Review: Un Peu D'histoire marks a much anticipated Juniore debut album and it offers an enchanting voyage through time and space. Their fusion of 60s French pop, surf rock, and psychedelic influences creates a unique musical tapestry from the dreamy 'Christine' to the haunting 'La Route,' each track takes you through lush harmonies and infectious rhythms. Elsewhere, Juniore's versatility shines as they seamlessly transition from upbeat tunes like 'La Verite Nue' to introspective melodies like 'En Solitaire.' With vintage-inspired production and modern flair, this album appeals to both nostalgia seekers and contemporary music lovers, making it the perfect soundtrack for any adventure.
Neverender (feat Tame Impala - extended remix) (6:42)
Neverender (feat Tame Impala - Rampa remix) (6:27)
Neverender (feat Tame Impala - Kaytranada remix) (4:41)
Review: A momentous move from neon-soaked electro outfit Justice hears them team up with the like-minded thrower-backers Tame Impala for a "why didn't anyone think of this before?" EP, 'Neverender'. Released hot off the plate of a recent Alexandra Palace show, the just duo are heard to tip the lady's scales towards miscarriage, following their last LP Hyperdrama with a single tort of regret. Kevin Parker's unmistakable countertenor floats above the track's nightridden house mix like a beamer trailing its driver's emotions in its exhaust fumes: "Because I remember / The hardest of times I / don't forget / Neverender." An ode to "can't unsee", it also comes backed by remixes by Kaytranada and Rampa.
Review: Completed within six days - always a sign of a unprescribed project, without pretence or conceit, one which just needs to be unleashed - Noah Kahan completed the five-track 'Cape Elizabeth' EP in 2020. The five-track EP, which followed four original CDs already released on major labels, was an instant hit among indie singer-songwriter lovers. Now repackaged for the same audience once more, the towering chart-topper now returns to Republic Records for a first-time aqua vinyl reissue, after its initial digital-only run.
Review: First released in 1983, Khartomb's 'Swahili Lullaby' first surfaced on the underground punk and reggae label Whaam! before fading back again into obscurity. In fact their only release, originally a 7", it came backed by the 12/8 wonderwork 'Teekon Warriors' on the B; both tracks established their sound as straddling both a restlessness and a laconism, channelling influences from the Slits to the Raincoats. Legend speaks of an original Peel Session and support from Melody Maker - the holy one-track difecta for breaking artists back then - yet this initial support sadly, madly waned. Now, however, the release comes miraculously back to the fore, rendered concscious again by way of a new-to-vinyl track - 'Daisy High' - as well as two versions of the A1 by Synkro and Talking Drums. 'Daisy High' is a lissome one, its layered contraltos overdubbed to perfection against endless Balearic guitar-swirls amid an overarching 'bossa feel' (in Peel's words). Synkro's dub could just as easily have come from '83 as it did from '24, swelling away into a sweet kickless reverie that happily, barely resembles the original; Talking Drums' version is more loyal to the genesis, yet amps up the dub pressure.
Review: If you've caught either Khruangbin or Leon Bridges live before, or indeed listened to anything by either band or producer-singer-songwriter, you'll know where this 20-minute EP is heading. The sleeve art, which gives more than a nod to the 1960s hippy movement, also offers a major clue.
Tripped out, smoked out, lackadaisical, bliss-infused overtures, honied and syrupy, easing you in so far that you don't quite realise how hard it is to crawl back out of the sugar-coated opiate haze. A collection of heady, hallucinogenic work for 21st Century high plains drifters, it's jazzy, psychy, lush soulful fare you'll be wanting to hear again and again, capturing the heat and slow pace of America's southern states with heartfelt songwriting from genuine masters. The result is something very special indeed.
Review: A chance to own this much loved pre-album classic from King Kruke aka Southwark-raised Archy Marshall on a neat 7". The track, originally issued in 2012 on the Rinse label, has all the hallmarks that would make Marshall famous, namely a lilting, emotionally direct vocal performance, some rather nifty guitar work and some rough cut breakbeats with a lovely whiff of bedroom production about them. The flip, meanwhile, is adorned with an instrumental version, making this quite the all round desirable item.
