Back catalogue: All genres

Review: The Duke Ya Love To Hate might sound like a turntablist slash battle-scratcher from the late eighties, but he's actually a gaunt-looking dude from the-time-is-now. Real name Stefan Senf, this artist has enjoyed every stylistic meander from juke to noise since at least 1995, and he here marks his debut album in the vein of bristly potpourri prangout breaks; a golden crate of 7"s in the style has thus far also been procured for the Cold Diggin label. However, I Really Have No Idea What's Going On Here, But I Like It is the first continuous mix made for the moniker, limited to just 100 cassette tapes and continuing the beloved Cadillac tape series (whose original provenance we can't track down, but we'll take his word for it). A super-limited artist edition, made especially for the event Back In The Day, which took place in Dresden on August 24. Handmade, every tape is unique.

Review: Darren Cunningham, known for his work as Actress, continues to evolve with a striking, abstract mix of sound that blends fragmented beats, ambient textures and the odd burst of warmth. Moving away from his club origins, his latest album embraces a more experimental, collage-like approach, echoing the influence of Georges Braque. The music unfurls in unpredictable ways, weaving atmospheric elements like muffled techno pulses, gamelans and r&b vocal samples into an evolving tapestry of sound. Tracks shift from dark, granular tones reminiscent of Boards of Canada's more ominous moments, to bright, celestial glimpses of light. The juxtaposition of stasis and movement, dread and hope, is central to Cunningham's process, creating a unique sonic landscape of ebb and flow. The occasional playful moments, like the quirky synths of 'Dolphin Spray', add to the album's intriguing unpredictability. Fans of Aphex Twin, Two Lone Swordsmen and Boards of Canada will find familiar sounds here, though Cunningham's distinctive approach makes the experience feel like a scientific exploration of sound itself. With a subtle balance of tension and calm, the album draws listeners into a world of synaptic interplay, where every shift feels deliberate and rewarding.

Review: Ill Communication, the Beastie Boys' fourth studio album, remains a hallmark of their creative versatility. Released in 1994, this groundbreaking record merges hip-hop with punk rock, jazz, and funk, marking a significant shift towards live instrumentationia progression from their previous album, Check Your Head. Co-produced by the Beasties and Mario C, the album showcases their talent for genre-blending, featuring iconic tracks like the explosive 'Sabotage,' the funky 'Get It Together' with Q-Tip, and the raw 'Do It' with Biz Markie. The album also includes jazzy breakbeat grooves such as 'Root Down' and 'The Scoop,' along with instrumental jazz-funk tracks like 'Ricky's Theme' and 'Sabrosa,' and even nods to their punk roots with 'Heart Attack Man.' With further contributions from Money Mark, Eric Bobo, and Amery 'AWOL' Smith, Ill Communication is a testament to the Beastie Boys' ability to innovate. Now available on cassette for the first time ever, it continues to resonate as one of the band's most diverse and celebrated works.

Review: Using a variety of tape stocks, Black Swan creates a haunting atmosphere that evokes the sensation of uncovering long-lost, sacred recordings hidden in time on his ninth album, Ghost. The New York-based artist reveals that he was inspired by musique concrete and ambient while making the record, which is made up of 20 pieces that all form a continuous suite. Each track varies in length and complexity from short and sweet sketches to more elongated studies and that are made from intense layering and harmonic surges using an array of tape stocks. The result is a haunting, unearthly atmosphere that sounds perfect in this cassette format.

Review: And the award for best box set idea of the year goes to Ghostly International, who've recognised the untapped crossover market potential between tape culture and architecturally minded 3D sandbox gaming. Both Minecraft and cassettes offer unequivocal home downtime experiences, so what better way than to celebrate such ingenious associations than with a mammoth expansion of Daniel Rosenfeld's original soundtrack under the name C418? After many vinyl and CD reissues became fanatic cult favorites, with several sold-out color variants, now both volumes Alpha and Beta appear in opaque green; assuming the rewind button functions properly and the reels haven't garbled round the spools, you're in for a degradable lo-fi treat and analogue alternative listening experience; mute the laptop output and fire up the Nakamichi, you wally.

