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Review: A Place to Bury Strangers' seventh album, Synthesizer, is a celebration of spontaneous and natural sounds and features a new lineup with John and Sandra Fedowitz. Frontman Oliver Ackermann describes the album as chaotic yet human, pushing the limits of gear to create an "epic sound journey." Tracks like 'Fear of Transformation' deliver a snarling gothic techno-punk experience, while 'Have You Ever Been in Love' offers hypnotic, tribal rhythms. Recorded in their Queens studio, Synthesizer is one of the band's most live-sounding records, capturing the raw energy of their performances. The lead single, 'Disgust,' epitomises this with its open strings and high-pitched guitar cry. Ackermann's playful approach and dedication to the DIY ethos shine throughout, echoing the collaborative spirit of his Death By Audio venue. In Synthesizer, A Place to Bury Strangers melds extreme noise with catchy hooks, creating a record that is both wild and beautiful inside the experimental rock genre.

Review: Acopia's second album is a captivating journey through diverse electronic landscapes, blending Balearic and downtempo styles with atmospheric depth. Opening track 'We Evolve' sets a haunting tone with its echoey soundscapes and ethereal vocals, creating a serene yet mysterious atmosphere. 'Be Enough' follows, adding a slight techno edge, blending smooth electronica with subtle rhythmic pulses. The vibrant 'Holding On' channels synth-pop and synthwave influences, offering a nostalgic 80s vibe, while 'What I've Been Looking For' builds on dynamic electronica with a stronger retro energy. 'Take You For Granted' slows things down, leaning into a chill-out mood with a mellow, reflective sound, while 'This Conversation Is Getting Boring' introduces a melancholic drum & bass rhythm that reflects a deeper emotional undertone. Acopia successfully crafts a rich downtempo album. The Australian act continues to evolve, offering a record filled with thoughtful nuances and sound textures.

Notes: At long last, it's here; the massive biography on THE BANGLES ready for consumption, and it is nothing short of a whopper. This monumental project, started by author and unofficial band historian Eric Shade back in the 1990s has had quite a journey from start to finish. This insane overview of the early days of the members' obscure early groups, as well as an amazing snapshot of the sorely-undocumented Paisley Underground scene of early 80s LA, all the way up through the core band members' current projects, is a feat some never thought would be fulfilled.

For a band as huge and omnipresent as The Bangles still in are 2023, the revelation of their earlier efforts, such as the mind-blowing story of Micki Steele in the first lineup of the fledgling Runaways, while the Peterson sisters were rocking out in bands such as The Muze, Hollywood Girls, and The Fans right around the same period is the legendary stuff mostly outside of public knowledge. The intertwining stories of Susanna Hoffs meeting David Roback (later of The Rain Parade) and getting inspired by The Last, with Vicki & Debbi's growing interest in garage bands like The Unclaimed around town, All Over The Place shows how many moving parts were swirling around, generating a indescribable electricity around Los Angeles as the hardcore scene raged on the other side of the coin. As the Paisley Underground scene evolved during its short window, bands such as Salvation Army/The Three O'Clock, Long Ryders, and Dream Syndicate are given their long-overdue historical appreciation here.

With original bassist Annette Zilinskas, the girls formed The Colours, evolved into The Bangs, and caught the right ears after self-releasing their debut 7" single, eventually signing to I.R.S. Records and touring extensively. As they changed the band name to Bangles, the lineup once again shifted, with Micki Steele joining, fresh off her years of gigging around LA in her post-Runaways bands Elton Duck, Slow Children, and Toni & The Movers, and things really start to fall into place. With their impeccable taste in 60s covers in their unique moment in time, The Bangles story just soars off from there, showing the gut-wrenching process of navigating the 1980s major label recording industry as a pioneering all-female band. Tours with Redd Kross, English Beat and Cyndi Lauper, MTV Spring Break appearances, meeting and working with Prince, and the inevitable drama that comes with superstardom once the "hits" started to stack up, this is the story of the Los Angeles underground you really need to read.

Shade's meticulous research and wild enthusiasm is instantly contagious, uncovering heaps of information lost to time from early bandmates and forgotten fanzines and overseas interviews, with no stone left unturned. From the inevitable struggles to the righteous triumphs, The Bangles back story has never been explored this in-depth before, while perfectly encapsulating the fertile Paisley Underground they sprouted from (and will always be a part of). Featuring an extensive discography and tons of previously unseen colour and black & white photos & ephemera, All Over The Place stands to be the crucial Bangles biography it was intended to be upon its conception.

