XV - Basement Tapes

Best set of recordings to date from XV, a Michigan trio we've written about a few times now. The Basement Tapes is a set of tracks originally recorded, you guessed it, in a basement back in 2018-19 and then issued on tape in 2020. Half A Million has done the correct thing in bringing these to vinyl now, a worthy pursuit not least because this is a record i've learned sounds pretty great at either 33 or 45 (but that's a different story). When played as intended (at 45 btw), Basement Tapes shows off some fearless and beautiful no wave instincts, the trio disregarding fidelity in favour of some highly art damaged expression, something which it also sounds like they're having a hell of a time exploring together. And that's the crux of XV right there - i get the impression of three close friends in sync, fucking around at the edges of their ability and letting their imaginations and creative whims take them where they will. The true spirit of DIY right there. Can't fault it, always need more of it. Sold out at source.