This is the category for bands that skirt the edge of what would be considered surf, either intentionally or by chance. This was another category this year where there was an abundance of good stuff, moreso than usual. Could it be that surf groups are trending in a more adventurous direction? Or maybe instrumental groups are gaining in popularity. I think it's both! Anyway, here's my pick of standouts.

I love that surf has its own look and feel, and it certainly helps me find new surf records. What's interesting about this year is that I didn't notice as many bands adhering to that look and feel, and part of that was a surprising no-show from some of the heavyweights of this genre, such as Shawn Dickinson and Fred Lammers. Here's what stuck out to me.

These are groups that have surf somewhere in their DNA but have reshaped it into something much different. What falls in and out of this category is pretty subjective to my own whims, as most of it is going to fall into "not really surf". Some of them are familiar cousins to surf, some are somethin' else altogether. Let's just get rolling with it.

Honorable Mentions

I still wasn't done enjoying Oskar Benas' solo release from this year Hereje Del Mar (which apparently I never made a post about) but we've already got this release from his full combo. While surf typically puts you on the seashore, Oskar's music points me towards the jungle as its getting dark. It's creepy-crawly, strange, wary, but definitely alive and curious, and it does it in its own way without the tropes we're used to from exotica, tiki or horror surf.