake
On Divine Supplication, Derek Piotr weaves strands of strangeness and familiarity together in such a way that the final pieces often feel like heirlooms, half-remembered things retrieved from dusty boxes which spark bright, lucid memories.
by Bob Fish
On Classic Monsters, The Mining Co.’s Michael Gallagher, joined by his friends from Spanish psyche band Los Jaguares de la Bahía, keep it sparse yet dramatic on a concept album inspired by the monster movies of his childhood.
by Thomas Blake
Exploratory and constantly changing, Bill Callahan’s ‘Resuscitate!’ is serious music that doesn’t take itself too seriously. His songwriting has a message and truth. It’s Big, and it’s Clever. He’s Leonard Cohen with Paul Auster’s self-knowing postmodernism and Johnny Cash’s charred heart.
by Thomas Blake
Jenny Sturgeon’s paths.made.walking is a wonderful chronicle of sound and a hopeful reminder that there are still places where escape is possible and a connection with the natural world is worth seeking.
by David Pratt
Antologia Vol.2 confirms that África Negra as São Tomé and Príncipe’s most important and influential band and, more importantly, brings more of their sparkling melodies, pulsating bass lines and African-influenced puxa music to a wider audience.