Review: Living up to her establishing name as a bedroom pop artist, Clairo self-releases her third full-length album Charm. Even so, following up 2021's Sling, Charm pares back Clairo's debut and sophomore records' successive pop sounds for a liver, perhaps more earnest exploration of indie rock and chamber pop proper, building on the themes of Sling, which also dealt in themes of of maturation and impending motherhood. Notably, producer Leon Michels of the cinematic soul moniker El Michels Affair claims production credits across the bulk of the album, suggesting new collaborative horizons for the singer. A collection of warm, psychedelic songs, echoing Joni Mitchell or Joan Baez, we hear an expansion in Clairo's sound and a move towards earnest and stoic grace.
Review: Small Changes is the eagerly-anticipated follow-up to Michael Kiwanuka eponymous third LP, Kiwanuka. Produced alongside soul, hip-hop and pop production legends Danger Mouse and Inflo, Small Changes was recorded between London and LA, with this core triumvirate nonetheless expanding further into an assembly of session musical delegates, including legendary bassist Pino Palladino, as well as Jimmy Jam of the iconic Jam And Lewis songwriting and production duo. A welcome return for one of Britain's most talented songwriters, vocalists, and guitarists.
808 State - "Pacific State" (Massey Conga mix) (4:04)
Magma - "Eliphas Levi" (10:53)
Homelife - "Stranger" (6:05)
Michael Gregory Jackson - "Unspoken Magic" (5:25)
Dora Morelenboum - "Avermelhar" (4:27)
Simone - "Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser" (2:17)
Experience Unlimited - "People" (6:09)
Otis G Johnson - "I Got It" (4:26)
Mel & Tim - "Keep The Faith" (3:56)
Review: In this collection, Luke curates music with the perfect blend, inviting listeners on an esoteric journey of enlightenment through sound. Exploring late-night, after-hours musings; Everything Above The Sky (Astral Travelling with Luke Una) is a new compilation by the enigmatic DJ, promoter, and cultural curator. Following the E Soul Cultura phenomenon, this compilation comes at a pivotal moment in Luke's career as he travels the globe. Avoiding any chance of his sound being pigeonholed, Luke has assembled a tracklist that feels transcendental, stepping off the grid and back to source. Luke's Everything Above The Sky manifesto describes the music as Astral Travelling in the meadowlands with acid folk, spiritual jazz, midnight hocus pocus, cosmic psychedelic soul, magical whirling love songs, Brazilian ballads of light into machine soul gospel dreaming, Balearic bossa and Outer Space ancient African drums. Expect something different and highly unique with this listen.
Review: Brooklyn-based Pakistani vocalist Aroof Aftab presents her third studio album, and a record that has the power to transport listeners pretty much anywhere. While steeped in traditions stereotypically associated with her homeland, ears more attuned will quickly pick up on just how divergent this is. Whether you'd consider it a classical album is down to how you gauge that genre term, we'd say it has grown broad enough over the past century to definitely include this, but ultimately even that seems reductive.
Elements of poetry, ambient trance, jazz, minimalism, and new age, it's a spiritual and musical experience based around themes of discovery, loss, memory, and intimate connections with the Earth. Sonically, that translates as something that's at once sublime and yet also surprising, combining a multitude of influences from aeons of songwriting to create something that could not have existed in any previous era.
You Don't Love Me - Soul Serenade - You Don't Love Me
Statesboro Blues
Ain't Wastin' Time No More
Black Hearted Woman
The Sky Is Crying
Dreams
Don't Keep Me Wonderin'
In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed
JaMaBuBu
In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed (reprise)
Melissa
Revival
Southbound
Mountain Jam (Continued)
Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Mountain Jam (reprise)
Whipping Post
Farewell Speeches
Trouble No More
Review: The Allman Brothers Band's final concert, performed on October 28, 2014, at New York's Beacon Theatre, is now being celebrated with the release of Final Concert 10-28-14, available as a 3xCD box set. Curated by Warren Haynes, the remastered recording spans 29 tracks and includes a 16-page booklet with exclusive photos and liner notes. The concert, divided into three sets, shows the band's extensive legacy, featuring classic tracks like 'Mountain Jam', 'One Way Out', 'Statesboro Blues' and 'Melissa'. Founding members Gregg Allman, Jaimoe, and Butch Trucks were joined by Haynes, Derek Trucks, Marc Quinones and Oteil Burbridge, making for a lineup that masterfully honoured the band's roots. The Allman Brothers Band's signature blend of southern rock and blues. This is a fitting farewell to their storied career with both nostalgia and exceptional musicianship. The final track, 'Trouble No More', closes the set and the band's legacy on an emotional note.
