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DISCOMBOBULATED – Hen Ogledd
Genre: Art Rock, Experimental Pop
RIYL: Modern Woman, Richard Dawson
“Huh, I don’t know what to really think.” Is exactly what I thought when listening to this experimental pop record coming out of Britain, that focuses on the current political climate in their country. Like I have my opinions on the political climate, but the album just takes this in a very unexpected direction, at least sonically. When I think of political activist music I definitely don’t think of theatrical writing with a rather upbeat soundscape, but that’s exactly what you get from this album. Though I’m still a bit DISCOMBOBULATED from this album, if you have strong feelings about the current political atmosphere in Britain or just really like a Welsh accent, this is a pretty good record.
-Z
I’m Freaking Out – Worry Club
Genre: Pop Rock
RIYL: HUNNY, Friday Pilots Club, Capital Soiree
On their debut album I’m Freaking Out, Chicago based pop-rock band Worry Club deliver their signature high energy sound as a backdrop to a mental breakdown. The record manages not to take itself too seriously even though it leans into themes of loss and mental illness, resulting in an infectiously fun listen. While not every track is an instant classic, there are definitely a solid amount of tracks worth coming back to, and the overall listening experience is worth giving a try.
Try: “Little F[****]r,” “DRNKNG PRBLM,” and “I’m Ded!”
-Kathryn
Carnival – trauma ray
Genre: Shoegaze
RIYL: All Under Heaven, Glare, Downward
Following their 2024 release of Chameleon, trauma ray embraces their style of droning guitars and melodic vocals in Carnival. With one of their heaviest songs yet, “Hannibal”, they still stick with their signature sound in songs like “Méliès” and “Funhouse”. Overall a solid release if you’re a fan of the band or the genre.
-Gareth
Deface The Currency – The Messthetics and James Brandon Lewis
Genre: Avant-Jazz, Prog Rock
RIYL: Fugazi, The Warmers
I’m not gonna lie to you, this is a very hard record to describe. From the powerful thumping basslines to the percussion that just feels like its following behind you, this is one of the most interesting jazz records I may have ever listened to. If you like jazz, well experimental jazz that is, art rock, or honestly really really well composed music, I highly recommend you check this out ASAP.
-Z
Future Quiet – Moby
Genre: Modern Classical, Ambient Pop
RIYL: Bing & Ruth
Going into this record, I only knew Moby from their 1999 release of Play, which is an indie-electronica-pop record that I really only know because I got the CD at a thrift store for a quarter. You may be thinking “hmmmmm, why does the genre for this record say ‘Modern Classical’ if Moby made an indie record?” and I was asking myself the very same thing when I first started listening. With the release of Moby’s 33rd, yes 33rd, record comes a very interesting take on modern classical music, not one that necessarily drew me in, but one I appreciated. If you are looking for atmospheric solitude located inside of ambient pop with a heavy piano focus than this record is for you, otherwise, I’d try one of the other records mentioned here.
-Z
My name is Z Marik, and I am the Digital Media Director at WVUA-FM. I am a Junior, majoring in Operations Management with a minor in Supply Chain Management.
My favorite album is 69 Love Songs by The Magnetic Fields.
Thanks for reading my articles!
Hello! I’m Kathryn, a Senior studying Computer Engineering and the current Station Manager for WVUA-FM. I love going to shows, collecting vinyl, and co-hosting the emo + punk specialty show Loser Radio here at The Capstone.