Review: British indie rock apostolic supper-eaters The Last Dinner Party present a new 7" to celebrate the release of their second ever single, 'Sinner'. The song makes thorough use of staccato, operatic vocal theatrics (courtesy of lead vocalists Abigail Morris and Lizzie Mayland) while thereafter breaking into an otherwise gritty post-punk joie-de-vivre. This limited-edition white vinyl release hears the studio version of 'Sinner' on the A come backed by an energetic live take of the same song on the B; the latter was performed in Melkweg, Amsterdam only recently, and marks a gothically stark contrast to the record version.
Review: The latest awakening from DFA Records hears James Murphy and company lift but a single little finger, precipitating an avalanche of anticipation, as this is their first material in three years. First premiering on NTS to clamorous acclaim, the band's first release since 2022 comes with minimal promo text, and packs bubbling synths with grinding drums, creating a familiar yet refined sound. Echoing the band's early style, it now comes on an exclusive 12" inverted by the 'Extended Trash Can Dub', which brings found, street-larked spring-sound, and vision-questing whispers, to a stomping indie romp, a potentiality promised but not entirely delivered by the original track.
Building on the triumph of Les Imprimes' inaugural album, Reverie, Big Crown Records presents two standout tracks from the album pressed onto this 7". For the A-side, Morten provides an edit and infuses the mix with an extra dose of depth reminiscent of Larry Levan's style. The result is striking and hits harder, igniting the dancefloor with its infectious rhythm while delivering a resonant message about the consequences of investing too much in the wrong relationships: On the B-side, 'You' bursts forth with a captivating crescendo, setting the stage for a sublime sweet soul melody. This beautiful declaration of love and reassurance is equally enchanting both musically and lyrically. Morten Martens' talent for arrangement shines through on both of these lovely tunes.
Review: Norwegian outfit Les Imprimes have already found their feet with their earliest outings on Big Crown. As they continue to build towards their new album Reverie they drop another single from it here in the form of 'Falling Away' backed with 'Still Here'. Both cuts are beautiful and display fine musicianship, the sort of soul that melts your heart and breezy grooves that bring calm to your mind and body. Vocals enrich each cut and on this evidence, the upcoming album is going to be special indeed.
Review: Building on the triumph of Les Imprimes' inaugural album, Reverie, Big Crown Records presents two standout tracks from the album pressed onto this 7". For the A-side, Morten provides an edit and infuses the mix with an extra dose of depth reminiscent of Larry Levan's style. The result is striking and hits harder, igniting the dancefloor with its infectious rhythm while delivering a resonant message about the consequences of investing too much in the wrong relationships: On the B-side, 'You' bursts forth with a captivating crescendo, setting the stage for a sublime sweet soul melody. This beautiful declaration of love and reassurance is equally enchanting both musically and lyrically. Morten Martens' talent for arrangement shines through on both of these lovely tunes.
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.
B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition
Burn The Heather (3:32)
Television (2:24)
Cain's Heresy (3:47)
Valley Bottom Fever (2:30)
Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***
The Lounge Society has been hotly tipped for a while, with plenty of Ones To Watch declarations coming their way at the start of 2021. They have served up super quick selling 7"s like 'Generation Game' which touched on the unrest in American society and then their follow up headed into edgy punk-funk territory, sneering at culture wars and decrying the impact of a class divided society. Now comes 'Cain's Heresym' which takes aim at the negligent political class as well as highlighting the danger inherent in the spread of misinformation and their disdain for celebrity-worshipping. The young English band are heirs apparat to the throne of protest music.
Review: If indie-rock did fantasy football then this is a championship-winning supergroup that hipsters would have wet dreams about. Minnesota slowcore sorts Low joined forces with Aussie meditative atypical post-rock group Dirty Three for a one-off EP. That's Dirty Three of Warren Ellis fame (the beardy Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds band member). There were tight parameters to encourage experimentation: The EP, originally released in 2001, was part of the Fishtank sessions where artists handpicked by the Konkurrent label make a record in Amsterdam in only two days.
The gamble seemingly paid off. It's remarkable that they sound as if they've been living out of each other's pockets for years, with seamless musical understanding, despite the short amount of time they were given. There's tear-jerking tenderness in hearing Mimi Parker's voice on the opening track, 'I Hear Goodnight'. Parker founded Low along with her husband Alan Spearhawk, but sadly passed away in 2022. Meanwhile, other highlights include a superb slow-motion cover of Neil Young's 'Down By The River', which doesn't feel too constrained by the original and showcases the group's experimental tendencies. The vocal take here makes you wish for an entire album of them performing Neil Young covers. Elsewhere, 'When I Called Upon Your Seed' is an Americana masterpiece with gorgeous droning instrumentals freckled with guitar plucking and long-held vocal notes.
