Best of 2019: Cassettes

I bought a lot of tapes over the last twelve months and these were the highlights. In terms of sound, I mainly prefer synths, experimental compositions, some techno, and varying degrees of noise.

It felt like I didn't check out many different or newer labels this year. For as consistent as the regulars have been, I enjoy random finds for new music. Personal favorite Not Not Fun had a quiet year with only three tapes, but after being around for so long, they can take it easy if they would like. Their partner in crime, 100% Silk, did send a few more cassettes out into the world.

I capped any label at two tapes, which made it extra tough when selecting from Hausu Mountain and No Rent. No Rent is probably the best entity releasing music these days. The diversity of the artists they work with is amazing.

I really like the title of "Rural Electronics" for the compilation tape released by Grant and Rachel Evans. The Alone In The Dark comp on Hot Releases features a slew of great bands, including Glochids, Aether Jag, Tether, Housefire, C. Lavender, Secret Boyfriend, and more. Each song fits together for an even listening, a rare feat for most compilations.

As always any tape had to be released in the calendar year and I had to listen to it a lot. And if you are one of those types who needs a definitive cassette of the year, then that honor goes to Death's Head Speaks by Simulation on Hausu Mountain. Simulation is the experimental synth pop duo of Laura Callier from Gel Set and Whitney Johnson from Matchess.

The list goes band/album/label for those with questions of that nature.

01. Akasha System - Echo Lost - 100% Silk
02. Atariame - Voiceless - Not Not Fun
03. Bonnie Baxter - Axis - Hausu Mountain
04. Lea Bertucci & Kyle Eyre Clyd - split - Ultra Violet Light
05. Emily Cook & Dana Ma - Cook/Ma - Crucible Sound
06. Marilu Donovan & Tristan Kasten-Krause - Nowhere - Unifactor
07. Dreamers Cloth - Vitrospection: 2008-2009 - Not Not Fun
08. Flesh Narc - Understanding Reality - Decoherence Records
09. Hoarding - Self Imposed - Fusty Cunt
10. Moon Ra - Musica In Different Inutili Services - Unifactor
11. Nadia & Apologist - Situational Plays - No Rent
12. Opaline - Thought Texture - Constellation Tatsu
13. Alina Petrova & Kira Weinstein - Sad Ko - Never Anything Records
14. Prayer Generator - Eleutheromania - Patient Sounds
15. Rose - Night Places - Constellation Tatsu
16. Rusalka - Flux A & B - No Rent
17. Rust Worship - Live Coaxial - Obsolete Units
18. Simulation - Death's Head Speaks - Hausu Mountain
19. various artists - Alone In The Dark - Hot Releases
20. various artists - Rural Electronics - Adversary