Review: Pulsar saw Gianluca Salvadori and Leonardo Ceccanti return to Claremont 56 with a second LP of sanguine and psychedelic dub disco under the Almunia name. Arriving roughly two years after Salvadori and Ceccanti served up the sublime Almunia debut long player New Moon, this new album sees the pair of tracks released as singles (the excellent title track and 'The Magician') complemented by six all new productions. From the heavenly acoustic strumming of opening track 'The Awakening' Almunia remain locked in a mood where refined instrumentation is balanced perfectly with a chugging soft edged disco sensibility with the buoyant 'Views From A Blue Train' a particular highlight.

Review: Altin Gun has a famously recognisable sound and it is once again laid bare heart for all to enjoy. This new album is a triumphant return for the much-loved sextet from Amsterdam and one that is high on energy levels throughout. Though familiar in that way, this Ask album finds the band ditching some of their synth-drenched former sounds and 80s and 90s pop leanings to return to their 70s Anatolian funk of their roots. It almost sounds like a live album such is the hustle and bustle of the music with the results sounding all the more warm and welcoming.

Review: On August 3, 1975, America performed at the Hollywood Bowl, backed by a symphony conducted by George Martin, creating a historic musical moment now captured in Live From The Hollywood Bowl - 1975. This newly remastered collection features live renditions of the band's beloved hits, including 'Sister Golden Hair', 'Horse With No Name' and 'Ventura Highway'. By this time, Americaicomprised of original members Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, and Dan Peekiwas riding high on the success of two Gold-certified albums, Holiday and Hearts. This concert showcased their synergy with orchestral accompaniment on eight of the twenty songs, highlighting Peek's contributions alongside popular tracks. Despite their rising fame, the live recordings remained unreleased for decades, overshadowed by the 1977 live album recorded after Peek's departure. With Gerry Beckley announcing his retirement from touring in January 2024, this release becomes even more significant, marking a treasured moment of the original lineup's legacy.

Review: The deluxe 9CD/1Blu-Ray box set of Kevin Ayers' complete 1969-1973 recordings offers a comprehensive look into the innovative period of this influential artist. This set features 140 newly remastered tracks, including Ayers' seminal albums Joy of a Toy (1969), Shooting at the Moon (1970), Whatevershebringswesing (1971), and Bananamour (1973). Notably, it includes a new mix of Ayers' complete 1970 Hyde Park Festival appearance and all surviving BBC sessions from 1970-1973, featuring a previously unreleased John Peel concert. The Blu-ray disc, which is region-free, showcases 13 tracks, including rare French TV performances and appearances on BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test, plus the promo film for "Caribbean Moon." Accompanying this collection is a 68-page booklet with a new essay, highlighting contributions from notable artists like David Bedford, Robert Wyatt, and Syd Barrett. This set is crucial for fans and collectors of the artist. This package goes deep into Ayers' eclectic and influential early solo work.

Review: The newly reissued A Hard Day's Night captures The Beatles at the height of their early brilliance. Released during the frenzy of Beatlemania, the album shows John Lennon and Paul McCartney's unstoppable songwriting partnership. From the iconic opening chord of the title track to the infectious energy of hits like 'Can't Buy Me Love' and 'I Should Have Known Better', it brims with youthful exuberance and sheer musical craftsmanship. While Rubber Soul marked a shift towards experimentation, A Hard Day's Night thrives on its confidence and irresistible pop-rock melodies. The film songs on Side-1 deliver unforgettable moments, but the overlooked gems on Side-2 reveal the band's deepening musical sophistication. With tight harmonies, catchy hooks, and electrifying performances, this is a reminder of The Beatles' unparalleled ability to blend fun with musical mastery. Even today, A Hard Day's Night stands as a landmark album that is always a welcomed reissue to press and enjoy.

Review: Been Stellar's debut album, Scream From New York, NY, is as a thrilling, assured indie rock release, with ten tracks that blend visceral melody with raw power and showcase the band's live strength and studio control. The album's songwriting is highlighted, with tracks like 'Start Again' delivering waves of distortion and feedback, while 'Pumpkin' explores the space of shoegaze. 'Can't Look Away' and 'All In One' offer noise rock assaults, contrasting with the pop-infused 'Sweet,' which adds a different flavour to the mix. The mix of different styles and sounds must make for an engaging listen. Overall, it is a searing and magnetic debut that captures the essence of New York.