WILT_2022-35

A playlist of songs that intrigued me from Sunday to Saturday. Week of 28 Aug 2022 to 3 Sep 2022.

1. GOD OF LOVE – Liturgy
2. Detransitioning – Uboa
3. An Angel of Great and Terrible Light – Uboa
4. Stare Into Death And Be Still – Ulcerate
5. Unsilent Death – Nails
6. 405 – Metronomy, Big Piig
7. First Light – Ishmael Ensemble
8. Still Cruisin’ – Jimmy Whoo, Alsy
9. Black Lens – Leifur James
10. AAID – Leifur James
11. Temptations – Jitwam
12. Softness As A Weapon – Kindness

Hyperlink to Spotify playlist: WILT_2022-35

Notes

I think I started the week thinking about black metal. The genesis of the thought came from when I was showing my friends some craft beer labels that were inspired by black metal designs. From then, I explored Liturgy’s discography, a band that I had come across a few years prior, whose name and music always stuck with me because their singer, Hunter Hunt-Hendrix, described their music as transcendental death metal, and also wrote a manifesto for their music. That is one way to get attention.

But I think it worked. There was a added abstraction to the typical black metal form, and I remember being intrigued by it then as I still do today. GOD OF LOVE is a good example of their innovation, incorporating some harp arrangements, while dialing into their craft of creating a black metal style that does not oppress, but rather (ahem) transcends.

From then, the journey meandered into the territories of some noise, experimental music and a bit more black metal. Ulcerate’s Stare Into Death An Be Still does stand out for its unique guitar riffs, and Uboa’s dystopian soundscapes are all aural standouts in this week’s playlist.

From there, the road somehow forked into 405 by Metronomy and Big Piig, a synth-forward dreampop jangle, and just like light cracking an overcast sky, the mood shifts.

The rest of the playlist came as highlights from a generated Mansur Brown Radio playlist. I was hosting some friends and decided on this particular generation to set the mood of from evening till midnight. Overall, it worked and I got some gems out of it.

First Light by Ishmael Ensemble originally found its way on WILT_2022-14, and once again on WILT_2022-35. I remember when it came on last night, as it held those long notes, the song always stands out because of how much tension it holds despite how much catharsis it exudes.

From there, Still Cruisin’ by Jimmy Whoo and Alsy continues with a sunset groove that easily takes into any evening.

Black Lens and AAID showcase what great taste in beats that Leifur James has.

Temptations by Jitwam is a late night groove. A perfect accompaniment for wine, conversation, and contemplation.

Softness As A Weapon by Kindness is a meticulously layered groove and expression of the artist’s energy. With its house beats and soulful vocals, the song is slightly euphoric, but it doesn’t want you to lose control and not find the heart of the message.