With a certain cunning, this work could be considered in some ways even better than the acclaimed 'Play,' certainly more sincere, less sleazy, and without any pretense.

 This album sounds just like those slightly faded Sunday afternoons returning from the usual day trip to a remote farmhouse, with the sun never finishing setting.

This review encourages listeners to view Moby's Play: The B Sides beyond previous biases, appreciating it as a sincere and skillful ambient instrumental album. It portrays the work as more honest and less commercial than his mainstream successes. Despite minor flaws, the album offers a pleasant and lively sequence of chamber electronica tracks reminiscent of earlier ambient works. The reviewer likens the album’s spirit to a tough and sincere fight for relevance, much like a Serie B football league. Give Play: The B Sides a listen and discover Moby’s heartfelt ambient sound beyond the hits.

 It’s the bright side of Pink Moon. God knows how much we need it.

 Stop spying on her from the window and just offer a smile when you meet her on the stairs.

Maxine Funke's album Pieces Of Driftwood offers a sweet, intimate folk experience filled with delicate acoustic melodies. The review highlights the emotional depth and the magical simplicity of the music, likening it to a bright counterpart of Nick Drake's Pink Moon. The album evokes quiet, reflective moments and a gentle, caring presence throughout its songs. Listen to Maxine Funke’s Pieces Of Driftwood and experience the soothing beauty of modern folk.

 "‘I Didn’t Mean to Haunt You’ is a bright star in the firmament of modern avant-pop: not for everyone, not immediately assimilable or classifiable, but deserving of the significant exposure it is receiving online."

 "Quadeca has managed to carve out a comfortable niche to experiment with textures without giving up catchy hooks with clear emo-rap influences."

Quadeca successfully transitions from YouTube content creator to serious artist with 'I Didn’t Mean to Haunt You', a concept album blending emo-rap and avant-pop. The album explores themes of suicide and afterlife through sophisticated production and varied influences. Despite minor flaws due to youth and inexperience, the project showcases bold experimentation and strong songwriting. Guest appearances like Danny Brown add depth to this ambitious release. Discover Quadeca’s bold new album and experience the unique blend of emo-rap and avant-pop today!

 An album conceived during the dark lockdown; each member, isolated in their own home, created their part.

 Russian Circles have triumphed again! One of my musical highlights of the year.

Russian Circles' eighth album, Gnosis, showcases their signature instrumental post-metal style with expertly balanced bass, guitar, and drums. Created during lockdown and refined with producers Steve Albini and Kurt Ballou, it delivers a compact yet powerful listening experience under 40 minutes. Highlights include emotional tracks such as Ó Braonáin and the atmospheric Bloom. The album is praised as a high point in the band's career and a standout release of the year. Listen to Russian Circles' Gnosis and experience their post-metal brilliance and emotional depth.

 ‘I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me’ is an album of disarming beauty, spartan and sometimes even moving.

 The way Hannah sings reminds me so much of Hope Sandoval, the same monotony, more disenchanted and grounded.

The review praises King Hannah's album 'I'm Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me' for its minimalistic yet evocative storytelling and authentic emotional delivery. It highlights the duo's ability to channel nostalgic indie folk and alt-rock sounds reminiscent of Hope Sandoval, Mazzy Star, and Jesus & Mary Chain. The album features intimate, straightforward lyrics and a striking cover of Bruce Springsteen's "State Trooper." The reviewer finds the album both moving and highly relatable, recommending it to fans of 90s alternative music. Listen to King Hannah's heartfelt album and experience a fresh take on indie folk and nostalgic alt-rock today!

 Four Tet inhibits melancholy and makes us (re)live the long days and vivid colors of Summer, making it a mental season.

 The model is much more yoga-soft with oils and massages than loud-club.

The review reflects on experiencing Four Tet's Sixteen Oceans during lockdown, highlighting its calming, eclectic instrumental sound that cultivates mental peace. It contrasts the album’s serene and natural atmosphere with confinement’s monotony. The music invites listeners to embrace introspection and the subtle beauty of everyday views, offering comfort and a sense of renewal amid global uncertainty. Listen to Four Tet's Sixteen Oceans and find your calm within the music's serene waves.

 The production is heavy, there is an overabundance of strings and pompous sycophantic choruses seeking easy applause.

 Bruce's album deserves an honest 6.5/10 and let no one dare even compare Only the Strong Survive to the Seeger sessions.

