I have a deep fondness for the work and words of Anohni. Her essay last year about why she chose not to perform at the Oscars was a welcome kick in the ass towards a media event that much of us somehow forget is literally an idolatrous celebration of corporatism and mediocrity; her work with […]
Sales’ Debut LP is the Sound of Longing
Funny how we tend to associate moody longing with grey, cold places. Maybe it’s because there is science behind it, as any former Pacific Northwest native can tell you all about the very real effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder. But even people who have never stepped foot in the chilly, rainy climates of Seattle or […]
Bür Gür Get Chill and Wonder Have You Lost Your Faith in God?
The past week or so, Austin (and most of central Texas) has been under siege by rain. This is a constant this time of year in central Texas, except the past few years have seen us assaulted by what would normally be “hundred year floods,” epic weather events that should appear once in a lifetime, […]
Albums for When It’s Just You and the Abyss: Sonic Youth’s Sister
The first time I remember feeling someone understood the heavy dread that would sometimes appear inside of me it wasn’t an actual person but an album. I had worked my way through my dad’s record collection, following the liner notes of Nirvana’s Incesticide like a faery tale map for my own purchases, soon landing on Sonic […]
Good Morning Karachi Review
Good Morning Karachi is cleaved in two. The action of the film is conducted in both Urdu and English, and the separation is nearly discrete. English is coded as the language of progress, civility, luxury; it’s the language spoken by the elites, the beautiful people. Rafina, the lead character, quite literally sees learning English as […]
B-Sides the Point: Mclusky “No Covers”
B-Sides the Point is a space for Loser City writers to pontificate on some of their favorite B-sides, tracks that frequently go unnoticed in band’s ouevres but nonetheless sometimes say more about them than their A-side. Up first is “No Covers,” the closing track on Mclusky’s “To Hell with Good Intentions” single, released by Too […]
Wimps’ Suitcase is an Album of Adult Problems Punk
We generally think of punk as a youthful genre, its politics and frustrations so frequently rooted in a young person’s black and white view of the world. Punk bands that don’t burn out pretty quickly lose their rep and become jokes, sad has-beens never maturing, rolled out for tragic Warped Tour appearances. That’s not how […]
Hot Sugar’s Cold World is a Surprisingly Emotional Journey Through the Creative Process
Earlier this year when I caught Hot Sugar’s Cold World at SXSW, the kids I was sitting next to leaned over and asked if I was a fan of the indie producer. “I actually don’t know much about him, I just had a gap in my schedule,” I told them. “OH MY GOD! He’s a genius! […]
Dare to Be Stupid: Michete’s Cool Tricks Embraces Qrappy Rap
At first glance, 22 year old transfeminine rapper Michete (who has no particular preference re: pronouns) reads as a novelty act. From the chintzy beats to the low-production value videos to the litany of pop culture references, whether or not Michete means business isn’t entirely clear. But that all gets cleared up toward the end […]
Sunday Sads: The Corrupters’ Weakend is an Adventurous Power Pop Work by a Seattle Loner
Self hyped as “powerpop anthems for the weekend,” the Corrupters’ Weakend is one of those rare random Bandcamp finds I knew I’d enjoy just from a glance at the artwork and sparse liner notes. With cover art looking like an ’80s slasher flick VHS cover take on Twin Peaks, Weakend has the green melancholic aesthetic of so many […]