Creature Of Habit. Courtney Barnett

"Time will tell where I'm going with the new album. Sometimes these things take time". I wrote at the end of Courtney Barnett's previous album, 'Things Take Time, Take Time'. Well, I can tell you in 2026: I had completely forgotten it even existed. To be even more honest, I didn't really look forward to Creature Of Habit.

Having listened to it several times by now, I can share that I may even buy the LP. Why? Give me a few minutes to explain.

Courtney Barnett is who she is as a musician. Her voice and way of singing cannot be changed. What has changed, is her approach to her songs it seems to me. The slacker element is not here and neither is the blanket of negativity that often hung over her songs. Is it the sun of Los Angeles where she moved to?

Just listen to the upbeat way the album opens. The main riff may be dark and distorted, the song is open and inviting. The space in between the instruments lets the light in. The background vocals sparkle, making 'Stay In Your Lane' a very inviting opening song for Creature Of Habit. This is even more so in 'Site Unseen', a duet with Waxahatchee, where the two singers take each other higher and higher.

Barnett worked with Warpaint drummer Stella Mozgawa and producer John Congleton Is there anyone Congleton has not worked with over the past decades? The list is near endless. Barnett wrote the most spruced up song with Mozgawa. 'One Thing At A Time' is an alternative rocker that halfway the dirty sounding guitar solo catches fire. The intro of the song can be seen as an example of how Creature Of Habit sounds. Several of the songs our direct, alternative rock songs that make me like the album far more than the previous albums. I will even take back my comment on the work of Courtney Barnett's former partner Jen Cloher being better. Creature Of Habit competes alright.

There are a few barer songs with just Courtney Barnett and Stella Mozgawa playing instruments. They take the mood of the album in a more sober, but not a slacker direction. And this change works a miracle for this album. 'Mostly Patient' is the proof in point. Because of her way of singing this song sparkles, instead of bringing me down. Whatever caused ms. Barnett to change course, it has my blessing. This is exactly the kind of album I thought she had in her but somehow never produced. Even in the song where the influence of Warpaint comes through, 'Mantis', is absolutely top.

Summing up, Creature Of Habit is a good album where Courtney Barnett shows her more direct side and that is a side I like best. This is her best album to date.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

P.S.: Yes, I already bought the LP. 

You can listen to and order Chreature Of Habit here:

https://courtneybarnett.bandcamp.com/album/creature-of-habit 

We Will Die Dreaming. Afasia

Sometimes it happens. Your brain tells you you haven't heard from someone for some time and then you either take action or forget about. It happened to me fairly recently that I hadn't heard from Greek label Puzzlemusik for some time and not much later a message arrived saying "Hi Wout, It's been years since our last contact. I hope that you're doing well". It turns out the label had been releasing jazz records only and knew it not to be my cup of tea.

The message concerns a new signing by the band Afasia. The band members are all 17 and 18 and did the writing and arranging themselves. That is nice information but not if the music isn't good. It is. For so young musicians, the album sounds very mature and rich.

Let's first introduce the band. Afasia consists of Aris Anastasiou,vocals, saxophone, Spyridonas Katsaros, electric guitar, Marita Malli, piano, electric guitar, Serj Kon, bass, piano and Nestor Orologas, drums. The production was done by label owner Christos Alexopoulos. Musically, I have a hard time trying to define the genre. Yes, it's a form of rock music, but what sort? Sometimes there is a hint of Gogol Bordello, not more than a hint though. There is some jazzy stuff, hints at pop. Perhaps it's better to take a listen and make up your own mind.

It all comes together in the song the album takes its title from, 'Dreamers'. Afasia is both serious and totally relaxed in this song. The background vocals are simply so great making a song a sheer joy to listen to on top of a song that is already so good and then that lead piano comes in. 'Dreamers' is a top song.

The instrumental 'Dystopia' combines the saxophone of Aris Anastasiou over the band that is rocking and then is replaced by the lead guitar turning the song totally upside down. But let's return to the opening song first. 'Unbalanced' starts with a guitar intro before the band comes in. The saxophone sounds somewhat hesitant it seems, immature perhaps even. But listen to the band. It certainly means business. It is in full action behind the saxophone, carrying it and delivering it right up to where the singing starts. Anastasiou has a raspy voice, belying his age by a few years. The sax is underneath the song, so can't be replicated in this way live. 'Unbalanced' has a great guitar solo and a supportive synth line that stands out as well.

