The Return of Cold Specks, New Music From Mamalarky, And More
On an all-new episode of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin celebrate the return of Canadian “doom-soul” artist Cold Specks, discuss the latest from pop-psych weirdos Mamamlarky, ponder if new music from the legendary English band Hawkind f***s, and more.
Featured Albums
Light For The Midnight
Cold Specks
Beginning with her 2012 release under the name Cold Specks, I Predict a Graceful Expulsion, it was clear that Ladan Hussein (fka Al Spx) was a distinctive voice in the burgeoning indie-rock landscape of the 2010s. After her 2017 album Fool's Paradise, the Somali Canadian singer experienced a mental breakdown, stepping away from the public eye to seek treatment, putting her music career on hold until now.
Light For The Midnight marks the triumphant return of Cold Specks, revisiting her singular sound to confront not only her mental health but also the universal struggle to hold on to humanity in an increasingly chaotic world. Featuring collaborations with Adrian Utley of Portishead, producer Jonathan Quarmby, Owen Pallett, and others, Midnight isn’t just a return to form for Hussein/Cold Specks, it’s a poignant reminder that our shared humanity is a source of strength, even in our darkest hours. — Kevin
Hex Key
Mamlarkey
On 2022's Pocket Fantasy, Mamalarky showed us how to combine weird time signatures, unexpectedly sunny harmonies, and melodic “huh?” moments into a mini-juggernaut. They're back in 2025 with Hex Key, an album that preserves the band's fundamental quirkiness while leaning more heavily on pop and dance vibes.
Built around a tightly knit group of IRL friends, Mamalarky's members are all road-tested, with resumes including time spent in Faye Webster's band, as well as White Denim and Cherry Glazerr. Bristling with ideas and the kinds of flourishes that reward repeated listening sessions, Mamalarky offers an answer to that age-old question: Can a record be kinda sad, a little angry, mellow, groovy, fun, and just plain happy at the same time? On Hex Key, the answer is yes, if you have the right tool. — Eduardo
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