This review takes a critical look at Bruce Springsteen's 'Only the Strong Survive,' a soul covers album. While highlighting some strong moments like the duet with Sam Moore, it criticizes the heavy production and lack of genuine soul. The album is seen as vintage pop rather than a true soul record, earning a modest rating. Listen to Bruce Springsteen’s 'Only the Strong Survive' and decide if this vintage soul cover album hits the mark for you.

 This 'Father Loves Us' is nothing more than one of their most annihilating manifestos.

 The title track is a chilling metallic and percussive whirlwind; inhuman beats are accompanied by surgical and paranoid noise.

British Murder Boys' 'Father Loves Us' is a compact and powerful display of brutal industrial techno. Featuring legends Regis and Surgeon, the EP channels the essence of Birmingham's underground sound with precision and dark intensity. The two tracks deliver a harsh, mechanical assault, reflecting a dystopian urban landscape. This release stands out as a devastating yet expertly crafted manifesto in the genre. Dive into the intense, industrial world of British Murder Boys' 'Father Loves Us'—experience techno at its most ruthless.

 Do Make Say Think are not just that kind of post-rock, a label that would be too narrow for them.

 If I had to express the “vibes” of the album in one word it would be “lightness,” because in its compositional complexity, sometimes you almost feel like floating on the melodies intertwining with each other.

This review praises Do Make Say Think's 2017 album Stubborn Persistent Illusions as a fresh take on post-rock. The band transcends typical genre traits with dynamic compositions and engaging grooves. Tracks blend bright, happy riffs with reflective moods, maintaining listener attention. The album conveys a sense of lightness and intricate melodic interplay. Overall, it highlights the band's skillful musicianship and Canadian roots. Listen to Stubborn Persistent Illusions and experience Do Make Say Think’s dynamic, captivating post-rock journey.

 Among the stories that impressed me the most, I mention 'Dust You Were,' a very macabre tale where a small village celebrates funerals by burying people alive.

 Ultimately, we are faced with an author absolutely worth rediscovering for those who love a certain type of non-Anglo-Saxon fantastic literature.

This review highlights 'The Toad Cellar' by Thomas Owen as a seminal work in Belgian fantastic literature. It focuses on the terrifying and mysterious nature of Owen’s stories, emphasizing notable tales like 'Dust You Were,' 'The Disconsolate Presence,' and '15-12-38.' The review praises Owen’s unique use of symbolism, esoteric motifs, and eerie settings, encouraging readers to rediscover his influential work alongside Jean Ray. Overall, it positions Owen as a major figure in non-Anglo-Saxon fantastic fiction. Dive into Thomas Owen’s eerie tales and experience the uncanny side of Belgian fantastic literature today!

 Finally sees the light Shadows, the first album by the doom metal band ExpiatoriA.

 The voice of singer David Krieg is excellent and very intense, also the author of the dark-tinted lyrics that blend well with the overall mood of the work.

ExpiatoriA's first album Shadows marks a powerful debut in the doom metal scene, enriched by notable Italian metal artists and a mix of dark, gothic and prog influences. The album is praised for its intense vocals, original compositions, and atmospheric depth, appealing to fans of both heavy metal and dark progressive music. Listen to ExpiatoriA’s Shadows now on Bandcamp and dive into a rich world of doom and dark prog metal!

 It’s a sort of big bang, a small explosion of pure entropy on the piano from which everything draws nourishment and foundation.

 None of them reconciles me to pure improvisation like Bley, understood as total liberation from schemes and constraints.

Paul Bley’s 2007 album 'About Time' showcases his lifetime commitment to pure, spontaneous jazz improvisation through solo piano performances. The record presents a lyrical yet challenging journey that embodies Bley’s unique style, combining irony, melancholy, and creative freedom. It highlights his refusal to rely on conventional structures, offering a raw and honest musical experience. Though not the easiest entry point to his work, it stands as a poignant farewell from one of jazz’s greatest pianists. Dive into Paul Bley’s masterful solo piano improvisations and experience jazz purity in its most genuine form.

 "F8 is powerful, at times overwhelming but also reflective and full of motivation."

 "It’s disheartening to see that people can’t dig (just a little) to see how much meaning and emotion can be found in those distorted guitars."

This heartfelt review challenges heavy metal stereotypes through the lens of Five Finger Death Punch's album F8. It highlights the band's powerful themes of rebirth, resilience, and emotional depth, reflecting vocalist Ivan Moody's personal struggles and comeback. The album is praised for its blend of intense metal grooves and reflective ballads. Ultimately, F8 is presented as a motivational and life-affirming metal record. Listen to F8 and experience the powerful rebirth and emotional depth of Five Finger Death Punch today!

 Sabba can finally shine in all its dark and esoteric allure.