Something that appears to have made this session a success is the uncomplicatedness of the recording, which stays away from adding too many lines of instrumentation, and gives the spotlight to the individual talent of people who can truly play. The rewards are countless, but it would be amiss to not note Warren Ellis' violin performance throughout the record. That alone is enough to make you wish you persevered and kept up with those violin lessons as a kid. Enough listens to this, though, and perhaps you'll think it's not too late to go back. Truly inspiring stuff.
Review: The original 12" of 'I Follow Rivers' remixes was served up back in 2012 and was an instant hit. It now gets a reissue that proves it has aged perfectly well in the last decade. The original is a swelling and deep soul-drenched groove with broken beats and scattered percussion. The soaring vocals are designed for maximum impact. The Lost Sessions mix then pairs hits back to the tender piano chords and allows the aching vocal room to shine and The Magician remix brings a hands in the air festival vibe.
Review: This is a special Record Store Day 2024 release that rights a wrong for hardcore Madness vinyl heads.
With the exception of 'Baggy Trousers,' 'Embarrassment' stood as the sole Madness single from the 80s not to receive a 12" release. This year's annual waxy celebrations however present a special opportunity to own it on vinyl as the classic Motown-inspired hit gets the coveted treatment as part of this six-track EP. Also included is the original 7" mix alongside a previously unreleased instrumental version meticulously crafted by Clive Langer, which offers fans a fresh perspective on this iconic Madness track.
Review: Said to be two decades in the making, this record features two tracks by Makode Linde, the visual artist and musician who has long been a friend and frequent cover designer for Sweden's most eccentric dance label, Studio Barnhus. 'Never Getting Over Me' features Makode's poignant vocals on a quirky, sun-drenched rhythm while 'Professional Help' delivers bossa nova brilliance with a graceful, flute-driven backdrop which reflects the protagonist's lament over his old flame's aversion to therapy. With exquisite songwriting and charming lo-fi appeal, these songs are brilliant dance-pop fusions with a great message and plenty of irresistible grooves.
Review: Graham Massey and Nice Swan Records came together by chance at Glastonbury's legendary Block 9 in 2022. It was that meeting which lead to this coming together of Malady and rave legends 808 State. Round The Bend is indie-dance with big guitars, yearning male vocals and stepping almost drum &bass style rhythm. It then gets reworked by the mask wearing acid house outfit. First they layer in the 303s, speed up the drums and making it into a crashing, powerful workout for electrified dance floors. There is also an instrumental and a bass lead Malady remix.
Review: Before the release of their highly anticipated new full-length, 'Please Don't Take Me Back'; set to drop this October, Durham City's favourite emo/pop-punk outfit, Martha, offer a taster of what's to come with this 7" single, featuring the upcoming LP's opening cut, 'Beat, Perpetual'. While a sonically light-hearted yet earnest ode to the road and world of touring, the lyrics weigh up the isolated nature of the past two years that completely changed the core members working dynamic and livelihoods, while the b-side boasts a rapturous cover of 'Dreaming Out Loud', by Wisconsin indie group Tenement. A short sweet single to wet beaks and fan anticipation before the real deal arrives come autumn.
Review: Master Peace reaches new heights on this thrilling five-track 12". He grew up listening to bands like Bloc Party, Arctic Monkeys and The Streets, and combines that with contemporary inspirations to cook up a mix of resonant songwriting and anthemic pop hooks. 'Veronica' from this EP is already a radio hit and 'Groundhog Day' easily slips into the fine UK tradition for belting indie. Nothing here is frilly or excessive, the lyrics are tight and the grooves drive with the wide-eyed 'Kaleidoscope' being a standout amongst these powerful and bold new tunes.
Review: Mr Bongo serves up the new collaboration here from Mandaworld (bereft known as Amanda Hicks) and partner Matthew Tavares, who is Matty of the much loved jazz outfit BADBADNOTGOOD. The pair have a magical musical synergy that really shines through here as they interweave and uplift one another. 'Warm You' is a real classic that fits in the canon of timeless ballads. It is a dreamy pop song doused in oodles of reverberating guitars and mellow shoegaze vibes that evokes a world of nostalgic feelings. 'Spoonfeed' is just as warm and lush but a little more subdued.
