Review: Reading shoegazers Blueboy are the real deal - top-tier within its genre up there with the likes of Lush, Slowdive and Cocteau Twins. They left behind a remarkable back catalogue with releases on the legendary Bristol label Sarah Records and the Shinkansen label in the 90s. To our joy they've returned to do some live shows and release their first new music in 25 years in the shape of this banging single 'Deux'. Anyone who has even the slightest inclination towards the dreamy ambiance and power that the shoegaze genre offers can do a lot worse than buying 'Deux' - it is a slice of nostalgia and has a timeless quality to it. The B-side is less poppy but highly atmospheric and evocative. A triumphant comeback.
Review: "The final episode of this soap-opera of a band will be released in the form of a 7 inch on 24.01.2025." If this is your first encounter with De Nooit Moede, then welcome to the wake of the best group you sadly only cottoned onto when they were posting about their final release on Instagram. The Brussels seven piece's swan song certainly fits the bill for funeral soundtrack, with RIP's garage-punk-wave washing through your mind with equal parts melancholy and swagger. Four tracks run from the staccato-step of 'Doopsel', which opens the scoring and sets the mood perfectly, through the more melodic 'Sluiswachter', blissfully downtrodden 'Fake Niet', and motoring 'Alledaagse Nachten'. Each is as infectiously groovy as the next, and cooler than pretty much everything else you will have been listening to this week/month/year. More Flemish attitude, please.
Everything Is Recorded, Noah Cyrus & Bill Callahan - "Porcupine Tattoo" (3:31)
Everything Is Recorded - "Norm" (feat Bill Callahan) (3:04)
Review: XL boss Richard Russell's Everything Is Recorded returns with 'Porcupine Tattoo', an unexpected yet compelling collaboration with Bill Callahan and Noah Cyrus. The track, released via XL Recordings, came about during sessions at LA's infamous Chateau Marmont hotel, when Russell asked Callahan who he'd most like to write a song for. Callahan's surprising answer: Noah Cyrus. The result is a stripped-down folk tune with subtle gospel undertones, featuring Callahan's deep, pitched-down vocal layered alongside Cyrus' delicate voice. Russell's production, iminimal yet atmospheric, ihighlights the contrast between Callahan's gravelly tone and Cyrus' ethereal presence. Recorded during a rain-soaked week, the track evokes a sense of melancholy and intimacy. On Side-2 'Norm', is a tribute to comedian Norm Macdonald, featuring only Callahan. This release continues Russell's tradition of creating genre-blurring, evocative collaborations.
Review: After starting it in 2019, the superb Emotional Rescue brings its series of non-defined reissues to a close here with another licensing and remastering of a timeless favourite alongside new interpretations by contemporary producers. The likes of Hawkwind's drone mix by Cherrystones, Thomas Leer's cosmic-Balearics reworked by Bullion and the post-punk dubs of The Embrace have all featured so far but finally, the percussive journey of 80s band The Impossible Dreamers arrive with their cult B-side 'Spin,' including an extended percussion-dub extravaganza and a bonus drum reprise by Dan Tyler of Idjut Boys under his NAD alias.
Review: 1984 was a big year for a lot of reasons - including the wall of sound unleashed by The Jesus & Mary Chain with 'Upside Down'. The Scottish alternative rock set delivered their first single in November that year, marking the arrival of a decade-spanning tour de force of the guitar world. Packing a Syd Barrett cover on the B-side, 'Vegetable Man' (its chorus to be confused with the line, "festival man", not matter how much it sounds like those are the words), the track and its accompaniment on the flip would sell 50,0000 copies and become Creation Records first major success story. It also set the tone for one of the most inimitable back catalogues in rock & roll history. But these are other tales for other times.
