School of Seven Bells – “Sempiternal/Amaranth”
Alpinisms

I had no idea this group, composed of former members of Secret Machines and On!Air!Library!, even existed. But their rhythmic, synth-washed, brand of whatever it is caught me by surprise at a coffee shop and I immediately picked up this album. This song isn’t the most representative, but it is perhaps the most striking – a metronomic, pitch-perfect opener (Sempiternal, presumably) followed by an extended mantra-like build-up and crash, and then a warm, prickly blanket of a coda. Unique and confident music-making. (Ghostly)