New releases last four weeks: Rock (All)

Review: Given Tornado Wallace's impeccable Balearic credentials, you'd expect his new A.S.O project - a collaboration with Berlin-based singer-songwriter Alisia Seror O'Neill AKA Alias Error - to tend towards the dreamy, immersive and emotive. It does, of course, with the pair conjuring gorgeous slabs of downtempo leftfield pop variously influenced by the layered textures of shoegaze, the wide-eyed bliss of 80s dream pop (Seror O'Neill's vocal delivery is at times reminiscent of Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser), the blazed Bristol beats of Massive Attack, the flat-on-your-back day-break headiness of ambient, the hard-to-pigeonhole brilliance of the Duratti Column and the late-night-on-AM-radio atmosphere of Kelley Polar and Morgan Geist's similarly inspired Ai Suisse project.

Review: Original Gravity serve up yet two more contemporary soul tracks; sides A and B on this latest 7" are shared by Curtis Baker & The Bravehearts and Floyd James & The GTs respectively. The A's 'By Hook Or By Crook' recounts the all-to-relatable feeling of stopping at nothing to get what one wants, while 'The Switchback' ups the big beats and big halls for a roomy guit-funk come mod romp. Yet another delight to add to the OG Newtonians' pile.

Review: This unique 7" features two different artists - Raye Cole and Rachel Maxann - doing their own renditions of the same song, in this instance, 'Find Myself Another Man'. These versions bring a modern twist to a rhythm and blues banger that will transport you back to the good old days, Raye's version adding a bit more of a hop to it while Rachel's version has a garage band and surf rock tinge to it. Both are late night blues without a doubt though andit'sanother case of hats off to Original Gravity records for always keeping things fresh with their ever-changing moods.

Review: The reissue of Step On by Junior Dell & The D-Lites is here only three short years after its initial run of 300 copies. 'Step On' is a reggae and ska version of the song 'He's Gonna Step on You Again' by John Kongos, made famous by Happy Mondays, who shortened its title to 'Step On'. For the B-side comes an original song done by the band called 'Meanwhile On The 15th Floor' which is a classic sounding ska instrumental from the 70s. This second pressing is a mere 250 copies - so act fast.

Review: Miami's Far Produce are fresh faces, but their sound is full of respect for times past, building on classic soul jazz by bringing it a modern instrumental twist. Led by two Studio City, CA natives - Addison Rifkind on guitar and Michael Duffy on drums - Fat Produce deliver a veritable cornucopia of fruits and groceries to chew on here. 7" A-sider 'Sticky Beets' turns our inners red, as we're led to imagine chowing down on the perfect beetroot yield and the funky euphoria that inevitably follows ingestion of such a delicacy. B-sider 'Son!', meanwhile, draws on an amalgamation of several Bay Area-inspired grooves - Duffy is a walking rhythmic encyclopaedia - set against an improvised, on-the-fly groove first laid down by Rifkind, whose hook-worthiness is unmistakable here.

Review: Texas-based Thai funk and psychedelic trio Khruangbin are back with another much anticipated new album in the form of A La Sala. The record presents a mesmerizing blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and world music influences that showcases the band's signature hypnotic grooves. Each one is characterized by Laura Lee's funky basslines, Mark Speer's intricate guitar work, and Donald "DJ" Johnson's precise drumming. Tracks like 'Farolim De Felgueiras' and 'A Love International' exude a laid-back vibe, perfect for lazy summer afternoons, while 'Juegos Y Nubes' infuses Latin rhythms with a psychedelic twist. Overall, A La Sala is another rich journey through diverse musical landscapes that reaffirm Khruangbin's reputation as masters of genre fusion and purveyors of sonic bliss.

Review: This is a black vinyl version of a reissue that we also have on gold vinyl of Soyuz's '2' album. Originally released in 2019, this album marks a significant phase in the band's evolution, offering a glimpse into the sound that would define their later work while retaining traces of avant-psychedelic-pop influences. Produced during bandleader Alex Chumak's transition from Minsk to Kyiv, the LP reflects the tension between exploration and homesickness. Drawing from influences like Mikita Arlou, Ethiopian jazz, and Italian library music, the album eloquently captures the melancholy of long-distance travel and transience, creating a sonic narrative of emotional flux.

Review: Due to persistent demand and soaring prices for the original pressing, this reissue of 'Why Don't You Go Home' on striking red transparent vinyl could not be more essential. Featuring the dynamic vocals of Diane Ward, the title track delivers a powerhouse performance echoing the King and Federal r&b sound. On the flip side, 'Cocktail De Medianoche' serves up a delightful blend of Boogaloo and Northern Soul, a cherished favourite among aficionados of Latin grooves and Uptempo Soul. With two phenomenal tracks, this reissue promises a perfect double-sider experience! for lovers of soul.