Independent Music Discoveries: Issue #28

UPDATES:
Jakob Battick & Friends - Other / Experimental / Shoegaze - Maine, USA
An AFIN favorite for many a moon, Jakob Battick is currently being featured in The Deli New England band of the month poll - *vote here* (last day to vote by is February 17th)! In case you are as yet unconvinced or unsure of the epic genius of this man, I implore you to listen to "Massive Moth, My Dreamfield" to become familiar.

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Cyan Kid - Electronic - New York/Germany
From the wonderful and strange world of Ramin Ton comes Dream Baby (fully streamable on Last.fm) from Cyan Kid (of Team17). Aptly described as "introducing to your life fever & france. nightshifts & princesses. timelines & fast dreams. waitresses & matresses.", much of Dream Baby is awash in synthy nostalgia - of the very good, retro-delicious kind which is more immersed in what they're aiming to evoke with the sound than being derivative of any particular acts. Not only is the atmosphere evocative of glitter and slick city scenes ("Fever Night") but there are elements of jittery, and occasionally eerie, danger lurking there as well ("Apples"), mixed in with softer moments turning into vast electronic landscapes ("Passion Hero Pt. 1-3"), making for an impressively diverse listen and one of few albums which truly deserves the label "experimental" in the present day.

Last Night of Your Life - Acoustic / Rock - Ontario, Canada
LNOYL were kind enough to send me the vinyl, CD, and accompanying graphic novella The Plan ("the prequel story behind the songs) for their new album, which is available to purchase here or download for free. The album is awash in intense, near-cinematic instrumentation and an outpouring of emotions, as is evidenced by the illustrated book and story which accompanies the songs, LNOYL gets very personal from the get-go, especially "The Plan", blending hopefulness and sharp honesty and points of experience in life. "Isolation & Company" and "Dig You Out" are especially recommended - LNOYL's album makes for a gripping, and oddly powerful listen, because you realize these guys are baring their souls here.