4AD Schallplatten & CDs

Review: This is the first official vinyl release of the previously CD only collection of Pixies live performances on the BBC. Fans of the band know what a mythical live band the Pixies are. And what better way to experience that emotion then these recordings collected from their earlier years of the late 80s and early 90s? Included are many of the early hits like 'Monkey Gone To Heaven', 'Wave of Mutilation' and 'Allison', mainly from BBC studio sessions and the occasional live recording. 4AD have done an amazing job with this release spreading it across three pieces of vinyl too.

Review: 'Trust' is the London-born, Catalonia-based producer SOHN's folktronic meditation on the fear and trust involved in fatherhood. Made after a relocation to Spain, and a personal welcoming of new life into the world, it captures a change in mindset through humbled sonics. "I couldn't do it alone anymore," says the artist, "as I was missing community and friendship and life in the creative process." Such an ego-loss is paramount to any artist's development of self; 'M.I.A.' is one such example of this, describing the artist looking back on his past self through the other side of a nervous breakdown.

Review: Through her 'U.S. Girls' project, Toronto-based Meg Remy has released a consistently high quality run of albums that explore issues of femininity with a shaded and angular avant-pop sound. New record 'In A Poem Unlimited' sees Remy continue to explore identity politics, but in a comparatively warmer and more free sound as she collaborates with improvisational group The Cosmic Range. Structurally, the album enjoys an unpredictability of form that sprawls across skulking grunge, found sounds, crunching horn-sections and synth-driven industrial disco. Highlight track 'Incidental Boogie' exemplifies this binding of elements; the contrast of stomping, distorted with Remy's breathy and swaggering vocals is an intoxicating one. The breadth of Remy's palette makes this album an exhilarating listen, and - both as a vocalist and writer - Remy shines as an arresting and formidable talent.

Review: Meghan Remy is one of North America's musical secret weapons. Unless, of course, you already know about her, then she's just a bonafide gem in the crown jewels. Raised in Illinois, but based in Toronto for much of her career, her work as U.S. Girls is born of the post-millennium alt-pop sound, and by that we mean also cast in the shadows of the mainstream that defined much of her childhood. Bless This Mess presents that in all its glory. Some tracks can best be described as yacht pop (see: yacht rock, then work it out), homages to Immaculate Collection-era Madonna are audible, striking beautiful minimalistic balladry is present, and a voice sweeter than a sugar binge just before sitting down to watch, err, something sweet is omnipresent. It's stylised, stylish stuff, and it's difficult not to feel intoxicated by.