Review: This is an exclusive limited edition cassette version of ever more prominent US pop star Sabrina Carpenter's Short N Sweet album. It captures the vibrant energy of the petite popstar who has already made an enormous artistic impact. Boasting a gold album and numerous platinum singles, she has reached new heights with singles like 'Espresso from this latest album. The track features playful lyrics that will make you both giggle and blush and Carpenter's signature charm and creativity shine throughout these tunes, sure to make it one of the biggest records of the year.

Review: Chappell Roan's debut The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is a vibrant, eclectic pop album blending feminist themes, queerness, and playful energy. Opening with the feminist anthem 'Femininomenon', Roan combines humor and country-pop with industrial disco, setting a bold tone. Viral hit 'Red Wine Supernova' channels early 2000s pop-rock, with carefree storytelling and catchy beats, while 'After Midnight' dives into club-ready, Katy Perry-style disco pop. The introspective 'Coffee' slows the pace with somber piano, showing Roan's emotional depth, while 'Casual" is equally as impactful. One of the highlight's is 'Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl' which brings an 80s synth-pop flair, recalling Madonna and Cyndi Lauper. Brimming with vibrant energy. Roan's personality and wide-ranging influences shine throughout, making her a pop standout.

Review: Charli XCX's sixth studio album, Brat, marks a triumphant return to her experimental roots following 2022's Crash. Steeped in the aesthetic of the 2000s London rave scene, this album is a highly personal and intriguing nostalgia trip. The intricate beats, polished production, and confrontational lyrics evoke the underground decadence of the Myspace era. Charli and her collaborators craft each track with a rich sense of atmosphere, transporting listeners to a vividly recalled past. The opening track, '360,' sets the tone with Charli declaring herself "666 with a princess streak." The throwback rave anthem 'Club Classics' and the retroclash headtrip 'Von Dutch' show her at the top of her game, maintaining her status as a significant pop experimentalist. The sleek standouts 'Sympathy is a Knife' and 'Girl, So Confusing' tackle contemporary conflicts. Beneath Brat's deceptive veneer lies a melancholic sense of anxiety. 'I Might Say Something Stupid' reveals Charli's existential desperation, while 'So I' serves as a poignant eulogy to Sophie, highlighting her emotional depth. The introspective 'I Think About It All the Time' finds Charli at her most confessional, pondering motherhood and the fleeting nature of success. Brat is a crucial step in Charli XCX's artistic evolution, blending mainstream pop with her experimental roots. Her themes of celebrity, growth, obsession and creative liberation are articulated with biting wit and innovative vision.

Review: Hot on the heels of her blockbuster album BRAT, Charli XCX delivers Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat, a remix project that defies the conventional obligations of such releases. This album is a celebration of her newfound fame, marked by unfiltered creativity and a dizzying array of collaborations. Each track features new vocals, often transforming the originals into something wholly unique. The guest list is impressively eclectic, ranging from established artists like Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande to emerging talents like Bb Trickz. These collaborations highlight Charli's ability to bridge genres and eras, creating a vibrant tapestry of sound that reflects her experiences with fame. Lyrically, Brat and… dives deep into the complexities of celebrity life, navigating themes of loneliness and connection with surgical precision. Charli’s candidness is refreshing, eschewing platitudes for raw, introspective moments. The album swings between melancholic and euphoric, showcasing both the highs and lows of pop stardom. Ultimately, it’s a thrilling, unpredictable ride that reinforces Charli XCX's place at the forefront of contemporary pop.

Review: Ontology II is a rather impressive 20th full-length from The Corrupting Sea, a well-regarded ambient project helmed by Jason T. Lamoreaux and one that takes the form of a profound exploration of personal experiences and emotions using sound to delve into philosophical themes of being and existence. The album's four carefully crafted tracks transform abstract metaphysical inquiries into tangible auditory experiences that make for a meditative journey. It is quiet and patient yet captivating in its artistry and is exactly the sort of immersive ambient that makes a lasting impression.

Review: The brilliant Death Is Not The End has always done a great job of digging into niche scenes and serving up great albums that document them. Here the label presents a mixtape-style collection featuring live recordings from London's Notting Hill Carnival, spanning 1984 to 1988. Originally aired on NTS Radio in August 2018, this release marks a milestone in their 10th-anniversary series and it now comes on cassette. Highlights include sounds from renowned systems like Jamdown Rockers, Saxon, Java Nuclear Power, Killerwatt Turbotronic, Stereograph, Sir Coxsone, and Volcano Express. The audio, meticulously curated by the Who Cork The Dance crew, features contributions from Jayman, Ruff House, Keimo, Omar, Gee Wizz and Jah Humble.

Review: Healing Sound Propagandist releases Julien Demoulin's Ephemeral Maps, a beautifully fitting follow-up to Dreams In Digital Dust. This album continues the journey through the same lush soundscapes that captivated listeners on Demoulin's previous work, but this time subverts them to produce a, well, less dusty, more aerial take. The LP, released on cassette and digital only, sounds like it took a long time to make, and as though its drones were being overturned through and out of ancient soils. From the jump of 'Land Before Memory', we're thrust into what sounds like a contradictorily landed but birds-eye-view of an epochal realm, with an atonal drone heard pocketed below a set of slow-release rustlings and leaven fadings-away. Some moments, like 'Through The Drowned City', revel in high pitch and clarity, while chromaticism and tension thrive elsewhere on moments such as '27th Day (Challenger Deep)'. Intended as a challenge to the idea of the anthropocene, this is somewhat abstracting, depersonalising ambient record, so it's not for the faint of heart, but it doesn't come without a deep reserve of human sentiment either.

Review: Hypnotism I is a new album from Foundation that the artist himself says has been a cherished part of his work since shortly after his previous work Mountain Ambient IV. We're told that its creation was a slow, immersive process that unfolded over months, with each layer evolving patiently. By composing intuitively, the album emerged naturally to reflect a glacial depth and subconscious growth. Its four pieces are all richly layered soundscapes with wispy melodies and dusty drones that sink you in deep and free your mind of all woes.

Review: Immerse yourself in the world of Ginger Root, where Cameron Lew's meticulous craftsmanship shines through. Since 2017, this Southern California multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and visual artist has drawn a dedicated following with his remarkable albums, films, and global tours. Ginger Root's soundia polished blend of synth-pop, alt-disco, boogie, and soulireflects Lew's Asian-American heritage and love for 1970s and '80s music, including Japanese City Pop and its Western counterparts like French Pop and Philly Soul. Lew's third LP, Shinbangumi, marks his debut on Ghostly International and is set for a 2024 release with an accompanying visual album. This album represents a new chapter for Lew, showcasing his confidence and intention in presenting Ginger Root's definitive sound. Tracks like 'No Problems' and 'Better Than Monday' highlight Lew's signature style, blending diverse genres into cohesive songs. With Shinbangumi, Lew masterfully weaves his influences into a modern and refreshing sound, creating an album that serves as both a nostalgic homage and a bold step forward.

Review: After a recent release on CD following its first outing on Omar S's FXHE, Diners Club International now drops Hi Tech's self-titled album on cassette with some added bonus joints. It's a thrilling, pacey listen that whisks you off your feet and through a world of juke, footwork and ghetto beats that are all drenched in soul. The cuts are short and sweet, from the smudged and smeared r&b overtones of 'Funny Fuckits' (feat Nila & Stefan Xix) to the heavily filtered and trap-style 'Fitness By King Milo.' It's a futuristic sound steeped in fresh and inventive rhythms and heartfelt emotions.

Review: Diners Club International recently served up this Hi Tech album, Detwat, on CD, but now backs that up with a limited cassette version featuring some bonus cuts. It originally got released on Omar S's FHXE label and is a sleazy and high-speed ghetto workout with filthy low ends aimed well and truly at the rump. Juke, footwork and plenty of spin-off styles are all chewed up and spat out with plenty of top collars and guests adding colour. There are pumping beats and fractured vocals on 'Money Phone', Drake style trap vocoders on 'TakeOffOnnaPorsche' and bright, reflective, optimistic chords over hurried beats on 'Glitch N Ass' (feat Cheapskate Skutta, Dastardly Kids) amongst many more highlights.

Review: With Heilun, Hyldipi makes a stunning debut on ambient powerhouse Past Inside The Present by presenting seven meditative compositions shaped by his native Iceland's raw, introspective beauty. Crafted entirely with guitar and minimal hardware, each track feels like a gentle conversation with nature, ephemeral and soul-soothing. From the delicate strums of 'Opnun' to the deep serenity of 'Hvild,' the album flows like glacial melt, patient and healing. 'Fadmur' blooms with aching emotion, while 'Kyrrd' closes the journey in subaquatic calm. This is ambient music for deep listening-an improvised, transcendental escape into stillness, where the ego dissolves and all that remains is presence and peace.

Review: Following fast on the scorched heels of his most recent record Kosmische Pitch, Jan Jelinek now releases a fresh one for Faitiche: a recorded issuance of his 2022 performance, The Carpenters. Held at Uferstudio 1 in Berlin on July 20, 2022, two pieces transform an irrecognisable Carpenters' sample (the original song name is asterisked for perhaps obvious reasons) into salivatory stretch-scape. The original source is slowly unveiled near the end of the first half, almost of a moment of awakening from hypnosis. Then in the second half, Jelinek re-blurs the material, as if to descend the trough of a sinusoid wave. The Faitiche edition series houses such captivations exclusively on cassette, whose deprecatory format matches the exclusivity of the performance (though tape deck owners can also request a free digital download code).

Review: Over the past four years and under his Tyresta alias, Nick Turner has been integral to operations at PITP's sister label, Fallen Moon Recordings. His meticulous curation for FMR showcases top-tier sound collages and experimental electronic music and that dedication shines in Lia Kohl and Daniel Wyche's latest release, 'Movie Candy. It's a captivating exploration of free-spirited electronic music that seamlessly blends cello, guitar, synths, voice, field recordings, and electronic treatments into a record that brims with both nostalgia and innovation. Wyche describes it as an homage to the obscure ephemera of films-like the allure of candy wrappers and the mesmerising cinema carpets-forging vivid memories that linger and evolve through time.

Review:  South London's Loefah has long been a pivotal figure in the UK's underground evolution, particularly on the bossier end of the spectrum. The cut figure is a master in the club too and this recording from the iconic Bloc Weekender in 2011 proves that as it now gets pressed up to a brand new cassette from the Never Sleep charity tape series. It showcases UK club futurism by blending hybrid transatlantic sounds with vibrant MC SP. Featuring soon-to-be Swamp81 classics, the set fuses Miami-style bass, hip-hop elements and UK hardcore into the darker, more melody-driven side of 2011 sounds. All proceeds benefit Lives Not Knives who support youth projects in South London.

Review: Returning with his redemption attempt follow up to 2020's We Are Chaos, industrial metal shock-rock provocateur Marilyn Manson seeks to skirt the numerous controversies and accusations accrued in the last few years with his most potent musical statement in decades. Signing with Nuclear Blast and enlisting the likes of Chelsea Wolfe collaborator/producer Tyler Bates to helm the project, his 12th full-length One Assassination Under God: Chapter 1 (indicating that more is sure to follow), offers up some of the heaviest and introspective material of his career to date, with cuts such as 'Nod If You Understand' harking back to the unhinged angst of Antichrist Superstar, whereas 'As Sick As The Secrets Within' breathes with the same mercurial synth-gloom as the strongest moments on Mechanical Animals. A cynical attempt to regain fan adoration, or the sound of a tortured artist finally coming to terms with his own demons and attempting to rediscover former glory and prowess, the interpretation is entirely your own to consider.

Review: One Million Eyes, previously known as Templehof, return with a new album of balearic ambient, previously heard on two excellent releases for A Strangely Isolated Place. This time appearing on legendary cassette label Constellation Tatsu as part of their fall combo, anyone familiar with their previous work will know what to expect. Dreamy, sun hazed analogue synth lines mix with deep fourth world soundscapes that wouldn't sound out of place on 90s labels such as Pete Namlook's Fax or Instinct Ambient. The first half of Signal begins slowly, eyes wide shut, with 'Nickel', a slow pulsating jam of chilled out psychedelia. 'Marea' blends organic instrumentation with distant, processed voices. 'Koala', the deepest cut on the album, leads to a mood shift in 'Opalescent' that will sound eerily familiar to any Gaussian Curve fans. 'Polaris', 'Solstice' and highlight 'Landscape' close out the album in style. For fans of anyone from Music From Memory, Jonathan Fitoussi & Ishq, there are few better ways to relive your memories of later summer.

Review: The good news is this isn't a glitch in the matrix, there is an actual new Pulp album out on cassette in 2025. Nearly three decades on from their generation-defining album Different Class and the love for Pulp is still potent. Cocker's kept his tools sharp with various projects and collaborations - including Jav Is... - over the past few years, but that's done little to dampen the yearning from around the world for new Pulp. When they released 'Spike Island' to get the ball rolling, a special tribute was made to late former bassist Steve Mackay, who died in 2023. Two songs on the record are said to date from when Mackay was around, which makes him feel part of this incredibly special project.

Review: Constellation Tatsu welcomes US artist Brendan Principato aka Saapato for what is a hugely conceptual new album based around decomposition. It was sparked when Saapato saw a dead fox lying by the side of the road on his way home from a job in a local warehouse. He used that as a jumping-off point to interrogate "transformation, interconnectedness, and renewal" and the five stages of decomposition, namely fresh, bloat, active decay, advanced decay and dry/remains. Several collaborators help him on his way as he sketches out various instrumental textures which variously have occasional shards of light, lingering melancholy and a subtle sense of hope.

Review: Originally part of an exhibition curated by Elysia Borowy last September, Scott Grooves' contribution to After The Dance transcends the dancefloor, exploring experimental expressionism in visual arts and electronic music. Critiquing capitalist culture and drawing from afrofuturism, his work prompts reflection on consumerism and futuristic themes. The CD release features deep ambient pieces that caccaompnied six thought-provoking installations: Sweet Dreams Anakin, Foot Work, Vinyl, For All-Dee People, Yellow Sun Bricks, and Found Sound. It shows another side to the deep house don's work and is just as essential.

Review: The Smile's Wall of Eyes is a triumph in atmospheric experimentation, bridging the delicate intensity of Radiohead's later works with a more abstract, avant-garde edge. The album is filled with a sense of mystery, its drifting, formless compositions creating a pervasive feeling of unease. Opener 'Wall of Eyes' beckons with eerie folk textures and art-pop flourishes, setting the tone for the record's dark beauty. Bending Hectic' stands as the album's crowning achievement, its near-ambient build-up exploding into a cathartic, thunderous conclusion, balancing beauty and chaos. Elsewhere, 'Read the Room' and 'I Quit' bring rhythmic complexity, adding layers of groove and intricacy. Thom Yorke's vocals, as always, are haunting, tying the record together with familiar yet fresh emotional depth. Wall of Eyes confidently charts its own path, a significant step forward from A Light for Attracting Attention, cementing The Smile as more than a side project, but a vital voice in today's alt-rock landscape.

Review: Natsu Summer's 2024 release, Orange Tsushin (Orange Communication), produced by Cunimondo Takiguchi of Ryusenkei, is a delightful blend of danceable lovers' rock and soothing city pop, featuring ama-piano and steppers rhythms. The seven-track album is highlighted by a cover of a hidden Japanese lovers' rock classic from the 90s, adding a unique twist to its reggae and city pop roots. With different jacket artwork for each media format, Takiguchi's artistic touch extends beyond music. Released on cassette, Orange Tsushin is a vibrant homage to Natsu Summer's Ehime heritage, encapsulating the spirit of mandarin oranges in both sound and visual presentation.

Review: Thee Marloes bring a fresh and unique sound to the soul music scene, blending elements of soul, jazz, and pop with their Indonesian roots. Hailing from Surabaya, the trio consists of Natassya Sianturi on vocals and keys, Sinatrya ("Raka") Dharaka on guitar, and Tommy Satwick on drums. Their debut album, Perak, harnesses their ability to craft deeply emotional and rhythmically engaging tracks. Opening with 'Midnight Hotline,' a vibrant dancefloor hit with jazzy guitar riffs and infectious piano, Thee Marloes immediately capture attention. The B-side, 'Beri Cinta Waktu,' is a soulful ballad sung in Indonesian, demonstrating their linguistic versatility and heartfelt delivery. Tracks like 'I Know' explore themes of deception in love with a mid-tempo groove, while 'Not Today' offers an uplifting, feel-good vibe perfect for any laid-back setting. 'True Love' dives into soulful jazz, creating a cinematic atmosphere reminiscent of a Tarantino film. The album closes with 'Over,' starting with a powerful drum break and evolving into a beautifully layered melody that encapsulates the intensity of a sudden breakup. Perak is a beacon of Thee Marloes' passion and creativity. Their music transcends cultural and language barriers, leaving a lasting impression.

Review: Few labels are as idiosyncratic as Theo Parrish's Sound Signature. It deals in house and techno of an otherworldly sort with esoteric rhythms that blur the lines between the synthetic and the organic. And that is exactly the case with the label's magnificent 100th release, a new album from Howard Thomas that takes its cues from his love of 80s sci-fi films and beat tracks. It's a stark world of dance floor pressure with buzzing synths and clattering hits, raw beats and leftfield energy that brings utterly new ideas across seven spellbinding cuts. This is a cassette version of what is an immediately timeless album.

Review: Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign join forces on Vultures 1, delivering a polished, cohesive project that showcases their combined talents. The album feels unusually complete for West's recent output, with crisp mixes and dynamic arrangements that highlight Ty's signature silk-and-grit vocals alongside Kanye's evolving artistry. From the airy melodies of opener 'Stars' to the Donna Summer-sampling 'Good (Don't Die)', the album strikes a compelling balance between nostalgia and innovation. Tracks like 'Burn' and 'Paid' stand out with hypnotic beats and intricate rhythms, while the Brazilian funk-inspired 'Paperwork' adds a playful, global flair. Ty's smooth hooks complement Kanye's performances, which, while technically precise, focus more on fitting the production's mood than dominating it. The production shines throughout, blending industrial textures with moments of emotional resonance. Songs like 'Carnival', featuring Playboi Carti and Rich the Kid, bristle with energy, while the lush layering on 'Do It' and 'Fuk Sumn' enhances their infectious grooves. Despite occasional lyrical flatness, the album's sonic brilliance and pacing make it a captivating listen.

Review: This is a reimagined edition of Zach Frizzell aka zake's 2023 album B and expands on its monochrome, drone-driven soundscapes. It complements a series of chiaroscuro art prints and evokes a grayscale melancholy rich in texture and depth as the music conjures images of a weathered dock at dawn with fog and dense landscapes closing in on the horizon. New pieces like 'Betrayal' and reworked tracks like 'Burnt' reveal zake's signature restrained, simmering power and overall the vibes here range from the haunting 'Blight' to the reflective 'Barren'' which emphasise zake's open-ended, evolving approach to ambient music.