The summer is flying by and things are weird and scary in the world but it is fine because good music keeps dropping and alcohol exists.  It is definitely time for some dreamy tunes and cold beer so let us drink from the cup of heresy.  This week’s offerings:  Breaths’ breaths and Bottom Feeder Ales’ The Void.

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The Tunes:  Breaths — breaths

Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter Jason Roberts is the master behind doomgaze band Breaths.  This self-titled release is full of airy melodies, reverberating clean vocals, and doom laden riffs.  While there is a heavier lean into the shoegaze side of things, the doom influence is palpable in each song and more heavily utilized in tracks like “shaken” and “unsettling (settle in).”  The combination of the two genres is one of my favorite things and it is so well executed by Breaths.  These expertly crafted ten tracks are catchy with memorable hooks and they will stick with you after each listen.  The music is expansive with layered, textured tones creating a dreamy and relaxing album with the right amount of doom to keep listeners grounded.  breaths opens with a light track full of synths, gentle drumming, and echoing far-away vocals before moving into “barbarella (melt away)” which features marching guitars, crashing symbols, and a more Deftones-esque sound.  Some 90s alternative creeps into some of the other tracks, leaving me feeling nostalgic and very comforted by this album.  Breaths has a little something for everyone and this release is one to fall into and tune everything else out to fully experience and enjoy.       

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The Booze:   Bottom Feeder Ales — The Void

This label called to me at our local liquor store and I am sure you can see why. The artwork is awesome as is the name, which is what drew me in, but I also love a good farmhouse style saison.  This one is foeder fermented and then mixed with wildflower honey creating a mildly funky, sweet and sour taste.  It smells of honey, and is cloudy and light in color with a low amount of carbonation.  Brewed with local grains, this South Carolina beer is fermented with cultures containing a combination of wild organisms giving it that kick of tartness and a unique flavor.  Each sip starts sweet and gets more and more sour as it progresses, finishing with a pucker.  At an ABV of 8.35%, it takes the edge off and is easily sippable and very enjoyable.  Bottom Feeder Ales is a small production with just two brews currently in production but more in the works.  Crafted in Greenville, SC, the goal of BFA is to use what is around them for their beers to be more sustainable.  Now that this brand is on my radar, I will be on the lookout for new ales in cool labels.

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Cheers and blessed be,

– Angela