Lav's Music Corner

Review by Lavender: Uboa is the noise project of Australian artist Xandra Metcalfe whose music has often attacked gender dysphoria and the machinations of being trans both in society and in your own mind through blistering noise music. That formula reached its apex on the 2019 album The Origin Of My Depression  one of the rawest and most uncompromising portrayals of gender dysphoria, depression, and self-doubt I've ever heard. I poured out love for the album when it dropped and did the same thing the following year with the EP that followed it up. I've been highly anticipating whatever Uboa did next ever since, which is why the surprise dropping of Impossible Light  was such an overwhelming delight.  In the promotional material for this record, Uboa painted its whims in surprisingly optimistic language. But even though the album is ultimately about seeing a path forward, that doesn't mean the journey it takes to get there is easy. Opener Phthalates  is a brooding sta...

The Extended Play is a curious little collection of songs more substantial than a single but not quite as definitive as an album. Despite how often it's overlooked there's plenty of great music every year delivered on various EPs ranging from the most mainstream to the most experimental artists. Whether they're a brief dive into an alternative sound, a tighter collection of thematically aligned songs or just a taster to guide fans over between more substantial releases each of these EPs proved that they can work excellently in the short form.  10. Charm And Mirror  - Kitty Kitty's dive into psychedelic synth pop was certainly an unexpected career move but she continues to impress with one project after another. Charm And Mirror  is simple and to the point even by pop music standards but the hooks are sticky and the instrumentals are reserved but effective throughout.  Listen To: Afterglow , Bath Salts 9. 6pc Hot  - 6lack Whenever 6lack drops music it's an Atlant...

Uboa is an experimental noise project fronted by Xandra Metcalfe out of Australia. After nearly a decade of material she had a massive commercial breakout with 2019's The Origin Of My Depression  which reeled in acclaim for it's harsh sound and deep dive into personal issues, predominately her experience as a trans woman.  Review By Lavender: The Origin Of My Depression  totally blew me away last year. The record presented a fascinating mix of experimental metal, electronica, drone and noise that spoke to her struggles in an incredibly personal way that I totally fell in love with. Despite being really excited for what Uboa would do next I somehow missed this EP when it first dropped back in May and didn't hear it until a few weeks later. Now after reviewing long albums for a month straight with A.G. Cook, Blu & Exile and Matmos I finally found some time to properly review this project before Sufjan takes over next week. And I'm really glad I found the time because ...