Reviews

A sensory deprivation tank is a person-sized pod filled with salt water. Epsom salt water to be exact, and enough epsom salts to create the specific gravity needed for a person to float with their face above the water without having to try. The water is kept at body temperature, around 95 degrees. After a while, you can’t tell you’re even in water anymore, it just feels like you’re floating in a comfortable abyss. 

This experience is called float therapy. It’s a glimmering, buoyant, new-age sensation. These are also the words I would use to describe "Vågen Igen," the debut album by Denmark’s Mona Moroni – the album I would want to listen to while in a sensory deprivation tank.   

I don’t know what made me connect the two in my head. I’ve never done float therapy. But something about this album feels watery, deep-sea like. Maybe it’s the jellyfish on the cover. Its translucent body reveals some sort of glittering veins or…

Album cover for Luke’s New Band’s sophomore album “Luke’s New Album.”

“Luke’s New Album” may be new, but Luke’s New Band is far from a beginner.

On Oct. 7, 2025, Luke’s New Band, a group of student musicians at the University of Oregon, released their second album, “Luke’s New Album.” Containing seven tracks total, “Luke’s New Album” is a fun collection of songs telling tales of regret, love, yearning, and reflection. 

“Locked in 4 U” has high-quality production and is a ballad that matches the themes of the record very well. As the opening track, it does a nice job of setting the tone for the entire album. With a strong bass line, this song is somewhat like an indie-rock and jazz fusion. It’s perfectly placed to give the audience a taste of what’s to come for the rest of the album. 

“Paper Snowflakes” is when Luke’s New Band showcases their instrumental talents. Leaning into the…

I remember a cool autumn morning in Pennsylvania, sitting in a windowed room, the teal haze of the city blowing through me like a tractor beam. Cold gusts churned my mind into a diamond, the sleepy month sapped my energy away, and the traffic made me wonder for long hours about what’s to come. I forgot about who mattered most in a bitter apathy.

Recalling this all, I find it jarring to realize I’ve been duped into a false memory belonging to the narrator of Iggy Pop’s album, “Avenue B”— a melancholic foray into self interest and regret.

Iggy Pop is perhaps best known for his time with The Stooges, where he lived the character of a nothing-to-lose punk with not much more than his voice and an attitude. If you like punk - or rock in general - then you’ll already know that he essentially defined the genre—for god’s sake, he invented the stage dive.

So, what’s a moody subdued album like “Avenue B” doing in his discography? If you…

S/T by Transpacific

Reviewer: DJ Black Woofer

"Reverby, fuzzed-out, and shimmery. This is psych rock, and they’re doing it right!"

Rating: 6/10

Highlights: #2, #3, #5

RIYL: Goat, Sqrl, Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Endless Stasis by Regretski

Reviewer: DJ Black Woofer

"Whoa, this is great! The band’s own description (Melvins, Jesus Lizard, etc.) is spot on, but I’d also add AMREP, the seminal label for this style from the ’90s. Regretski would surely have landed on AMREP back then. The instrumentals are simmering and moody, while other tracks are more muscular. Recommend!"

Rating: 6/10

Highlights: #1, #4, #5

RIYL: Big Business, Bastro, Karate

Blues artist Vaneese Thomas gives us an action-packed seven-song, 24-minute album, “Stories In Blue.” “Do Y’all” asks listeners where the blues comes from. Thomas talks about blues coming from the Delta and moving to the regions of Memphis and up north to Chicago. “When You Were My Man” highlights a woman who was happy but when darkness came, the love between her and her partner fell apart. “Wandering” graces us with the wondrous voice of Thomas on a journey not knowing where to go, lost in the blues. Outstanding vocals are also paired with a saxophone solo that appears halfway through the song and later joined together to create the perfect melody. “1917” is a jazzy number that gives a nod to her father Rufus Thomas who was born in 1917. Given an old-school feel, Thomas joins brass to create a sense of the Delta with a classic feel that includes a short scat performance, prominent in jazz in the mid to late 20s. “The Last Thing On My Mind” is a steady song about a woman…

Joey Joseph - The Little Prince of Rock n Roll

Reviewer: DJ Taco Supreme

"The album title The Little Prince of Rock n Roll implies that the artist, Joey Joseph, sees himself as a misfit novelty of his own musical definition, perhaps also declaring that he doesn’t need or desire to fit into ANY genre ‘box’. Joey’s songs are upbeat, quirky, and head-strong. At times energetic, but other times slower, darker, restrained, reflective, and self-assertive. Production is Lo-Fi and DIY. Layers of synths and drum machines are sandwiched between robust power chords and tight punk beats (check out #3 to see what I mean), which makes for a fun ride! I bet this guy is probably really fun to hang out with, eh? Give it a spin. I DARE ya!"

Rating: 9/10

Highlights: #6, #1, #3, #4, #9

RIYL: Devo, David Bowie, Ramones, The B-52's, Black Midi, MGMT, Tears for Fears, Le…

Wishy - Triple Seven

Reviewer: DJ Taco Supreme

"WOAH. Did not know what to expect, but from the first track, I was hooked. This record is a suite of power-pop excellence that won’t let up no matter how fast your heart is beating. Reminds me of everything I love about 90’s-2000’s alternative rock, including: chorus-tremolo-filled guitar melodies, angelic harmonies, overdriven voices underneath fuzzy rhythms, driving-distorted bass, and overall stellar production that is unapologetically authentic down to the dust on the amplifiers and the coffee stains on the basement rug. Only song that feels a little out of place is #8, listen and you’ll get it... Play this record or else you WILL hurt my feelings!"

Rating: 10/10

Highlights: #1, #4, #2, #5, #9

RIYL: Sonic Youth, Deftones, Alvvays, Hum, The Cure

Applesauce Tears - Encounters

Reviewer: DJ Taco Supreme

"Applesauce Tears are a totally awesome group that deliver tasty jams every time they put out something new. Their music is sometimes sample based, but mostly built around loops with live instruments and a handful of effects pedals and planetary noises. Any song on this album will work well if you need a transition into a slower set of tunes. Just remember to politely remind your listeners not to fall asleep at the wheel! This stuff is like a hug for your ears."

Rating: 8/10

Highlights: #6, #1, #4

RIYL: Pink Floyd, Ziggy Stardust, Khruangbin, Tame Impala, The Avalanches, DJ Shadow, Nujabes