Back catalogue: Pop

Review: English new wave legends Duran Duran were already up to album number nine by the time they dropped this one in October 1997. A full quarter of a century later and it gets a deserved 25th anniversary release which, actually, makes the first time it has arrived physically in this country. Back in 97 it was only released in North America, Latin America and Japan. Alt-rock, synth-pop and electronica all feature and the front cover has a painting of the band by artist Andrew Day. At the time the album wasn't received too well critically but that view has changed over the years.

Review: The reissue of Duran Duran's self-titled debut album revitalises the iconic 1981 release, showcasing its blend of new wave, synth-pop, and post-punk influences. Standout tracks like 'Girls on Film' and 'Planet Earth' highlight the band's knack for infectious hooks and stylish production. The reissue enhances the original's crisp, polished sound with remastered audio, bringing renewed clarity to Nick Rhodes' synths and John Taylor's basslines. Additional bonus tracks and rare demos provide deeper insights into the band's early creative process. This reissue solidifies Duran Duran as a seminal work that defined an era.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


Duran Duran's Notorious, originally released in 1986, marked a significant evolution in the band's sound. Produced by Nile Rodgers, the album introduced a funk rock vibe distinct from their previous work. With the departure of two members, the trio of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor took the helm, joined by session musicians including drummer Steve Ferrone. Despite lineup changes, 'Notorious' soared to commercial success, peaking at number 16 in the UK and number 12 on the Billboard 200, with platinum certification and over a million copies sold worldwide. The album's singles, including the title track, 'Skin Trade,' and 'Meet El Presidente,' further solidified Duran Duran's global impact. Notorious remains a pivotal moment in the band's discography, displaying their ability to adapt and innovate while maintaining their signature style.

Review: Duran Duran's third album, Seven and the Ragged Tiger, marked the culmination of the band's early success when it dropped in 1993, an album that saw them defying criticisms that they were a teen-idol band with shallow, sexually sensationalised music. It yielded three singles: 'Union of the Snake', 'New Moon on Monday' and a remix of 'The Reflex' by Nile Rodgers, a UK and US number one, a very rare thing for a UK artist to achieve. Duran Duran supported the album with a worldwide concert tour that yielded several concert films and a live album. Tracks like 'Tiger Tiger', 'I Take the Dice' and the album closer 'The Seventh Stranger' are also highlights. The album was a commercial success at the time - and it has definitely weathered well.

Review: Duran Duran's Notorious, originally released in 1986, marked a significant evolution in the band's sound. Produced by Nile Rodgers, the album introduced a funk rock vibe distinct from their previous work. With the departure of two members, the trio of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor took the helm, joined by session musicians including drummer Steve Ferrone. Despite lineup changes, 'Notorious' soared to commercial success, peaking at number 16 in the UK and number 12 on the Billboard 200, with platinum certification and over a million copies sold worldwide. The album's singles, including the title track, 'Skin Trade,' and 'Meet El Presidente,' further solidified Duran Duran's global impact. Notorious remains a pivotal moment in the band's discography, displaying their ability to adapt and innovate while maintaining their signature style.

Review: Duran Duran's Rio album, had a huge impact on the 80s music scene. The album is praised for its catchy choruses - despite its often nonsensical lyrics - each track is noted for its strong hooks, with even the lesser-known songs having memorable melodies. Recognized for the importance of John Taylor's bass playing that adds a unique groove to the band's sound. Simon Le Bon's vocals are praised for his ability to convey emotion, even with generally meaningless lyrics. The album features the worldwide hits 'Rio', 'Hungry Like A Wolf' and 'Save A Prayer' whose videos were some of the most popular in MTV history. Nick Rhodes' synthesisers as essential to the band's sound, along with Andy Taylor's guitar work, which, while not flashy, contributes to the overall package. 'The Chauffeur' is considered by many as the stand out track, with its spooky vibe and memorable pan flute solo. Overall, the album is described as essential for anyone looking to explore 80s pop music, with its energetic and engaging sound.

Review: Southern California-based composer and improviser David Rosenboom is a figure who can't quite be aligned to one particular school, his work slipping intriguingly through the cracks. A collaboration with vocalist Jacqueline Humbert, Daytime Viewing is an extraordinary narrative poem set over a song cycle consisting of six pieces. Quietly released privately in 1983, Unseen Worlds has brought this seminal work back into view along with a full remastering. Exploring ideas of absurdist theatricality, TV soap operas, commercialism, and family, Humbert's voice and Rosenboom's production merge to create a landscape that is at once lush yet also dystopian. An entirely unique release that invites endless study.

Review: LSD’s Remixes EP channels the group’s genre-blurring ethos into a collection that thrives on reinvention. Lil Wayne’s charged verse on ‘Genius’ adds grit without overshadowing the original’s playful intensity. MK’s remix of ‘Thunderclouds’ transforms its soaring vocals into a deep house anthem, all pulsing bass and late-night allure. Banx & Ranx’s reggae-infused take on ‘Genius’ radiates sun-soaked warmth, while Dombresky’s remix of ‘No New Friends’ packs a punch with relentless house energy. CID’s rework of ‘Audio’ dials up crisp, percussive beats that slice through its melodic core. Meanwhile, The Aston Shuffle injects ‘Heaven Can Wait’ with shimmering synth layers, balancing nostalgia with dancefloor readiness. Lost Frequencies’ remix of ‘Thunderclouds’ closes the record on a euphoric high, reframing its introspection with bright, festival-ready optimism. This is LSD’s universe expanded — familiar yet thrillingly unpredictable.