Yes, no. Of course these aren't actually all Dance artists. Maybe I should established a durable name for this kind of column. But you know what this is: If there's digital in the title, I'm talking about releases, which are either only available as download / streams - or of which I personally just don't own a physical copy (yet).
KARIN PARK - Evo (2026)
Karin Park is back with the first of what is going to be a trilogy of digital EPs. After the trajectory of her last albums "Church Of Imagination" and "Private Collection" saw her moving into a more Norwegian Gothic and solemn, introspective direction, these new four tracks created with French producer Anthony Belguise mark a return to a decidedly more danceable Electronic Music format, but without neclecting the formerly established contentual depth.
In these only slightly over fifteen minutes the Swedish-Norgwegian singer shows almost all her strengths. Rich in variety and excellently produced the EP unites exciting sounds, Park's wonderful signature vocals delivering piercing emotions and addictive hooks, internally and outwardly moving songs... what else do you need except for of course more?
That break followed by the escapist dancefloor finale in the heart piece "Sing Your Sorrow" alone is everthing.
In these only slightly over fifteen minutes the Swedish-Norgwegian singer shows almost all her strengths. Rich in variety and excellently produced the EP unites exciting sounds, Park's wonderful signature vocals delivering piercing emotions and addictive hooks, internally and outwardly moving songs... what else do you need except for of course more?
That break followed by the escapist dancefloor finale in the heart piece "Sing Your Sorrow" alone is everthing.
PAON - Philosophie Du Soi (2026)
Plus c'est plus! This five-track EP s a wild exuberant fever dream of Experimental Electronic Future Jazz Fusion, flute and flamboyant Chanson vocals by videogame singer Pernelle. She's a real person though, don't worry!
Her project Paon with composer / arranger Lemm is bursting with a spirit of musical adventure, as if someone had condensed the epic double album playing time of Janelle Monáe's "The ArchAndroid" to twenty-five minutes and injected it with an extra high concentrate of Jazz history and a neon-sparkling dose of sci-fi metropolis / Space Opera aesthetic.
Weird and... a lot. Yet also very enticing. This wonderful mindblower is another bold win for the exceedingly great Jazz year 2026.
Her project Paon with composer / arranger Lemm is bursting with a spirit of musical adventure, as if someone had condensed the epic double album playing time of Janelle Monáe's "The ArchAndroid" to twenty-five minutes and injected it with an extra high concentrate of Jazz history and a neon-sparkling dose of sci-fi metropolis / Space Opera aesthetic.
Weird and... a lot. Yet also very enticing. This wonderful mindblower is another bold win for the exceedingly great Jazz year 2026.
PICASTRO - Double On Time (2026)
Picastro have been around for decades, but 'm starting into this new EP of the Canadian project led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Liz Hysen without any previous knowledge. And alongside the immediate realization that this is defintely isn't as suited for the club much as the two releases above, my mind goes to the most Experimental tracks of Lucy Kruger & The Lost Boys, to Jarboe, to the minimalist singer/songwriter version of Chelsea Wolfe, to the darkest side of Björk... to various other artists in the field of slow burning Avantgarde or Alternative Folk music, which actually come closer to what I'm hearing here. I just don't know who they are. I know that certain parts of these five rather short tracks remind me of familiar music, but I just can't grab it. Damn.
So instead of fitting references I can only give you my honest recommendation for this short but eery collection of sparsely arranged pieces. You don't find such a smoothly stripped down, delicately sinister gathering of piano, synths, strings, guitars, samples and vulnerable vocals at every corner. Give in and float through this shadow!
So instead of fitting references I can only give you my honest recommendation for this short but eery collection of sparsely arranged pieces. You don't find such a smoothly stripped down, delicately sinister gathering of piano, synths, strings, guitars, samples and vulnerable vocals at every corner. Give in and float through this shadow!
KALAMATA - Zenosyne (release: June 26th 2026)
Yeah, one could ask whether this actually belongs here: It hasn't been released yet. It's not an EP, but an album. There's no female band member - and not even a singer. But I make the rules here, so fuck it.
The reason "Zenosyne" even caught my attention was a vague familiarity with the the name Kalamata. And indeed I've written about the German Stoner Rockers almost eleven years ago, when they played as the first of seven bands on my first Pink Tank Festival in Itzehoe.
Of course I don't remember that show even remotely good enough to judge the group's evolution from then to now, but what I can say is that these five tracks called "There", "Is", "No", "Coming" and "Back" are all fantastic examples of how to mix heavy Desert Rock riff fuzzery with great guitar hooks and instances of beautiful Post Rock elation.
Even though the cover rather speaks German winter, this perfectly works as the soundtrack to a sunny fair weather cruise. And that's all from me tonight. Audio Ohlsen Overkill bringing you all the hits for the summer holidays! Please tune in again when we're back on air for more!
The reason "Zenosyne" even caught my attention was a vague familiarity with the the name Kalamata. And indeed I've written about the German Stoner Rockers almost eleven years ago, when they played as the first of seven bands on my first Pink Tank Festival in Itzehoe.
Of course I don't remember that show even remotely good enough to judge the group's evolution from then to now, but what I can say is that these five tracks called "There", "Is", "No", "Coming" and "Back" are all fantastic examples of how to mix heavy Desert Rock riff fuzzery with great guitar hooks and instances of beautiful Post Rock elation.
Even though the cover rather speaks German winter, this perfectly works as the soundtrack to a sunny fair weather cruise. And that's all from me tonight. Audio Ohlsen Overkill bringing you all the hits for the summer holidays! Please tune in again when we're back on air for more!
