Latest new releases on vinyl record, CD and cassette tape

A special re-issue of the first two studio albums from Sheffield-based mathcore heroes Rolo Tomassi, packaged together in a double-LP set. 2008’s debut Hysterics and 2010’s follow-up Cosmology are presented in all their glory, boasting fiendish time signatures, intricate performances and Eva Spence’s gloriously ferocious vocals. 

How much Bob Mould is too much Bob Mould. Fans would argue is that you can never get enough of Bob so they will be delighted that you can now buy all his solo albums in one enormous 24CD box. As well as all the studio albums there are four live albums and a double CD of rare stuff. Comes with a 72 page booklet but no earplugs for the noisier bits.  

'All That You Can’t Leave Behind' by U2 was originally released in 2000. It’s time for a twentieth anniversary reissue of the album that contains the hits 'Beautiful Day' and 'Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of', songs which were played pretty much everywhere you went at the time - from shops to dental surgeries. Also includes 'Elevation' and 'Walk On'. It was produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. Various versions available, depending on the size of your wallet.

Marking his first release as Tobacco in four years, a period that’s seen him collaborate with Aesop Rock, score HBO’s ‘Silicon Valley’ and tour with Nine Inch Nails, Tom Fec’s fifth record Hot Wet & Sassy could be his biggest yet. It houses some of his most immediate and listener-friendly compositions so far, filtering his latent pop tendencies through the long-standing experimental ones. 

Jazz legend Sun Ra died in 1993. Following a spell under the leadership of John Gilmore, his Sun Ra Arkestra has been led by free jazz whizz Marshall Allen. Swirling is the Arkestra’s first new album since 1999’s Song For The Sun. Reworkings of classics such as ‘Angels And Demons At Play’, ‘Satellites Are Spinning’, ‘Door Of The Cosmos’ and ‘Rocket No. 9’ are blended with some more obscure deep cuts and are intended to bring joy to a troubled world.

Despite being named after Tadcaster's second best brewery, Sam Smith has carved something of a career of belting out large-voiced anthems and challenging gender norms to the predictable fury of the Daily Mail. Love Goes is their third album written in collaboration with the likes of Steve Mac (Ed Sheeran) Shellback/MXM (Robyn etc) and Guy Lawrence (Disclosure) and promises to be a fun and thought provoking work. 

Now on their fourth studio album, Catalonian indie-rock quartet Mourn delve into some painfully relevant themes on Self Worth. Exploring the idea of inevitable personal change in the context of a world that now seems to have been irrevocably changed itself, it’s a dozen songs of melodic, outspoken punk rattled off in just over half an hour. 

'Lift It Down' is the new record from Jeremiah Sand, the fictional cult leader played by Linus Roache in the 2018 Nicolas Cage vehicle 'Mandy', and his followers The Children of The New Dawn. Released on Sacred Bones - where else? - and featuring liner notes from the late Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, 'Lift It Down' is a psych-folk record par excellence. 

This double-CD release contains pieces of short, improvised music written by Catalan composer Federico Mompou. Mompou's record is entitled 'Música Callada' and it is accompanied by new music from James Rushford intended as a companion, homage work to 'Música Callada'. Rushford's work is called 'See The Welter'. Tender, contemplative piano music with a bit of a Maurice Ravel vibe.

'Kajillionaire' is a crime comedy written and directed by Miranda July about two con artists who dedicate their lives to training their daughter in the "industry" only for it all to go wrong. The score was composed by Emile Mosseri, whose other works include the score to the Joe Talbot film 'The Last Black Man in San Francisco'. 'Karillionaire's original motion picture soundtrack also includes a version of Bobby Vinton’s 'Mr. Lonely' recorded by Angel Olsen - Akon fans will be pleased.

The second best Elvis is releasing his thirtieth studio album, titled 'Hey Clockface'. The various three singles indicate a diverse sound, taking in brash power pop, Nick Cave-esque smoky lounge jams, and angular post-punk. I've never been a massive Elvis Costello fan, and have never listened to any of his modern stuff, but this clutch of tunes might just rectify that...

