Review: Even reading the words All Saints takes us back to simmer times, when pop music seemed far more innocent and pop stars - the female ones at least - wore far more clothes. The British group's self-titled debut album was cooler and smarter than many of their candied peers (Spice Girls, we're looking at you) and blended effortlessly soulful vocals with rich, atmospheric production. From start to finish, the album lays down emotionally charged and honest lyrics. The production is lush yet minimal, allowing the powerful vocals to take centre stage, with classics like 'Never Ever', 'I Know Where It's At' and 'Lady Marmalade ('98 remix)' all still oozing a nice new soul and r&b edge.
Review: A classic that delivers the quintessential Euro house experience with its infectious energy and irresistible dancefloor appeal. This new yellow vinyl version brings flashbacks flooding in of the era's vibrant club scene through a mix of upbeat rhythms, catchy melodies and expansive remixes. Side-1 opens with the single version of 'More & More', a track that wastes no time diving into a groove-laden beat and euphoric synth lines. The extended mix that follows stretches the vibe even further, offering DJs and dance enthusiasts a longer ride through the track's pulsating, feel-good energy. Side-2 turns up the heat with the 'Underground' remix, which injects a deeper, more nocturnal edge into the track, perfect for late-night sets. The 'Trance Mix' closes the collection with an ethereal, sweeping take on the original, merging classic Euro house elements with hypnotic trance influences. This release is a love letter to the era of extended pleasure through remixes, capturing both the mainstream appeal and underground allure of Euro house.
It's Christmas Time/Sleep Well, Little Children (1:56)
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (2:17)
Christ Is Born (0:52)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (4:01)
Merry Christmas, Darling (RPO version) (3:03)
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (3:34)
(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays (2:36)
Little Altar Boy (3:40)
The First Snowfall/Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (3:26)
My Favorite Things (3:44)
White Christmas (3:03)
Ave Maria (2:20)
Review: Carpenters' Christmas Once More, is a delightful collection of 16 timeless holiday classics, personally curated by Richard Carpenter. This newly remixed and remastered album highlights Karen Carpenter's extraordinary vocals. The collection features fan favorites like 'Merry Christmas, Darling', now accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and festive staples such as 'Sleigh Ride' and 'Santa Claus Is Coming to Town'. The album title cleverly nods to the Carpenters' 1973 hit, 'Yesterday Once More', adding a nostalgic touch. With Karen's pure and warm delivery, the emotional depth of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' and 'Christ Is Born' truly shine. There's a blend of cozy nostalgia and reverent elegance, especially in tracks like 'Ave Maria' and 'The Christmas Waltz'. Richard's meticulous production and arrangements make this release feel fresh yet familiar, from orchestral moments to intimate vocal passages. A fitting tribute to Karen Carpenter's enduring legacy and the duo's lasting contribution to Christmas music.
Review: Originally released in 1982, this is an iconic album that remains a defining moment in new wave and synthpop, marking the Brummies' ascendance to the pop tree. A sleek fusion of rock, dance and electronic elements, shining with its infectious hooks, shimmering production and visual sophistication. The title track, 'Rio', bursts with energetic basslines and saxophone flourishes, embodying the band's jet-set glamour. 'Hungry Like the Wolf' is a synth-driven, jungle-infused anthem with a howling chorus that became a staple of MTV's golden era. 'Save a Prayer' softens the mood with lush synth textures and melancholic lyrics, showcasing Simon Le Bon's emotive delivery. 'New Religion' is a more hidden gem with its intricate layering of funk-tinged bass and atmospheric synths, while 'The Chauffeur' closes the album on a haunting note, blending minimalistic electronic beats with surreal poetry. Beyond its commercial success, Rio shaped the future of pop and rock, influencing artists across genres. The album's stylish, forward-thinking production and music videos set new standards for the MTV generation, ensuring Duran Duran's legacy as pioneers of the synthpop movement.