I listened to We Will Die Dreaming before I knew what I was listening to. Just listening to recent albums to see if one caught my attention to review. I was thinking to myself a few times, what is it that I'm listening to?, as this album certainly is different from the average album that comes by. How to place it?, a puzzle I haven't answered yet. The album caught my attention and I listened the whole way through and jotted it down for a review. Only then I found out the who and what.

Okay, the bands that came to my mind, are two Dutch bands from around 1980, Alquin and Solution. Both long gone, but with records that I still play every once in a while or in the case of Alquin started buying second hand in the previous decade. Chances are, the members of Afasia have never heard of the bands, but who knows what their parents have in their collection or what streaming services serve up nowadays.

Remains the conclusion. Afasia has produced a very mature album, especially considering their age. This is not the reason why you should give the album a chance. That reason is the quality. Enjoy, including hearing the Greek language here and there!

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order We Will Die Dreaming here:

https://afasia-gr.bandcamp.com/album/we-will-die-dreaming-studio-album 

Hope And Fury. Joe Jackson

It is a lifetime ago that Joe Jackson with his Band entered my life. His single 'Is She Really Going Out With Him' made an immediate impression on me and that was the start of a relationship that is still there in 2026. Sure, I skipped a few albums here and there, especially when Jackson went off in directions that are more or less beyond me. Recently, especially two records from the zeros landed really well with me. You can find them on this blog. If there's anything beyond 'The Fool', I've missed that.

His latest record is called Hope And Fury. For starters, no, I do not think it is as good as 'Fast Forward' and 'The Fool', but things are relative in the world of Joe Jackson. At age 71 he releases an album that sounds urgent, is very varied in genres and an amalgam of the rock, latin and pop mixes he is renowned for and extremely good at. Expect touches of the Joe Jackson Band, 'Night and Day' and 'Body and Soul'. It all comes by on Hope And Fury. The album most likely is titled this way because of the similarities with the two albums mentioned, and the style he calls "his own mainstream".

Every Joe Jackson fan will welcome Hope And Fury as Joe Jackson is presenting his music in his best form. The bio even claims that this album could be "his best yet". Should he gain young followers with this album, that may just be true. Everything that came before has to compete then with the first impression. For me that is competing with 'Look Sharp', 'Night and Day' and 'Body and Soul'. Undoable.

That said, with each spin this new album is growing on me. Hope and Fury will effortlessly wind up among my favourite Joe Jackson (Band) albums. Jackson worked again with his new band, Graham Maby, who else, on bass, guitarist Teddy Kumpel, and drummer Doug Yowell. Added to the band is Peruvian percussionist Paulo Stagnaro, whose distinct contribution gives some of the songs a Santana flavour and brings Sue Hadjopoulos of old to mind. It is a very strong team, on record as well as live. They come over here late November and early December.

The album starts of with an odd-sounding song, for Joe Jackson, but after that it is all smooth sailing, to end with a smooth ballad, 'See You In September'. Something Jackson is good at as well. His voice is still in great from, although the first signs of a little wear is noticeable in a few spots. Nothing to worry about, as his voice sounds great and so recognisable.

48 Years after 'Is She Really Going Out With Him' Joe Jackson still pleases me no little. Hope And Fury is a great album and I have no doubt that it will grow on me even more, so that perhaps I will have to re-view my opening paragraph soon.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght 

Gunmoll live. Patronaat, Haarlem, Friday 10 April 2026

Photo: WdN-vdB

Gunmoll is on tour on the back of its really, really nice debut album. I was really looking forward to hearing the songs live. A few things really stood out. This band is able to rock. With a strong drummer and a bass player who really is taking care of the deep end, the foundation of Gunmoll is so strong. At times my throat vibrated with the sound of the bass. They can groove as well, making it very easy to move in a dance like way to the more up tempo songs. The band had enough fans in the room to get a party started.

Over that groove the rhythm guitar plays some great riffs or strictly rhythm that supports the voice and the lead lines played by the singer, often drenched in reverb like a true surf rocker. The more eastern European sounds came across as well, but less strong than on the album. Gunmoll live likes to rock foremost it seems.