Review: The revitalised singer Constantine Weir, who you may know from work with Galliano, makes a welcome return with some incredibly powerful soul. It comes on his own already interesting young label Itez and opens with the yawning and sun-kissed sounds of 'Dried Tears' with aching vocals and glistening melodies. 'Father' is an imitated song with the deep lyrics allowed plenty of room to make their mark as gentle bongos and strings company a soothing rhythm. Aspirated, smoky vocals again take centre stage on 'Lovely Lovely' which is a reminisce of a romantic tryst and 'Contradictions' then has a more breezy feel and sunny disposition. 'Seeweeyah' shuts down with a powerful monologue.
Review: Steve Earle, one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation, is set to release a live album Alone Again (Live) on July 12th, 2024. A protege of legends like Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark, Earle quickly became a master storyteller, with his songs recorded by icons such as Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and Joan Baez. His 1986 album Guitar Town hit number one on the country charts and is now a cornerstone of Americana. Earle's diverse career includes multiple GRAMMYr Awards, published books, acting roles, and production work for artists like Joan Baez and Lucinda Williams.
Review: First released on streaming platforms last summer, Wilco's 'Hot Sun Cool Shroud' EP was uniformly praised by critics. Much more than a stop gap between albums (it arrived roughly 12 months after the outfit's lauded 13th studio full-length, Cousin), the six-track set bristles with inventiveness while flitting between styles and tempos. So, opener 'Hot Sun', a sticky slab of Americana-tinged jangly indie brilliance, is followed by the reverb and solo-laden alt-rock squall of 'Livid' and the gentle, string-laden swoon of 'Ice Cream'. And so it continues, with the fuzzy positivity and weary vocals of 'Annihilation' being joined by the pleasant, impossible-to-pigeonhole experimentalism of 'Inside The Bell Bones' and the twinkling, heartfelt melancholia of 'Say You Love Me'.
Bomb The Bass - "Empire" (feat Benjamin Zephaniah & Sinead O'Connor) (5:48)
I Want Your (Hands On Me) (4:35)
The Edge - "Heroine (Theme From Captive)" (feat Sinead O'Connor) (4:28)
Don't Cry For Me Argentina (5:36)
You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart (6:12)
Just Like U Said It Would B (4:36)
This Is A Rebel Song (3:04)
Review: She might be more well known these days for her open letters to Miley Ray Cyrus or public struggles with mental health, but this So Far The Best of reminds us just why Sinead O'Connor is so famous in the first place. It brings together the very best tunes from her four albums and was originally released in 1997, so of course, includes her ubiquitous and global smash Number 1 'Nothing Compares 2 U' is included, as are earlier singles 'Troy' and 'Mandinka', all of which showcase her fearless style and a rich array of emotions. 'Heroine' and 'Just Like U Said It Would B' are included for the first time having in the past only been available on the US version.
Review: Widely hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time, Joni Mitchell's Blue is one of those totemic releases which transcends musical divisions to land in the hearts of anyone it touches. From the sincerity of her lyricism to the fathoms-deep feeling in her voice, the fragile beauty of the melodic composition and the tender playing of the guitar and piano, it's quite simply perfect. It's an album which should be in every home, and now it's repressed by Rhino on heavyweight wax in a gatefold sleeve - the definitive way to experience such an important document of 20th century music.
Review: Platform 23 reunites once more with Vox Man Records to dig deep into their archives and shine a new light on. In the past they have done some mega well loved Alternative Funk compilations which got the label off to a fine start and now they dig into an array of cult cassette releases to bring us treasure from Audiologie N-4 - The Independant Psychedelic Trip and Audiologie 5 et 6 - Ethniques Urbaines. This is music from the avant-garde and post punk scenes that draws on wave, spoken word, dark dub and industrial for its eerie yet alluring charms, all with a real edge. Ethnic, idiosyncratic and psyched out, this is another great overview.