Review: Canadian singer-songwriter June McDoom makes something rather unclassifiable; poppy-noisy smatterings of sound and melody with influences from jazz, blues and soul, but combined in such a way as to not be as easily categorisable as that combination might normally make out. Her latest self-titled project here collects a slew of personal intimations and ballads reflecting a wealth of young life experiences, relationships and emotions. The extent of its sensitivity can only be sought in between the grit, as there's a deep well of texture embedded in every track, but listen between the lines (and take a peek at its collaborations with artists like Sufjan Stevens, Neko Case, Iron & Wine and Andrew Bird), and you'll soon glean a solid idea for its stated, romantic intent.
Review: Metronomy, esteemed purveyors of eclectic indie-electronic pop, open a new chapter with Posse EP Volume 2, out on Ninja Tune. Band founder Joe Mount steps into the role of producer, crafting musical worlds for new singers and artists. The EP's lead single, 'With Balance (feat. Naima Bock and Joshua Idehen),' showcases pastel-plucked guitars and hazy vocal lines, culminating in Joshua Idehen's powerful wordplay. This understated ballad is accompanied by a visually striking video produced by global creative agencies Wieden+Kennedy, Immigrant Studio, and Wake The Town. Mount comments on the video, 'It highlights new artists and ideas and allows me to enjoy it as a viewer.' Posse EP Volume 2 features collaborations with Miki, Faux Real, Nourished by Time, Lynks, SPIDER, Master Peace and TaliaBle. Mount reflects on the Posse EPs as a way to connect with new music and embrace their extensive career. This collaborative approach energises both artist and listener, making Posse EP Volume 2 a revitalizing addition to Metronomy's vibrant discography.
Review: Metronomy mark their signing to Ninja Tune with a new single that comes not long after their Posse EP Volume 1, a collection of tunes all made in collaboration with up-and-coming artists like Biig Piig, Spill Tab, Sorry, Brian Nasty and Folly Group. This one is another collaboration, this time with Pam Amsterdam. 'Nice Town' deals with the lead singer's own battles such as "internal versus the external or, intangible versus the tangible." It is a delightfully snappy dance-pop ditty with great and tight synth sequences, old-school rap vocals and nice broken early electro beats. Metronomy and Alain Ogue add their own remixes to a great label debut.
Review: There are seemingly no limits to the music Emotional Rescue will put out. This time they look back to the post punk scene of Bristol in the early 80s. Mouth was a short-lived outfit that put out just a couple of releases, but each one blazed a trail though leftfield percussive sounds, wave, weird jazz and electronics. Andy Guy and Rob Merrill were the main members with the likes of Nellie Hooper also in the band's orbit. This record is packed with tribal drumming and floating horns, broken dubs and avant-jazz but all with a proudly DIY attitude. It's packed with heady moments and wild steppers that havent aged a bit and still sound future.
Review: Taking its name from the band's two favourite guitar effects pedals - the Univox Super-Fuzz and the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff, both credited with producing a 'dirty sound' - it's safe to say Mudhoney came up with one of the finest double entendre titles with their 1988 debut EP. Arriving through the seminal Sub Pop, the record would fail to grab the attention of the masses, or the nascent grunge underground bubbling beneath the streets of their native Seattle at the time, but now we know just how wrong people can be. Skip forward to today, and Mudhoney's first spawn is recognised as one of the seminal outings in the early Pacific Northwestern alternative guitar scene that would go on to dominate the world, albeit for a relatively brief time. Praised for being "sexy, smart, humorous and hard", hearing the tracks today affords an opportunity to draw direct lines between the heavy rock that came before, and what was being born.
Review: This Record Store Day 2019 exclusive finds Mumford and Sons at work in the famous Electric Lady Studios in New York. It was there that they decided to serve up four carefully reimagined versions of tracks from their acclaimed Delta album. Each one shows a different, incredibly tender side. 'Woman' is first with its gentle piano keys and closely mic-ed vocals soothing the soul, while 'Guiding Light' has more upbeat but still lo-fi guitar riffs and 'Wild Heart' is another showcase of the beautifully raw and emotive vocals of lead singer Marcus Oliver Johnston Mumford. 'If I Say' is a rousing, heart swelling closer.
