Back catalogue: All genres

Review: A posthumous release that furthers Arthur Russell's now legendary status. Recorded in Downtown New York City on December 20, 1985, it's an intimate, unedited solo live performance recorded at Phill Niblock's loft space known as Experimental Intermedia Foundation. The takes are very raw and unpolished that it makes you feel like one of the very few in attendance. 'That's the Very Reason' is a beautiful, tender experimental folk piece showing he needed very few materials in order to send listeners on a journey of transcendence. 'Too Early To Tell' is highly idiosyncratic and produces a sound not normally associated with cello. And 'Sunlit Water' has an oriental feel and provides beautiful resolve to a resplendent set.

Review: The American musician and guitarist newest album is a collection of compositions that balance melancholia with quiet defiance. From the disorienting, tape-warped opening moments to the album's delicate final waltz, Tyler crafts an introspective instrumental landscape where the past and present converge. 'Cabin Six' starts with a hazy, found-sound texture, its distant hum of static giving way to Tyler's contemplative guitar. It's a track that feels suspended in time, evoking the isolation of its recording process. 'Concern', in contrast, unfurls a luminous melody atop warm strings, the steel guitar lifting the piece into a realm of understated grandeur. It's among Tyler's most affecting compositions, a quiet affirmation amid uncertainty. On 'Star of Hope', the album's spiritual centerpiece, an AM radio-sourced hymn weaves into Tyler's delicate loops, creating a ghostly, celestial resonance. The interplay between organic and electronic texturesitape hiss, processed echoesigrounds the track in a space both intimate and otherworldly. 'Electric Lake' shimmers with ecstatic drone, its weightless progression nodding to La Monte Young, while 'Howling' sways between ambient pastoralism and an undercurrent of discord, its background noise a restless specter. The album closes with 'Held', a sigh of relief wrapped in a gentle acoustic waltz. The ever-present tape warble lingers, a reminder of unease, but Tyler leans into beauty. Time Indefinite is a triumph of instrumental storytellingione of quiet reckoning, but also persistence, offering solace in its hypnotic, evocative swells.

Review: Laced Records bring the musical experience of Braid, Anniversary Edition, to life with a beautifully remastered collection of 15 tracks on heavyweight vinyl. This edition features music from the original 2008 indie classic, enhanced for modern listeners. Eight of these tracks, composed by Jami Sieber, Shira Kammen, Pam Swan, and Cheryl Ann Fulton, transport players into the evocative world of Braid, blending perfectly with the game's intricate puzzle mechanics. Additionally, seven fresh electro-ambient remixes by Martin Stig Andersen infuse a darker, more atmospheric energy into the soundtrack. Andersen's reinterpretations align with the game's more intense later stages, offering a unique contrast to the original compositions. The music, designed to enhance the player's immersion, remains as vital and engaging as ever. With its striking packaging, including printed inner sleeves and a wide-spined outer sleeve, this edition is ideal for both fans of the game and vinyl collectors.

Review: The 500 Days of Summer soundtrack is a timeless blend of indie and alternative anthems that perfectly capture the film’s blend of romantic highs and disillusioned lows. Curated to reflect the journey of Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer (Zooey Deschanel), the music serves as a character in itself, embodying the emotional stages of love and heartache. From the start, Regina Spektor’s 'Us' sets a hopeful yet ironic tone, foreshadowing a love story that isn't quite what it seems. The Smiths’ 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' becomes the shared heartbeat of Tom and Summer, sparking their connection over a mutual love for melancholic pop. Daryl Hall & John Oates’ 'You Make My Dreams' injects infectious joy into Tom’s post-date bliss, creating one of the film’s most iconic scenes, full of choreographed optimism. The soundtrack doesn’t shy away from melancholy, as Simon & Garfunkel’s 'Bookends' hauntingly underscores the pivotal shift in their relationship, reflecting Tom’s heartbreak. Each song, from Feist's whimsical 'Mushaboom' to Doves' reflective 'There Goes The Fear'. deepens the narrative. In blending '80s pop hits with indie gems, the soundtrack remains a perfect encapsulation of love’s bittersweet nature, marking the film’s lasting impact on fans and romantics alike.