Eh I like the Caretaker but nothing will surpass Empty Bliss in my mind. That album changed my entire psyche dude.

Stage 4 and 5 are really something else. Otherwise Empty Bliss is my favey.

Truthfully I haven't gotten around to Stage 5. I thought Stage 4 was alright though but again inferior to Empty Bliss. On the flipside I do think it's the best of the EATEOT series I've heard insofar.

I have a four-way tie right now and can't decide.

Contender #1 (full)

Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik - Hugsjá
(Norway, dark folk / Nordic folk)

Like Wardruna, obviously, but with guitars, thus keeping us grounded in our reality even as we take to viking ship back to the nights of savage Europe.



Contender #2 (sample)

Koenji Hyakkei - Dhorimviskha
(Japan, zeuhl / jazz fusion / brutal prog)

Though still brutal in spots, it seems like Tatsuya Yoshida has replaced some of his youthful frantic songwriting with more jazz fusion elements, which suits me just fine. It's been 13 years since their last release, and I like the progression I am hearing.



Contender #3 (full)

공중도둑 [Mid-Air Thief] - 무너지기
(South Korea, folktronica / neo-Psychedelia / psychedelic pop)

Not only touches of Animal Collective but a strong Kishi Bashi feel in parts, too. And of course there's a strong Hundred Waters element present, but what I love about this album is the fact that something that's not **** K-Pop has come out of South Korea. What a relief!



Contender #4 (sample)

Mutual Benefit - Thunder Follows the Light
(USA, indie folk / chamber folk)

I've had a rough year, so this wholesome album really helps.

I am a big fan of this. Definitely will listen to more of it later.

This is very, very cool. I'm only a couple of tracks in and I'm really looking forward to giving this a full listen tomorrow. Thanks for sharing, reminds me a little bit of the kind of textures that I go to Secede for, check out some of his albums if you're not familiar (When Can, Vega Libre, and Tryshasla are all great).

I like you more and more.

I would say Sigrid. Young new artist from Norway