Review: Mumford & Sons drop a surprise single release alongside Pharrell Williams, 'Good People', delivering on a long-awaited promise to hop in the studio together after years of knowing each other. Finally falling back on their immediate instincts, 'Good People' hears the band and the solo wunderkind sing of tiredness and revelation, making adept use of a dry, driving, sportsmanlike instrumental palette (think hand claps, stomps, gospel harmonies). Though cryptic in theme, the mood on this one-off is one of triumph and impending miracle works to come.
Review: Tumbling drums and guitars to invoke that classic Madchester feeling are a shining sensation in this Irish band's limited one-sided 12". Something of an extravagant release, The Murder Capital have rightly stood behind a moody number of post-punk charm that deserves its own piece of 12" real estate. "Green & Blue" is The Murder Capital's second single and it's a sound that falls somewhere between the post-punk of The Happy Mondays and Joy Division, and the more contemporarily strands of Oxford band Foals. Atmospheric, moody post-punk with soul.
Review: Hailing from the London rat race, MUX step forward with the first release on Teenage Father and lay their distinctive style out for all to witness. Their broad-reaching indie rock sound has undertones of electronica, grunge and a very British swagger that deserves to get them onto radio playlists and festival line ups aplenty. "MDMA" rumbles along somewhere between Soulwax, Kasabian and Queens Of The Stone Age, while "Teenage Father" ups the intensity with a punky thrum behind the raucous guitars and grinding synths, and then "Stray" finds the band mixing up the time signatures for the most adventurous cut on the record.
Review: Alongside fellow Belgians Front 242, The Neon Judgement are widely regarded as pioneers of electronic body music (EBM), a synthesised slice of underground noise that incorporates elements of electro and industrial to often disorienting and intense effects. Led by Dirk Timmermans and Frank Vloeberghs, the pair combined synth pop and post punk with more abrasive tones, unusually, for EBM, bringing guitar work to the fore. Marking 40th years of the Play It Again Sam (PIAS) imprint, a veritable institution in its own right that has itself influenced many bands and scenes, some of TNJ's most triumphant efforts and attempts at pushing the boundaries of genre and style forward are collected here. A selection of tracks that showcases exactly what they were about very well indeed, and why their legacy is so significant, albeit subtle.
Review: You might think that you could cop a copy of New Order's seminal hit 'Blue Monday' fairly easily and cheaply given its ubiquity over the years. But no, copies in good condition still fetch around 50 quid, so this remastered reissue is well worth a cop. The single's iconic bassline and twitchy synth modulations very much soundtrack a generation, if not an entire youth revolution, but still enliven any dance floor many years later. What's more, the de-humanised vocals will always provide real singalong joy. On the flip is a 'The Beach', which is drenched in echo and reverb and general sonic filth.
Review: New Order's 'Bizarre Love Triangle' stands as a hallmark of synth-pop, encapsulating the band's innovative spirit and leaving an indelible mark on their legacy. Featured on their fourth album, Brotherhood, this track, released in November 1986, is often celebrated by fans despite its initial lukewarm reception on the charts, leaving even the band members puzzled about its initial performance. The creation of 'Bizarre Love Triangle' began when New Order borrowed a Fairlight synthesiser, leading to a distinctive rhythmic bass line crafted by frontman Bernard Sumner. The song evolved into a high-energy electro-pop anthem, with an iconic chorus that captures listeners from the get-go. Despite its modest chart success compared to other hits like 'Blue Monday', the track played a crucial role in establishing the band's international appeal, especially in the American market. It quickly became a live favourite and a staple in New Order's performances, showcasing their knack for reinventing their classics. With remastered and reissued vinyl now available, 'Bizarre Love Triangle' continues to make new fans along the way while holding a special place in the hearts of 80s music lovers still. Its enduring charm is a testament to its brilliance as a pop masterpiece, inviting diverse interpretations and connections.