Review: DFA presents a special 12" release from New York's no wave pioneers, Liquid Liquid, paying tribute to the band's profound influence on the label. This double A-side features revitalized versions of their iconic tracks. The first side offers a dynamic rendition of 'Bellhead,' recorded by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy in 2004. It's an intense percussive journey, overflowing with marimba, drums, and an array of bells, transforming the original's laid-back groove into a vibrant, energetic workout. On the flip side, we have an unreleased version of 'Optimo,' re-recorded by Liquid Liquid in 2008 and then remixed by Glasgow's Optimo (Espacio), the duo named in homage to the track.
Review: This is a 7" gem that comes on random coloured vinyl and is a great new chance to own a classic bit of reggae form the 90s. The legendary four tacker was first dropped back in '94 by this cult German Ska band and it has plenty of attitude that encourages you to stay rude yourself. 'Stay Rude - Stay Rebel' kicks off with big horns and uptempo drums, 'Tour De France' keeps the pressure on and 'Love Song' strips things back a little more with a more laid-back and swaggering sound. 'Girl (Tango)' has a more playful and funky edge with some sumptuous sax leads.
Review: New Zealand dance-pop trio Obscure Desire are among the finest to come out of the first wave of the Auckland club scene in the 80s, which centered around the venue named A Certain Bar. Auckland's answer to the Hacienda. They used the inspiration from that scene to craft this EP of effervescent pop, new wave and funk. The group were vehemently DIY and disbanded shortly after the release so the original pressing sells for hundreds because of its scarcity. This reissue comes after a surge in popularity over the past decade making this hotly-anticipated short but exceptional collection properly accessible for the first time.
Review: Anyone who has followed Emotional Rescue knows it has always does a fine job of documenting pock punk and UK punk dub's early years, in this case showcasing the previously unheralded work of Skinbat Scramble, who emerged from the mundanity of the Home Counties to converge on London during the early 80s. Core members Mark Eason and Fergus Crockford were simultaneously inspired by the speedy punk thills of the Roxy Club and the Two Tone scene of ska and reggae which ran alongside it, as well as counter cultural heroes of the generation before like Gong and Velvet Underground. They got to work distilliing slow tempos, experimental sounds, dub and much more into leftfield rhythms, and while the likes of 'Basement Voltaire' - all echoing electronics, high frequency blips and merciless drum machines - or the Clash-in-dub workout 'North By Northwest' are rooted very much in the Cold War/Thatcher years, their individuality and experimental vibe mean they've endured remarkably well. Scramble to get yourself a copy.
Review: Tetine duo Bruno Verner & Eliete Mejorado met at the underground art punk scene of Sao Paulo. Turning their head to electronic music, their DIY roots shine through with transgressive lyrics and their leftfield take on electro pop. They're like a precursor to Confidence Man. This 12" EP features four dance punk numbers taken from their 2010 album From A Forest Near You. 'Yr Daugther Lies' is cosmic, experimental new wave with an irresistible bassline running through it. Still on the A-side, 'Tropical Punk' blends funk and Sonic Youth-esque guitar textures with spoken word that's full of galvanising ire. Lastly, 'O Espaco' is a Portuguese language number equally full of party vibes. Tetine are built for those moments when you need an injection of pace, so if you notice the mood slipping at a party then slip this on and it will turn things around for the better.
Review: Wasia Project are a South Croydon-raised sibling duo - Olivia Hardy (vocals, guitar) and William Gao (keyboards, piano, vocals) - who strike a nice balance in sharing the limelight. This is only their second EP but you can tell they're going to be massive. They've already toured in support of Tom Odell and Laufey and they clearly have the quality to go the distance. 'Somebody Come Through' is as good as anything Sharon Van Etten has released. 'Track 6' brings back memories of listening to Beach House and 'To Get Better' is reminiscent of Matt Maltese. Underneath all the indie references there's a really strong classical training and we hear that on the closing track, with a masterful piano crescendo dimming the lights, but leaving us wanting for more.
