Back catalogue: Pop

Review: It's a match made in Balearic heaven. Ela Minus, Colombia-born, Brooklyn-based artist, best known for building synths, placing agitational statements between her carefully woven ambient melodies and her Acts Of Rebellion album, meets fellow New Yorker DJ Python, he of the hypnotic dembow stylings, for a bumper value-packed six track EP. Ghostly vocals float across stark beats and sometime gloomy, sometime edgy but cheery dayglo musical textures on the three vocal versions, and there are three instrumentals for those who prefer their grooves that way.

Review: Billie Eilish has been uncharacteristically secretive about her upcoming LP 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' despite the past whirlwind success of her career that has catapulted her into having heaps of Grammy awards - least of all the current reigning song of the year for the Barbie movie. In truth, all we know about this album is that it's her third, that (as with everything the singer has done) her brother and fellow artist FINNEAS is the executive producer and that the album has reportedly got ten tracks, no thanks in part to a leak by magazine Rolling Stone that drew the public ire of Eilish. Part of the rollout was Eillish's public condemnation of the out-of-control music industry practice of excessive vinyl variants, which has resulted in her offering eco-only discs - though of course she will be releasing multiple variants herself, her point still stands. It's a rare opportunity to get on board with an album without the raging industry tactics behind it, just an album dropped all at once on the day - as it should be, we'd venture.

Review: Habibi Funk gets yet another compilation released in his honour, this time shedding light on the takeoff period in the Libyan synthfunk artist's career: when he had just left his home country to pursue stardom in Egypt and London. Unbridled happiness and sun oozes from this comp, centring on the smash hit, lovers' anthem 'Ayonha', as well as nigh-forgotten earlier gems like 'Shantet Safar' and 'Reet'. Ghostly vocal processing and folk-funk production permeates; 'Maktoub Aleina' in particular is one club classic we won't hold with you forgetting. Now residing back in Cairo, Hamid was more than approving of this release, knowing full well that the tracks on it deserved much more praise than they received back in the day.

Review: Iconic movie classic Beetlejuice is back and we for one have enjoyed its return. Tim Burton's 1988 cult classic has been reimagined for modern audiences in 2014 and came complete with a new soundtrack. The original score, composed by the legendary Danny Elfman, blends whimsical melodies with eerie undertones, perfectly capturing the film's quirky and haunting vibe. Highlights of the original include Elfman's iconic main titles, which have become synonymous with Burton's gothic style. The new soundtrack also features standout tracks like Alfie Davis & The Sylvia Young Theatre School Choir's rendition of 'Day-O' and Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting," adding fresh dimensions to this timeless, offbeat classic.

Review: Cass Elliot, released in 1972, marked a significant moment in the career of the iconic vocalist, formerly of The Mamas & The Papas. Shedding her Mama Cass alias, Elliot embraced her real name for the first time on this album, which exudes the nostalgic glamour of 1930s Hollywood. Featuring songs by talented songwriters like Judee Sill, Bobby Darin and Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys, the album showcases Elliot's unparalleled vocal strength. Each track shows her ability to captivate listeners with her emotive delivery and soulful interpretation. This limited edition reissue on silver-colored vinyl, housed in a gatefold sleeve, is a fitting tribute to Elliot's enduring legacy. With only 1000 individually numbered copies available, it's a must-have for fans and collectors alike, allowing them to experience Elliot's timeless talent in a new light.

Review: Empire of the Sun's Two Vines envisions a city reclaimed by nature, blending lush, tropical imagery with their signature electro-glam pop sound. Recorded in Hawaii and Los Angeles, the album features contributions from notable artists such as David Bowie's Blackstar band members and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham. The album opens with the serene 'Before' and the enchanting 'ZZZ,' showcasing Luke Steele's ethereal falsetto and the band's seamless fusion of beats and melodies. Tracks like 'High and Low' and 'Friends' feature catchy EDM choruses, while the title track, 'Two Vines,' stands out with its acoustic sound and prominent vocals. Two Vines is another arrow in Empire of the Sun's artistic vision, combining futuristic themes with natural beauty. This reissue on beautiful green vinyl matches the awesome artwork to the tee.

