Genius 22.5 - Oct Scrap Heap

Larry Michaels

17 Nov 2025 • 5 min read

Busy month, no time to chat! Let's get into it, scrappers.

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Been thinking about the first time I ever saw this video of Peter Brötzmann playing the saxophone. I'd never heard of the guy before. It didn't even register as music to me, it just sounded like 4 people mashing on instruments. Now when I listen, there's so much melody & feeling & intensity shared between the instruments.

I can't find it anymore, but once I watched an interview Brötzmann did before he passed – when asked what the goal of their music was, he said that he and his crew were making music in West Germany with the explicit goal to terrorize their ex-Nazi parents for their crimes. RIP king.

Scrap Heap

Vibes-based music

Sorry – originally I called this section "Ambient" but that's a total lie – we've got hypno grooves, blippy percussion albums, some harp-folk, and a claire rousay sound collage. Pure vibes.

Bitchin Bajas - Inland See (Drag City, Oct '25)

Another hypnosis record for the skronky sax lover in your life. Perfect for throwing on & cooking dinner or doing dishes, moving forward in time at the speed of time.

Jim White - Inner Day (Thrill Jockey, Oct '25)

This one didn't grab me the way that last year's All Hits: Memories did, but I'm planning to revisit. Muted & meditative drum-centric ambient album recorded with Guy Picciotto. There's a funny little talkin' blues kind of composition with Zoh Amba.

Cerys Hafana - Angel (Glitterbeat, Oct '25)

We got a harp record folks!! Harp, piano, a little percussion, a little saxophone. Hafana's voice is magical – I don't know if I've ever heard singing in Welsh before & it's a really nice listen. Also, I love that this album has a mix of vocal songs & instrumental songs. All the hallmarks of a Genius Dot Com hit.

claire rousay - a little death (Thrill Jockey, Oct '25)

This one rules – I would have written more about it for next month's full GDC but I already have a bunch of ambient music to write about. I'm planning to revisit – the last composition in particular was quite gripping. rousay continues to be an inspiring performer & writer.

Rock

Goes from most synthy to least synthy!

Soulwax - All Systems Are Lying (Because, Oct '25)

A new Soulwax album means another record that sort of sounds like off-brand LCD Soundsystem. Honestly? Doesn't bother me, it's pretty good.

Elias Rønnenfelt - Speak Daggers (Escho, Oct '25)

I enjoyed this solo outing from the Iceage frontman way more than I thought I would – cheers to Aled for pointing me towards it. Has a distinctively Scandinavian capital-A Alternative sound, with trip hop and dub influences. Tons of swagger.

Geese - Getting Killed (Partisan / Play It Again Sam, Sep '25)

This one really blew up! I loved 3D Country and this didn't disappoint. There's been a lot of ink spilled regarding the young NY band – if you're into Rock music from the 70s with all the lush influences that come from that time, you will prob enjoy the sounds.

bar italia - Some Like It Hot (Matador, Sep '25)

The 2000s are BACK – kinda stupid garage-y sleaze rock from 3 hot art dweebs from London. I grooved to this one on first listen while choppin' veggies at home, but the 2nd play-thru with headphones wasn't as charming. YMMV.

Kairon; IRSEI! - Ujubasajuba (self-released, 2014)

I've been going back through albums that I listened to 10 years ago to see if any jump out at me & this Finnish psych rock shoegazey record is still really cool. Big guitar sounds, really satisfying listen.

Loud

Sickos: Yes!! Yes!!

Black Eyes - Hostile Design EP (Dischord, Oct '25)

Look, for a band that hasn't released an album in 20 years, this is stellar. Bridges a nice gap between their 1st LP's scrappy punk & their 2nd LP's noisy dub. Some really nice sax. The lyrics are alright.

Amy Elliott Dunne - Demo (self-released, Oct '25)

Sending the big congrats to Elle on releasing these knotted up hardcore songs – she plays all the instruments on this concept demo connecting her life & transition to the experiences of the eponymous Girl of the novel Gone Girl. Insane bass tone, insane

One Of Nine - Dawn Of The Iron Shadow (Profound Lore, Oct '25)

Haha sick LOTR metal.

Peter Brötzmann - Nipples (CALG, 1969)

The fuckin' GOAT of free jazz.

Electronic

Organized from highest energy to lowest energy – ride the wave on down.

Blawan - Sick Elixir (XL Recordings, Oct '25)

If you want insanely aggro techno beats about kicking the habit & surrendering to the dance floor, this is certainly it.

Pulse Emitter - Tide Pools ( , Sep '25)

High energy & glitchy physical modeled synths & FM sounds. Like listening to the intro music from Eyewitness Science at double-speed. (And cheers to Aled for sending this my way!)

HUMAN ERROR CLUB & Kenny Segal - HUMAN ERROR CLUB AT KENNY'S HOUSE (Backwoodz, Sep '25)

Lo Fi Hip Hop Beats To Study/Chill To

HTRK - Psychic 9-5 Club (Ghostly Int'l, 2014)

Soft pulsing & dub textures with some roundly synth sounds & washy vocals buried in bass rumble. Night time sounds. Nice to revisit this one.

World-wide

It bums me out every time I have to include an "Other" section, but I don't think reggae or afrobeat belong with the genres above.

Hollie Cook - Shy Girl (Mr Bongo, Oct '25)

Another great record from Cook, whose reggae songs hit a great vibe of classic sound & modern production. Nice vocal melodies & love songs, just a Good Record to throw on. Cook is the daughter of Sex Pistols' Paul Cook & was previously a member of the reunited Slits.

Antibalas - Hourglass (Daptone, Oct '25)

Antibalas have been around forever doing this stuff & it's always cool. Groove music with pedigree from a bunch of worldwide rhythmic genres like afrobeat, cumbia, Ghanaian-high life, etc. Throw on at your cocktail party.