We kick off this week’s hot six with Woman of Faces, the second studio album from Celeste. Stemming from the slow unravelling of a romantic relationship and her determination to emerge from the other side triumphant, this is a body of work born out of pain but also a steadfast resilience to keep moving forward, even when everything else felt like it was falling apart. From the orchestral highs to the gut-wrenching lows, it’s a chronicle of heartbreak, recovery and reclaiming control. Unflinching and unfiltered, it’s the sound of an artist learning to trust herself.
Canada’s Home Front have been blasting out of everyone’s stereos for the past 3 years with their unique combination of The Cure, Blitz, Eurythmics and Suicide wrapped up with modern production and tightly wound hooks. Their unrelenting second album, Watch It Die, soars high and reaches deep with frayed punk edges wrapping around canonic pop luxury. This is a record about moving through life while acknowledging death, about humanity, rebirth, dreams and community – all powered by vintage drum machines, analogue synths and screaming guitars. It’s a punk-pop crossover treat like no other.
A powerful force on the UK jazz scene, Levitation Orchestra is a collective of rising stars who blend orchestral instrumentation, cinematic soundscapes and fierce improvisation into something truly original. Sanctuary reflects on the nature of life’s mixed emotional passages, presenting the idea of sanctuary as not just an idealised space but as an achievable goal when created with a mindfulness and openness to the experiences and interpretations of others. With the group being collaborative to its core, this message is deeply ingrained within the fabric of the music
Transform Me Then Into a Fish features fresh interpretations of beloved songs such as ‘Scarborough Fair’ and ‘High Germany’ from Martin Carthy’s iconic 1965 debut, reimagined with the wisdom and experience of six decades in folk music. The arrangements are infused with Carthy’s ever-evolving artistry while staying true to the deep tradition he has championed throughout his life. This album reaffirms his enduring influence on the folk genre, offering both long-time listeners and new audiences a chance to rediscover the timeless magic of his music.
Manchester indie-rock band Picture Parlour pull back the curtain on their highly anticipated debut album, The Parlour. Theirs is a surreal world shaped by Northern Soul culture, ’70s rock’n’roll and the dive bars and clubs that birthed their sound, and The Parlour is the fictional manifestation of the truths that brought them together. The magnetic force shared between frontwoman Katherine Parlour and lead guitarist Ella Risi was born there and, in many ways, they stepped through its doors together and never left. These eleven songs are your invitation to step inside. The time of your life awaits you…
There are also lot of reissues out this week. Here’s our pick of the bunch:
The Rolling Stones – Black and Blue
Propaganda – A Secret Wish
Tears For Fears – Songs from the Big Chair
Our release of the week is the debut album from AVTT/PTTN, a collaboration between The Avett Brothers and Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle). The album finds these three kindred spirits on equal footing as songwriters and collaborators, no one party seeming to hold greater creative influence over the other. Throughout the record, there’s an ease and musical seamlessness to how these first-time collaborators lock in with each other.
Click on an image to order your copy.