The first of this week’s recommendations comes from Katatonia, who continue to redefine the emotional spectrum of metal. On their new album, Nightmares as Extensions of the Waking State, the Stockholm-based grandeurs of melancholic heaviness shift effortlessly between haunting vulnerability and commanding artistry, once again masterfully navigating the tightrope act between nocturnal darkness and Scandinavian despair while subtly weaving a sense of hope into the listener’s heart.
Marconi Union’s latest release, The Fear of Never Landing, takes us on a dynamic journey that’s atmospheric, diaphanous and never short of mesmerising. While the new record is certainly infused with a sense of hope, there’s more than a soupçon of anxiety too, as the title suggests.
This summer, Little Simz returns with her sixth album, Lotus. The record marks an exciting new chapter in Simz’s artistic journey, drawing from an expansive palette of musical influences including punk, jazz, Afrobeat and more. True to form, Simz continues to push boundaries and defy genre constraints, creating a sound that’s both innovative and distinctly her own.
Walk This Road, the brand-new 10-track album from The Doobie Brothers, is the first album to feature Michael McDonald, Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons and John McFee all together on one album.
British guitar virtuoso and powerhouse singer-songwriter Joanne Shaw Taylor returns with her electrifying 10th studio album, Black & Gold. Reuniting with legendary producer Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Journey, Joe Bonamassa), Taylor pushes the boundaries of blues rock, weaving in threads of Americana, indie rock and retro ’80s pop. From heart-wrenching ballads to hard-hitting blues rock bruisers, the album is a masterclass in emotional depth and raw energy.
Our release of the week is More. – the first Pulp album since We Love Life in 2001. Yes: the first Pulp album for almost 24 years! The album had its origins during a live tour in 2023, and was recorded by James Ford over just 3 weeks, starting in November 2024. This is the shortest amount of time a Pulp album has ever taken to record. It was obviously ready to happen.
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