Parlophone Schallplatten & CDs

Review: For all of the "it's like 1995 all over again" analysis that greeted the surprise return of Britpop stars Blur, it would count for nothing if the music they were making was a hollow pastiche of the past. Fortunately, The Ballad of Darren, the band's first new album since 2015, is a giddy blast from the past - and reportedly one recorded in a much more cooperative and good-humoured atmosphere than expected. Fans will immediately feel at home, with tracks such as 'St Charles Square' and 'The Narcissist' offering that now familiar mix of weary vocals, squally guitars, low-slung bass and shuffling drums. Whether or not it's a "return to form" is debatable, but it's certainly a refreshing blast from the past for those came of age in the 1990s (and those inspired by Britpop's messy, lager-fuelled energy).

Review: While not one of David Bowie's best-known achievements, masterminding the world's biggest-ever 'non-TV' satellite broadcast is undoubtedly an impressive one. It took place at London's Riverside Studios in 2003, with the Thin White Duke - accompanied by his regular backing band - performing then new album Reality in its entirety, live to 86 cinemas in 26 countries. This Record Store Day release presents the concert in its entirety (the encore was not broadcast at the time), delivering a superb document of a unique event. Of course, Bowie was in fine form, with the immersive sound mix by regular collaborator Tony Visconti capturing the legendary artist at the peak of his powers.

Review: Everyone's favourite robotic pioneers have embraced the art of the remix plenty over their lengthy career. As well as taking fresh approaches to their own material, they've invited others to mess with the legacy of one of the most important electronic acts of all time. It's no mean feat to remix a Kraftwerk track, but as such the roll call on this compilation is reliably heavyweight. As well as their own 'Kling Klang' remixes of tracks like 'Robotnik' and 'Expo 2000', you can find legends like DJ Rolando, Orbital, Francois K and Hot Chip tackling classic and some lesser known tracks across three slabs of wax.

Review: Kraftwerk are as well known for their albums as they are their singles and the iconic 'Autobahn' is of course the name of both. It is a rather groundbreaking electronic gem originally released in 1974 and soon revolutionised music with its hypnotic synth melodies, driving rhythms and pioneering use of vocoders. The track - celebrating its 50th anniversary and here on 7" - alongside an album picture disc and new Dolby Atmos mix on CD, which seal the birthday celebrations - captured the essence of modern travel by blending motorik beats with atmospheric soundscapes to create a real electronic journey and sense of movement. It still sounds as futuristic now as ever, a record that truly changed the course of modern music forever.

Review: When rapper and multi-instrumentalist Mac Miller died of an accidental overdose in 2018, he left behind an unfinished two-part album project. The first of the two sets, "Swimming", was released last year; now its bittersweet companion, "Circles", has arrived to complete Miller's discography. It's a musically diverse and mostly introspective affair, with Miller shuffling between styles wearily and switching roles (singer-songwriter, rapper, multi-instrumentalist, beat-maker) seemingly at will. While such role hopping could have resulted in a sonic mess, the set sounds surprisingly coherent, not least because the thread running through it all is Miller's painful soulsearching and well documented mental health issues. As a posthumous full stop to a life ended all too soon, "Circles" certainly hits home hard.

Review: Pet Shop Boys' 15th album, nonetheless, produced by James Ford, brilliantly blends widescreen pop with dance influences. Written during lockdown, it shifts away from pure bangers to a more reflective tone, reminiscent of their earlier work like Behaviour and Elysium. The nostalgic feel begins with the artwork and continues throughout the tracks. 'Loneliness' starts the album, growing in appeal with each listen. 'Feel,' a heartfelt romantic track, and 'Why Am I Dancing,' originally for their forthcoming musical, showcase Neil Tennant's expressive vocals and Chris Lowe's signature production touches. 'New London Boy' reflects on past experiences with both sadness and joy, featuring Tennant's return to rapping. 'Dancing Star,' about Rudolph Nureyev's defection, fits better within the album's context than as a single. An orchestral presence adds elegance to the production. The hi-energy of the first half transitions to a more subdued second half, with standout tracks like 'A New Bohemia' and the quirky 'The Schlager Hit Parade.' 'The Secret of Happiness' is a stunning, 60s-tinged epic, reminiscent of a James Bond theme. The album concludes with 'Bullet for Narcissus' and 'Love Is The Law,' maintaining the duo's unique flair. nonetheless no doubt reaffirms Pet Shop Boys' place in pop, oozing class and confidence.