An incredible unearthed and never released gem from De Stijl Records. I live for these sorts of dusty unreleased albums that get unearthed and released every few years. Much like last year’s release from Detroit’s Death, this Phantom Payn Days is a definite must own, must share gem. Plus it perfectly compliments the 39 Clocks compilation, Zoned that De Stijl released last year…which hopefully you got (but probably not).

While in the widely neglected 39 Clocks, he made records that never sold and played gigs that few ever saw, Juergen Gleue has arguably been the most important exponent of electrified German sound since the late 1970s. Phantom Payn Daze was made in the mid to late 90s and has never been released. It’s his final LP and is overflowing with all the elements that romanticized, loner/stoner music claims, an encoded expression of highly private feelings, an ambiguous, emotional quotient, and a dark, murkily melodic vibe. It’s a record that first and foremost lives and breathes with an endless stream of great songs. But perhaps it’s most curious component is it’s amazingly prescient sound, a precursor to so many of today’s lo fi acts, all wrapped up in their San Francisco hair.

The above video is for “Paradox Box” off the never-released LP, Phantom Payn Daze which was recorded in the 90s.

- My Pal the Crook