The Cure - Songs of a Lost World (2024)

I'm two years late for reviewing this one, even if The Cure is likely the band I listened to the most in my life (daily when I was a teen), no, not even if but because! And never easy to review a band nearly 50 years old and which had such a big impact in music. But what helps is that Songs of a Lost World is an excellent album. Not as good as their old classics, but might be their best one since... Wild Moods Swings? the overall atmosphre reminds me a bit Disintegration, not as good, but nice anyway, and it's not just a recall of what they have done before, The Cure have always tried to push the boundaries of their music and try different things, and Songs of a Lost World isn't an exception in that regard. Especially in Warsong, Drone:no Drone and Ensong. Probably the most interesting tracks. But if your more into their "easier" pop side, they also delivered the nice signle A Fragile Thing. So Songs of a Lost World isn't as memorable and won't have the lasting ifnluence of their classics, but it's definitely a good album and I think it proves that The Cure is still absolutely relevant today.

 

The Cure.com

 

Kandarivas - Rhythms of Obliteration (2026)

Kandarivas is an awesome grind band from Japan, they have been around for more than ten years now, but I only discovered them with their split with Durian released two years ago by Nerve Altar Records. So Rhythms of Obliteration is the first Kandarivas album I listen to. And it makes me regret not having discovered them earlier! The somewhat "tribal" feel of the japanese kaito drums they use is really something different and fresh to their grindcore, otherwise rooted into the old school. But the greatness of the album is definitely not limited to this "exotic" element, it's a nice touch, but what is more important is that the songs are powerfull! Rhythms of Obliteration is a strong candidate for best grind album of the year, don't sleep on it!

 

The BC page.

 

Dälek - Brilliance of a Falling Moon (2026)

More Dälek can't be bad. I love their old-school, smart, heavy, dark and combative hip-hop. But I'm still being a bit disappointed by Brilliance of a Falling Moon. It's a good album, but won't be remembered as among their most inspired ones, sounding a bit too much more of the same. I feel they played it safe on this one. Their recent collab with Charles Hayward was more interesting and better. I hope they will challenge themselves more for their next one. That being said, a less memorable Dälek album is still better by far than almost any other hip-hop album.

 

The BC page. 

 

Kanine - Khaos (2026)

See that huge monster on the cover? See what's coming? Yes, definitely gonna be brutal. Absurdly over the top brutal. Kanine first album four years ago was already an excellent piece of slamming deathcore, Khaos is pushing it even more to the extreme. Bestial super angry vocals, massive bass drop, machine gun drumming, and of course slam and breakdowns at every corner. But they don't just do more of everything, they also are good at making it heavier and at the same time "catchy and fun", well, kind of :) you get the idea. I'm far from being a slamming deathcore specialist, but I think this album will be hard to beat for other bands doing that.

 

The BC page. 

 

New Age Doom featuring H.R. - Angels Against Angels (2026)

Angels Against Angels is another dub flavoured album from New Age Doom, this time teaming with Bad Brains singer H.R. And it's no less good than the awesome one they did with Lee Perry and Donny MacCaslin. But of course different. Again psych/jazz rock infused with a lot of dub, but this time with a rawer feel and a glorious punk assault in the middle of the album. And cool vocals by H.R.Truly addictive stuff. One of  my favourite album this year so far.

 

The BC page. 

 

Hateful Abandon - Threat (2025)

Hateful Abandon is a band from Bristol, existing since 2004, their fourth album Threat (released by Sentient Ruin) is the first in ten years, with songs from 2014-2024. Their most obvious influence is Godflesh (which can't be bad) but bands like Ramleh or Killing Joke can also be evoked, and more generally they draw from all the history of post-punk and industrial music. But Threat can't be reduced to just its influences and is filled with excellent and diverse songs. Recommended !  

 

The BC page. 

 

The Shits - Diet of Worms (2026)

The Shits' music is often described as a very convincing mix of The Stooges and Brainbombs. That's definitely relevant and their new album Diet of Worms is another blatant proof. But we could also just say that they are among the very best at channeling the darkest energy of rock'n'roll (crafting riffs like these must imply some Robert Johnson kind of deal).

 

The BC page.