Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: Francoise Hardy En Vogue - Best Of 1962-1967 captures the peak of Hardy's iconic career during her influential years on the Vogue label. Between 1962 and 1967, Hardy emerged as a symbol of French elegance and introspective pop, captivating audiences worldwide with her distinct charm and emotional depth. This compilation features her most enduring hits, like 'Tous les garcons et les filles', 'Mon amie la rose' and 'L'amitie', which embody the heartfelt sentimentality and existential undertones she brought to the French ye-ye scene. Hardy's songs, sung in French, English, Italian and German, highlight her international appeal and versatility, securing her place as a cultural icon from France to Japan. Her timeless melodies have been featured in contemporary films (including Wes Anderson's), TV series and ads, proving her enduring influence on music and style. Known for blending folk-rock, chanson and even touches of psychedelia, Hardy's work from these years reflects her unique voice in 1960s pop culture. This collection is essential for any fan of Hardy's atmospheric ballads and a perfect tribute to her role as a global ambassador of French sophistication.

Review: It's album number three from Maya Hawke, daughter of Hollywood veteran Ethan, herself both an actress, a singer, musician and songwriter. Signed to New York indie Mom + Pop Music, which has offered a home to artists such as Alicia Keys, Tom Morello, Porter Robinson, and Tycho, among others, the pedigree of the imprint speaks volumes about Hawke's prowess in the studio. Landing late-May 2024, Chaos Angel sees the woman up top reunite with regular collaborators Christian Lee Hutson, Benjamin Lazar Davis and Will Graefe, names some will be familiar with from preceding LP, Moss. A warm, swoon-y trip into soft pop-rock, lyrically it's as sweet as it is reflective and heartfelt, while musically things range from twee folk-leaning chart stuff through to rawer garage guitar stylings.

Review: While former New Young Pony Club member (and sometime Hot Chip collaborator) has devoted much of her career to DJing, her occasional solo musical releases have always been strong. Her solo debut LP, 2021's Private Sunshine, was excellent, but if anything this belated sophomore effort is even better. The album's genius lies in its consistency and the first signs of a smart, stylish, trademark boogie and proto-house influenced synth-pop sound, with extra authenticity provided by clear sonic nods to classic 1980s cuts from NYC and beyond. She's always been a talent, but it feels like a genuine crossover moment could be upon us - helped, no doubt, by the quality of the sassy 'Frequency', slow-motion jam 'Stop The Rain' and future dancefloor anthem 'In My Heart'.

Review: By the time Heart reentered the studio to record their self-titled eighth album for Capitol, their commercial momentum seemed to be fading. Early successes, such as Dreamboat Annie and its three follow-ups, had all climbed to the Billboard Top 20, but 1982's Private Audition and 1983's Passionworks struggled to crest so highly, the latter especially failing to go gold, marking the end of their contract with Epic. Tough bargains all round! Yet, signs of resurgence emerged: the band drew fresh traction from the Passionworks single 'Almost Paradise' after it was featured in the film Footloose, motivating the follow-up record Heart. Hard hair rock and arena-bound glam metal are distilled down to an essential T here, kicking off with the medusan 'If Looks Could Kill' before moving into the Lynn Wilson lead-up ballad 'What About Love'.

Review: First released in October 1983, a stunning debut that shows Heyward's songwriting finesse and pop sensibility post-Haircut 100. Produced by the legendary Geoff Emerick, the album merges bright melodies with sophisticated arrangements, resulting in a collection of timeless tracks that solidified Heyward as a solo force. Featuring hits like 'Take That Situation', 'Whistle Down the Wind', 'Blue Hat for a Blue Day' and 'On a Sunday', the album exudes charm and emotional depth. Heyward's knack for combining upbeat rhythms with introspective lyrics shines throughout, creating a balance of warmth and wistfulness that resonates decades later. This new edition, mastered by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering, benefits from the precision of half-speed mastering. The process enhances groove detail and stereo imaging, bringing a natural clarity and vibrancy to every note. Pressed on 180-gram heavyweight vinyl, the reissue is presented in its original gatefold sleeve, complete with an obi strip, a poly-lined inner sleeve and a two-page insert. North of a Miracle is more than a nostalgic revisitithis beautifully remastered edition breathes new life into a classic.

