New releases for 3 May 2024

We kick off this week’s smokin’ six with The Red Clay Strays, who hail from the red-clay dirt of Mobile, Alabama, and have spent the past year trailblazing their musical path across the USA. Their debut album, Moment of Truth, has become a massive word-of-mouth success Stateside, driven by the breakout hit single ‘Wondering Why’.…

Pre-sale of the week: Fontaines D.C – Romance, out 23 August

Romance is without doubt the most assured, inventive and sonically adventurous record yet from Dublin-made, now London-based band Fontaines D.C, who reached number 1 in the UK and Irish album charts with their acclaimed 2022 album, Skinty Fia, and received a host of accolades including “International Group of the Year” at the 2023 BRIT Awards.…

New releases for 26 April 2024

The first of this week’s smashers comes from UK electronic pop icons Pet Shop Boys, who return with their brand-new studio album, Nonetheless. Produced by James Ford, the music on Nonetheless is both uplifting and reflective, mixing electronics, live instruments and orchestral arrangements. The songs are very melodic and quintessentially Pet Shop Boys with a…

New releases for 19 April 2024

This week’s hot six blasts off with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Pearl Jam, who return with their highly anticipated new album, Dark Matter. The band’s 12th studio album was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Andrew Watt. It All Comes Down to This features 10 straight-to-the-point tracks and takes A Certain Ratio back…

Pre-sale of the week: London Grammar – The Greatest Love, out 13 September

The Greatest Love follows British trio London Grammar’s critically acclaimed number 1 album Californian Soil, which was released in 2021 and earned the band their second Brit nomination for Best British Group. Arriving over a decade since the trio first entered the industry, the new album is a celebration; the sound of a band laying…

New releases for 12 April 2024

First out of the bag this week is One Deep River, which features 12 unhurriedly elegant new songs from Mark Knopfler, and his warm Geordie vocal tone, his poetic storytelling lyrics and deft, richly melodic guitar playing are all present and correct and as dazzling as ever. One Deep River offers an unstoppable flow of…

Pre-sale of the week: The Decemberists – As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again, out 14 June

For over 20 years, The Decemberists have been one of the most original, daring and thrilling American rock bands. Their distinctive brand of hyper-literate folk-rock set them apart from the start, releasing nine full-length albums that are unbound by genre and highly ambitious. Now the beloved indie band is back with their first new album…