Yusef Lateef - “Semiocto”
It’s 9am in early January, the holidays are over and I’m walking the 10 minutes from the train station to my office making my brain feel crazy listening to Yusef Lateef’s Psychicemotus.
Jana Horn - “Go on, move your body”
I’m all in on the new Jana Horn record. I’ve been listening to this song repeatedly since it was first released back in November, hoping the rest of the album would live up to the expectations set by this spare, subtly noisy gem. Now that the full thing is here, I’m pleased to announce that it does and I will be listening to it a lot over the next few months (at least).
COLA REN - “Fallen Papaya”
I first read about COLA REN’s new album Mekong Ballad in Zensounds’ essential 25 Best Ambient Albums of 2025 and it’s been in regular rotation ever since. Just over 20 minutes of environmental instrumentals full of evocative, organic textures and lush ambience, it’s a great world to immerse yourself in.
Frances Chang - “I can feel the waves”
This new single from Frances Chang, her first for the reliably interesting RVNG Intl recording company, is really good! The cool off-kilter production flourishes create a playfully uncanny atmosphere, a great showcase for Chang’s self-described “slacker prog."
Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - “Love’s Refrain”
I’m sitting at a bar after work waiting to meet up with my wife, reading a couple stories from Borges’ Labyrinths on my eBook reader and absolutely blasting Jefre Cantu-Ledesma’s In Summer.
I’m sitting at a bar after work waiting to meet up with my wife, reading a couple stories from Borges’ Labyrinths on my eBook reader and absolutely blasting Jefre Cantu-Ledesma’s In Summer.
The Cosmic Tones Research Trio - “Sankofa”
Aquarium Drunkard described The Cosmic Tones Research Trio's new album as sounding like if "Stars of the Lid tried to work up a thick jazz groove" and frankly there's no way anything is ever living up to that description BUT the record is pretty cool with some real bangers like "Sankofa" on it.
Caterina Barbieri & Bendik Giske - “Alignment, Orbits”
We got to see Caterina Barbieri live at the Chicago Cultural Center back in 2019; witnessing her conjuring multi-channel minimalist synth soundscapes in the big gorgeous cavernous Preston Bradley Hall was an unforgettable experience. Her new record, out next month, is a collaboration with Norwegian saxman Bendik Giske and I’m really digging this first glimpse.
Salimata - “Moonlight”
There’s a lot of really cool stuff across this whole Salimata record, another entry in the growing canon of awesome 10k releases, but the final track, “Moonlight,” is probably my favorite. Slap an absolutely unhinged vocal sample over an anachronistic instrumental with chilly, laid-back vocals and nine times out of ten you’re gonna have a certified Horse Combinations banger.
John Roseboro - “I Did The Math (feat. sign crushes motorist)”
I was revisiting John Roseboro’s 2024 LP Fools and this song really stood out to me. He’s so good, man.
I was revisiting John Roseboro’s 2024 LP Fools and this song really stood out to me. He’s so good, man.
Immaterialize - “Everything But Myself (ft. Fire-Toolz)”
The latest single from Chicago duo Immaterialize is the best track I’ve heard so far from their forthcoming Angel Tapes debut, Perfect. A collaboration with the always awesome Fire-Toolz, there’s a ton of icy, fucked up, and otherwise interesting stuff happening here and I’m excited to spend more time with it.
The latest single from Chicago duo Immaterialize is the best track I’ve heard so far from their forthcoming Angel Tapes debut, Perfect. A collaboration with the always awesome Fire-Toolz, there’s a ton of icy, fucked up, and otherwise interesting stuff happening here and I’m excited to spend more time with it.
Until next time, friends! Please enjoy the work-in-progress playlist below: