'Funeral Music', Triathalon’s fifth album, began taking shape when the band imagined what they’d like played during their memorials. Continuously referencing “play this at my funeral” throughout writing and recording, the album became a realization of this concept. Lead single 'RIP' is a 90s-influenced rock track inspired by artists like Pixies, Deftones, and Nirvana. Adam Intrator says, “The aim for ‘RIP’ was to kickstart feelings on what it felt like to listen to a late 90s rock song for the first time as a kid in your parents car in the backseat and asking to hear it louder. ‘RIP’ has a double meaning; it’s about both dying and being reborn.”

Born out of a period of heartbreak, growing pains, and self discovery, 'Funeral Music' showcases a darker, more vulnerable side of the band. With a more minimal approach, every element within the album is highlighted, from cleaner guitar tones, to live-tracked drums, to first-take vocals mixed with singular piano playing and experimental production. 'Funeral Music' not only reflects the band’s sonic shift but also reinvents the overall dynamics between their sound, energy and workflow. These songs were written, demoed, recorded and mixed in various places, bedrooms, studios and houses over the course of two years and is the band’s strongest and most cohesive work to date. workflow. These songs were written, demoed, recorded and mixed in various places, bedrooms, studios and houses over the course of two years and is the band’s strongest and most cohesive work to date.

TRACK LISTING

1. My Love
2. Chevy
3. Down
4. RIP
5. Clover
6. Funeral Music
7. Last Night
8. See You Smile
9. Melt
10. Way Out
11. Salt
12. Jordan
13. Wall
14. Your Eyes
15. Eulogy

Fly Anakin is a rapper and producer who approaches his craft in a way few contemporaries can.

Vigilant yet unorthodox, DIY-minded yet prolific, the Richmond, Virginia multihyphenate's razor-sharp lyrics, ear for soulful production, and collaborative synergy are the result of over a decade of fundamental mastery. Described by Madlib as "one of the illest MCs," the Mutant Academy cofounder was in his pocket well ahead of his acclaimed solo debut, Frank (2022). After years of consistent releases with his collective, Anakin broke major ground in 2020 with his and Pink Siifu's joint project FlySiifu's, followed by their $mokebreak EP in 2021. A student of the East Coast's golden age, Anakin transmutes its spirit into music that's both classicist and pioneering, having worked with the likes of Freddie Gibbs, redveil, BbyMutha, and MAVI. With the release of a Mutant Academy debut album completed, and his solo album (The) Forever Dream imminent, Anakin has cemented his place as a leader in rap's underground Renaissance.

(The) Forever Dream commemorates a new era of freedom for Anakin, who rarely approaches bodies of work without a preconceived concept. Executive produced by Quelle Chris, the project, which features the likes of Denmark Vessey, The Alchemist, BbyMutha, and Pink Siifu, includes songs that Anakin believes are some of his most experimental and ambitious. "The album is me and Quelle kicking it, smoking, learning each other, and playing video games," he says of the project's inspiration and recording process. "It was time to make some mindless music, to tackle production I would've otherwise picked up." The long anticipated project comes after years of Anakin and Quelle developing a strong rapport, stemming back to 2019. "Quelle is one of the best collaborators ever--he's not biased but he knows what he likes, open minded but stubborn at the right times," Anakin says of his collaborative relationship with the Grammy nominated producer. "On the low we just alike but polar opposites, we can do no wrong together."

Born Frank L. Walton, Jr., Fly Anakin grew up in Richmond's Hillside Court projects and describes his upbringing as equal parts "peaceful and chaotic." Anakin came up on a rich diet of cartoons and the music of prolific MCs, and cites his older brother, a rapper, as his biggest musical influence. "I saw what he did as wizardry," Anakin, who has always been propelled by keen imagination and a sense of curiosity, remembers. "So I started writing, by the age of 13 I was recording music." In 2010, Anakin and Henny L.O. started Mutant Academy, which has since grown to include Big Kahuna OG, Ohbliv, Ewonee, and Foisey among its ranks. Anakin's collective, which makes a nod to the X-Men franchise, was formed as a vessel for his creatively gifted friends to join forces. "Everybody around us was making videos, making beats or rapping, and we picked up the people we stuck with the most," he says of its formation. "We're literally like a family now." Since then, Anakin has released over a dozen collaborative projects with Mutant Academy members, with Open House (2014), Backyard Boogie (2018), At the End of the Day (2020), Skinemaxxxsides A and B(2023)as notable standouts. Teaming up with PinkSiifu during the COVID-19 pandemic, projects FlySiifu's (2020) and $mokebreak (2021) marked a turning point for Anakin. Beyond consistently producing for Mutant Academy, his innovative, sample-averse approach began to push forward artists like BbyMutha and Monday Night. That traction led to the critical reception of the Lex signee's solo debut Frank (2022), which earned him recognition as "the best pure rapper in the scene" by Pitchfork. "That album was my baby and I neglected it for so long because of what was happening in the world," Anakin says of the album, which receivedseveral Album of the Year accolades. "I never asked for that one to be the one, but it's the one."

