No need for algorithms

From honouring the dead to dance floor fillers

RÓIS (publicity image)

With much enthusiasm I am continuing this new project. I feel so honoured with all the positive reactions after the first newsletter was sent in December. Someone said to me how valuable it is to have something like a carefully curated music list, especially in times of algorithms where people get stuck. And that’s exactly the purpose of Sonic Nurse. Another appreciated comment which got me thinking a lot was about personalizing the texts a bit more. I do think a personal touch is of great value, however, the aim of this platform is purely the art of curating music that deserves a lot more recognition. Moreover, I want you to discover music with an open mind in order to decide for yourself what it means to you. That’s why I find album reviews somehow problematic. They are leading and will affect your own opinion, possibly unconsciously. It’s the same with musical genres and that’s why I try not to describe an album - and certainly not an artist - by just one genre or label. I try to think about this carefully, so you’ll get a nuanced impression. Sonic Nurse is just a starting point; from here your own musical quest begins.

JANUARY 2026

RÓIS - MO LÉAN
RÓIS is the solo project from the Irish artist Rose Connolly and this EP (2024) contains both new recordings and reinterpretations of old songs and hymns. On MO LÉAN Connolly explores the Pre-Christian Gaelic Celtic tradition of caoineadh, or keening where - predominantly - women would keen a powerful vocal mourning or lamenting during a wake to honour the dead and express deep grief. It’s quite an old, almost died out tradition and there are very few existing recordings of caoineadh. However, Connolly brings these beautiful ethereal melodies back to life by weaving synthesizers, drones and distortion with the samples of ancient recordings and her captivating voice.
folk | drone | electronic | sean nós (Irish)

Kathryn Joseph - WE WERE MADE PREY.
WE WERE MADE PREY. is the fourth album by Scottish artist Kathryn Joseph. Joseph’s music is always dark and her songs are small and subtle, often making use of just vocals and minimalist piano playing. Compared to her prevous work, this album has a much more electronic focus, which makes her music even more penetrating and somehow a bit more accessible. Her characteristic voice is one you might have to get used to. Her voice is raw, fragile, and full of emotion. But it’s the unique voices that stay with you and ultimately touch you deeply.
folk | electronic | experimental pop

Gloria de Oliveira (self portrait)

Gloria de Oliveira - La Rose De Fer
La Rose De Fer is the debut solo EP (2019) by the German-Brazilian multidisciplinary visual artist and musician Gloria de Oliveira. The title of the EP is named after one of Jean Rollin’s cult horror movies from 1973, which makes sense as the entire EP feels like a dreamy soundtrack from a seventies horror movie. The music is enchanting, nearly mystical - the first track even begins with Ave Maris Stella, a Medieval Marian hymn. This EP is released through de Oliveira’s own record label La Double Vie (another movie reference here), but it easily fits into the roster of 4AD, just like Cocteau Twins or This Mortal Coil.
dream pop | ambient | ethereal wave

Martin Dupont - Hot Paradox
The French group Martin Dupont formed in 1980 and released three albums in the eighties with Hot Paradox (1987) being their third. One year later, the band split up, retaining a cult following. Thanks to the New York record label Minimal Wave, who showed interest in 2009 in rereleasing their discography, their music is being distributed again, although still in limited edition. It’s quite a mystery why this band has remained so unknown. It’s not your usual electronic act - they are definitely a quirky band. The music incorporates clarinets, saxophones and guitars and is quite complex, but their sound is extremely catchy and ready to fill dance floors.
new wave | synth pop | coldwave | electronic

Martin Dupont

Purrkur Pillnikk - Ekki Enn
The Icelandic band Purrkur Pillnikk didn’t exist for a long time, seventeen months to be precise, but they were highly productive as they released two albums and two EP’s. They formed in 1981 and when they split up eventually, the bandmembers found themselves in Iceland’s biggest band The Sugarcubes, together with Björk. Ekki Enn is Purrkur Pillnikk’s first album and it’s full of short, catchy, static songs inspired by bands like The Fall and Wire - both in terms of musical style and their cynical attitude.
punk | post-punk | new wave

Hala Strana - Hala Strana
Hala Strana is the name of the recording project of American musician Steven R. Smith, which he began in 2002 to discover the traditional folk music of Central and Eastern Europe. Slavic - or even further back North African - sounds serve as a starting point. Hala Strana incorporated the scales and instrumentation (e.g. bouzouki, spike fiddle and the hurdy gurdy) abstracted the melodies and turned this into something unique. The music includes arrangements of traditional songs as well as originals influenced by these regions. This self-titled album (2003) contains purely instrumental music where improvisation and the use of field recordings are crucial.
psychedelic | Slavic Folk | drone | post-rock

There is no “old” music really - only music you have already heard and music you haven’t.