What I Listened To - April 26

Elephant Graveyard - Cobalt

How many blackened sludge double LPs are this much fun? Cobalt’s Slow Forever (likely their final album after the death of main instrumentalist Erik Wunder in 2024) is a total riot. It’s a slower, sludgier and harsher take on Motörhead packed with incredible riffs, hair-raising screams and earth-shaking production. Despite the epic-length, Slow Forever is very replay-able and nails the perfect balance of heady song structures and dunderheaded hard rock riffs. I don’t see much mention of it in 2026 which is a shame but hopefully “Elephant Graveyard” will inspire you to listen to the entire 80 minute record.

Target Practice - My New Band Believe

The debut record from My New Band Believe is so good! I know I’ve written about them quite recently but I didn’t expect to be so enamoured with the actual record. Though this format requires me to write about a specific song, I think this album works best as whole. In fact I’d recommend listening to it several times consecutively, as it’s a Van Dyke Parks-esque song-cycle. Happy listening!

It’s Here - Wendy Eisenberg

This record is a gorgeous singer-songwriter effort from Orcutt affiliated guitar player Wendy Eisenberg. If you enjoy the output of the legendary Chicago based label Drag City, you’ll definitely dig this one. If you’ve never engrossed yourself in the output of the legendary Chicago based label Drag City, this is a very worthy introduction (and given the calibre of their releases, you’ll find out that this is a very high compliment!)

Maria das Mercedes - Djavan

I saw an Instagram reel about Djavan’s debut record which told me it was MBP and from the 70s and that’s all I needed to know to check it out. Surprise surprise, it’s an excellent album with too many songs to pick as a highlight. I particularly enjoy the way that choruses on this album become so loud with extra percussion and vocals that it is as if the tape can’t contain the extra instrumentation. Can’t go wrong with listening to this one.

BIG FISHY - Dolphin Hyperspace, Louis Cole

This has been stuck in my head all month and now you get to have it stuck in your head for the next month.