New releases on CD & DVD
Album: Josh Ritter - I Believe in You, My Honeydew
Saturday, 06 September 2025
Americana rocker Josh Ritter can write a beautiful song. He’s one of America’s premier wordsmiths of the form. He’s also written two novels, which is no surprise; many of his best songs have narrative edge. He’s equally capable at the music, which he calls “cosmic country”. At his best, it has qualities that elevate the human spirit.
Album: David Byrne - Who is the Sky?
Friday, 05 September 2025
From his early days with Talking Heads, David Byrne has ploughed a highly individual furrow, and exploited a persona that combines naivety with knowingness, fun pop with serious intent. He's perhaps, without appearing to be, one of the most spiritually orientated artists working in popular music today. He's always been true to form, whether wearing outsize suits or doing almost robotic dances.
Album: Faithless - Champion Sound
Thursday, 04 September 2025
Although they haven’t had a hit single in almost 20 years, Faithless remain a potent commercial force, continuing to rack up festival headline sets...
Album: Saint Etienne - International
Wednesday, 03 September 2025
International is Saint Etienne’s 13th album. It is their last. According to the promotional material, it was written while recording their last album...
Blu-ray: The Graduate
Tuesday, 02 September 2025
Can a film’s classic status expire, or be rescinded? If it can, I’d say The Graduate is a potential candidate.Yes, it was formally groundbreaking (...
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Album: Brad Mehldau - Ride into the Sun
A sincere tribute to Elliott Smith |
Album: Sabrina Carpenter - Man's Best Friend
Short but not so sweet |
Album: CMAT - EURO-COUNTRY
The flame-headed chanteuse with the comic touch hits pop perfection |
Album: The Hives - The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives
No power ballads, no acoustic interludes - just speedy rock’n’roll all the way |
Album: Benedicte Maurseth - Mirra
Haunting, intense evocation of Norway’s uplands and its wildlife |
Blu-ray: Finis Terrae
Bleak but compelling semi-documentary, filmed on location in Brittany |
Album: Nova Twins - Parasites & Butterflies
Exciting London duo turn inward and more introspective with their third album while retaining their trademark hybrid sound |
Album: Blood Orange - Essex Honey
A triumph for the artist who doesn't clamour for attention but just keeps growing |
Album: Wolf Alice - Clearing
Ten years from their debut, Wolf Alice once again make magic from the familiar |
Album: Deftones - Private Music
Deftones give us a glimmer of hope, but that's all... |
Album: Eve Adams - American Dust
Taking inspiration from the Californian desert |
Blu-ray: Who Wants to Kill Jessie?
Fast-paced and visually inventive Czech comedy |
Album: Adrian Sherwood - The Collapse of Everything
The dub maestro stretches out and chills |
Album: Dinosaur Pile-Up - I've Felt Better
Heavy rock power pop trio return after an unwanted lengthy break |
Album: Tom Grennan - Everywhere I Went Led Me To Where I Didn't Want To Be
British pop star's fourth exhibits ultra-pop oomph with mixed results |
Album: Emma Smith - Bitter Orange
The award-winning jazz singer brings new life to some classic standards |
Album: Marissa Nadler - New Radiations
The Nashville-based singer-songwriter explores disconnection |
Album: Rise Against - Ricochet
Have the US punk veterans finally run out of road? |
Album: Alison Goldfrapp - Flux
The synth diva in her comfort zone - maybe getting a little too comfortable, though |
Album: The Black Keys - No Rain, No Flowers
Ohio rockers' 13th album improves on recent material, but still below mainstream peak |
Album: Ethel Cain - Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You
Relatively straightforward songs from the Southern Gothic star - with the emphasis on 'relatively' |
Album: Black Honey - Soak
South Coast band return with another set of catchy, confident indie-rockin' |
Blu-ray: Two Way Stretch / Heavens Above!
'Peak Sellers': two gems from a great comic actor in his prime |
Album: Molly Tuttle - So Long Little Miss Sunshine
The US bluegrass queen makes a sally into Swift-tinted pop-country stylings |
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