Anyone who has listened to 'Kill Your Darlings' knows that singer Jolien Grünberg's voice is not your average rock singer's. Live, at least in the mix the Patronaat Café offered that does become a bit of an issue. As the band rocks with a deep sound, Grünberg sort of got lost in the mix and had to sing through the band instead of over it. This does take away some of the charm of her unique voice. Despite this fact, I never had the idea she had out-shout herself, so could comfortably sing her lyrics and melodies.

Fun fact, I ran into bass player Lana Kooper of Loupe (ex-Dakota) and she told me she was married to Jorien Grünberg. A pretty unique household, as I truly like both bands.

Photo: WdN-vdB

What also stood out, is that the three men accompanying the singer, remain very anonymous on stage. They remained mostly in the shadows with the spotlight on Grünberg the whole of the time. The backing vocals of guitarist Bram Bol were inaudible for me. Which is too bad, as this adds flavour to the songs.

Finally, Jolien Grünberg is getting into her stride as a front woman. Some of the poses she struck are alright for a bigger stage. Gunmoll deserves a bigger stage and far more people attending than were present in the Patronaat Café. The fact that the café wasn't even sold out, makes me wonder why. This band rocks, has several outstanding songs that any post-punk-pop loving listener should get his way into.

Gunmoll has to mind the mix in the venue, so that Jolien Grünberg's voice comes across in a better way. As soon as that happens, I see a better future for the band ahead.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Gunmoll's music here:

https://gunmoll.bandcamp.com/music 

2026, week 15. 10 singles

So, from listening to the single, I changed to the album immediately and I'm being fed endless surges of energy from Amsterdam band Dishes, and this is supposed to be about singles. I can't keep this to myself I'm afraid. More will follow in the coming days (of writing this post). Here are ten recent singles for you to explore and enjoy!  

Unentertained. RubinCarter

Anyone who ever listened to Bob Dylan's 'Hurricane' knows who Ruben Carter is. Chances are alternative rockers RubinCarter took the second part of its name from the U.S. boxer who was or was not guilty of murder. The band formed around Queen's Pleasure drummer Sal Rubinstein. Just like in former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, a songwriter and guitarist was hiding inside of Sal Rubinstein. Judging by single Unentertained, his talent as a songwriter must have been bursting at the seems. Unentertained is a stark rocker with a strong melody, vocally and musically, with a pop element that invites singing along to. RubinCarter makes his debut (on this blog) with a strong musical statement. There's an EP underway, release date 24 April backed by a live presentation in Cinetol on 25 April. 

One Stop. Aldous Harding

With One Stop Aldous Harding returns to this blog with a mysterious new single, that holds a complete change of everything to boot. John Cale has a mention in the lyrics, "eating rice". The music evolves around a few small changes in the chords, played by a piano, acoustic guitar and a sparse bass. It is almost stern the way it is played. Over it Aldous Harding sings with a voice that hovers over the music, at times almost dreamy to change back to being very present, including harmonising with herself. And then it happens, everything changes. The rug is pulled from under the song and its listeners. Rhythm is allowed in, as the guitar gets strummed and a drummer joins. The vocal becomes more improvised it seems and for the final seconds, a second, electric guitar joins, before all is faded out. Album 'Train On The Island' will be out on 8 May. 

Love Tick. The Woggles

The second new name this week is The Woggles. Musically, the band takes yo back a decade or six. Love Tick is a great psychedelic rock song like they used to make them in the 1960s. This song rocks in a great way, with a fiery guitar tandem and a great, to the point solo. The organ that meanders throughout the song continuously gives the song both an authentic and a warm feel. Believe it or not, the music of the Woggles took shape during the pandemic. When will we hear the last song from that short period of time, that we have all but forgotten about or so it seems? As long as a song is as good as Love Tick I can't complain too loudly. This is a really good rock song. There's an album coming up, 'Stop And Take A Minute', also released on 8 May.

Speeding Up Faster. The Mono Kids

The Mono Kids from Eindhoven are moving up in the world, as its latest single Speeding Up Faster is released through the U.K.'s Dammit Records as part of its 'Dam-Nations (mix tape)'. Of course The Mono Kids do what they are good at. The duo plays punk rock and roll and if necessary in overdrive. Speeding Up Faster does the title right. It's over before you know it. Michel is singing as if he had a bad meal earlier that evening. The words spew truly powerfully from his mouth. The drums are whacking like they should: rhythm and major filling up musical space all at once. The distorted guitar does the rest. What the listener is left with, is the sense of an electrical shock to the brain and with the sheer need to play Speeding Up Faster again and again and again.

