Sludge Hawking released a new album in December. Mixing country, folk rock and psychedelia, Hawking brings nine songs rife with somber twang and social commentary. “Born Into Blue Light” kicks things off with existential themes about our changing times, followed by similar contemplations like the day-to-day dread of “Circles” and awakening into class consciousness with “Sleep City Streets” and more. Sludge Hawking’s “Throwaway Days” is a poetically captivating traipse through the alienations of modern society.