Review: Nelly Furtado's debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, is a unique blend of pop, folk and r&b, establishing her as a distinctive voice in early 2000s music. The Canadian-Portuguese singer-songwriter stunned audiences with her breakout single 'I'm Like a Bird,' a dreamy, folk-infused pop anthem that soared to the top of the charts. Furtado's lyrical introspection and emotional delivery, combined with the production talents of Gerald Eaton and Brian West, created an album filled with heartfelt melodies and infectious rhythms. Tracks like 'Turn Off The Light' and 'On The Radio (Remember the Days)' further exhibit her versatility and knack for catchy hooks. Whoa, Nelly! is not only a commercial success but also a creative triumph, blending genres and showcasing Furtado's unique artistry. Now, enjoy the album reissued on beautiful vinyl.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Intro (End Of The World) (1:22)
Bye (2:44)
Don't Wanna Break Up Again (2:50)
Saturn Returns (interlude) (0:45)
Eternal Sunshine (3:20)
Supernatural (2:43)
True Story (2:42)
The Boy Is Mine (2:53)
Yes, &? (3:35)
We Can't Be Friends (Wait For Your Love) (3:45)
I Wish I Hated You (2:32)
Imperfect For You (3:03)
Ordinary Things (feat Nonna) (2:51)
Intro (End Of The World) (extended) (2:41)
Yes, &? (feat Mariah Carey - remix) (3:35)
Supernatural (feat Troye Sivan - remix) (2:43)
The Boy Is Mine (feat Brandy, Monica - remix) (3:34)
Twilight Zone (3:18)
Warm (3:21)
Dandelion (3:24)
Past Life (3:36)
Hampstead (3:35)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
A year on from initial release, eternal sunshine remains a powerful and introspective exploration of heartbreak, growth and the aftermath of personal upheaval. As Arianna Grande navigates her Saturn return here, she transforms her very public divorce into an emotional, musically rich concept album. Inspired by the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, she confronts the lingering pain of a breakup with a mix of raw vulnerability and clever humour across tunes that blend her signature r&b sound with new, bold experimentation, including Y2K-inspired tracks like 'the boy is mine.' While her lyrics occasionally lean on familiar phrases, Grande's restraint and vocal artistry shine through and prove the fine singer-songwriter is not done evolving yet.
Review: Now released for the first time on vinyl in the UK, Parisian Nu-Disco sextet L'Imperatrice's 3rd EP Odyssee, released in 2015, was a 6-track journey through the dreamy, vintage sound of French disco-pop. Rereleased and renamed a year later under L'Empereur at a different speed, this gatefold contains the original EP as well as acoustic renditions of five tracks, plus a bonus track in Interlune, a strings piece that flows into the string instrumental of La Lune (Version Acoustique). The smooth bass and layered synth will hook you, but you'll stay for the vocal talents of Flore Benguigui who joined the outlet that same year. Her smooth tones are like melted butter against the bass. Odysee was a bold step for the band - but one that proved wildly successful and was just the beginning of the symphonic formula that L'Imperatrice has continued to refine to this day.
Review: L'Imperatrice's upcoming album Pulsar promises to be a vibrant fusion of funk, disco, pop, and house music, enriched with influences from French house and Italo-disco. The Parisian group show their versatility by incorporating elements of hip-hop, kosmische, and pop into their sonic palette, featuring guest vocalists such as Maggie Rogers, Erick the Architect, and Fabiana Martone, Pulsar promises to deliver a dynamic listening experience. With their infectious energy and innovative sound, L'Imperatrice continues to fascinate audiences, making Pulsar an eagerly anticipated addition to their discography.
Review: L'Imperatrice's upcoming album Pulsar promises to be a vibrant fusion of funk, disco, pop, and house music, enriched with influences from French house and Italo-disco. The Parisian group show their versatility by incorporating elements of hip-hop, kosmische, and pop into their sonic palette, featuring guest vocalists such as Maggie Rogers, Erick the Architect, and Fabiana Martone, Pulsar promises to deliver a dynamic listening experience. With their infectious energy and innovative sound, L'Imperatrice continues to fascinate audiences, making Pulsar an eagerly anticipated addition to their discography.
Review: Following only one year after 2023's critically acclaimed Zig, avant-pop-metal genre-denier Poppy (real name Moriah Pereira) returns with a direct successor which many fans initially and understandably presumed to be titled Zag. Having featured on albums by both the accessible pop-leaning Virgina based metalcore outfit Bad Omens and the far more vicious Kentucky metallic hardcore greats in the making Knocked Loose (which featured her most caustic vocals to date) in the past year, Negative Spaces attempts to eschew the more stripped-down restraint of 2021's Justin Meldal-Johnsen-produced Flux with a total sensory overload of digi-pop chaos. Working with producer Jordan Fish who recently departed from his intrinsic role within Bring Me The Horizon, the duo have seemingly intertwined approaches, dynamics and abilities to complement each other's tastes and carve out soundscapes that equally and simultaneously prioritise pop song structures, industrial harshness and hyperpop maximalism, yet all united under the mercurial presence of Poppy's multi-faceted characteristic cadences.
Review: Seal's self-titled debut album, especially in its deluxe reissue, showcases a diverse range of influences from soul and r&b to dance and even hints of country. While standout tracks like 'Killer' and 'Crazy' remain timeless dance floor classics, other songs have aged quite well. The production, helmed by Trevor Horn, still stands out today, with tracks like 'Whirlpool' displaying layers of gospel and soul. The deluxe edition offers a glimpse into the late 80s and early 90s dance and offers some great bonus material. Seal's debut album remains a compelling listen, especially for those interested in exploring the musical landscape of the early 90s.
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