Review: Sufjan Stevens is nothing short of an enigma. Capable of shapeshifting in almost unfathomable ways, he's the sort of artist that can release a spellbinding and technically astounding collection of piano duets, written to score a ballet, but give tracks names like 'And I Shall Come To You Like A Stormtrooper In Drag Serving Imperial Realness'. High brow while totally accessible, his back catalogue to date is one for which you'd struggle to find anyone who doesn't appreciate, once they've taken the time to listen. Here we are then, mere months after the aforementioned song and its parent album landed, getting to grips with another very different beast. Javelin certainly shares in the beauty that ran through its predecessor - Reflections - but whereas the last LP was relatively minimalist, here things are often the opposite. Big, rousing, 1960s-70s style pop numbers, soulful journeyman acoustic with backing chorus, theatrical soft rock and plenty more besides.
Review: By late 2023, Hayden Pedigo's music had reached new heights since The Happiest Times I Ever Ignored. 'Live in Amarillo' captures this growth, presenting a set filled with intricate guitar work and emotive depth that speaks directly to the listener. Each track feels lived-in that reveals layers of nuance and technique, gained from months of relentless touring. Recorded in Amarillo's Globe-News Center, the album, expertly mixed and mastered, brings Pedigo's evolving style to lifeia meditative, rich soundscape that draws comparisons to the best in modern instrumental music.
Review: Argentine singer, songwriter, actress and psychedelic neo-folk high priestess Juana Molina may not be a familiar name to many in the West. But she's been putting out consistently fantastic records since the mid-1990s, debuting with Rara (not including the original score to the movie Juana y sus hermanas back in 1991) and is the sort of artist you don't forget once you discover. Allow Exhalo to open the door on this South American titan of folktronica, casting spells with a combination of lo-fi indie electronic, curveball pop, and progressive folk, with some influences also stemming from her upbringing as the daughter of tango legend Horacio Molina and actor Chunchuna VillafaNe. A deep and captivating listen that seduces you from the word go, this is one not to be missed if you can help it.
Review: Freshly pressed and reissued for a new era, The High Llamas sound as cutting-edge now as they did when they first burst onto the music scene as Britain's answer to the Beach Boys. The band's founding member, Sean O'Hagan, earned his reputation for pop classicism in the sophisti-pop group Microdisney, which split-up in 1988, merely days after opening for David Bowie in London. The High Llamas is a reinvention away from that sound, with O'Hagan having gravitated towards Baroque '60s melodies, orchestral strings, and vintage synths. They have a spectacular back catalogue, which includes a particularly fruitful period in the 90s, when they released five studio albums. Of which, all have been out of print for more than 20 years but are now subject to reissue through the esteemed Drag City label. One of the most sought after in this collection is Gideon Gaye, considered along with Hawaii as a high water mark, so to see it accessible once again is a joy.
Findlay Brown - "Teardrops Lost In The Rain" (Stallions remix) (8:04)
Harris & Crane Band - "Change Is Me, Change Is You" (3:32)
Frank Pyne & Loon Saloon - "Waco" (4:58)
The BB Jackson Band - "Theme IV: A Detective" (4:37)
Cascada - "Weepin'" (6:06)
Peter Campbell - "Let Me Ride" (4:28)
Review: From an ardent blogger to an in-demand compiler, Paul Hillery's obsessive approach to music discovery has taken him far. As well as working with the likes of BBE, he's been fostering a working relationship with Re:Warm which now yields a second volume of the fantastic Folk Funk & Trippy Troubadours series. The title is instructive, and somewhere in the folds of private press joints and forgotten album cuts Hillery finds a thread which binds together seemingly disparate sounds. There's delicate singer-songwriter seances from the likes of Lucy Kitchen and psychedelic, roving magic from Stallions remixing Findlay Brown and much more besides.
Sonlife - "She Misses You" (Children Of The Sun version)
Ya Ya - "Don't Ever Say Never" (instrumental)
Regio - "The Light"
Persona La Ave - "Surfer Girl"
Bescay & Jochen Schrumpf - "Nur Gitarre"
Christine Schaller - "Aranha"
Review: Once unsung but now enjoying a revitalised career as a compiler and curator, Paul Hillery began his musical journey as a tour DJ for The Polyphonic Spree. But even long before this, he'd a niche knack for tracking down obscure musical gems. The breadth of his curatorial talents are demonstrated once again on We Are The Children Of The Setting Sun, which has no explicit genre focus but sonically segues through folk, psychedelia, and new age obscurities - and only ones with the utmost pristine sound at that. From the beauteous harmonic dulcimers of Graeme Gash to the closing Chicago Soul paeans of Reggio McLaughlin, we're urged to "drop out to the musical pulse that unites us all."
