New releases for 11 March 2016

Leading off the new releases for 11 March is Pete Yorn, with some simply gorgeous songwriting, next up our in-store stars for 12 March at 1.30pm, Breabach, with their innovative and invigorating new album of modern folk, Astar. Emmy The Great’s third album is a beguiling mixture of old and new that will entrance you,…

Live music in March

We’ve got a couple of exciting in-store performances coming up in March. First, I’m delighted to let you all know that award-winning folk band Breabach will be performing in store on Saturday 12th March at 1.30pm, just one day after the release of their new album Astar! Check them out on their website and come…

New releases for 4 March 2016

First up for 4 March is a debut album by a band called Mexrissey, an album of Morrissey covers done with a full mariachi band, and it’s brilliant! Nada Surf’s first for 4 years captures the indie rockers at the height of their considerable powers. The Cat Empire have delivered a lovely, danceable jazzy album…

New releases for 26 February 2016

There are some great releases coming out on 26 February. First, Emitt Rhodes returns with his first album for 40 years, and its a triumph! Look him up if you’re not familiar with his story. Bonnie Raitt releases Dig In Deep, which is a gutsy blues-rock follow-up to her Grammy-winning Slipstream, noisy Australian hard rockers…

New releases for 19 February 2016

First up for 19 February are The Fall with their latest: if you haven’t heard them, do try it. Wolfmother return with their third hard-rocking album. On a completely different note the legendary Mavis Staples releases a fine album called Livin’ on a High Note. For those of you whose memory goes back to Transvision…

New releases for 12 February 2016

There are some unusual and fine releases for 12 February: Freakwater’s Scheherazade is neither folk, bluegrass or blues but somehow a mix of all three; Rokia Traoré’s beautiful Né So (‘Home’) is a great introduction to world music if you haven’t yet dipped your toe in that water; Fay Hield has produced a captivating, compelling…

New releases for 5 February 2016

5 February sees the return of the indefatigable Cult with their latest, Hidden City. Elton John provides us with his 33rd – yes that’s right, 33rd – studio album, Wonderful, Crazy, Night. James Hunter has conjured up a compelling slice of old-school R&B in Hold On, Field Music return with their fifth album, and their…

Pre-release of the week: P J Harvey – The Hope Six Demolition Project, out 15 April

Pre-sale of the week is The Hope Six Demolition Project, which draws on several journeys undertaken by P J Harvey, who spent time in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Washington, DC over a four-year period. The album was recorded last year in residency at London’s Somerset House. The exhibition, entitled ‘Recording in Progress’, saw Harvey, her band,…

New releases for 29 January 2016

Among the new releases for 29 January are: The Essential Gretchen Peters, a beguiling mixture of her best for the uninitiated and rarities for the fans; iconic prog band Dream Theater’s 2-CD/4-LP set The Astonishing – that most prog of things, a concept album; and psych darlings Night Beats’ fuzz- and reverb-laden latest, Who Sold…

New releases for 22 January 2016

There is a fine batch of releases due 22 January and it was tough to pick out the best. Dystopia, the new album from thrashmeisters Megadeth, is main man Dave Mustaine’s view of civilization. Fat White Family’s Songs For Our Mothers is described perfectly as an invitation, sent by misery, to dance to the beat…