Paavoharju - Yhä Hämärää

2005; 11 tracks

Paavoharju is a folk band from Finland. This band has been described as freak folk, experimental, and even something I've never heard before: "Illbient." I am astounded by the angelic beauty surrounding this album. The vocals are delicate, the guitars are rich and textural, and the samples and electronic bits make this unlike any folk album I've ever heard. It mixes chip-tune with opera and folk. I love it so much. Stand-out tracks: Puhuri and Musta Katu. This album is one of my favorites of the week :) More info here.

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Battles - Mirrored

2007; 11 tracks

Battles is a New York city rock group, founded around 2002. This is the only album of theirs I've ever heard, but it's super great. You will never hear anything remotely similar to Battles, and I think I'll love this album forever. It reminds me of dredg, faintly, only because of the vocals. The style is reminiscent of Giraffes? Giraffes! and... as much as I hate to say it... Animal Collective. Lay your hipster judgements aside and listen to this purely wonderful album.

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P.O.S. - Never Better

 2009; 15 tracks

P.O.S. is rapper Stefon Alexander from Minnesota. His music can be described as alternative hip-hop, or punk-inspired rap (Stefon has credited the punk band Fugazi as a major influence). I just love P.O.S., no matter what. It's extremely brutal and yet lovely and poetic. Stand-out tracks: PUREXED (x 1000 ^ 1000).

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