What We’re Listening to This Week (4.23.26)

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)

What We’re Listening to This Week (4.15.26)

Beach/heaven by in memory of the view from hanoi opera house

I’m a sucker for Shoegaze just as much as the next human. Often times it feels a bit prosaic or … worn out – and not in that good way. This is terribly bleak record and I can only surmise the Vu Trung Kien was in a lot of emotional turmoil when writing it. I found myself thinking about the conditions that produce a record like this. It’s not an easy listen, but it’s a welcome one.

skin and sky by othrwrld

Ah yes, it’s the end of April and I just need to fucking dance, but not so much. Does that make sense? This album has such a steady groove – one that I’ve needed all week. I found this album while listening to othrwrld’s album Divine Summoning Remixes and I’m glad I listened to it. The runtime is too damn short, but honestly it makes it easier to loop and sit with. It leaves you wanting more, which is rarely a bad outcome. Give othrwrld’s other albums a listen.

Music for Artificial Island 1989 by Hirotaka Shirotsubaki

I have a rule. When an ambient album comes along that hyperfocuses on very specific (not esoteric) experiences pertaining to core memories and/or childhood markers, I always listen to that album. This is an absolutely divine listening curated by Hirotaka Shirotsubaki. I will have to give this a proper review at some point; but if you’re going through some heavy stuff, put this on and let it move through you.

[PCMS 2025.6] Shout Into the Dirt by Nic TVG

I’m on my little run of listening to Pinecone Moonshine releases (as you can see here & here) and the next stop on my journey is Nic TVG’s intense Shout Into the Dirt. I think one of the reasons these albums are so intense for me is because the production consistently operates at a high level of precision. You can hear everything clearly and they ALWAYS show their work. Standout track for me is “Slow Batman” – it’s got such precise variation and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Really respect the work of this label.

Un espacio de lo imaginario by Estrella del Sol

Rounding out our list of existentially bleak entries, is the ghostly work of Estrella del Sol. If there’s a middle ground between dream pop and ambient enthusiasts, this an effective point of convergence between the two. An ambassador album. Apparently, this was recorded during COVID lockdown in 2020, so no wonder it sounds like a spirit lamenting into the big nothing – a voice being carried into a dark, cavernous space with no clear boundary. It’s a quiet, heavy experience – absolutely give this album a listen.