Review: 2025 is the year they gave the people what they wanted and overcame one of the biggest rifts in pop culture history to bring Oasis back to the stage. It's no accident, then, that we're getting archive material releases coming out. This 7" is taken from a radio broadcast recorded in 1994 and sees Oasis performing stripped back acoustic versions that are much more humble in sound than the Mark Coyle-mixed studio versions. It's great to hear the songs sounding close to the way Noel Gallagher would have been playing them before bringing them to the studio and the band. And with them being two of Oasis greatest ever tunes, there's a lot to get along with here.
Review: New Zealand dance-pop trio Obscure Desire are among the finest to come out of the first wave of the Auckland club scene in the 80s, which centered around the venue named A Certain Bar. Auckland's answer to the Hacienda. They used the inspiration from that scene to craft this EP of effervescent pop, new wave and funk. The group were vehemently DIY and disbanded shortly after the release so the original pressing sells for hundreds because of its scarcity. This reissue comes after a surge in popularity over the past decade making this hotly-anticipated short but exceptional collection properly accessible for the first time.
Review: A bold exploration of genre-blurring sounds with the eclectic influences and innovative approach of the London-based quartet. Comprised of c-se, Linus Barry, Nico Rocco, and Teigan Hastings, oreglo infuse their music with heavy rock riffs, drill-inspired percussion, breezy reggae vibes and more, creating a melting pot of diverse sounds that reflects their upbringing in London. The latest track from the EP, 'Peck,' is a sprawling seven-minute odyssey that captures the feeling of being pecked on the cheek by a crush, juxtaposing cool exterior with exploding inner emotions. Throughout the EP they explore themes of alienation, identity, and love, reflecting on their journey from adolescence to adulthood in the vibrant city of London. Featuring previously released singles like 'Levels' and "]'J.A.C.K.,' as well as four new tracks including 'Comet' featuring Bel Cobain, 'Not Real People' is a sonic tapestry that highlights oreglo's growth and diverse musical interests. Despite being together for just over a year, oreglo has already made waves in the music scene, winning the 2023 Lambeth Sounds Emerging Artists x Cross The Tracks competition and performing at prestigious events like the Steam Down-curated World Island event. With their debut EP, oreglo solidifies their status as one of London's most exciting emerging acts, offering a fresh and dynamic sound that defies categorization.
Review: It's hard to fault the work of the Original Gravity crew and when the tasteful London label's All Stars assemble it's even more important to take note. It is they who kick off 2025 with a classic funky break that is topped with spoken word samples from an MC at a big fight event (though it's not Michael Buffer, the man behind these famous words, because he has a strict copyright on them). The beats are as fiery as a heavyweight showdown with plenty of punchy horn stabs. On the flip, 'Rumble In The Jungle' is a similar sound that makes just as much impact.
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson: Louisiana Blues Strut: A Cakwalk (2:26)
Charles Ives: Violin Sonata No 4 Children's Day At The Camp Meeting I Allegro (1:55)
Charles Ives: Violin Sonata No 4 Children's Day At The Camp Meeting II Largo - Allegro (Con Slugarocko) (5:21)
Charles Ives: Violin Sonata No 4 Children's Day At The Camp Meeting III Allegro (1:41)
Aaron Copland: Hoe-down (2:55)
William Kroll: Banjo & Fiddle (2:56)
Eddie South: Black & Gypsy (2:48)
John Adams: Road Movies: I Relaxed Groove (4:56)
John Adams: Road Movies: II Meditative (5:23)
John Adams: Road Movies III 40% Swing (5:08)
Manuel Ponce: Estrellita (Arranged By Jascha Hifetz) (2:41)
Howdy Forrester: Wild Fiddler's Rag (2:07)
Leonard Bernsein: Somewhere From West Side Story Suite (Arranged By Raimundo Penaforte) (1:31)
Review: Violinist Augustin Hadelich's American Road Trip is an attempt to explore the musical landscape of his adoptive homeland with pianist Orion Weiss. The duo performs works by American composers spanning the 19th to 21st centuries and in doing so blends diverse influences such as European Romanticism, revivalist hymns, blues, jazz, and bluegrass. The album features pieces by Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Charles Ives, John Adams, Amy Beach, Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson and others, all of whom highlight the rich tapestry of American music. Hadelich, who moved to the U.S. at 19 and became a citizen in 2014, combines American passion with European nuance in his acclaimed performances.
Review: O Terno's evolution from 60s-inspired rock to their latest album shows a bold departure from mainstream expectations. While their earlier work hinted at potential commercial success akin to Los Hermanos, the band chose a path less traveled, embracing subversive melodies and instrumentation. Their latest offering is a perfect example to this artistic evolution. seamlessly blends intimate arrangements with a full-band approach, resulting in a captivating sonic experience. Tracks like 'O Bilhete' exude a raw, close-up intimacy, while 'E no Final' delivers cinematic grandeur. Lyrically, the album navigates diverse themes, from sociopolitical commentary to introspective musings. A standout collaboration with Devendra Banhart and Shintaro Sakamoto on 'Volta E Meia' adds depth, exploring themes of romance and self-discovery. Overall, is a beautifully crafted record that defies genre conventions, cementing O Terno's status as innovative trailblazers in the Brazilian music scene.
