What We’re Listening to This Week (4.15.26)

Archive:

What We’re Listening to This Week (3.1.26)

What We’re Listening to This Week (3.11.26)

What We’re Listening to This Week (4.2.26)

Entering Elysium by Steve Roach & Serena Gabriel

After listening to Steve Roach’s Sentient Being last week I decided to give this one a listen and it’s really solid. Roach has a long history as a collaborator, often working in spaces where the focus remains instrumental (while maintaining his experimental flair) so hearing a project that brings more vocal presence into that environment adds a welcome shift in texture and pacing. Absolutely stunning work from Serena Gabriel here. A strong release.

Gwendolyn by Keeks

Another gem pulled out of a late-night Bandcamp dive. The energy here is direct and abundantly aware of the space it inhabits without getting vague or spacey. Okay maybe that’s a bit parochial. Like, there’s a clear path here and I’m just glad to witness this journey. Chillest pt. 1 (Track 4) is absurdly catchy and it slightly annoys me that this record is so short. Good stuff.

Hot Take, Cold Shoulder by Steven Golliday

This is another short record, but my goodness is it lovely. The album description describes this as “deeply soulful” – that’s as understatement. What stayed with me when listening to Steven’s record, is the strong sense of character in the music. There’s a kind of playfulness that doesn’t undercut or take you out of the moment – it’s just so whimsical and fun.

Loot Crate by Machado Mijiga

“You get what you get.” When I listen to this I get visions of various games based in the desert. Maybe my life has been nothing but a series of games in the desert of existence. Machado Mijiga has created a perfect album to contemplate everything and focus on nothing but the improvisation of life itself. This album scratches the same itch in my brain as highly experimental ambient music – not saying they’re the same, it just scratches the same itch. Fantastic album.

[PCMS 2026.1] The Ticket in This Direction by Paluca

Sometimes I have to brace myself before putting on a Pinecone Moonshine release. Paluca’s The Ticket in This Direction is absurdly heavy and this records reminds me that I’m carrying around a few souls in the bag slung over my shoulder. Every track is a banger and is brutal on the senses. Seriously, coming off a stretch of ambient listening and stepping into this feels like a direct shock to the system. The production is sharp, controlled, and fully realized. I’ve already gone back to it more than once, and it’s not leaving rotation anytime soon. Excellent record.