Review: Disco bossmen HiFi Sean and David McAlmont return with their new album, Daylight, on Plastique Recordings and a fine one it is too to follow up their acclaimed 2023 debut, Happy Ending. Daylight features twelve exhilarating tracks that celebrate the essence of summer and do a good job of capturing its vibrant colours and joyous moods. This is the first of two albums from the duo in 2024, with the nocturnal counterpart, Twilight, set for release on December 1 and therefore likely to be a celebration of the moods of winter. In the meantime, your days will be long and bright and full of dancing with this one.

Review: Former Soup Dragons man Hifi Sean (real name Sean Dickson) seems to have found a musical soulmate in David McAlmont. The pair have already impressed via a pair of well-regarded albums and here drop a third collaborative full-length - barely six months after its predecessor, Daylight, appeared in stores. Designed as a kind of flip side to that set - a loosely conceptual musical night drive from dusk 'til dawn - Twilight cannily combines slow, soft-touch grooves, dreamy textures, bubbly electronics, strobe-lit synths and McAlmont's honeyed vocals to great effect. The plentiful highlights include Blessed Madonna collaboration 'The Comedown', the tactile bliss of 'Goodbye Drama Queen', the huggable wooziness of 'High With You' and the heartfelt sweep of 'Star'.

Review: Six months after dropping their second collaborative full-length excursion, Daylight, HiFi Sean and David McAlmont deliver the yang to that set's ying - the loosely conceptual dusk-til-dawn night drive that is Twilight. More synth-heavy and strobe-lit than its predecessor, the album sees the effortlessly soulful McAlmont add his honeyed vocals to backing tracks rich in soft-touch grooves, dreamy textures, bubbly electronics and strobe-lit melodic motifs. This limited, deluxe edition is the one to grab if you can; aside from being pressed to colourful purple vinyl, it also comes bundled with a single-track seven-inch flexi-disc (containing a fine alternate dub mix of 'Driftaway') and an autographed art print.

Review: HiFi Sean and David McAlmont's latest collaboration, Daylight, delivers another dose of upbeat, soulful and danceable tunes on the follow up to their acclaimed debut, Happy Ending. The first of two releases from the duo this year, with the companion album, Twilight, set for release in December, Daylight is a vibrant journey through 12 songs that celebrate the colors and feel of summer. The duo's chemistry shines through as they explore themes of joy and exploration, and fans can anticipate a deluxe limited 'Neon Orange' Vinyl Edition featuring a free orange flexi-disc, signed art print and downloadable lyric book.

Review: Day-Glo Chaos Gets Physical, the third album by Hologram Teen (Morgane Lhote), is a tight, kaleidoscopic blend of 80s synthpop and quirky electro. Lhote draws from her obsession with arcade games and cinematic synths, building a vivid world where bright electronic textures collide with playful rhythms. It's no surprise she cites influences like Jacno's analogue electro and John Carpenter's dystopian scores - you can hear their pulse throughout the record, most notably in tracks like 'Midnite Rogue', which nods to Lhote's love of retro gaming with a rhythm as driving as an Outrun arcade session. The album thrives on its sharp production and colorful arrangements, creating a sense of motion and energy that's both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The inclusion of everything from Sega Master System-inspired sounds to a custom synth designed in Ableton (cheekily named after prog-rock legend Rick Wakeman) showcases Lhote's playful approach to electronic music, while still maintaining a sense of sophistication. Tracks like 'Teen Beats Highway' and 'Valley Nights (Burnin')' tap into that irresistible groove, perfectly balancing punchy, rhythmic hooks with atmospheric melodies. This isn't just a retro throwback; Day-Glo Chaos updates and modernises the nostalgia, offering a nuanced reimagining of synth music's neon-glow past. It's meticulously layered yet fun, upbeat without being overbearing. Whether you're drawn in by the danceable beats or the sonic tributes to old-school gaming and 80s cinema, this album brims with personality and an unmistakable charm.