Echo Collective work in the same kind of post-classical world as the likes of A Winged Victory for the Sullen and Jóhann Jóhannsson. The See Within sees the Brussels collective using viola, violin, cello, harp and unusually a magnetic resonator piano to produce a series of compositions that marry breathtaking beauty with a restless inventive spirit. 

Dizzee Rascal, pretty much true to form, returns after three years with E3 AF. It sees the grime legend at the top of his game, referencing his East London home and the legacy of black British music. Features production by MC The Plug and Steel Banglez along with guest spots from MC Chip and P Money. 

The eponymous album by Black Foxxes is the band’s third outing, and it sees the Exeter alt-rock three-piece mixing grunge with indie sensibilities. These songs range from the chugging riff and ripped vocals of opener ‘Badlands’ to the more expansive, haunting ‘Swim’. Some of it sounds like early-Cure being covered by a screamo band, other parts have a Cigarettes After Sex vibe.

'The Day Before Halloween' is the eleventh album by Minneapolis, Minnesota hip-hop duo Atmosphere. The duo comprise master storyteller and rapper Slug and producer Ant, who provides the perfect genre-blending backdrop for Slug’s words. The duo never stray far from what they’ve always done, though this album also sees them gently test the boundaries of their sound.

American rapper, writer and general jack-of-all-trades Action Bronson drops a surprise new full-length album in the shape of Only For Dolphins. Sticking to the same collaborators he’s worked with for many years, The Alchemist, Budgie and DJ Muggs, Action generates inventive soundscapes and couples them with vivid wordplay and imagery. 

Adam Wingard is a U.S. director, producer and composer known for works in the horror genre. For his latest work he went into a hypnotic state to see if he could find answers about his past life, and the experience inspired this new album 'Past Life Regression' on Death Waltz Originals. The music is a series of dark and cinematic synthscapes which, as you might imagine, are deeply personal.

Prior to 2004’s triumphant 'Out Of Nothing' Embrace had fallen precipitously from chart-topping indie saviours to obscurity over the course of a mere half-decade. However, being donated the song ‘Gravity’ by a certain Chris Martin triggered a massive resurgence in Embrace's fortunes, and within a few months 'Out Of Nothing's soft-rock anthemia had returned the band to the summit of the UK Album Chart. Here 'Out Of Nothing' receives its first-ever vinyl reissue.

A self-described attempt to blend together “joy, terror, and the elegiac” in a singular sound, 'Agalma' finds Scottish electronic musician Drew McDowall (formerly of Coil, Psychic TV and more) drawing on his lengthy experience and vast network of collaborators (Kali Malone, Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe, Caterina Barbieri, Bashar Suleiman, Elvin Brandhi, MSYLMA). The resulting record manages to sound devotional and terrifying at the same time. 

Originally released in late 1963, My Point Of View was the second studio album that legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock released for the famous Blue Note label. It also included an all-star band ensemble backing him, among them Donald Byrd on trumpet, and Hank Mobley on tenor sax. The label’s Tone Poet Audiophile reissue series makes this masterpiece available once again, remastered from the original tapes and pressed on heavyweight vinyl. 

When you hear the latest bellow from Paul Weller it's often worth remembering that he was previously genuinely experimental with his second band the Style Council. They were political, soulful, sometimes infuriating and occasionally unlistenable but time has been kind to them and so now is a good time for a brand new retrospective with all their hits and some fan favourite deep cuts. There's a new documentary on the band on its way too. 

Jazz pianist, composer and arranger Duke Pearson was said to have heavily influenced the hard-bop direction that Blue Note took in the 1960s. 'The Phantom' was originally released in 1968, and on the record Pearson was backed by a stellar cast of musicians - Bobby Hutcherson on vibraphone, Jerry Dodgion on flute, Sam Brown and Al Gafa both played guitar, Bob Cranshaw on bass with Mickey Roker, Victor Pantojo and 'Potato' Valdes playing drums and congas. 'The Phantom's epic title track is one of the coolest jazz grooves you’ll ever hear. 

'This New Day' was the fifth studio album from Brighouse-based indie plodders Embrace. The critics were never really on their side, but the all-important public were - 'This New Day' reached the top of the album charts on release. The 2020 version of 'This New Day' sees the album re-issued on vinyl for the first time since the original release. 

