“The most ambitious South African rock record you’ll hear all year” – Miles Keylock, GQ Magazine, December 2006

In a scene where bands who ape a perpetually recycled punk past from the comfort of their 3-car suburban garage and a confessional roll-call of singer songwriters who earnestly tug away at teenage girls’ heartstrings are hailed as ‘cutting edge’ it’s tempting to read alternative music it’s death rites. Until you hear Nikhil Singh’s debut solo album, Pressed Up Black.

It’s liberating listening for anyone disaffected by a scene perilously close to flat-lining on its obsession with new wave nostalgia and singer songwriter schmaltz. Released on hip Mother City indie imprint One Minute Trolley Dash, Pressed Up Black splinters the signature obsessions Singh showcased in his art rock combo, The Wild Eyes – the sex, the drugs, the rock and roll – into a brave noir world of avant-rock excess.

From the tarnished glam and free jazz filtered garage rock gambol of opener “Nagasaki Nikita” to the mutant murd