 Ultimately, we are faced with an essential album for collectors of Italian prog, a sort of missing link that rewrites history.

Sabba by Fiamma Dallo Spirito, recorded in 1975 and finally released in 2022, is a vital piece of Italian prog history. With strong ties to the occult and '70s horror culture, it delivers a dark and mystical listening experience. The album connects closely to works by Jacula and Antonius Rex, featuring both original tracks and reworked material. Its release fills a significant gap for collectors and lovers of vintage progressive rock. Explore the haunting depths of Sabba and experience a rare gem of Italian prog history today.

 Just as Zweig, before being the author of The World of Yesterday, was a creator of memorable biographical portraits, I loved the novella for finding in it a classic and serene meeting place with exceptional souls conquered and invaded by uncontrollable passions and sentiments.

 The pleasure of the game turned into vice, the vice became necessity, mania, anger, which permeated even sleep, and finally became a crisis.

The review highlights Stefan Zweig’s novella The Royal Game as a masterpiece intertwining chess with Europe's tragic history. Featuring a contrast between cultured and crude characters, the story explores obsession, passion, and mental struggle during confinement. It praises Zweig’s balance of suspense and deep psychological insight, appreciating the work as a classic portrayal of exceptional souls driven by uncontrollable sentiments. Discover the gripping tale of chess, passion, and tragedy—read Stefan Zweig’s The Royal Game today!

 Four pieces spread over thirteen melancholic minutes. Everyone imagines them as they wish; mine are gray, with profiles of buildings swallowed by smog.

 I don’t know if it has real artistic value, but they are thirteen minutes that work.

This brief review captures the modest yet effective essence of 'Non è Nulla,' a 13-minute post-rock album. With its evocative guitars and electronic touches, it paints melancholic urban imagery. The reviewer appreciates its ability to create an atmosphere despite its short length, acknowledging its artistic value without overstatement. Listen to 'Non è Nulla' and experience a brief yet immersive post-rock journey filled with melancholic beauty.

 'L'ultima festa' is something terribly permeated with my need for music.

 A dark atmosphere, a sound that gets inside me explodes, echoes, I hear a tremendous roar.

The reviewer reflects on the impact of digital music changes from Napster to streaming, sharing a strong emotional connection to Cosmo's 'L'ultima festa'. Although generally selective and nostalgic in musical taste, the album unexpectedly captivates him profoundly. The review contrasts the reviewer’s past frustrations with mainstream radio and new music with a rediscovered passion for this track. Discover Cosmo’s 'L'ultima festa' and experience a unique journey of sound and emotion.

 The series is enticing, it demands your curiosity, and it gradually grows, but in the end, the viewer is rewarded.

 Once finished, I assure you that you will want to talk about it with someone, if you’re a fan of the genre.

1899 is a mysterious series by the creators of Dark, set on a ship with passengers from across Europe. Despite a slow start, the plot intensifies with unexpected twists, high production values, and authentic multilingual dialogue. The series captivates fans of complex and atmospheric storytelling, rewarding viewers with an engaging and thought-provoking experience. It encourages discussion and theory-building, making it a must-watch for genre enthusiasts. Dive into 1899 and unravel the mystery crafted by the minds behind Dark—watch now and join the conversation!

 The theme of cannibalism is just a pretext.

 Many other humans remain far more dangerous than the two of them.

Luca Guadagnino’s film Bones and All uses cannibalism as a pretext to explore themes of isolation, identity, and growing up in 1980s America. The story follows Maren and Lee, two young outcasts struggling to find their place in society while navigating personal and psychological challenges. The film balances horror with psychological suspense, avoiding clichés. Its road movie structure adds a majestic backdrop to a deeply emotional and thought-provoking narrative. Discover the haunting beauty of Bones and All—watch the film and experience this unforgettable journey of youth and survival.

 The album stirs up a bit of nostalgia, perfect for late afternoons in your room after finishing your studies.

 Besides singing, Soccer Mommy is also a talented guitarist; arrangements often rely on overdriven electric guitar chords with some shoegaze experimentation.

Soccer Mommy’s third album, Sometimes, Forever, maintains her youthful and nostalgic vibe with more refined song structures and arrangements. The album evokes late afternoon moods tied to small-town American settings, with personal and emotional lyrics. Guitar arrangements blend overdriven chords and subtle shoegaze experimentation. Overall, it’s a pleasant listen, ideal for those who cherish nostalgia or lo-fi indie music styles. Dive into Soccer Mommy’s Sometimes, Forever for a nostalgic indie experience full of heartfelt lyrics and compelling guitar work.