Tangerine Dream are one of the trailblazing electronic and ambient groups to come out of 1970s Germany. Pilots of Purple Twilight: The Virgin Recordings 1980 – 1983 is a 10-CD box set featuring the albums Tangram, Thief, Exit, White Eagle, Logos and Hyperborea - all with extra tracks along with previously unreleased soundtracks to the James Glickenhaus film The Soldier and the Michael Mann film The Keep. There’s also the full, previously unreleased 1982 concert at London’s Dominion Theatre. Comes packaged with a hardback book featuring new notes and photos.

Ty Segall’s proto-metal trio, Fuzz are back with their second album aptly named, Fuzz II. The band are in a musical time warp, ostensibly existing somewhere between 1968 and 1973, a time when guitars were fuzzy, and everything was real heavy. Their eponymous debut was a cracking homage to the rock sub-genre, Fuzz II sounds like it’s going to be just as good.

Creating lengthy electronic soundscapes with the construction of simple feedback loops, 1998’s Aeriola Frequency saw Rafael Toral drop the guitar sounds that had informed his previous two albums. Re-mastered by the artist himself, the album now gets re-issued on vinyl, with liner notes from Toral and David Toop. 

'My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising' is a Japanese animated superhero film directed by Kenji Nagasaki. It is the final film in the 'My Hero Academia' series. The score was written by Japanese composer Yuki Hayashi, who is known for his work on films such as 'Triangle', 'Zettai Reido' and 'Diabolik Lovers' as well as the previous two 'My Hero Academia' films.

'Karma & Desire' is the eighth studio LP by electronic musician Actress (aka Darren J Cunningham of Wolverhampton). Coming hot on the heels of '88', his self-released effort from earlier on in 2020, 'Karma & Desire' is a moody collection of edge-of-the-dancefloor beats and synthetic abstractions reminiscent of Funkineven and Hype Williams. The record includes collaborations with Zsela, Sampha, Aura T-9, Vanessa Benelli Mosell and Christel Well. 

Matija are an alt-pop band from Munich. With their second album 'byebyeskiesofyesterday' they have made a very accomplished album of synth-soaked lush pop. The record follows their 2017 debut 'Are We An Electric Generation Falling Apart?' and is the band’s first album as a three-piece following the departure of bass-playing founding member Johann Blake. Bare poppy, kinda like Marina and Florence & The Machine.

A double-vinyl reissue for the US chart-topping soundtrack to 1994’s cult favourite movie 'The Crow', filled with track from of-the-time rock luminaries such as Rage Against The Machine, Stone Temple Pilots, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Nine Inch Nails and The Cure. Fourth side contains an original etching of ‘The Crow’. 

Inspired by the social tension following the L.A. riots, Oakland-based heavy metal outfit Machine Head released their debut studio album Burn My Eyes back in 1994, one of the best-selling debuts of its genre and kicking off a career that continues to this day. Run Out Records gives it a deluxe double-vinyl re-issue. 

Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol 1 The Early Years (1963-1967) plots the development of Joni Mitchell as a singer and a songwriter, spread over 5 CDs. It includes early recordings, from folk standards such as House of the Rising Sun and John Hardy to her first self-penned songs such as Urge For Going and Day After Day.

Brand new music from extreme metal originators Carcass. After their original late '80s/early '90s work the band went on a long sabbatical but released Surgical Steel in 2013. Despicable is a four track EP released in anticipation of a further full length album due in 2021 and featuring original members jeff Walker and Bill Steer. 

A lavish fortieth anniversary reissue of 'Ace Of Spades', which as you'll no doubt be aware was Motörhead’s most commercially successful album upon release in 1980 and houses the utterly iconic title-track. This boxset contains the remastered original album, two live double-albums taken from performances on the concurrent 'Ace Of Spaces' tour, a 10” EP of previously unreleased instrumentals, a DVD compilation of live appearances, a 40-page book telling the complete story behind the album, and a replica tour programme among many other trinkets. Phew! If you like collectables, I tell you I'm your man.

