JACCO GARDNER : somnium : Polyvinyl Record Co (23.11.18)
Everybody’s favorite Dutch psych-pop-troubadour just recently relocated himself to Lisbon, and maybe the beauty and unique vibe of particular city has left him speechless. Whatever the reasons, it definitely is a bold move for him to release an instrumental album at this point of his career. Luckily, the twelve cosmic explorations on “Somnium“ are so thoughtfully crafted and free-floating that you just realized the absence of his voice after you’ve safely returned to earth again. 8.5/10

RYLEY WALKER : the lilywhite sessions : Dead Oceans (16.11.18)
To release a full album cover of Dave Matthews Band’s infamous bootleg sounds way to quirky and gimmicky to make it properly work. Chicago-based Ryley Walker though adds just enough respect and admiration for the original material and combines it with his trademark delight in experimentation to turn this rather weird project into something truly special. 7.5/10

V.A. : the movement of the free spirit : Smalltown Supersound (30.11.18)
Joakim Haugland’s ever-evolving label Smalltown Supersound is turning 25 this year. Obviously this calls for a celebration, and that’s exactly why Prins Thomas did this epic three-disc mix comprised of 80 tracks from the label’s catalogue. If you’re only buying one compilation each year, don’t look any further. 9.75/10

MOONFACE : this one’s for the dancer & this one’s for the dancer’s bowquet : Jagjaguar (out now)
Spencer Krug’s solo project Moonface has come to an end - and as expected it goes out with a bang! The final release sees him in experimental top form, which makes the farewell even more hurtful - regardless if it’s embedded in steel drums, vocoder and strange tales from the point of view of a minotaur. 8/10

DAVID ALLRED : the transition : Erased Tapes (out now)
The follow-up to Allred’s collabo with Peter Broderick is just the perfect album for embracing the forthcoming cold season. It’s one of those records that’s best enjoyed after dark, it’s warm, subtle, gentle, beautiful, a bit nostalgic and high on a reverb-heavy church piano - which actually makes it a perfect fit for the Erased Tapes catalogue. 7/10

KASPER BJØRKE QUARTET : the fifty eleven project : Kompakt (out now)
Bjørke’s most personal record and project reflects on the emotional rollercoaster he experienced after he got diagnosed with cancer in late 2011. The result is a subtle yet highly complex and overall beautiful concept album based on rather therapeutic musical sessions that helped the Danish producer/DJ/multi-intsrumentalist to process the course - and actual healing - of the disease. 9/10