Indie, alternative, experimental & electronic vinyl and CDs

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This week's hottest shit...

I'm New Here by Gil Scott-Heron (album of the week)

Gil Scott-Heron's one of those guys I've more read about than actually heard (barring copious sampling and his undoubted influence on myriad artists and the entire hip-hop scene down the years) so it's a real pleasure to have the chance of sitting down with I'm New Here, his XL debut and first album in fourteen years (if Wikipedia's to be believed). The 'rules' in the liner notes for how to properly listen to the alb...read full review.

Henry by The Super Vacations (single of the week)

The Super Vacations do a slightly lopsided & drowsy take on psychedelic lo-fi rock. They've a new 7" EP on red vinyl and its ace! 'Henry' spits out of the speakers like a cross between Apples in Stereo & early Television Personalities, 'The Void' is a more languid beast with curious flecks of New Wave bands such as Television & a bit of a skewed Ariel Pink feel. Hazy, muffled vocals top the faintly "...read full review.

Eggs by Oh No Ono

Right then, one thing I can say about this new Oh No Ono record 'Eggs' is that its my favourite album of the year so far. It was my official 'waking up' music this morning and after a madcap dash through the snow to assist in hyperactive world of Norman Records I find its the first record on my pile to review. Strangely for such a super album the first track is fairly uninspiring but once you get onto the magnificent 'Swi...read full review.

The Minimal Wave Tapes Volume One by Various

The Minimal Wave Tapes.. A double LP on Stones Throw which we've been keenly anticipating. The CD we give less of a shit about because we're snobby, but it does exist. As you might've guessed this is a compilation covering the generally minimal, frequently quite chilly DIY synth scene of the 1980s in both Europe and North America, territory well covered on various other releases in recent years (So Young But So Cold, Cold...read full review.

Condors by Nedry

Monotreme are back with a new album by Nedry which is an interesting one. From the off you'll be intrigued by the interesting sound that they've managed to develop. 'Condors' is perhaps the first dubstep/post-rock/ electronica hybrid with someone who sounds a bit like Bjork singing. It's a bonkers sound alright and it sounds like it just shouldn't work but after my first listen I'm totally hooked and it really does work...read full review.

Black Noise by Pantha du Prince

Been liking this here Pantha Du Prince CD on Rough Trade. He seems to have hit on the middle ground between Keiran Hebden's twinkly organic post-housescapes and the uber-talented James Holden's euphoric electro-tinged floor burners. He's got that whole smooth European techno sound sewn up, a sort of funky cerebral electronica that can blur the lines between the widescreen 4/4 of Trentmoller with the playful sub-bass exper...read full review.

Great Hunter/ On't Borough by Skullflower/ White medal

Skullflower is one noisy bugger. His appearances on the vinyl format are very rare these days, to say the least, so we must rejoice the union of himself & White Medal sharing a split 7" on the ever stubborn Turgid Animal of West Yorkshire. His style is always effective, a kind of yearning, viscous gothic industrial strength fuzz, pitched at the the cold heart of the Black Metal fraternity, yet somehow purer &...read full review.

Adventures In Experimental Electric Orchestra From The San Francisco Psychedelic Underground by The Orkustra

As far as interesting things go, I'm slightly perturbed by having to review a record by a convicted murderer. But not that badly! Bobby Beausoleil was that free spirited demon who collaborated with Love in the early days before becoming matey with old cuddly Charlie Manson. His sessions for the Lucifer Rising film are the stuff of legend, the box we had sold out real quick so we're expecting similar things of this deluxe...read full review.

Hypnoticon EP by Teeth of The Sea

Teeth of the Sea are pushing all the right buttons here. First off 'Hypoticon' has totally beautiful artwork, then they go and kick off the EP with a sterling cover of 'In the Space Capsule (Love Theme)' from Queen's amazing Flash Gordon soundtrack!!! A favourite in their live sets, it's a perfect way of introducing the band. The two originals committed here are just as inviting as said Queen cover. 'Hypnoticon Viva' is a...read full review.

AFCGT by AFCGT

This is self titled release from AFCGT sees the amalgamation of A Frames and Climax Golden Twins and boy what a fine pairing it is. This is their second full length outing together merging the power of a drums, bass and three guitarists to create a ghastly, atmospheric and totally obscure sounding rock music. Sludgy doom riffs act as canvas from which deeper, spaced out jams, contemplative ambience and good time psyche bl...read full review.

Morning Tapes by Relmic Statute

Morning Tapes is a CD by a Leeds based sound artist called David Horner. He's going under the moniker Relmic Statute here, supplying the listener with beautiful, eerie & spacious atmospherics, field recordings, acoustically enhanced industrial tinkering & haunting blankets of audio drift. His music is brilliantly balanced between meditative calm & the poignancy of dawn, another day is awakening and this journe...read full review.

Does Your Cat Know My Dog by Various, Sonic Youth, Sunn 0))), Bonnie Prince Billy, Etc

Sunn 0)), Sonic Youth, Bonnie Prince Billy, a sleeve featuring Jad Fair's cut-out artwork, the fact that it starts of with shouting about sandwiches.. This Does Your Cat Know My Dog? compilation LP pretty much sells itself and we gather it's already in short supply elsewhere so interested parties had best look sharp. It's curated by the minds behind Switzerland's Bad Bonn festival and as well as the big stars you've got a...read full review.

Voice Of The Seven Thunders by Voice Of The Seven Thunders

Voice of The Seven Woods have transformed into Voice of The Seven Thunders! From what I can tell it's Rick Tomlinson and Chris Walmsley who were originally in Vo7W with the addition of a new chap called Rory Gibson on bass. There's your facts... And they're more than likely wrong! Anyhoo after the Vo7T 7" a coupla weeks ago the CD of the self-titled album has landed (the vinyl is gonna follow in a week or 2 we think)...read full review.

You Know I'm No Good/ Shakin' All Over by Wanda Jackson

I like Wanda Jackson. She looks like my Auntie Joyce who used to sing on cruise ships and that. Apparently Wanda's shared stages with Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis so it shouldn't be a surprise that she's pro enough to pull off a couple of potentially tricky cover versions with total panache. She lends her spirited, jazzy voice to Amy Winehouse's 'You Know I'm No Good' and does it so well you forget where the thing originates...read full review.

S/T by Circle X

Not sure if I've heard of punky No Waves types Circle X before.. In hindsight it's a bit of a generic-sounding name but since this self-titled 12" EP originally 'dropped' in 1979 they can be regarded as relative OGs in the New York scene and fully excused for that. Apparently this is quite the sought-after gem and it's easy to hear why, its jagged shards of guitar and intense vocalising seem to explore a middle groun...read full review.