Review: While Wilco has often regarded EPs as secondary offerings, their latest release, 'Hot Sun Cool Shroud', defies that trend by presenting a cohesive artistic statement reminiscent of a full album. Unlike previous EPs, which were typically promotional in nature, this six-song collection embraces the format's potential, showcasing the band's versatility and depth. The opener, 'Hot Sun', blends sensations of pleasure and existential anxiety, as Jeff Tweedy questions his role in the face of climate change. Each track feels intentional, flowing smoothly into the next while exploring various facets of the band's identity. The two-part structure features instrumental pieces that punctuate the vocal tracks, showcasing a mix of melody and dissonance that reflects their eclectic sound. From the reflective 'Ice Cream' to the energetic chaos of 'Inside the Bell Bones', Wilco exhibits an impressive range, seamlessly blending elements of rock, country and experimentation. 'Hot Sun Cool Shroud' not only stands as a remarkable addition to their discography but also redefines the possibilities of the EP format in their artistic journey.
Review: First released on streaming platforms last summer, Wilco's 'Hot Sun Cool Shroud' EP was uniformly praised by critics. Much more than a stop gap between albums (it arrived roughly 12 months after the outfit's lauded 13th studio full-length, Cousin), the six-track set bristles with inventiveness while flitting between styles and tempos. So, opener 'Hot Sun', a sticky slab of Americana-tinged jangly indie brilliance, is followed by the reverb and solo-laden alt-rock squall of 'Livid' and the gentle, string-laden swoon of 'Ice Cream'. And so it continues, with the fuzzy positivity and weary vocals of 'Annihilation' being joined by the pleasant, impossible-to-pigeonhole experimentalism of 'Inside The Bell Bones' and the twinkling, heartfelt melancholia of 'Say You Love Me'.
Review: Yoo Doo Right's third album delivers a great blend of post-rock epics and emotionally charged sonic explorations. Opening with a droning guitar barrage, the album unfolds through mantra-like repetitions, abyssal tones and carefree saturation that all serve to cement their status as Montreal post-rock royalty. Inspired by themes of patience, art commodification, AI and unconditional love, this LP draws influence from Wes Montgomery, Rachmaninoff, Neurosis and Russian Circles and was written during a snowstorm retreat in early 2023 which meant the trio aimed for cinematic, experiential significance.
Review: Firstly, a note about the radical record label Last Night From Glasgow that this album is released through. They not only have a tasteful roster with the likes of TeenCanteen and The Anchoress among its other releases, they are non-profit and ethically driven. It's a reaction to some of the stuff they despise about the music business so well worth digging into what they do. This release, A Girl Called Eddy's debut album, produced by Richard Hawley, is a terrific addition to their catalogue. Blending jazz rock, folk and 60s Baroque pop, it's a majestic work of art, loaded with highs. 'Tears All Over Town' is atmospherically charged, with American singer Erin Moray proving her understated power. 'People Used To Dream' is similarly captivating. It feels intimate and tender, yet leans into her maximalist tendencies and her Baroque pop side truly shines. This is gorgeous stuff.
Review: This was the golden age of Adam & The Ants - for one or two of the more serious-minded post-punk fans from the early 80s at the very least. A BBC Sessions album that is a tribute to the great DJ himself, John Peel who, had it not been for him, many may never had been introduced to the band. Featuring many different versions of tracks that were included on the debut Dirk Wears White Sox (released later in 1979), these tracks seem even more adrenalin-fuelled that the versions we eventually heard on the fantastic debut that for many has never been matched by anyone since. The opening two tracks, however, come from the early 1978 session that were not part of the debut and opening track 'Lou' doesn't even feature Adam Ant on lead vocals. This track was performed by the band's then manager and punk icon Jordan and sits well with the rest of this impressive collection of recordings that could be classed as Adam & The Ants part one (of three different versions). These sessions link the first two versions of the band very well and are a world apart from the commercial and more successful songs that eventually made them a household - and playground - name for the next decade and more.
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