*Arms in position, chest out, deep breath* DAW-NA-NAW-NA-NAW DAH-NAH-NAH DAW-NA-NAW-NA-NAW DAH-NAH-NAH IF YOU LIKE TO BUY RECORDS, I TELL YOU I’M YOUR MAN YOU’LL ORDER SOME, PLAY SOME, IT’S ALL THE SAME TO ME Yes, that’s right, the album with arguably the greatest riff of all-time on it (and some other tracks) gets a luxury reissue from  Sanctuary to celebrate its fortieth birthday. To some ‘The Game’ is now the definitive Motörhead anthem, but no-one can deny the awesome majesty of the ‘Ace Of Spades’ title-track. This edition comes with a bonus book and live album.

Early Joni - 1963 is an album of Joni Mitchell’s earliest known recordings from a session at a radio station in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, her hometown. Joni Mitchell was just 19 at the time, so it serves as a valuable document of a nascent talent who became one of the world’s greatest songwriters. Features a new self-portrait and liner notes by radio station DJ Barry Bowman.

If you ever hear David Crosby tell a story about Joni Mitchell, he’ll always recall the time he took her to a party where she completely silenced the room with a few of her songs. Live at Canterbury House 1967 is a 3 LP, recorded before the release of her debut album in 1968, that will give you the chance to experience that feeling. 

Engine takes to Water was the debut album from June of 44 released originally in 1995. It fit perfectly in at post Spiderland moment where bands played eerie slowed down math rock with quiet/loud dynamics. The quartet all lived in different cities and features former members of the likes of Rodan and Lungfish and future members of the For Carnation and Him.  

Guitarist in Ride for three decades, Andy Bell releases his debut solo album The View From Halfway Down to coincide with his 50th birthday. Produced with the help of former Oasis bandmate Gem Archer, work began over four years ago but was sidelined by the reformation of Ride. Completed under lockdown, it’s a precise presentation of all of the influences that have informed Bell’s style, from the Stone Roses to Spacemen 3. 

Stephan Thelen is a musician, composer and maths guy who plays in the Swiss minimal groove band Sonar. World Dialogue highlights Thelen’s work as a composer with pieces performed by US string quartet Kronos Quartet and Al Pari Quartet. It includes a piece called Circular Lines which was commissioned by the Kronos Quartet.

If it weren't for the actions of their disgraced leader, we'd probably now be citing the Glitter Band as forbearers of a particular type of rhythmic stomp that could even (bear with me on this) have a line in to the beat-heavy neo-glam of the likes of Animal Collective. Original leader John Rossall left after their second album and only now has dared return to the fray. Incredibly here he collaborates with the likes of members of the Nightingales and the Membranes. It's good to be back. 

Damage Control by The Vacant Lots features two of the New York duo’s EPs - Exit and Berlin.Their music can be described as electro-meets-post punk. Anton Newcombe of Brian Jonestown Massacre produced the EPs as well as lending his musical talents to some tracks.  On Newcombe's label, 'a' Recordings. 

A legend of Ethiopian music forced underground by the country’s repressive Derg regime in the Seventies, Ayalew Mesfin’s music is finally being presented to the world at large on vinyl for the first time. Tewedije Limut (Let Me Die Loved) is built primarily from Mesfin’s eye-wateringly rare 7” releases, and comes with a book telling the story of the artist’s role within Ethiopian music. 

Formed around former Fall member Martin Bramah, Bingo Harry is an intriguing project about which comparatively little is known at the time of writing. This eponymous record sees a demo version of the weary yet defiant ‘If They Ever Lay A Finger On Us’, which appeared on Blue Orchids’ 2015 record 'Righteous Harmony Fist', collected alongside further demos and home recordings. Sounds a bit like LA Priest and Connan Mockasin.

Finally some good news - Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton have reunited as Arab Strap! Aside from a few festival appearances in 2016 we've heard nerry a peep out of the winsome Scottish duo for fifteen long years. Here they give us the single 'The Turning of Our Bones', a track which is fearsome and foot-tapping in equal measure - sort of like a more noirish version of The Magnetic Fields. Comes backed with a B-side exclusive to this 7”.

Black To Comm is German producer and sound artist Marc Richter. 'Oocyte Oil & Stolen Androgens' follows hot on the heels of 2019’s highly-regarded album 'Seven Horses for Seven Kings'. This time out, Richter experiments with voice manipulation, piano and electronics, making an album that is unsettling and comforting in equal measure. Think James Ferraro.

A highly prized collector’s item since it was originally released back in 1970, Armitage Road was the sole studio recording from The Heshoo Beshoo Group. A critique of the apartheid regime in their native South Africa set to an inventive fusion of American and African jazz traditions, it now gets hugely overdue re-issue on vinyl via We Are Busy Bodies. 

Taken under the wing of none other than dance music icon Giorgio Moroder, Montreal-based trio Le Couleur deliver a sleek second album in the shape of ‘Concorde’. Here the group have attempted to create an audio representation of the aeroplane after which the LP is named. A set of chic, danceable pop tunes, this pivots somewhat away from the vintage influences that informed Le Couler's early work.

I’m With You is the eighth full-length album from William Elliott Whitmore. He is known for his stripped back, earthy country-folk sound, but here he strips down to just a banjo and a bass drum. The theme of the album is the unity of family and friends.Something he knows about - he still lives on the Iowa farm where he grew up.

Flying yet again in the face of the public desire to not hear from him for a while, Ukranian producer Vakula drops another album. 'In Search Of Ancient Civilization' is an electronic album created from traditional folk instruments, field recordings and throat singing, which is certainly not the stupidest thing he's ever done.

Sad13 is the solo project of Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz. The project sees Dupuis showing us her pop side, in particular taking inspiration from the likes of Tracey Ullman and Joan Armatrading, although a little math rock creeps in here and there. Haunted Painting is her second album, following 2016’s Slugger. 

Jim White usual approach is to write songs that ponder the darker side of life in the Southern States of the USA. On Misfit’s Jubilee, his 8th album, things seem a little more optimistic than usual -  as lead single Sum of What We’ve Been will attest. Don’t let that fool you though, his tales of misfits and outcasts are still lurking around the corner. On Loose.

Darlingside are an indie / folk band based in Boston, Massachusetts. Fish Pond Fish is their fourth album and follows their 2018 album Extralife. This album, thematically, seems to be concerned with going back to past lives. If you can imagine a perfect blend of Sufjan Stevens and Animal Collective, then that’s kinda what they sound like. On More Doug Records.

Shimmering Basset is the second studio album from The Green Child, a duo consisting of Grass Widow member Raven Mahon and recording engineer Mikey Young. Recorded in Australia (rather than by long distance as was the case with their 2018 debut) it’s a much more assured and thematically coherent work. 

Containing beautiful and evocative pieces of instrumental music from the likes of John Cameron, Alan Hawkshaw, Francis Monkman and Brian Bennett, the self-explanatory Bruton Brutoff – The Ambient, Electronic and Pastoral Sounds of The Bruton Library Catalogue is curated by genre expert Jonny Trunk. 

Just look at those keyboards! Oriental Music by Omar El Shariyi was originally released in 1976 and has become a much sought after LP over time. This album sees El Shariyi reinterpreting 6 pieces by Egyptian singer and Composer Mohamed Abdel Wahab using those beautiful keyboards - Farfisa and Steelphon S900. He mixes the traditional with the modern, introducing pop and jazz along the way. 

World's on Fire (Live at Milton Keynes Bowl) is the only live album recorded by The Prodigy, It was originally released in mid-2011. It sees the popular electronic troupe storm through hits such as Firestarter, Breathe and Smack My Bitch Up along with 14 other tracks. Remastered double vinyl LP on Cooking Vinyl.

With original copies trading on the black market for around £200, ‘Orphée 2000’ from the Chêne Noir theatre gets a reissue for France's Record Store Day 2020 via Heavenly Sweetness. The soundtrack to a play of the same name that attracted a cult audience at the time, it evokes a spiritual atmosphere based around jazz and spoken-word. 

I'd never come across German electronic act Extrawelt but they've been at it for fifteen years and are noted particularly for being a great live act (which is not always the case with such artists). This box set marks their fifteen year anniversary and covers each album they put out so far all newly remastered. A good place to start for people like me who have some catching up to do. 

If not Now When is a non-album single by British shoegaze / indie-pop band Jetstream Pony. The band are made up of musicians from bands such as The Fireworks, The Wedding Present, The Popguns and Trembling Blue Stars. The A side sees the band adding a touch of garage rock to their sound. It  is backed with a cover of Yellow Pills, originally by US power pop band 20/20. On Spinout Nuggets.

Waiting Out The Storm is the second album by Nashville-based singer / songwriter Jeremy Ivey. There’s some classic sounding songs here, rattling blues-tinged country and darker sounding alt. Country with Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen as clear influences.  Before recording his own songs Ivey wrote songs for his wife, fellow country singer Margo Price. Price has returned the favour by producing this album.

With ‘Attenuator’, techno music legends (not to mention close friends and collaborators) Carl Craig and Moritz von Oswald deliver the first products from a series of studio sessions they've booked in over the couple of years prior to the record's release. On this 12” single, Craig and von Oswald deliver their own separate takes on the same original track. Sure enough, Craig's take on 'Attenuator' has that stirring Detroit flavour to it while von Oswald dubs things out.

The Abyss Within Us is the bleakly-named project of Italians Claudio Porceddu and Stefano Ferrari. The fact that it is on Astral Industries should tell you all you need to know here - the duo make mystical ambient textures and deep dub-techno on a two-part journey into elegiac soundscapes. Check out 'Life In A Circle' if you like Deepchord, GAS etc. 

Faced with the imminent milestone of ten years together as a band, American shoegaze outfit Nothing get existential with their fourth studio album, The Great Dismal. Featuring guest contributions from (Sandy) Alex G and classical musicians Shelley Weiss and Mary Lattimore, it broadcasts a message of quiet hope from underneath the chaos of life as it stands in 2020. 

My brother once got a napkin signed by Mark E. Smith. I say signed, he got Mark's mum to ask him to put his mark on it and he ended up signing it 'From Wolfman'. Maybe it's something to do with the second track on this called 'Wolf Kidult Man'. Anyway, 'Imperial Wax Solvent' is the 26th album from the prolific Manchester post-punks, and it's one of their most celebrated of the 2000s decade for its different take on The Fall sound. It's rawer, more lo-fi, a bit more experimental. The record was also subject to humoured controversy when a pressing error led to audio landing on the initial shipment of X-factor contestant Faryl Smith's debut. Lovely.

This live album from The Walkmen’s frontman Hamilton Leithauser captures him in his 2020 residency at New York’s Café Carlyle, a lavish Upper East Side venue that’s seen performances from jazz legends and rock icons alike. Live At Café Carlyle consists of ten live tracks, including covers of Big Thief, Lana Del Rey and Randy Newman. 

Featuring guest contributions from Corey Wilkes, Tomeka Reid and the late Hamiet Bluiett, 'America The Beautiful' is a heartfelt yet excoriating musical analysis of the divisions and crises besetting the U.S.A. by Kahil El’Zabar. Fusing various jazz modes - spiritual, Latin, post-bop - 'Kahil El'Zabar's America the Beautiful' is both urgent and melodic, hitting a new level of artistry for this immensely talented multi-instrumentalist. 

I'd better get on the blower to my dad as there's a new Bruce Springsteen album on the edge of town. A Letter to You is the first album he's made with his legendary E Street Band. It was made in just five days and contains nine new songs and three taken from his 1970s era of leaving his best work in the can. There's nothing like the E Street Band on full throttle so this should delight his fanbase. 

Holy Sons is the solo project of Emil Amos from Portland, Oregon. He is also known for his work with experimental band Grails, heavy metal group OM and Lilacs & Champagne. Holy Sons' music is informed by both classic rock and indie-rock but is also suffused by an indefinable quality that is sympathetic yet brooding. 'Raw and Disfigured' is Amos' sixteenth album, and if features Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth on drums. On Thrill Jockey.

If you’re kicking yourself for not subscribing to the Okkervil River album series A Dream in the Dark, then kick no more. A Dream in the Dark: Two Decades of Okkervil River Live is a whopping 4LP set crammed with the best of the series. It’s a chronologically sequenced album of live cuts that sees some of the songs taking a different shape, all under the guidance of frontman Will Sheff.

The first release from Californian experimental rock outfit Mr. Bungle in 21 years is a professional re-recording of their 1986 demo The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny. Including tracks written back then but never committed to tape, this line-up of the group consists of founders Mike Patton, Trey Spruance and Trevor Dunn as well as Anthrax’s Scott Ian of Anthrax and Slayer’s Dave Lombardo. 

Californian stoners Fu Manchu have dusted off a couple of classic EPs, combined them and added some previously unreleased early recordings. Godzilla’s and Eatin' Dust were two of the band’s most popular 10” singles due to fan favourites such as 'Mongoose' and 'Eatin’ Dust'. The four previously unreleased tracks include three tracks that were recorded for 1997’s The Action Is Go and a cover of 'Jailbreak', originally by Thin Lizzy. On At The Dojo.

Earth To Dora is the thirteenth studio album by Eels. Mark ‘E’ Everett is the only constant member of the band and this time his motley crew of musicians were Koool G Murder, The Chet and P-Boo. The songs were written pre-pandemic, but E hopes there still comfort to be found in them. Includes the single Are We Alright Again.

Baltimore power trio Dope Body split in 2016 after endless touring and recording, but now they're back! Here Dope Body return with 'Crack A Light', their first album in five years and fifth album in all. The band’s trademark energetic rock is all present and correct, a pounding sonic assault seasoned with guitar loops and effects. On Drag City.

Act Music are reissuing three albums by Esbjörn Svensson Trio. Along with Svensson on piano, the acclaimed Swedish jazz trio feature Dan Berglund on double bass and Magnus Öström on drums. 'Good Morning Susie Soho' was originally released in 2000 and was named Jazz Album of the Year by Jazzwise magazine - high praise indeed! The album blends darkness and beauty and is a prime slice of contemporary jazz.

'Shadow Forms' is the third album, and second for Soul Jazz Records, by Trees Speak. The Tuscon, Arizona brother-duo are heavily influenced by the motorik rhythms of Can and Neu!, the spooky prog of Italian band Goblin and the sounds of the New York no-wave scene. This all adds up to 'Shadow Forms' being a pretty good time. 

Consumer Guide: Special Edition is a re-print of the first book by experimental author Simon Morris which was initially published in an edition of 100 copies. It mixes a memoir type style with culture reviews and advice columns in a unique format that is here expanded and includes an introduction by his first publisher John Howard.

Devs is a sci-fi mini series written and directed by Alex Garland. The soundtrack has been composed by composer Ben Salisbury, film composer duo The Insects and Geoff Barrow of Portishead. The score reflects the show’s emotion and drama, dealing with moments of grief and horror. Salisbury and Barrow have worked together before on Alex Garland projects and the films of Ben Wheatley. Triple LP or double CD on Invada.

Suuns carry on looking to the future with their latest EP on Joyful Noise. This time around they looked back towards previous sounds and approaches as a form of musical recycling in order to re-imagine earlier work into a new EP. The initial sounds were live recordings which have been taken into isolated environments and turned into new sounds. 

Sam Burton is the newest name to join the Tomkins Square imprint (Ryley Walker, Hiss Golden Messenger etc). As you might expect it is deeply soulful and cosmic Americana with a finger in the Neil Young pie and Burton's keening voice drenched in reverb. Sounds kinda classic even on first play. He could well become the new singer songwriter guy. 

Teenanger make a brand of post-punk that’s flecked with elements of dub, art-rock and pop. 'Good Time' is an LP which lives up to its name - the Canadian band have upped the hook-level of their choruses and concentrated their sound so that there’s not a single note wasted. It's a winning record which should thrill fans of Tacocat and Mush. Telephone Explosion (Bruce Haack, Laraaji) are the label behind 'Good Time'.

Off the back of his exhilarating soundtrack work for the Safdie brothers’ acclaimed films 'Uncut Gems' and 'Good Time', Daniel Lopatin announces another regular studio album as Oneohtrix Point Never. 'Magic Oneohtrix Point Never' is inspired by late-night soft-rock radio programming and is a highly hypnagogic listening experience - think Flying Lotus' 'Flamagra' for a point of comparison.

We've had Peter Broderick, we've had Heather Woods Broderick then there was that record by their dad Steven Broderick. All that has been missing is their mum's recordings and as if by magic here they are. Selah Broderick was a yoga teacher and her gentle meditative musical evocations were used to soundtrack a CD of her teachings. Listened to with modern ears they fit very neatly into the new age recordings that are de rigueur these days. Enchanting. 