She Comes Again. Ape Hangers

In the summer of 2025 Ape Hangers returned after a long hiatus with the EP 'This Is It'. Come spring 2026 and  the band is back with a new single called She Comes Again. Once again the band hits the nail on the head. Pete Sjostedt (guitars/vocals), Bob Kiah (bass/vocals) and Dennis McCarthy (drums) present a grunge ballad that both has a touch of tenderness in it and a bite. Comparison wise I would opt for Foo Fighters as Ape Hangers can explode out of nothing as well. She Comes Again is a song that is instantly recognisable and in all universes except this one dominated by the like Taylor Swift, etc., this would be a huge hit. This is one hell of a grunge ballad.

Mystic Chords Of Memory. Upupayãma

Some fuzz toned music from the Fuzz Club label. Upupayãma's latest single is a mix of dreamy psychedelia and an exploding nightmare in one. The Italian project of Alessio Ferarri, live a six piece band, called Upupayãma is on route to deliver a new album, 'Honesty Flowers' (29 May) and delivers quite the statement. The song goes off in many directions. With just a little imagination it is possible to hear a Santana like groove from 1969, at the beginning and end of the song. There is some singing with a dreamy voice as well, supported by a wah wah guitar making it all just a little more psychedelic, not unlike The Stone Roses were capable of. However, it seems more like an excuse to be able to go into the stratosphere with that fuzz solo. Ferarri does not hold back here. Mystic Chords Of Memory is quite the statement.

So Long. The Spongetones

The song title 'So Long' will always bring me to the Fischer Z single from the very early 80s. Nothing is going to change that. Not even the nice pop single of The Spongetones, a band that started not that much after Fischer Z did. Pop I wrote, as this So Long comes close to a Paul McCartney song from once upon a long time ago. Slightly melancholy but with a touch of lightness in the music that will make the average popmusic lover prick up his or her ears. From the soft beginning, the band turns into a rock song anyway. From the voices it is obvious that this is not a band with young musicians. They do manage to attain that pop feel in the harmonies, that makes a song special. The song tinkles in all the right places, even after it is toned down again, mimicking its start.

I Ate A Sandwich. The Eradicats

This might just be the first song about eating disorder that I'm reviewing. Bass player Kristi Who shares that she ate a sandwich without fear for the first time in a long time. I sincerely hope that it was her first of many. As this is a blog focusing on music, let's put our attention on the song. In my ears it sounds inspired by 1980s indie pop bands, that had a revival in later decades. That gives the song a punky underside while delivering a pop feel in the lightness with which I Ate A Sandwich is presented. The guitar sound is light but has definitely heard the guitarists of The Velvet Underground, to give an example. The tempo is what gives the song a punky feel. I Ate A Sandwich is my introduction to The Eradicats from Kansas City, Missouri. Send me more when the time is there, please.

O’ Evangeline featuring Sade Sanchez. The Underground Youth

You have to go back close to three years to find Berlin's The Underground Youth on this blog, with the single I Thought I Understood. The post tells you about 80s doom and gloom. O' Evangeline is far less easy to capture. The song has the same kind of mix as 'I Ate A Sandwich' by The Eradicates has (see above here). The guitars sound light despite the melancholy vibe the whole song holds. Craig Dyer sings with L.A. Witch's Sade Sanchez who lends her voice to this duet, determining a large part of the mood of O' Evangeline. Both singers are able to sing in the same kind of tone. This fact sets the way the song sounds. The The Cure style guitar playing brings the song to the 1980s, but without the doom and gloom of the years. Making the song very attractive to listen to. Don't forget to notice the dreamy interlude!

Requiem. Dishes

We close this week's singles post with a punk song from The Netherlands. Dishes has recently released its debut album, 'Drama'. I have not gotten around listening to it yet, but Requiem is telling me that it might be a smart thing to do and soon. Dishes is a band from Amsterdam and Leiden and started in 2021. The result of its years of working towards the release of Requiem has given the band the ability to play fast without losing the quality of melody and variety. The two guitars play off of each other in a great way. Interchanging rhythm and melody, while the drummer just keeps pounding away in the best Mo Tucker tradition. Again, I notice the way Dishes is also able to have the light and the shade in its single. Both sides are divided equal. I had not heard of the band before today but it is certainly worthwhile checking out.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght