Back catalogue: All genres

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


2022's stunning album Once Twice Melody was a fine example of Beach House doing what they do best - living bang up to that name, with intimate-but epic instrumentation falling somewhere between surf-y jangle and grand shoegaze. 'Become' is definitely on a similar tip, and as such feels much like an extension of the long form.
Dig a little deeper, though, and scratches begin to show. While the full-length record represented Beach House reaching for the stars, or at least the moon, and stepping into the role of festival headliners, here the sense of pure confidence and occasion is less pronounced. That may not be a bad thing, mind, because while Once came across like a finished article, refined and prepared, things here seem somehow rawer, as though we're sitting in on a session as oppose to getting the signed off product.

Review: Scottish party starter Sally C is behind the bolshy brilliance of the Big Saldo's Chunkers label. So far the releases have come at a steady rate but have always been of utmost quality. Bella takes care of the label's fourth outing and it's another peak time outing full of big fun. 'Note To Self' is a mix of potent breaks, trance chords and rave energy where 'Orchestra Spring' is more direct and bouncy with a rugged bassline pumping the breaks and 'Odd Symphony' then slips into a deeper vibe still but one that is no less dynamic. An Olsvanger remix of the same tune takes it into mind-melting late night afterparty territory.

Review: Get yourself geared up for festival season with some fierce party starters certified with the Glitterbox stamp. Melvo Baptiste leads the charge with 'Sweat', a sizzling disco house stomper with Dames Brown giving the biggest diva energy on her show-stopping vocal. Lovebirds bring unbridled joy on the Philly string swoon and slinky b-line funk of 'Burn It Down', while Art Of Tones & Inaya Day keep it peak time on the sassy strutter 'Give My Love'. Young Pulse & Fleur De Mur complete the set with 'Smooth Sweet Talker', another bright and bold vocal cut par excellence.

Review: Iodic Spirit Vol 1 presents a dynamic showcase of 90s-influenced rave genres under its techno umbrella, featuring five tracks that traverse various sonic landscapes. Side-1 launches with Public Request's 'Trust Your Instinct', an early 90s trance anthem exuding the essence of rave culture with powerful techno elements reminiscent of Belgium's scene, highlighted by a commanding acid line. Following is NND's 'Looser,' a mesmerizing fusion of acid and melodic techno that captivates with its beauty and coolness, painting a vivid sonic tapestry. Flipping to Side-2, Bassy Bee's 'Domo Arigatogozaimasu' delves into hardcore territory with Belgium influences, delivering an electrifying experience. Next, Flood's 'Stress Relief' offers an upbeat journey tinged with Cabaret Voltaire vibes, blurring the lines between techno and trance, while still maintaining an infectious energy. Concluding the EP is 'Acidity' by Public Request, diving deeper into heavy acid territory with harder sounds that command attention and evoke a sense of urgency. Each of these tracks on Iodic Spirit Vol 1 has a unique interpretation of techno, acid, and trance, making for an electrifying listening experience that pays homage to the golden era of rave.

Review: Massive weirdo minimal tech verging on wackout experimental dance from the Planete 51 crew, welcoming five of their greatest to the fore for a new V/A. With producer Brent kicking things off with a fiery fidgeter whose predilection for variation seems to know no end, 'Etoile' is a buzzing, alarmingly comical track, working in strange UI zaps, wobbles and film samples at seemingly every twist and turn. The vibe continues into the Chanbara themed 'Wazabi Sword', which is the ultimate samurai deep tech crossover tune. Itarima weirds things out further with 'Amour Degueulasse' with weirdcore detunings on the lead, before Nathanael takes on a mood of nighttime noir to close things out.

Review: Sweat It Out Records kicks off their tasty Sweat Sampler series with their first volume, cutting niftily across four exceptionally sweaty bops, spanning tongue-in-cheek deep tech reworks and downtempo disco delights. First off is the dream team of Cid and Havoc & Lawn, whom together deliver a hilariously effective house version of America's 'A Horse With No Name'; this is shortly followed by Saturday Love, Kon and Furious's 'Come Out', a rejigged nu-disco samosa packed with some rare vocal spices; then there's 'Give It To Me' by Marco Lys and Ben Miller, a bass-driven bouncer unafraid of lasershot winddowns, injunctive vocals and risers; and finally, there's Set Mo's 'Could I Be', the anthem of the bunch, whose buildup and drop is alarming, affecting, cumulatively awe-striking.

Review: BBE has delivered something of a future classic here, as decorated Eastern European harpist Alinha Bzhezhinska and British tenor saxophonist Tony Kofi join forces on a picturesque full-length excursion dedicated to the memory of spiritual jazz maestro Pharoah Saunders. It's a genuinely unique and hugely evocative affair, with Kofi's meandering, mesmeric melodies and inspired improvisations snaking in and out of Bzhezhinska's dreamy harp motifs and melodic percussion instruments (think bells, marimbas, vibraphone, xylophone and so on). It's not a familiar musical palette, but it's one that consistently delivers - and then some. Our picks of a very strong bunch include lucid opener 'Tabula Rasu - Blank Slate', the exotic and psychedelic 'Audite Me - Hear Me', and the picturesque, meditative closing cut, 'Altera Vita - Another Life'.

Review: On his return to China in 2019 after a period away, Brock van Wey noticed a "strange, sound emitting item" on the table. It was a handmade 'steel tongue drum', a unique percussion instrument associated with spirituality and meditation in Asian culture. A few days later, van Wey recorded an extended jam of himself playing it, and later overdubbed electronic sounds, melodies, chords and textures. The result is The Depth of Rain, the long-serving ambient and drone artist's second Bvdub album of 2024. Where some of van Wey's ambient sets can tend towards the intense and claustrophobic, The Depth of Rain is a genuinely melodious, evocative and spring-like affair that ebbs and flows wonderfully throughout, providing entertainment and sonic bliss in equal measure.

Review: Maya Blandy's latest single, Lemons, is a vibrant and infectious track that seamlessly blends upbeat urban funk with an acid jazz sound, resulting in a potential pop hit. The song takes a spin on the classic adage about making the best out of life's challenges, presenting it with a fresh and edgy perspective. With its catchy hooks, groovy rhythm, and Maya Blandy's convincing vocals, Lemons is destined to be an instant hit once heard.
The Side-2 is equally as good with 'BIB (Bitch In Black).' This song oozes with soulful vibes, showcasing Maya's mesmerizing vocals against an urban beat backdrop. The addition of a horn section adds depth and richness to the track, elevating its sonic experience.