Review: Empire of the Sun's Ice on the Dune is a dazzling follow-up that solidifies the duo's place in the electro-pop pantheon. With a title that perfectly encapsulates the album's blend of glacial synths and summery pop, this record is a shimmering spectacle from start to finish. Frontman Luke Steele and bandmate Nick Littlemore have refined their sound, delivering leaner, more club-ready tracks while retaining the infectious energy that defined their debut. Songs like 'DNA' and 'Alive' showcase the duo's ability to craft irresistible hooks and dynamic arrangements, with 'Alive' standing out as a life-affirming electro-fuzz anthem. The juxtaposition of breezy acoustic strumming and throbbing synths on 'DNA' echoes the best moments of their previous hits. 'Concert Pitch' is another highlight, offering punchy disco pulses and a wistfully breathy chorus. Slower tracks like 'I'll Be Around' provide a warm, sensual counterpoint, demonstrating Steele's delicate vocal prowess. The album closes with the epic 'Keep a Watch,' blending poised piano balladry with grandiose flourishes, perfectly embodying the duo's larger-than-life personas. With Ice on the Dune, Empire of the Sun delivers a vibrant and cohesive album, cementing their status as one of the most exciting electro-pop acts of all time.

Review: This is a new double vinyl version of The Very Best of Erasure, first released In 2015 as a limited-edition 3-CD hardback book edition and digital release, or a standard single CD edition. This wax version has all 20 tracks from the album and they span the entire length of the band's career from its start up until the point of release. It shows a subtle evolution in songwriting and sounds but always with that signature style that made the dance-pop icons so well-loved. Andy Bell and Vince Clarke are some of the most enduring and award-wining songwriting duos to ever come from the UK and this shows why.

Review: This Erasure album is a masterful album that show how good the electronic duo is 35 years into their career. The first single, 'Elevation', is an uplifting anthem that exemplifies the duo's knack for blending heartfelt lyrics with soaring melodies. Vince Clarke's signature synth work is ever-present, crafting lush soundscapes that complement Andy Bell's emotionally resonant vocals. Tracks like 'Reason' and 'Promises' burst with infectious energy, while ballads like 'Be The One' and 'Smoke and Mirrors' reveal a deeper, introspective side. Richard X's production adds modern polish without overshadowing their distinctive sound. Nearly three decades into their career, Erasure delivered a vibrant and multilayered album that's both timeless and forward-thinking. Ten years since first released, this version comes on white vinyl.

Review: In 2011, Erasure teamed up with Frankmusik, known for his lush production work with artists like Lady Gaga and Pet Shop Boys, and mixer Rob Orton, who's collaborated with Lana Del Rey and Charli XCX. The result is an electro-pop gem recorded across Maine, London, and Los Angeles, with Clarke's collection of analogue synths bringing a nostalgic warmth. The album's sound marries Erasure's timeless songwriting with intricate, polished production, creating a radiant, uplifting experience. Decades into their career, Erasure remain one of the UK's most cherished pop duos, blending warmth and optimism in every note.

Review: When it came to following up their surprise 1994 hit album "Amplified Heart", Everything But The Girl's Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn decided to rip up the rulebook and do things differently. Previously, their music has been considered, downtempo and - whisper it quietly - Balearic. 1996's "Walking Wounded" retained their inherent beauty and sense of melancholia, but updated their musical blueprint to include far more influences from (then) contemporary dance music. As this half-speed re-mastered reissue proves, they largely hit the spot, with warm deep house cut "Wrong", the sparkling drum and bass pop of the title track and the similarly minded "Big Deal" standing out.

Review: Everything But The Girl have transposed themselves from fragile indie pioneers to cross-fertilising their unique songwriting with drum & bass and house in the 90s, with the likes of 'Walking Wounded' becoming unexpected dancefloor anthems. True experimenters, the duo of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt now continue to tap into today's zeitgeist - making their comeback in 2023, and arriving without prior announcement, this time they turned their tender production choices to styles such as future house and UK garage. Echoes of Bicep and Overmono teem on this record, as heartfelt retellings of personal strife and brushes with death make up its lyrical subjects.

Review: The word is out, EBTG are back. The long-serving combination of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt have moved through many phases, from their exquisite indie pop era of the 80s to the chart-topping club dalliances and premier league remixes of the 90s. Now they return with a fresh sound on this, their eleventh album, which feels wholly contemporary as well as carrying on their instinct for heart-rending songwriting, all led by Thorn's unmistakable croon. Lead single 'Nothing Left To Lose' sets the tone with a strident, bass-heavy beat that certainly doesn't try to recreate past glories, and it's still a powerful song first and foremost. This revamped approach yields an abundance of magic moments across the whole of Fuse, a stellar return from long time treasures of British independent music.