Island Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Ben Howard was already an instant hit when he released The Burgh Island EP in 2012 in the wake of his debut album. The British singer-songwriter signed to Island and landed himself in the hearts and minds of fans the world over. This particular EP was limited to 1000 copies at the time of release, but it's since gone on to attain some sizable cult status thanks to the use of 'Oats In The Water', which appeared in The Walking Dead and The Innocents, and helped launch video game The Witcher 3. That's a whole lot of outreach, and the rest of the EP matches up to that track's spellbinding qualities, not least the epic eight-minute title piece featuring Monica Heldal.

Review: Mumford & Sons drop a surprise single release alongside Pharrell Williams, 'Good People', delivering on a long-awaited promise to hop in the studio together after years of knowing each other. Finally falling back on their immediate instincts, 'Good People' hears the band and the solo wunderkind sing of tiredness and revelation, making adept use of a dry, driving, sportsmanlike instrumental palette (think hand claps, stomps, gospel harmonies). Though cryptic in theme, the mood on this one-off is one of triumph and impending miracle works to come.

Review: Norwegian pop heavyweight Sigrid has gone from strength to strength since breaking through in 2017 with 'Don't Kill My Vibe'. Her talents have reached to songwriting credits for the likes of Paloma Faith and Rudimental, but it's in her own work where you can hear the precocious singer in full flight. In the wake of 2022 sophomore album How To Let Go, she points to the future with this dazzling, succinct EP. As the title suggests, this release is a reflection on the impact of her meteoric rise and what it means to be on the receiving end of worldwide attention, but naturally Sigrid takes the rollercoaster ride in her stride and sounds more empowered than ever.

Review: Has it really been 40 years since we saw Bono clad in a black sleeveless tee and brown waistcoat, mullet-topped and leading his band of equally early-80s looking musos to the rooftop of a Dublin building to perform one of their finest songs? Well, based on this limited edition release, the answer is clearly 'yes'.

Originally unveiled in 1971, 'Gloria' is a powerhouse single if ever there was one, and a track that marries melody, message, and the atmosphere U2 are best known for. It's a track that soars over those rooftops, The Edge's riffs acting as wings while Bono cries heartfelt rallying calls atop the lot. Unashamed, unabashed, and unapologetic (check the verse in Latin), now you get four different versions, three from the band in their natural habitat (i.e. live on stage), and the original.

Review: Setting the stage for their as-of-yet untitled sophomore full-length, Leeds based indie darlings Yard Act have unveiled their eight-minute opus-like standalone single The Trenchcoat Museum. Channeling a new wave promiscuity and frenetic synth-laden playfulness into their pre-established sound, while tip-toeing a fine line between scathing self-analysis and reliably humourous absurdity, the piece serves as an indicator of their current sonic trajectory, while showcasing an introspective look at their sudden meteoric rise over the past few years. Complete with an accompanying Black Mirror-esque music video directed by James Slater, and a B-side flip remix by the incomparable Arthur Baker, anticipation is rife for where the band are leading their myriad of avid followers. Serving as both an extension of the narrative set in place by last year's exceptional debut LP The Overload, and a bridging point to their next aesthetic era, this new single offers newcomers a welcome chance to play catch up before the mayhem commences all over again.