Back catalogue: Indie/Alternative

Review: If any album comes close to the beauty of Crosby, Stills & Nash in 2025 it's this. It's difficult to imagine anyone else nailing melodic, acoustic guitar-oriented music that treads in gospel, blues and pastoral psychedelia better than this supergroup. Could Bernard Butler be on his way to another Mercury Prize nomination with this? They've got a strong case for it. The band itself is something a little different and formed by popular demand. Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub) Bernard Butler (Suede) and James Grant (Love and Money) originally got together for one occasion, at Saint Luke's in Glasgow in 2022 for Celtic Connections, but the power of them together was so great they've been talked into putting an album out. They've gone about it in quite a pragmatic way, with each member labelling which songs theirs, as opposed to all trying to write the same song at the same time. Makes sense really.

Review: Any aspiring rocker worth their salt in Australia is likely familiar with Steve Kilbey from his work being the lead singer of 'Under The Milky Way' hitmakers The Church. Here he combines with The Go-Between' Grant McLennan to make the great supergroup Jack Frost. The collection includes a remastering and reissue of their two studio albums: The Snow Job (1995) and the self-titled debut (1991) - plus bonus material. It's stacked with classics, but 'Birdowner', which evokes Morrison Hotel-era Jim Morrion, is a huge standout. As is Civil War Lament', but for different reasons: this goes into acoustic psych-folk territory, leaning towards some Pink Floyd styles. Elsewhere, 'Trapeze Boy' conveys memories of listening to Comet Gain, who may well have been influenced by the underrated, masterful Jack Frost.

Review: Four years after hitting the headlines with her debut album as the Japanese House, Good At Falling, Amber Bain returns with a much-anticipated sequel. Musically, it's a confident affair, with Bain further developing her now trademark sound, which sits somewhere between folksy breeziness, melancholic synth-pop, positive-sounding indie-pop, and deep, alluring dance-pop of the sort that would impress those who love deep house and tech-house. Bain's vocals, delivering lyrics far more thoughtful and at times heart-breaking than those showcased early in the year, are particularly impactful. The result is a highly entertaining and listenable album that's sure to push its creator a little further towards superstar status.

Review: Grunge heroes The Jesus Lizard return after 26 years with Rack, a raw and intense experience reminiscent of their early 90s work with Steve Albini with plenty of the chaotic energy and tight musicianship that defined the band's legacy. The lead track, 'Hide and Seek,' is a rampaging opener filled with hooks that showcase the band's ability to merge aggressive rock with catchy elements. Other tracks, like 'Moto(R)' and 'Lord Godiva,' blend humor and grit, while 'What If?' and 'Armistice Day' explore moodier, more introspective territories. The album maintains a polished yet raw sound, balancing sophistication with pure, punk-rock mayhem. David Yow's vocals remain as unhinged as ever, supported by Duane Denison's piercing guitar riffs, David Wm. Sims' powerful bass lines, and Mac McNeilly's thunderous drumming.

Review: Joan As Police Woman returns with her new single 'Long For Ruin,' the lead track from her forthcoming album Lemons, Limes And Orchids, out via Play It Again Sam. Long For Ruin is a haunting, introspective piece that delves into humanity's role in the world's current disarray. With cinematic instrumentation and a striking blend of indie rock and alternative soul, the song features distorted electric guitars and shuffling percussion, creating a soundscape uniquely Joan's. Her evocative vocals imbue the track with a sense of melancholy and contemplation. Lemons, Limes And Orchids, Joan's 10th studio album, explores themes of love and loss, serving as a poignant reflection on time's passage and our collective disorientation. The album features Joan's jazz influences intertwined with electronic and ambient elements, recorded live with the band to highlight her vocal abilities. Collaborators include Meshell Ndegeocello on bass, Chris Bruce on guitar, Daniel Mintseris on keys, and drummers Parker Kindred and Otto Hauser. Joan's previous project, The Solution Is Restless, received critical acclaim and she continues to tour with legends like Iggy Pop and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

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FINAL TRACKLISTING & RUNNING ORDER TBC: 1 Joy Division - Transmission,
2 Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart, 3 Joy Division - Isolation,
4 Joy Division - She''s Lost Control, 5 Joy Division - Atmosphere, 6 New Order - Ceremony,
7 New Order - Temptation, 8 New Order - Blue Monday, 9 New Order - Thieves Like Us,
10 New Order - The Perfect Kiss, 11 New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle,
12 New Order - True Faith, 13 New Order - World In Motion, 14 New Order - Regret,
15 New Order - Crystal, 16 New Order - Krafty,
17 New Order - Hellbent (Brand New Recording),

OVERVIEW: Despite an incredibly short recording career Joy Division remarkably have stood the test of time in terms of influential British bands. Their dark, brooding sound has inspired more artists than could be listed and their continued adoration today is testament to the forward thinking yet inward projected music and lyricism of a young band on the brink of success yet unsure of how to deal with it. With the sad passing of Ian Curtis, from the ashes rose New Order; the same core band but with a new fresh approach to their chosen career path. Loud, colourful and full of life.

''Total'' is a chronological look at the two bands most important tracks, covering Joy Division staples such as Love Will Tear Us Apart, and the resonating Atmosphere. New Order bring to the table Blue Monday, Bizarre Love Triangle and True Faith. Also included is a brand new never released New Order track ''Hellbent''.

PROMOTION: Stephen Morris and Bernard Sumner will both be doing limited promo for this release. More information to come but aiming for BBC Breakfast, Radio 2, 6Music and key regionals.

PRESS: Full print campaign focussing on broadsheet titles and key music press. Also full online campaign focussing on broadsheet/magazine pages and key blogs.

RADIO: Manchester based regional radio advertising on XFM

TV: National TV ad campaign, commencing with approximately £40k spend in week one.

MARKETING: TV ads, Radio Ads, Press Ads, Online activity.