Luis Vasquez never intended for The Soft Moon to reach the public’s ears; for him, music has always been about self­-actualization rather than self-aggrandizement. Nevertheless, the bleak, hushed sounds he created years ago in his small Oakland apartment bubbled to the surface and 2010 saw his debut LP, The Soft Moon, released on Captured Tracks rise to critical acclaim. Pitchfork’s 8.1 review stated that Vasquez made “oblivion seems like an enticing prospect” and, indeed, listeners were immediately drawn into his murky musical wasteland, swathed in the moody atmospheres of jagged dark wave and wayfaring post­punk. For them, and for Vasquez, there was no turning back. The Total Decay EP and Zeros emerged soon after, and now Vasquez returns with The Soft Moon’s most introspective and ....

Based on a traditional Palestinian lullaby, this piece is dedicated to my beloved friend Palestinian singer, poet & activist who fought till her last breath for freedom & peace. This lullaby is for all the thousands of innocent children who have been killed in Gaza & all those who have survived but are orphans. May peace rise from the rubble of destruction for all the children of the Holy Land in Palestine & Israel. They all deserve a life of freedom, security, hope & dignity

In times of trouble, women have often had to bear an even heavier burden throughout history. On their tenth full-length "Ruby Red", San Francisco based all-female quartet AMBER ASYLUM offer a haunting reflection on turbulent eras and blends instrumental passages with evocative lyrics. "Ruby Red" combines dirges, introspective laments, and powerful songwriting that evoke both despair and hope. The album transitions between themes of pain, loss, empowerment, and mortality, while creating a sonic landscape that is both raw and introspective....