Yuasa-Exide may be under the radar, but it’s recommended listening—and its backstory is one of awe-inspiring resilience. Douglas Busson, a longtime figure on the margins of the Twin Cities’ underground, had dabbled in everything from post-hardcore to noise-drone. But following a spinal injury in 2021, he turned to music as a way to cope with constant pain, recording over 20 lo-fi albums straight from his bed and uploading them directly to Bandcamp.

Two standout records, Information & Culture and Naturally Reoccurring, have now been released together on a limited edition cassette by Round Bale Recordings—the first physical release for Yuasa-Exide. The label describes Busson’s sound as “lo-fi narco-pop” or “arty hypnopunk.” Whatever you call it, the music is hypnotic, raw, and unexpectedly melodic—scrappy outsider pop that’s both haunting and unforgettable. It’s the kind of project that deserves an audience.

And if you’re curious about the name: Busson drew it from a “shadowy and mysterious” battery factory he was fascinated by as a kid growing up in Eastern Kentucky. Well, Yuasa-Exide’s music is bound to fascinate listeners, drawing them into its shadowy, raw, and resilient world—one unforgettable lo-fi track at a time.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp (Round Bale) || Ape Sanctuary