Review: Neil Young's On the Beach, his fifth studio album, marked a pivotal moment in his career. Originally released in 1974, the album featured a wide array of collaborators, including Crazy Horse members Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina, as well as iconic musicians like Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and David Crosby. Recorded at both his Broken Arrow Ranch in Northern California and Sunset Sound in Hollywood, On the Beach captured a transitional period for Young, as he ventured into new sonic territories while reflecting the evolving counterculture of the 1970s. The album features standout tracks like 'See The Sky About To Rain' and 'Ambulance Blues', songs that poignantly capture the shifting cultural landscape. Known for its introspective tone and bold experimentation, On the Beach signaled new creative directions for Young, expanding his musical palette in unexpected ways. Now, a 50th-anniversary edition of the album will be released via Reprise Records. This limited edition will be pressed on clear vinyl, featuring updated artwork to commemorate the milestone. Decades later, On the Beach remains a defining work in Young's catalogue, resonating with its depth and timeless relevance.
Review: Every so often Record Store Day really does throw up a doozy and this is one of them. Hejira Demos is a highly anticipated vinyl release directly from the Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 4 box set. Pressed on 180g black vinyl, this collection features the iconic folk singer's solo demos from March 1976 so offers a raw, intimate look at the creation of one of her most revered albums. The demos capture her signature style and insightful lyrics in their early, unpolished form. Notably, you can hear the iconic Chaka Khan providing backing vocals on 'Black Crow' which adds another layer of depth to this timeless work.
Ingblazh, Victor Pushkar, Oleksander Yurchenko - "Transference"
Ihor Tsymbrovsky - "Beatrice"
Review: Even the Forest Hums: Ukrainian Sonic Archives 1971-1996 is an extraordinary collection from Light in the Attic Records, releasing the diverse musical evolution of Ukraine during pivotal decades. Spanning genres like folk, rock, jazz and electronic, this compilation highlights Ukraine's rich sonic history, from the Soviet era through to independence. With tracks reflecting resilience and cultural preservation, the album provides an insightful lens into the country's underground scenes, including must-hear contributions from artists like Kobza, Vodohrai, and Cukor Bila Smert'. Accompanied by detailed liner notes from Vitalii Bardetskyi, with the CD features bonus material in a deluxe, hard-back book sleeve.
Review: This Record Store Day 2019 exclusive finds Mumford and Sons at work in the famous Electric Lady Studios in New York. It was there that they decided to serve up four carefully reimagined versions of tracks from their acclaimed Delta album. Each one shows a different, incredibly tender side. 'Woman' is first with its gentle piano keys and closely mic-ed vocals soothing the soul, while 'Guiding Light' has more upbeat but still lo-fi guitar riffs and 'Wild Heart' is another showcase of the beautifully raw and emotive vocals of lead singer Marcus Oliver Johnston Mumford. 'If I Say' is a rousing, heart swelling closer.
Review: British folk and prog band Spirogyra recorded three cuts classic albums between 1971 and 1973. The last of the triptych was Bells, Boots and Shambles and it came on Polydor but sold very poorly. It was a high on style fusion of psychedelic and cute flowery-folk with some much less pretty social commentaries and hard hitting political overtones. The sounds were full of post-production effects and all the tracks bled into one another which made it a challenging listen if not a lost classic. Now though it is an acid folk classic that collectors will be delighted to be able to reconnect with.
What Am I Going To Do (With Everything I Know) (2:31)
Seemed True (3:21)
Soft Spoken Man (3:08)
Time (2:53)
Almost Careless (2:12)
Review: Tamara Lindeman was at a real transition point in life when What Am I Going to do With Everything I Know was first unveiled. A six track strong EP, here the moodiness and tangible sense of isolation, loneliness, and hopelessness that had once emanated from her voice dissipates into equally tender and gentile thoughts on an impending marriage and all that may come with it. For some, an equally troubling time in their lives, for others something to truly work towards and - when it finally arrives - celebrate, either way it's a subject ripe for emotional songwriting.
But in actual fact, Lindeman, her fiance and troupe treat the concept of matrimony with something close to apathy, or at least lackadaisical 'might as well'-ness. The culmination of this record, 'Almost Careless', sees her ask the question 'what if', but in a way that's neither excited nor nervous, but simply filled with inquisitiveness and a matter of fact consideration.
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