Review: Chicago duo The O'My's return with Trust The Stars, their latest album on HiyaSelf Recordings, the label launched by Nightmares On Wax. Blending soul, hip-hop, alt-r&b and jazz, Nick Hennessey and Maceo Vidal-Haymes craft a richly textured sound shaped by collaborations with artists like Jamila Woods, Konny Kon, and Pink Siifu. This album reflects themes of love, loss and self-discovery, showcasing the duo's evolved sound and their unique position within Chicago's vibrant music scene.
Review: Tara Jane O'Neil's latest album, The Cool Cloud of Okayness, is a poignant reflection on transformation amidst adversity. Recorded in the aftermath of the devastating Thomas Fire, the album embodies resilience and renewal. O'Neil's ethereal vocals and spectral guitar work are complemented by a talented ensemble, including drummer Sheridan Riley and multi-instrumentalist Walt McClements. Together, they craft a sonic landscape that blurs boundaries between genres, challenging easy categorization. The album's themes of grief and hope are palpable, underscored by deft production and rock-solid bass lines. Each track feels like a journey, offering both solace and introspection. The Cool Cloud of Okayness is a powerful album of music used to heal and inspire, reminding listeners that even in the darkest moments, there is light and possibility.
Review: Kobe-based trio o'summer vacation returns with their second full-length of industrial noise fusions in the form of Electronic Eye. After several trips to Berlin and Munich, they've found a home with the Alien Transistor label and now drop plenty of guitarless noise punk with production by Shinji Masuko. It makes for an unmatched, hard-hitting barrage that leaves listeners breathless right from the opener, '(Shuku - A)' with its sizzling hi-hats and a unique lullaby from vocalist Ami. Tracks like 'Luna' and 'Anti-Christ Super Star' shift the album from mosh-inducing chaos to 30-second noise punk anthems, all of which embody the band's anti-racist, anti-war sentiments.
Review: An album that led to a lot of scrutiny at the time of release in February 2000, not least because of Creation's attempt to make sure it only landed in the inbox of already-proven supporters of the band. But in hindsight their fourth long player has aged beautifully and sounds utterly inspired. The looping Zeppelin-esque riff on 'Fuckin In The Bushes' is pure genius and provides the foundation for the track that's one of the greatest album intros of all time, as well as making Guy Ritchie's Snatch that bit better. Meanwhile, 'Go Let It Out' is a great sing-along and would be a very welcome addition to their comeback gigs in summer 2025. As per usual, Noel takes up most songwriting duties, but there is a cut here written by Liam: 'Little James' is the first song Liam is credited for in Oasis. It's a Lennon-esque beauty delivered with the raw emotion that makes him one of the best rock n' roll singers to have ever walked the earth. Elsewhere, 'Gas Panic' shows off the band's more experimental approach: they were more embracing of sounds outside of that orthodox baseline of guitar/bass/drums than ever before.
Rock 'n' Roll Star (LP3 - Monnow Valley version) (6:13)
Shakermaker (Monnow Valley version) (4:48)
Live Forever (Monnow Valley version) (4:52)
Up In The Sky (Monnow Valley version) (4:55)
Columbia (Monnow Valley version) (4:50)
Bring It On Down (Monnow Valley version) (3:59)
Cigarettes & Alcohol (Monnow Valley version) (4:28)
Digsy's Dinner (Monnow Valley version) (2:39)
Rock 'n' Roll Star (LP4 - Sawmills outtake) (6:31)
Up In The Sky (Sawmills outtake) (4:24)
Columbia (Sawmills outtake) (7:10)
Bring It On Down (Sawmills outtake) (4:18)
Cigarettes & Alcohol (Sawmills outtake) (5:07)
Digsy's Dinner (Sawmills outtake) (3:04)
Slide Away (Sawmills outtake) (6:03)
Sad Song (demo) (4:33)
Review: An album that requires little to no introduction, Definitely Maybe was and still is the fastest-ever selling debut in the UK on release, while it's legacy and influence continues to be felt and reappear in sonic corners across the globe. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year with a deluxe 4xLP reissue, this version comes complete with the album's 2014 remaster, boasting some of their most timeless anthems such as 'Shakermaker', 'Live Forever' and 'Supersonic', as well as the never-before-released and previously discarded original recording sessions from Monnow Valley along with outtakes from Sawmills Studios in Cornwall. While the recording process for Oasis' seminal debut have become the stuff of mired Britpop lore, now fans can finally set their own ears to the controversial, incongruent Dave Batchelor takes, and assess the damage - or delight - for themselves.
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