XL Vinilo y CD

Review: A deluxe reissue now available of the acclaimed 2001 album by Australian hip hop fusion act The Avalanche' Since I Left You featuring the hit single of the same name. This four disc version features several modern reworks of tracks from the LP, with notable appearances from Leon Vynehall and the late MF DOOM on the remix of 'Tonight May Have To Last Me All My Life' and 'A Different Feeling' receiving the Carl Craig Paperclip People remix among many others.

Review:  When they delivered their stupendously sample-heavy debut album, Since I Left You, back in 2000, The Avalanches were tipped for big things. For some reason, they failed to capitalize, all but fading from view. That album remains a much-loved listen for many people so there has been an expected degree of anticipation regarding this follow-up, Wildflower. Happily, it's something of a resounding success, with the Melbourne trio serving up another whirlwind trip through sample-heavy, hip-hop era psychedelia. At 21 tracks deep, and with more changes of direction than your average three-week cycle race, it's something of a beast. It is, though, well worth the effort, as repeat listens simply uncovers more layers of hazy, glassy-eyed goodness (be it bluesy trip-hop, slipped disco, dreamy acid-pop, folksy beat-scapes or baked hypno-rock).

Review: The latest release from Everything Is Recorded delivers a striking collection that blends electronic, soul and folk influences with remarkable depth. The opening track sets a reflective tone, paired with lush instrumentation and haunting vocals. Collaborations like the one with Sampha, Laura Grove and Alabaster DePlume bring emotional weight, while tracks like 'Never Felt Better' with Florence Welch and Sampha elevate the energy. 'Porcupine Tattoo' offers a beautifully subdued moment, and other collaborations continue to weave unique soundscapes. The release is a testament to XL boss Richard Russell's ability to bring diverse voices together, crafting a deeply introspective yet dynamic listening experience.

Review: Ibeyi are French Afro-Cuban twin sisters Lisa-Kainde and Naomi Diaz. Their latest album Spell 31 is their boldest offering yet; an antidote to apathy in a divided world, featuring vocal harmonies that take in gospel and electronic neo soul influences, further refined by XL Recordings boss Richard Russell's brilliant production throughout. Collaborators include Pa Salieu on 'Made Of Gold', singer Jorja Smith on 'Lavender & Red Roses', and rapper BERWYN on 'Rise Above'.

Review: There are few signs of 'difficult second album syndrome' to be found on "Through Water", Lapsley's confident and assured follow-up to her critically acclaimed 2016 debut "Long Way Home". This time round the former teenage prodigy has written and produced pretty much everything on the album, delivering a suite of songs that effortlessly blur the boundaries between glacial electronica, off-kilter synth-pop, R&B and folktronica. There are some moments of real beauty scattered throughout - see the rather fine "Leeds Liverpool Canal" for starters - while the way her distinctive vocals are matched by inventive and enjoyable musical arrangements is mighty impressive. Sure, there's nothing as rush inducing as club hit "Operator", but what's here is every bit as alluring.

Review: Daffodils & Dirt, the debut album by Samantha Morton and Richard Russell, is a brooding and poetic exploration of Morton's troubled past and raw emotional experiences. With Russell's production prowess, the duo creates an unsettling yet captivating musical landscape that delves into themes of resilience and vulnerability. Morton's haunting vocals, coupled with Russell's sparse yet evocative soundscapes, transport listeners into the depths of her teenage years, where she grappled with homelessness and instability. The album's collaborations with artists like Jack Penate, Laura Groves, and Ali Campbell add unexpected layers of depth and beauty to the already compelling narrative. The album is a mesmerising blend of haunting melodies and raw emotion, inviting listeners to journey alongside Morton as she navigates the complexities of her past.