Review: The remastered reissues of New Order classics continues with this 1984 gem 'Thieves Like Us' (the title is taken from the Robert Altman movie). It originally landed, of course, on Factory and like all that label's releases, comes with a Peter Saville designed cover, based on a painting by Giorgio de Chirico. It's the band's seventh single and the remastering job has been done from the original master tapes at Abbey Road Studios. The title track is a typically forlorn affair to start, but it erupts into a more joyous and life-affirming sing along. 'Lonesome Tonight' is as low key and wallowsome as the name suggests.
Review: As part of the Low-Life 'Definitive Edition' release campaign, New Order reissue the 12" singles from the album, first released in May 1985 at the height of their controversial exploitation by Factory Records. 'Sub-Culture' is one of its lead singles: originally released on white label (infamously, graphic designer Peter Saville allegedly deemed the song unworthy of his talents), this functional synthpop banger reeks with and oozes of FM-farty glitz, and lyrically concerns a nocturnal protagonist, disaffected with the modern, measured day-night cycle. The B 'Dub-vulture' pulls a similar instrumental trick with a varied melody.
Review: New Order's 'Touched By The Hand Of God', originally released in 1987, returns as a remastered 12" single, retaining its original tracklisting. The main version embodies the quintessential New Order sound of that era, featuring a powerful and uplifting chorus that sticks in your mind. The infectious rhythm and expertly crafted drum programming create a danceable beat that showcases the band's signature blend of post-punk and electronic elements. The track is equally know on the dancefloor as it is for the iconic music video, which humorously depicts the band performing in heavy metal attire, exemplifying their characteristic tongue-in-cheek style. On Side-2 features a dub version that extends the instrumental sections while preserving the vital chorus, maintaining the track's strength and appeal. A reminder of New Order's ability to craft memorable, infectious dance tracks.
Review: New Order's 'State of the Nation' returns as a remastered reissue of the original 12" single, originally released in 1986. During this period, the band's confidence was soaring, and this track exemplifies their knack for crafting catchy dance music that resonated with audiences. The remastered version maintains the original tracklisting, including the second side 'Shame of the Nation', which serves as a dub rendition of the title track. This version extends the rhythmic elements, offering a fresh perspective on the song while preserving its infectious energy. State of the Nation not only secured its place as a Top 40 hit in the UK but also featured on the iconic compilation Substance, released the following year. New Order's enduring legacy and ability to blend catchy melodies with danceable beats is captured perfectly with these recent 12" single reissues.
Review: Alongside the reissue of their eternally adored Substance 1987 compilation, New Order are bringing back this 12" edition of their equally seminal 'True Faith'. It's one of the tracks the group are most readily associated with, capturing the essence of the band around bombastic pop hooks, the spikiness of new wave and Bernard Sumner's sharp distillation of the prevailing British mood. It's a golden slice of pop history which sounds better than ever thanks to a new remaster, and the same goes for the excellent B side '1963'.
Review: When New Order released 'True Faith' in 1987, they broke the mould as the first band to present multiple different editions of their single right at the point of arrival. As well as the widely adored original version of the track, there was a club-ready version mixed by the mighty Shep Pettibone, a true king of New York's scene who knew exactly how to get the best out of the track for the dancefloor. As singles compilation Substance 1987 gets a high-end reissue, so too does this late 80s club monster sounding brighter and bolder than ever thanks to a tidy remaster treatment, with the 'True Dub' version on the B side for those who really want to lock in.
Review: If you had an asset as potent and praised as 'Blue Monday', you'd want to see where else you could take it, wouldn't you? After New Order released their singles collection Substance 1987, they served up 'Blue Monday 88' with some subtle refinements overseen by none other than Quincy Jones. It's just the right approach, adding some spice to the rhythm section but keeping the brilliance of the song intact. Meanwhile 'Beach Buggy' on the flip sees Michael Johnson going in on the instrumental flip side version for those who need maximum club reaction. Both tracks absolutely shine thanks to a tidy remastering treatment, so if you don't already own it, now's the chance to put that right.
Review: NewDad continue to offer the kind of jangly, low-slung, affected alternative rock & roll people don't seem to make (and we don't seem to hear) enough of anymore. At once laidback, raw, melancholic but euphoric, wry and yet heartfelt, on Waves the Irish West Coasters seem to invoke the gusty breeze of their homeland, powerful energy of a basement gig, and the reflective, expansive reality of the wilds.
