Fragments Vol. 7 // Summer LP Roundup
This column, titled “Fragments,” has been running for three years and is only available for two months each year (July and August). I created it to recommend albums that I haven’t had the chance to review throughout the year (on WL//WH), as well as to highlight some artists who have frequently appeared on my radio show. I tend to remember the ones I like and always make time for “another listen.” You can think of this column as a refreshing summer feature or as a collection of some standouts from the first half of the year 2026 A.D.
- DOGTABLET – “Designed To Fade” LP [GIVE/TAKE label]
Martin King (Test Dept / Pigface), Roberto Soave (Associates / Presence), and Jared Louche (Chemlab / Prude) teamed up with their sonic equipment? You might think, “This is going to be one of the best albums of the year.” That’s a fair assessment, and you would be right. What if I told you that this album also features several epic collaborations with artists whose work you likely already have in your collection? Be fair to yourself; it doesn’t matter. We’ve all “forgotten” to listen to records, and then we cried. Just press play and let these 13 tracks speak to you. I found my Ithaca there, where goes something like, “the fire burning in your eyes… and… the sun that will never shine.”
- NO – “Escaping Heaven” LP [TONN RECORDINGS]
Antonio (NO) from Montreal shows in each of his albums a special progress, persistence and joy without tomorrow. The new album is no exception and this is not only an example of his talent, but it is mainly an example of his character and mind. Naturally, here we have an inherent talent that does not stop at anything, he does not even drink water when he creates in his studio. His constant ally is this boutique label from Belfast, this crazy TONN RECORDINGS!!! So, you press play, and you’re flying to the dancefloor!!!
- MAGIC WANDS – “Wishing Well” EP [Metropolis Records]
I’ve been following this band from L.A., Magic Wands, since 2012. The reason isn’t just that they blend post-punk and shoegaze with other intriguing elements, which I generally enjoy, but also because they have a unique character and create beautiful music. One aspect that has truly captivated me is their ability to produce very trippy and “cinematic” soundscapes. In essence, Magic Wands is one of those American bands that craft music for the present moment, for life’s experiences, to share their insights, and for us to enjoy listening to what they offer. While this may sound lighthearted, it carries a deeper significance, and I believe Magic Wands knows how to convey their confidence and observations effectively. Not to mention, they consistently create fantastic music—what more could I ask for?
- ANTIPOLE & PEDRO CODE – “Future Echoes” LP [Cold Transmission Music]
I don’t know how many people were expecting such a collaboration, but I was pleasantly surprised—actually, I was shocked—when I found out. Two of the most beloved and successful darkwave musicians of our time didn’t just release a single; they released an entire LP! The immense talent of both Karl Morten Dahl (Antipole) and Pedro Mota (IAMTHESHADOW) didn’t leave me feeling sceptical; instead, I stayed calm and waited to hear the result. And what a result it is! This great album captures the essence of the music we love and even transcends it…beyond. A masterpiece!
“Future Echoes LP drifts between light and shadow, where Antipole’s melancholic guitars and Pedro Code’s baritone voice intertwine in a deeply personal journey of memory, longing, and quiet hope.”
- THALIE NÉMÉSIS – “Dé(s)figurations”LP [Meridian Noir]
What was missing from Thalie Némésis‘s previous album is completed in this new release. This album includes the tracks from the previous one, along with some new songs that finally unveil the depth of emotion and talent within this artist. It captures themes of totality and darkness, weaving in baroque elements, shivering moments, oriental lamentations, gothic influences, and ultimately…a sense of hope. Nathalie Antranik is undoubtedly a talented musician who carries the rich memories of Armenia in her soul and in her art. Although it may not be the easiest listen, it is worth investing time in, as it will gradually reveal its full depth to you (literally). “Thalie is a solo artist. And Némésis is her darkside.”
Stay tuned until the end of August I’ll reach up to Vol. 10
Written by Mike D.
