The first of this week’s smashers comes from Sprints, whose music – driven by experience, tough political climates and social and economic uncertainty – is honest, often politically charged and authentic. Back Catalogue collects the band’s early work together for the first time. Their 2020 debut single The Cheek won them early support from BBC…
The Last Flight is Public Service Broadcasting’s version of the story of pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart’s final, ill-fated journey in 1937. Rather than focus exclusively on the flight itself, the record examinates Earhart’s remarkable character: a rare blend of grace, composure, technical aptitude and a fortitude that the rest of us mere mortals can barely…
First out of the blocks this week is Sturgill Simpson, who makes his long-awaited return to music this year with an extensive tour along with a new album. The album is being released under the name Johnny Blue Skies, after Simpson promised to release only five studio albums under his own name. Passage du Desir…
British folk-rock, post-punk duo The Waeve return with their latest guitar-driven romp, City Lights. Graham Coxon of Blur and Rose Elinor Dougall’s follow-up to last year’s acclaimed eponymous debut features both artists on vocal duties in addition to playing a host of instruments including saxophone, keyboards and drums. The Waeve have established themselves as a…
Five Dice, All Threes is a record of uncommon intensity and tenderness, communal exorcism and personal excavation. These are, of course, qualities that fans have come to expect from Bright Eyes, nearly three decades into their career. The tight-knit band of Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott tends to operate in distinct sweeping movements:…
Kicking off this week’s goodies is Neil Young with Crazy Horse. There is something so historic about the band’s earliest recordings that even their most devoted fans cannot contain their excitement when new releases are scheduled. Early Daze collects together in one album some of the most iconic originals by Neil Young, and several with…
Dance, No One’s Watching is an ode to the sacred yet joyous act of dancing. It’s an album that musically guides you through a night out in the city, from the opening of possibilities as a new evening spans out ahead, to dawn’s final hours as the night comes to a close. Written during a…
The first of our midsummer marvels is HiFi Sean & David McAlmont, who are taking you on a journey for 2024. The twelve exhilarating songs on Daylight celebrate, express and explore the colours and feel of summer. It will be the first of two albums from the duo in 2024 with the nocturnal sister album,…
In taking charge of her own life and her own sound, Lady Blackbird walks a new path, making each note on Slang Spirituals a step in a radically different direction. Across 11 tracks Lady Blackbird puts her sweeping, cinematic vocal power to use on everything from the soulful orchestral fanfares of ‘Let Not (Your Heart…
First up this week is Sea Girls who, since roaring onto the scene four short years ago, have cemented themselves a reputation as one of British indie’s most consistent and successful bands. Their immediacy and carefree attitude are the driving motivations of their superb new release, Midnight Butterflies, a record for fans of guitar music…