New releases on CD & DVD
Album: Brìghde Chaimbeul - Sunwise
Monday, 30 June 2025
The first five-and-a-half minutes of Sunwise’s opening track “Dùsgadh / Waking" are taken up by a drone. Played on the Scottish small pipes – a form of bagpipes – this is in due course supplemented by a series of individual notes played in clusters. What’s heard symbolises the arrival of winter and the activities of Cailleach Bheurr who, in Celtic folklore, wanders moors and summons the elements to conceal any greenery, so winter’s blanket is absolute.
Album: JF Robitaille & Lail Arad - Wild Moves
Saturday, 28 June 2025
Around eight years ago, London singer-songwriter Lail Arad started releasing one-off tracks with Canadian singer JF Robitaille, once of Montreal indie outfit The Social Register (Arad’s own 2016 album The Onion is an undiscovered diamond that should be sought out).
Album: Lorde - Virgin
Thursday, 26 June 2025
Lorde’s trajectory is continually fascinating. From the minimalist, sparse electropop of Pure Heroine to the similar but more grandiose production of...
Album: Bruce Springsteen - Tracks II: The Lost...
Thursday, 26 June 2025
It’s somewhat surprising to read that The Boss wasn’t happy with Born in the USA. After all, it was – remains – his most iconic album, the LP (...
Album: BC Camplight - A Sober Conversation
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
A Sober Conversation is the work of a master songwriter, one who knows how to achieve their goals. As the album’s nine tracks pour from the speakers...
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Album: Durand and the Indications - Flowers
Languorous neo-soul to chill by |
Album: Yungblud - Idols
Dominic Harrison’s latest disc fails to live up to the hype |
Album: Loyle Carner - Hopefully!
The rapper takes a deep breath with his latest release |
Album: HAIM - I Quit
The Californian trio convincingly continue their ascent to the top of the pop-rock tree |
Blu-ray: Darling
John Schlesinger's Sixties classic now feels problematic, but retains an icky fascination |
Album: Yaya Bey - do it afraid
The continued maturation of Yaya Bey and of modern R&B dazzles and nourishes at every turn |
Album: The Young Gods - Appear Disappear
Swiss electro-rockers unleash a techno-metal monster |
Album: Sam Binga - Sam Binga Presents Club Orthodontics
A thrilling whirlwind tour of bass culture across decades and continents |
Album: Neil Young & the Chrome Hearts - Talkin' to the Trees
Musical titan reflects on his life as he careers towards his 80th birthday |
Album: Mary Halvorson - About Ghosts
Lauded US jazz guitarist strikes a balance between the composed and the improvised |
Album: Marina - Princess of Power
Sixth album from L.A.-based Welsh singer is over-the-top but rife with pop gems |
Album: Mary Chapin Carpenter - Personal History
Distinctive, intimate, perfectly pitched |
Album: Van Morrison - Remembering Now
As he approaches 80, a lush new set has an invigorated Van showing his mystical side |
Album: Pulp - More
The very opposite of past it, this immersive offering is perfectly timed |
Album: Turnstile - NEVER ENOUGH
Hardcore, ambient and everything in between |
Album: Little Simz - Lotus
A major hurdle in the UK star's career path proves to be no barrier |
Album: Death In Vegas - Death Mask
Electronic music perennial returns with an hour of deep techno illbience |
Blu-ray: Eclipse
The BFI has unearthed an unsettling 1977 thriller starring Tom Conti and Gay Hamilton |
Album: Nick Mulvey - Dark Harvest Pt.1
Fourth album from unique singer-songwriter is patchy but contains gold |
Album: Miley Cyrus - Something Beautiful
Psychedelic soft rock of staggering ambition that so, so nearly hits the brief |
Album: Sally Shapiro - Ready to Live a Lie
Dance music-inspired Swedish pop which lacks the necessary vital spark |
Blu-ray: Strange New Worlds - Science Fiction at DEFA
Eye-popping Cold War sci-fi epics from East Germany, superbly remastered and annotated |
Album: Anna Lapwood - Firedove
Broad repertoire and a strong concept |
Album: Morcheeba - Escape the Chaos
More of the same from the trip hop perennials but delivered with tunes and ease |
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