Back catalogue: Indie/Alternative

Review: English new wave popsters Wang Chung return with a brand new career retrospective, reenlightening us as to the very best of Nick Feldman and Jack Hues' patented blend of disco-baller new wave and dance pop. Though packed with easily recognised hits like 'Everybody Have Fun Tonight' and 'Dance Hall Days', this record also makes light of the band's lesser known favourites while arranging each in curatorial fashion, striking a balance of chronology and versatility: Wang Chung were known for their inspirational garrulity, channelling a seemingly endless array of international stylistic curiosities into their pop music: from Burundi shuffle to electronica to Motown to prog, this mix of both radio hits and deeper cuts makes for a desultory listen, where many influences are often reeled off in the space of a single track.

Review: The second volume of the Live Drugs series from The War on Drugs continues to display their exceptional live performances, featuring performances from their global tours over the past few years. The 2xLP set, pressed on 140g vinyl, is housed in a tip-on style gatefold jacket with two pockets and a four panel 24x24 poster, ensuring a premium presentation for fans. This release, titled Live Drugs Again, builds on the success of the 2020 Live Drugs album, offering 11 carefully curated live tracks. The War on Drugs, led by Adam Granduciel, has garnered acclaim for their atmospheric blend of indie rock and heartland rock, marked by lush arrangements and introspective lyrics. Their live shows are celebrated for their expansive sound and emotional depth, reflecting the band's ability to transform studio material into dynamic, immersive experiences and with such a rich discography to draw on, this collection is highly anticipated, especially after that first amazing edition.

Review: The Wedding Present's Watusi, often overshadowed by its predecessors, emerges as a hidden gem in their discography. Initially released amidst the frenzy of their Hit Parade singles, it suffered from being ahead of its time"a blend of pop hooks and Seattle underground influences that defied easy categorisation". Yet, as fans who witnessed them revisiting it at their Brighton event recently will atest, 'Watusi' feels remarkably contemporary, its hypnotic melodies and nuanced instrumentation resonating with a neo-drone edge. While it may have been a hard sell in its era, the current lineup breathes new life into its subtle intelligence, unveiling its true brilliance. Overlooked but not forgotten, Watusi finally gets its due recognition as a key release from The Wedding Present, reaffirming its place in their storied career alongside Sea Monsters, George Best and the Hit Parade singles.

Review: This 20th Anniversary reissue of the The White Stripes' Elephant will make you roar once more. Jack and Meg White's raw and minimalist garage rock, which they've been making since 1997, is by now a staple of the international rock market identity - and of course, the blinding hits 'Seven Nation Army', 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself' and 'The Hardest Button To Button' all feature on their debut here. Celebrating the now cemented legacy of a wholly original duo, this anniversary edition includes a bonus disc of alternative tracks, some of which come in a format of much import, mono. And that's not to mention a string of covers and rarities. It also comes in a deluxe bookback edition, with liner notes by Jack White himself!