Posts by Ryan Dillon

Southern California, home to the stars, sun-drenched memories, and some of the finest record shops on the West Coast of the United States. Through the rich musical history that has driven the area’s art scene for decades and continues to do so, many locals have been inspired to get involved. Whether you were starting a […]

We here at the Old Caustic Factory are cracking open the windows to a whiff of the incoming Spring to aid in our sonic searches for each week’s best new music. 2026 has proven to be an exhilarating one, and the first New Music Friday of March keeps the trend alive. This week, we have […]

On February 26, to be exact, Gnarls Barkley released “Pictures,” marking a bittersweet moment for the iconic duo and their long-term supporters. The slow-burning, hypnotic, autobiographical single is the duo’s, composed of vocal legend CeeLo Green and super producer Danger Mouse, first piece of new music in 18 years, and the lead single to their […]

When the origins of sampling in Hip-hop come up in conversation nowadays, many people tend to look to the more innovative examples. From using bits of movie dialogue to incorporating syncopation from spiritual jazz, the art of sampling has evolved to include just about any sound that can fit into a rhythm or melody. The […]

Throughout his decades-long career, Shabaka has proven to be a vital organ in contemporary jazz, pushing the boundaries of the genre without force by simply trusting his vision and seeing it through. From his time spent with bands like Sons of Kemet, to the way he manipulated his saxophone, all the way to the moment […]

Time flies when you’re having fun, or more so, we’re just too busy to keep track of the preverbal river that rushes us from one moment of life to the next. Either way, it’s hard to believe February is coming to a close. The month was already packed with exhilarating releases that continued to prove […]

Nothing, the Philadelphia-bred shoegaze giants, have slowly become one of the genre’s proudest and most innovative leaders. Led by Domenic Palermo, the band has been pushing the boundaries of shoegaze tropes for over a decade, building a cult following and a colorful discography brimming with acclaimed, singular approaches to the genre they hold close. The […]

Sometimes, a sample comes to us from a legend who has passed. The tricky thing about samples is giving the original artist their proper due, ensuring that songwriting credits go to the artists who laid the foundation for the inspiration these ideas drew from. Other times, though, we get to see a living artist enjoy […]

At this point, the beloved alt-folk outfit Big Thief has proven to be more than a band. They are a collection of individuals, each with their own perspectives that form into an experimental monster hellbent on honoring tradition while shaping their own. Each member of the band brings with them a singularity that forms this […]

In this new era of Gorillaz, which ultimately began when the virtual band returned from a seven-year hiatus with the release of Humanz in 2017, the Damon Albarn-led outfit has been more prolific than ever. In the four albums they’ve released post-hiatus, they’ve tapped into the collaborative energy that defined the band while returning to […]

We are coming to you live from the Old Caustic Factory, and we are working overtime to bring yet another bustling week of fresh releases. Since the new year, there has been a waterfall of wildly impressive and exhilarating releases from across the musical spectrum, and this week shows no sign of that trend slowing. […]

Sometimes, a song being sampled in a popular Hip-hop song gives that tune a second life. At other times, an iconic song from the past is so recognizable that sampling it simply proves to be a creative interpretation of a legendary release in music history. While we’ve explored songs that have been rejuvenated thanks to […]

The early morning sun is bleeding through the dusty windows of the Ol’ Caustic Factory, as we tirelessly tinker away at narrowing down this extensive list of new releases. If you feel like 2026 has started on a slow note, this might be the week when you change your tune. Our machines are spitting out […]

For this week’s Golden Age Thursday samples, we have an example of why the art of sampling can be a lifeline for musicians of the past. If you think it’s overwhelming to keep up with every new release that looks interesting to you in modern times, imagine not having all of those albums readily available […]

The only thing that can outlast time is the stories forged in the midst of its unforgiving crawl into an unknown future. These tales act as snapshots of moments we weren’t present for, battling clouded memories and the present to ensure that people and moments never fall victim to humanity’s forgetfulness. For The Olympians, the […]

Punk music is entering an exciting renaissance period. The genre, which never truly left, is reaching new heights of popularity thanks to acts like Turnstile and their post-punk family, Geese and Squid, who are reshaping the way people think about and approach the ageless art form. Punk, like any lasting genre, has evolved to incorporate […]

Nine Inch Nails remain one of the more innovative rock bands well into their decades-long career. Even with the two-headed monster that runs the ship, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, focusing on film scores, the Nine Inch Nails name still sends shockwaves through the rock scene, knowing that, whatever it is they decide to put […]

As the aggressively cold weather continues to sink its unforgiving claws deeper into 2026, it’s important to keep a healthy mindset as we face these malicious temperatures. Music is a beautifully powerful thing, able to grab our hands and pull us into something otherworldly, and you can never tell which song will take you there. […]

When people think of the golden age of soul music, your mind drifts to either Detroit with Motown or Memphis with Stax. These two labels, and all of the classic soul releases that fell under their umbrella, have proven to be a treasure trove for Hip-hop producers. While some of the most enduring soul music […]

Creativity is the process of making the intangible palpable, an attempt at understanding the cosmic imbalances that plague the mind, body, and the world they inhabit. This mystical part of our brains is sensitive, and only a few seem capable of controlling it and using it for good; even then, it can consume you. The […]