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  1. Chuck Berry– ‘Big Boys

The first (!) official video from a true legend, Chuck Berry, surfaced this week, two months after his passing. ‘Big Boys‘ is a fine adaptation by director Curtis Wayne Millard, succeeding in transferring the atmosphere and feel of Master Chuck. And, the sound from his unique Gibson guitar is vivid as ever… This one is for you, Chris!

Christos Doukakis

  1. Pia Fraus – ‘That’s Not All

I was introduced into this Estonian dreampop/shoegaze ensemble of wonders thanks to the precious archivial work by the Californian label Clairecords, their 2002 second album ‘In Memoriam’ was an ‘out of the blue’ amazing revelation.

On learning the news of an upcoming first full-length after almost a decade, I couldn’t be more excited and listening to the previous ‘Autumn Winds’ and the brand new single ‘That’s Not All’ has further increased my expectations.

The allure, lightness and freshness of Pia Fraus sound and melodies are pristine as ever and, if possible, even more impressive: sharp reverbed guitar chords that set the tone, unworldly combined fluttering and mesmerizing male/female vocals, wrapping synth layers and fast pacing rhythm section… Three astounding minutes of pop perfection.

Fabrizio Lusso

  1. The Holy Circle – ‘Paris

The Holy Circle have been slowly creeping into the dark music scene over the past year. In 2016 they delivered a taste of their sound on a one-sided 7″ through Anathema Editions and a cassette EP through Accidental Guest Recordings. Now the trio are preparing to release their self-titled full length debut. This digipak cd release will be presented by the respected Providence label Annihilvs Power Elctronix.

The first taste of the album is ‘Paris‘. The vocals by Erica Burgner-Hannum bring a dreamy vibe to their sound, while the synth work by Terence Hannum (Locrian) and the hammering percussions by Nathan Jurgenson bring bit of industrial darkness into the mix. The result of this unlikely mixture of sounds seems like some female-fronted pop track from a David Lynch film. Its combinations of beauty, noise and just enough darkness give it an irresistible vibe.

Michael Barnett

  1. Mane– ‘The Cage

From the ever fertile Bay Area artistic community, in spite of the growing gentrification plague, springs the all female, fierce power trio Mane.

With already a 5-track debut EP in 2013, ‘after all the blood, sweat and tears’, they were finally able to finalize their, quintessentially DIY, debut full length that will out next late summer.

The Cage’ is one of the first promising ‘fruits’ from their hard work and is a challenging and engaging brilliant song about being able to overcome the paranoia of the uncertainty and unknown. Skillfully distilling elements of crackling and dissonant goth post punk and fuzzy trippy psych garage, beautified by lavish three-part vocal harmonies and combined with a smart riot-girl attitude, this gang of powerful ‘female alpha’ knows how to make its listeners highly addicted and entranced, luckily more incandescent shots are on our way soon.

Fabrizio Lusso

  1. Cigarettes After Sex – ‘Each Time You Fall In Love’

Each time you fall in love,

it’s clearly not enough,

you sleep all day and drive out in LA,

it isn’t safe.

and each time you kiss a girl,

you never know what its worth,

you say all of the words they wanna hear,

it isn’t real.

she took you for a ride in summer baby,

lost all your money to her.

all I wanna know is if you love her –

how come you never give in?

 each time you have a dream,

you never know what it means,

you see that open road –

and never know which way to go

 and each time you fall in love –

its clearly not enough.

you sleep all day and drive out in LA –

it isn’t safe.

she took you for a ride in summer baby,

lost all your money to her.

all I wanna know is if you love her –

how come you never give in?

Well, thank you for the feels… Cigarettes After Sex latest offering. Full-stop!

Christos Doukakis

Compiled by Christos Doukakis, Fabrizio Lusso & Michael Barnett