A Big Sound and Big Ideas from a Heck of a Debut
A Fresh-faced indie band come out the gates with an impressive first album. It might not be perfect but it’s displays enough brilliant ideas and fantastic execution that it’s hard not to be excited for.
The Great Dichotomy of 2025: Two Contrasting Albums, One Versatile Artist
Québécois artist, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, does something exceedingly rare for contemporary music by releasing two albums in the span of one year! Did the prolific output this year pay off? Only one way to find out…
Becoming Distinct: How a Hungarian Folk Band and Their Music Differentiates From Their Neighbors
Nestled within Central Europe among various other peoples, Hungary standouts as a somewhat distinct and unique cultural identity. It might be hard to understand the reason at first, but a thorough look at their traditional cultural expressions may uncover valuable insight as to why that’s the case.
Smuggled Across the Red Sea – Khadiija Jiijo Jeesto’s 808 Xamar: Exiled Digital Somali Sounds from 1990s Saudi Arabia
In my journey to experience the world through music, I’ve listened to a plethora of music from Africa. In my listening, I’ve enjoyed many a traditional folk genre and a modern pop album, but never had I really seen the very beginnings of the fusion of these two in such an interesting way as I…
Exploring Uzbekistan Through Ethnoise: qorakitobchi’s Out/In
For many people, Uzbekistan is a place explored through the pages of history books and photographs. To many Americans, we know Uzbekistan as a formerly Soviet nation that’s surrounded by vast deserts and mountains. Uzbekistan’s beauty and rich history are presented to us in print media, but a large aspect of Uzbekistan is left undiscovered…
A New Age for Extreme Music: Dreamy and Harsh in a New Genre-Bending Release
Atmospheric metal and post-metal has mostly hit a recession as the biggest bands of the last few decades have either ran out of ideas or hung up their hat. Many new bands in the style seemed resigned to only emulate the sound of yore. South Korea’s Baan might be able to help manifest a new…
Preserving an Ancient Local Tradition: Sounds of the Modern Day Griots
In the capital city of Bamako, Mali, there still exists a precedent to keep the act of musical storytelling alive and well, even after thousands of years of continuous participation. The sound of it may have changed, but their methodology doesn’t.
When Two Worlds Collide, They Create The Most Interesting Folk Record Of The Year
Two acts from the same city operating in two different genres, come together to make a one-of-a-kind piece of art for better and for worse…
Transmissions Lost in Khmer Rouge: Haunting Cambodian Tunes for the Soul
Fifty years removed from the Cambodian Civil War, echoes of the nation’s most popular musician at the time can still be heard in the modern day. Even after the artist’s disappearance, their music will never leave the heart’s of many.
An Ode From The Andes: Dismantling the Misconceptions of Music From Latin America
Born from a small town of Capinota in the Andes mountains 7,894 feet above sea level, Los Kjarkas successfully translates the musical traditions they grew up with into a captivating piece that in one way or another makes its way around the globe.
Where Beauty and Extremity Roost Together: How One Album Changed My Perception
Conceived from the mist and rugged coastline of the country’s Northeastern shore, Fall of Rauros successfully blends the frozen hellscape sound of black metal with some breathtaking acoustic folk compositions for a stunning atmosphere rarely heard in music.
Rediscovering My Heritage through Music: A Masterpiece In Celtic Harp Playing Outside of The Isles
Music has the power to do a lot of good. In this case, Alan Stivell’s 1971 album made me come to terms with my heritage and how we should celebrate such a thing as a species.
The Sound of A Dying Nation: Kamal Keila’s Only Album Ever Released
Habibi Funk, in their mission to release previously recorded music from the Arabic speaking world, have put out an all time classic record worthy of being compared to the best that music from Africa, in Arabic or otherwise, has to offer.
From Soviet-era Kazakhstan to your Speakers: Yashlik’s Self-Titled Album
The recently-founded Uzbek record label Maqom Soul has made it their mission to compile and revive rare and overlooked music from Central Asia, as well as restore the culturally significant music that has shaped the musical landscape of Central Asia. Maqom Soul’s journey has begun with the release of Yashlik. Prior to Maqom Soul sharing…
ARDENTLY 