Alan Sparhawk was the key figure of slowcore pioneers Low for almost 30 years, together with his wife Mimi Parker. When Mimi died of cancer in 2022, the band ceased to exist. Without Mimi, there simply would be no Low. Recently, however, Alan Sparhawk has returned to the stage, both with Derecho Rhythm Section (a band with two of his children) and solo. With 'White Roses, My God' he even announced a new solo album.

Sparhawk created the new album entirely on his own: every note, every lyric, every programmed beat. Grief was not the sole source or the final limit of this taut, brilliant, provocative, thrilling album, whose bold experimentation is powered by profound lyrics and propulsive beats. In many ways, 'White Roses, My God' feels like a hard break with the past, almost like a debut.

Lafayette, Indiana native Haley Fohr possesses a gift—either that or she’s wholly possessed by a spirit derived from extra-terrestrial origin. Then again the music/cacophony she makes as Circuit des Yeux is borne from the most natural, organic and downright homely elements one could use in the exigency of lo-fi, bedroom-conceived art, namely the earth’s percussive qualities and her god-given, god-forsaken voice. Perhaps it’s this static crawl between polar opposites that has made her so polarizing in the first place. At age 21, Fohr has accomplished 2 full length LPs, 2 7” EPs, and now her final masterpiece “Portrait” via De Stijl Records. Seemingly inspired by something or someone that has pierced her young, little heart, Ms Fohr has established herself as one of the most ambitious songwriters. These sounds form a part of the arc that I doubt has apexed.