1st Quarter Roundup(Jan-March)

Hi everybody and welcome to the 1st quarter favorites of 2020. This covers Jan-Mar and features a vast array of artists spanning many genres. This year is having a pretty good showing in terms of high quality releases. Some of these are political, some of these are spiritual, some slice of life and everything else in between. We've got some of the calmest music and some of the harshest music on this list. Most genres are represented here so there is going to be something for everyone, which is a major goal of ours here. We are here for you. We are here for your listening pleasure. We seek out the great sounds so you don't have to. So buckle up, fire up that spotify list(highly recommend shuffle) and kick back and explore some of the best music 2020 has to offer so far. 

Against All Logic-2017-2019(Other People)

Genre: Tech House, Post Industrial, IDM, Deconstructed Club, Microhouse, Industrial Techno, Outside House

Why It's Good: A big improvement over the last AAL album by means of being more abstract and using very overt pop samples. It's dirtier, grimier and more experimental and Nicolas Jaar's best work yet.

AJJ-Good Luck Everybody(AJJ Unlimited LTD)

Genre: Anti Folk, Indie Folk, Psychedelic Folk

Why It's Good: Great Anti-Folk political album that shits all over Donald Trump and our current position in society.

Terry Allen And The Panhandle Mystery Band-Just Like Moby Dick(Paradise Of Bachelors)

Genre: Americana, Progressive Country

Why It's Good: Country legend cuts loose and gets weird and personal on a loose concept album.

Arbor Labor Union-New Petal Instants(Arrowhawk)

Genre: Indie Rock, Post Punk, Cowpunk

Why It's Good: Awesome country fried indie rock with hooks all over the place.

Arca-@@@@@(XL)

Genre: Deconstructed Club, Sound Collage, Glitch, IDM, Latin Electronic, Wonky, Ambient Pop, Glitch Hop, Progressive Electronic

Why It's Good: Arca keeps evolving and this is no exception. This is an hour long track with surprises around every corner. This never gets old because the sounds are super hard to predict.

BAMBARA-Stray(Wharf Cat)

Genre: Post Punk, Punk Blues, Gothic Rock, Noise Rock, Gothic Country

Why It's Good: Very intense sort of Interpol inspired dark Indie Rock that definitely creates a dark and dreary mood.

The Black Lips-Sing...In A World That's Falling Apart(Fire/Vice)

Genre: Country Rock, Garage Rock, Alt Country

Why It's Good: The boys in the Black Lips pull a Byrds and release their own Sweetheart Of The Rodeo to great effect. Who knew going country was just what these guys needed.

The Chats-High Risk Behaviour(Bargain Bin)

Genre: Garage Punk, Hardcore Punk, Surf Punk

Why It's Good: Great snotty full length debut from these super hyped Aussie punks actually lives up to the hype with one of this year's best debuts.

Ian William Craig-Red Sun Through Smoke(130701)

Genre: Tape Music, Ambient, Choral, Modern Classical, Drone

Why It's Good: Great combination of experimental tape loops and choral samples make this sound like the most experimental Beach Boys inspired album yet to come out. Like a church on drugs.

Denzel Curry And Kenny Beats-Unlocked(PH Recordings LLC)

Genre: Hardcore Hip Hop, Southern Hip Hop, Boom Bap, Wonky

Why It's Good: Some people are saying this is an updated version of Madvillain. Why I don't fully agree I do say it comes close. Kenny Beats is currently doing way more than Madlib is these days and this match up was perfect.

David Dondero-The Filter Bubble Blues(Fluff And Gravy)

Genre: Singer/Songwriter, Progressive Folk, Alt Country, Contemporary Folk

Why It's Good: Easily the best political album of the year. Definitely also the best political album released during the Trump administration. This cuts deep and leaves a battered red state in it's wake. Exposing the stupid never gets old and this is a nice addition to that camp.

Sam Doores-Self Titled(New West)

Genre: Americana, New Orleans Jazz, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop

Why It's Good: Great old timey influenced album from the guitarist of Hurray For The Riff Raff. This album will invoke a mood if you are into old timey sounds.

Eye Flys-Tub Of Lard(Thrill Jockey)

Genre: Noise Rock, Post Hardcore, Sludge Metal

Why It's Good: Sounding like an amazing lost Unsane or Melvins album. This is nasty, hard and kick ass noise rock that will definitely remind you of the highlights of the 90s.

Gallery S-Self Titled(Haus Of Altr)

Genre: Breakbeat, Deep House, Atmospheric Drum N Bass, Hardcore Breaks, Minimal Techno, Jungle

Why It's Good: The best House influenced album of the year so far. Filled with crazy breakbeats and jungle influenced sounds. This album is very unpredictable within a very predictable genre and for that it deserves a spot on this list.

Angelica Garcia-Cha Cha Palace(Spacebomb)

Genre: Art Pop

Why It's Good: The closest comparison I have for this would be a down to earth East LA version of Kate Bush. There is so much more since she draws a lot from modern pop music and injects it with a heavy dose of her Mexican heritage, culture and politics.

The Garden-Kiss My Super Bowl Ring(Epitaph)

Genre: Art Punk, Experimental Rock, Synth Punk, Hardcore Punk, Digital Hardcore, Breakbeat, Experimental Hip Hop, Zolo

Why It's Good: Though this isn't their finest hour, these brothers continue to morph and shift into different shapes. They add a lot more industrial Digital Hardcore influenced breaks and the cameos from Le1f and Ariel Pink are both impressive and hilarious, respectively.

Gezan-Klue(13th)

Genre: Noise Rock, Neo Psychedelia, Art Rock, Industrial Rock, Experimental Rock, Dub, Krautrock

Why It's Good: One of the closest albums I've heard to sounding like prime era Boredoms. Though this still doesn't come close to that bands highlights it is worth noting the effort put forth in the blending of genres here. At the same time though, those same genre jumps are what kind of hurt this album. If they dropped the J Pop influences this would be a masterpiece.

HMLTD-West Of Eden(Lucky Number)

Genre: Glam Punk, Art Pop, Art Rock, Dance Punk, Post Punk, Synth Punk, Punk Blues, Dark Cabaret

Why It's Good: An extremely weird debut album from a very weird band. Each song is basically a different genre. Some of it is straight forward Indie Rock, some is weird Dark Cabaret and very musical theater kid, some is dark Post Punk in the vein of Joy Division. This thing is all over the place and might put off some listeners, but there is bound to be something for everyone on this album.

The Homesick-The Big Exercise(Sub Pop)

Genre: Indie Pop, Art Punk, Post Punk, Math Rock, Psychedelic Pop

Why It's Good: Really great experimental Indie Pop album that draws from Zappa, Ween and Ariel Pink. These guys also throw in a ton of Prog influences from mostly the British side of things. All this amounts to one of the most interesting and fun listens of the year.

Internal Rot-Grieving Birth(Iron Lung/625 Thrashcore)

Genre: Grindcore

Why It's Good: Just a great intense Grindcore album amongst a sea of Grindcore albums. Something I can't put my finger on makes this rise above but I really can't figure it out. Just know that this is Grindcore operating on all cylinders.

Intronaut-Fluid Existential Inversions(Self Released)

Genre: Progressive Metal, Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Post Metal

Why It's Good: To me this is what the last Tool album should have sounded like. They get that Alternative Metal sound down perfectly. They do this by not sounding too corny or too whiny or too emo. Just solid Alt Metal.

Maria Jose Llergo-Sanacion(Sony)

Genre: Flamenco Nuevo, Avant Folk, Ambient Pop, Copla

Why It's Good: Never been a big fan of Flamenco but this really kills it. By adding tons of atmospheric tricks she stands way ahead of her peers in this typically stale and overdone genre of music.

Loving-If I Am Only My Thoughts(Last Gang)

Genre: Indie Pop, Psychedelic Pop, Hypnagogic Pop, Psychedelic Folk, Neo Psychedelia

Why It's Good: Every year there is a standout beautiful Indie Pop/Rock album that comes out. One with shimmering guitars and addictive melodies and a laid back attitude. This is that album for this year.

Walter Martin-The World At Night(Ile Flottante Music)

Genre: Chamber Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Folk, Indie Pop

Why It's Good: An excellent whimsical album made by one of the chief songwriters of the Walkmen. This one is for late nights and Halloweens. He writes a lot of children's music and while this is not one of those albums he does let the fantastical songwriting seep into this serious collection of tunes.

Mac Miller-Circles(Warner Records Inc.)

Genre: Neo Soul, Pop Rap, Psychedelic Soul

Why It's Good: I never thought in a million years I would recommend a Mac Miller album, let alone put it on any kind of non-weekly list. Well here it is. Why? Well it's understated, there is hardly any of his rapping on it and it comes across as more of a late night alternative Soul album rather than anything else he put out. He teamed up with Jon Brion on this one and it shows. The music matches his wonderfully lazy delivery and Jon has helped make this one of the best Posthumous albums in recent memory.

Machine+-Samsara(Arctic Ritual)

Genre: Shoegaze, Neo Psychedelia, Experimental Rock, Glitch, Post Rock, LO-FI, Slowcore

Why It's Good: A woozy all over the place mash up of multiple genres. Think Slint but way more experimental and far wide genre reaching.

Mammock-Itch(Self Released)

Genre: Noise Rock, Math Rock, Post Hardcore, Art Punk

Why It's Good: Probably the best Noise Rock album on the list. Think more in the vein of Mclusky and Jesus Lizard than the more metal influenced stuff. This is Noise with pop sensibility.

Tami Neilson-Chickaboom!(Outside)

Genre: Country Soul, Rockabilly

Why It's Good: A great collection of rockabilly and shit hot country music led by a powerful voice and minimal production. She strips down her sound and shines because of it.

P.E.-Person(Wharf Cat)

Genre: Post Industrial, Art Punk, Synth Punk, Minimal Wave, Experimental Rock

Why It's Good: This is an extremely weird album. It's filled with abrasive industrial influenced samples and electronics that surround Indie Pop. A very odd listen and one of the weirdest releases so far this year. Like some weird bastard child of harsh industrial, post punk and Indie Pop.

Poppy-I Disagree(Sumerian)

Genre: Alternative Metal, Industrial Metal, Electro Industrial, Nu Metal, Dream Pop

Why It's Good: I would have never thought I would be putting a Nu Metal influenced Dream Pop on a list...pretty much ever but here we are! This stuff is incredibly creative and relentless. A lot of people will hate this because they wont be able to stomach the Nu Metal but for those with a patient and exploratory ear this is one of the year's best.

R.A.P. Ferreira-Purple Moonlight Pages(Ruby Yacht)

Genre: Jazz Rap, Abstract Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop, Jazz Poetry

Why It's Good: So the rapper Milo decides to use his real name and drop one of the best Beat Poet influenced Hip Hop albums of the year. Think something smooth along the lines of De La Soul or Digable Planets but held at the world's most experimental and interesting coffee shop open mic.

Sir Michael Rocks-Broken Window Of Opportunity(Marriani)

Genre: Cloud Rap, Trap

Why It's Good: The best and weirdest and most interesting Trap album of the year.

ROOKIE-Self Titled(Bloodshot)

Genre: Power Pop, Indie Rock, Alternative Rock

Why It's Good: Great consistent Power Pop with tons and tons of hooks and melodies that will burrow themselves in your ear.

Andy Shauf-The Neon Skyline(Anti-)

Genre: Chamber Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Indie Pop, Indie Folk, Soft Rock

Why It's Good: Here's a little secret...this is the best album of the year so far. It will be hard to beat. This is not only one of the best albums of this year, it's one of the best albums I have heard...period. This is a bit deceptive. It is basically just Indie Pop/Rock but it is executed so well that there is literally not a single wasted note or lyric. This is a concept album about a night out on the town where the narrator realizes that his ex is back in town and him and his friends barhop and eventually run into her(Judy) and how it impacts this one guy on this one night. Andy plays every single note on this as well as handling all production and recording duties. It is a feat that doesn't come along that often and rarely this successful.

Snorlax-II(Brilliant Emperor)

Genre: Black Metal, Death Metal

Why It's Good: The best Black and Death metal album of the year. It is intense without being overbearing, honors the past without being reductive and just blows all the other stuff out of the water.

Stabscotch-Twilight Dawn(Mr. Snow)

Genre: Experimental Rock, Noise Rock, Avant Prog, Brutal Prog

Why It's Good: Never ones to disappoint. If you like Noise Rock and heavy shit you must listen to this. Exciting at every turn and never a dull moment. This will destroy you.

Viagra Boys-Common Sense EP(Year 0001)

Genre: Post Punk, Art Punk, Neo Psychedelia

Why It's Good: Super solid confrontational post punk album. This is what Nick Cave wishes he were doing, or better what I wish Nick Cave was doing...then maybe the critical acclaim would be warranted. Can't wait for their full length.

Natan Wojtyla-Vacant Alley(Self Released)

Genre: IDM, Post Industrial, Glitch, Wonky, Industrial Techno

Why It's Good: Amazing Techno album indebted to the best IDM Warp Records sounds from the 90s. This stuff is super rhythmic and dark and exciting.

Wasted Shirt-Fungus II(Famous Class)

Genre: Noise Rock, Experimental Rock, Post Hardcore

Why It's Good: Great collaboration between Ty Segall and Brian Chippendale(drummer of Lightning Bolt). They both bring out the best in each other. I think Lightning Bolt fans might like this more than Segall fans but that's just because it's noisy and loud and nasty and not Indie/Garage Rock.

The Wood Brothers-Kingdom In My Mind(Honey Jar)

Genre: Folk Rock, Americana

Why It's Good: Great laid back and sometimes goofy Americana. Super easy to listen to and I just wish the Black Keys would come close to making something like this.

Zebra Katz-Less Is Moor(The Vinyl Factory/ZFK)

Genre: Experimental Hip Hop, UK Bass, Industrial Hip Hop, Deconstructed Club, Trap, Ballroom, Hip House, Glitch Hop

Why It's Good: After a long as shit wait from this guy we finally get his debut full length and it doesn't disappoint at all. Imagine a great MC flowing over Arca beats and that's about the closest comparison you will get it. This album sounds metallic and really creates a picture of dread and menace.