TRACK LISTING

1. Good Clothes Feat. Demae
2. Teen Summit
3. My Nigga Feat. $ilkmoney, Quelle Chris & Big Kahuna OG
4. Lil One (Intro)
5. Lil One
6. CheckOnMe Feat. Lojii
7. NOTTOOSHABBY Feat. Quelle Chris, Nickelus F & $ilkmoney
8. Lord Forgives, I Hold Grudges Feat. Denmark Vessey & Pink Siifu
9. The Times
10. Forever Dream (Interlude)
11. Forever Dream
12. Corner Pocket Feat. Quelle Chris & BbyMutha
13. Dr Phil (Skit) Feat. Sycho Sid
14. YOUGOTME!!
15. Foreverever Dream (Interlude)
16. Say Thank You Feat. Pink Siifu & Turich Benjy 

Nevermen is a leaderless trio made of Tunde Adebimpe (TV On The Radio), Adam "Doseone" Drucker, and Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr Bungle). They are artists of a certain distinction who've made name by way of sonic fearlessness, singular talent, and an ability to capture both adoration and imagination while hurling good noise at the void.

TRACK LISTING

1. Mr Mistake (Boards Of Canada Remix)
2. Mr Mistake (Boards Of Canada Remix Instrumental)

Stars collapse and new worlds arise in Devastations, the bold new album from Andrew Hung.

Andrew Hung is an artist known for his breakthrough debut Realisationship, film soundtracks (The Greasy Strangler, An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn) and his collaborations (Fuck Buttons, Beth Orton and Aimée Osbourne)

His work as Fuck Buttons brought about three critically-acclaimed albums, headline slots at festivals such as Glastonbury, Green Man and All Tomorrow’s Parties. Their music sound tracked key moments in the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.

Hung went on to work with cult director Jim Hosking and his films “The Greasy Strangler” (winning best comedy at the Empire awards, “An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn” and “Tropical Cop Tales” for Adult Swim.

Hung continued his collaborative streak through writing and producing with artist Beth Orton on her career redefining album Kidsticks (described by The Skinny as “…an exceptional return to form.”) and daughter of a rock god, Aimée Osbourne on her incredible debut album Vacare Adamaré (Released under the name ARO).

Hung now returns his attention to his own expression.

Hung’s second album Devastations is the ecstatic cry of colour found between light and dark. The album documents a transitional period in Hung’s life; a stepping out from the shadows. Hung explores the deepest recesses of his psyche and in doing so finds himself reconciling the light and dark within. Underlying the propulsive bests and prisms of noise is a melodic tenderness that weaves throughout the album; an offering hand emerging from a turbulent sky. The deepening of inner space becomes an exploration of the universal; a new beginning from the Devastations of old worlds.

The artist wrote, performed, produced and mixed the whole album himself. He also painted the self-portrait that adorns the cover of the album. The oil painting further illuminates the artist’s intentions in his work; it depicts the artist stepping out of a shadowy world, partially lit by the bright light of the sun.

STAFF COMMENTS

Barry says: Former Fuck Button Andrew Hung returns for only his second full album under his own name, though has been busy with a number of superb soundtrack outings since then. 'Devastations' is a brilliantly innovative mix of gothic synth pop, avant electronica and slow motion loungy Krautrock grooves, all topped with Hung's distinctive vocal style. Bold and exciting, and filled with moments of pure joy.

TRACK LISTING

Side A
1. Battle
2. Promises
3. Brother
4. Colour

Side B
1. Light
2. Wave
3. Space
4. Goodbye 

Realisationship is Andrew Hung's debut solo album. As co-founder of Fuck Buttons; the highly-influential noise-electronic duo, Andrew Hung has toured extensively with headline shows at the Kentish Town Forum, Glastonbury and Greenman Festivals, been featured on the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony and all three albums have featured as Best New Music on Pitchfork Media. His production work has included Zun Zun Egui's "Shackles Gift" and co-writing/co-producing the critically acclaimed "Kidsticks" by Beth Orton. He soundtracked the multiple-award winning film "The Greasy Strangler". 

TRACK LISTING

Side A:
1. Say What You Want
2. Elbow
3. No I Won’t
4. Private Commercial
5. Whispers
Side B:
1. Shadow
2. Sugar Pops
3. Animal
4. Open Your Eyes

I Speak Machine are vocalist and synth nerd Tara Busch and filmmaker Maf Lewis. Together they make brooding soundtracks and horror/sci-fi films, creating the audio and visual in unison and giving both elements equal prominence. Their approach is inspired by Spaghetti Western cinema duo Ennio Morricone and Sergio Leone, who used to play with score ideas for scenes while scripts were being written. Following the release of The Silence (the score to their own sci-fi short film) in 2014, Busch and Lewis have teamed up with Benge from Wrangler/John Foxx & The Maths to work on their latest short film and album, Zombies 1985

* For analogue synth enthusiasts and fans of John Carpenter scores.
* Tara Bush has previously collaborated with John Foxx, Clint Mansell, and Bat For Lashes