Already having made friends in the right places, it seems unthinkable that the Galway hopefuls will not continue their ascension through the ranks of what might be coined nu-shoegaze with this. Even if we want to cut our fingers off for even considering using that term. Regardless, it's reverb soaked, highly emotive and achingly cool stuff that is bound to hit home.
Review: If you're never been to Galway, Ireland, we implore you to head for Skyscanner airport immediately after ordering this latest EP from one of the city's most promising new(ish) outfits. Once you arrive it will quickly become apparent that, in so far as guitars go, the place is brimming with great artists and outfits, not to mention incredible ideas, with an abundance of incredible places to see those creatives at their best.
Suffice to say, labelling NewDad among the finest in G-Town, to use the colloquial, could never be a spurious statement given their peers. Combining, at various points, elements of Goat Girl, The Cure, and Slowdive, while comparing easily to none of the above, they paint vivid pieces with gradually emerging powerhouse tracks disguised as intimate meditations on highly emotional formative experiences.
Review: With just their third single, Exposed to Some Light, Nightbus continues to showcase their moody and atmospheric sound, drawing comparisons to many well regarded bands. The track unfolds like a captivating narrative, drenched in nostalgia yet tinged with a sense of dread. Originally born from a poem written during a cold January weekend, the song explores the idea of bringing something to the forefront of one's mind and current headspace. Through their minimal yet evocative video, Nightbus invites listeners to delve into their introspective world.
Review: Falle Nioke is back and boy are we glad about it. Last year he worked with sir Was on the sublime Marasi EP and now here he is with a second collaboration with Ghost Culture. Nioke is a multi-lingual singer and percussionist who hails from Guinea Conakry in West Africa. He delivers his verses in Coniagui, French, English, Susu, Fulani and Malinke and also plays a range of instruments that provide authentic accompaniment to his singing. For this one he fuses all that African heritage with pulling electronic sounds to make an EP that takes in funky rhythms, acid tinged club tracks and plenty in between.
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: Baltimore's gothic synthpop golden child Nourished By Time (Marcus Brown) has made a wonderful name for himself so far, flaunting a blithe, nigh ghostly vocal talent, usually paired with a lo-fi alt-pop aesthetic. The 'Catching Chickens' EP, his debut record for XL Recordings, continues this trend with a brand new five-track EP, following up 2023's equally great LP Erotic Probiotic 2. Written between 2022 - 2023 in his home studio in Baltimore and along his world travels this past year, Catching Chickens is derived from the film Rocky, and the iconic scene in which Rocky's trainer makes him chase and catch a flock of chickens as a test of agility. Channelling Brown's per usual contemplation of late stage capitalism and post-pandemic loneliness, every song here is indicative of a well-earned artistic progression.
Review: Cardiff-based troubadour Ali Lacey, AKA Novo Amor, began this musical project in the wake of a breakup, but things quickly became about much more than redemption and recovery. Not completely dissimilar in style to one of indie-folk's most famous heartbroken men, Bon Iver, both chaps share a penchant for falsetto vocal delivery, gentile but complex acoustic guitars, and rural America, with Lacey having spent a summer in upstate New York, memories of which were directly translated into his debut LP, Birthplace.
Four years on and he's still clearly finding inspiration in both the subtle beauty and tragedy of existence, offering four tracks here best - perhaps only - described as quietly powerful. From delicate emotions worthy of Sufjan Stevens running through 'Weather', to the gradually building, stop-you-dead 'From Gold', this is a name you won't forget after the first encounter.
Review: You can always expect Speedy Underground to bring something ear-snagging to their 7" series. Anyone with a craving for wild-eyed, hard rocking party destroyers will be more than satisfied with O and their razor sharp mix of snappy groove and explosive, overdriven drops. 'OGO' is rocket fuel pressed onto a little round disc, and for those who like it trippy and swimming, the 'dubbO' on the flip is just the ticket.
Review: To their credit and our benefit as fans, Oasis are smartly leaning into the spiking demand for the atmospheric and nostalgic formnat that is the 7" single and celebrate the 30th anniversary of 'Some Might Say' in doing so. It's a seminal single - their first UK number one and a track you can envision being a great set opener at their upcoming reunion shows. This version is remastered so it'll leap out of your speakers like never before. A guaranteed scorcher for any knees-up you're planning with your mates.
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.
… Read more
in stock$21.51
Artículos del 101 al 150 de 2,118 en la página 3 de 43
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.