Austerity Dogs is the 6th album by Nottingham duo Sleaford Mods, but it’s the one that got them noticed. Since its release in 2013, the band have gone from strength to strength, being a necessary mouthpiece and cathartic outlet for many in the these austere times. They mix a punk snarl with pepped-up hip-hop beats and socially aware lyrics to make an original, energetic, angry and often witty statement that has become essential.

Divide And Exit by Sleaford Mods is the follow-up to their breakthrough compilation album, Austerity Dogs. I think it’s fair to say that the Nottingham duo of Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearns, mixing beats, samples with sharp, witty lyrics and punk delivery have come up with a bit of classic. Includes the single, Tiswas.

The Bitter Springs are an indie band from London who have been operating under the radar and against the grain of trends since the mid ‘90s. (Suburban Crimes Of) Every Happiness was the band’s fourth album and was originally released in 2001 on Dishy. This first vinyl pressing comes via Tiny Global Productions.

I know that feeling. This is the solo recordings of Jason Simon of Dead Meadow where he steers somewhat away from his parent band's exploratory psych rock and towards a singer-songwriter territory that never settles on one particular style.  Features guest spots from his Dead Meadow pals as well as members of the Black Angels and the Warlocks. 

Manchester post-punks A Certain Ratio made a surprise return in 2020 with 'ACR LOCO', their first album for twelve years. It appears they’re not stopping there, either - 'Berlin' is the second single to be lifted from the record. It’s a track that is typically ACR, a wiggling punk-funk sound honed over forty years.

English musicians and composers Atticus Ross, Leopold Ross and Claudia Sarne deliver a resonant, moving guitar-based score for Jason Segel’s anthology drama 'Dispatches From Elsewhere'. Representing one of the mutually opposed factions in the series, 'Music From The Elsewhere Society' is full of expansive, moving ambient post-rock ala Explosions In The Sky.

Visions of Bodies Being Burned is the fourth album by experimental hip-hop trio, clipping. The material for two, inspired by horror fiction as much as classic  hip-hop, was divided into two parts. The first, There Existed an Addiction to Blood, was released last year. Visions of Bodies Being Burned was supposed to follow pretty quickly but with the pandemic ruining everyone’s plans the release was delayed until now.

Impulse! presents Palo Alto, a previously unreleased live recording by legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk, from a concert in October 1968 that came about in curious circumstances. Organised by a student at the Californian college town’s high school named Danny Scher and hosted in the school’s parking lot, it features Charlie Rouse on tenor saxophone, Larry Gales on bass and Ben Riley on drums. 

If you want to catch up with what Manchester electronica label have been up to over the past five years then Age in Decline with give you a flavour alongside offering a smattering of new work for the pleasure of those already in the know. Artists include the likes of Prequel Tapes, Galaxian, Chrome Corpse and DJ Warzone. I've barely heard of anyone on this but isn't that part of the fun? 

Scottish musician Chris Thompson uses the name The Bathers to make a sweet brand of chamber-pop that has made him a bit of national treasure in his homeland. 'Kelvingrove Baby', the third Bathers album, originally came out in 1997 and runs with the sophisti-pop style of its two predecessors. The record features Thompson's pal, James Grant of Love & Money, on guitar and backing vocals. 'Kelvingrove Baby' is reissued via Marina (Der Plan, Josef K).

'Sunpowder' is the second LP by The Bathers and is the chamber-pop project of Scottish musician Chris Thompson. Originally released in 1995, 'Sunpowder' follows the lead of other Bathers albums by taking inspiration from a bunch of classic songwriters - Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie etc. Featuring the vocals of the Cocteau Twins’ Liz Fraser on two tracks, this 'Sunpowder' reissue is out via Marina.

The Bathers is the name that Scottish musician Chris Thompson gives to his chamber-pop project. He takes his inspiration from the likes of Van Morrison, Tom Waits, David Bowie, Tim Hardin and Leonard Cohen. 'Lagoon Blues' was the Bathers first album, originally released in 1993. Features Isobel Campbell on cello and comes reissued on Marina Records.

The debut LP from Savannah, Georgia's Baroness sent shockwaves through the extreme metal community upon its release in 2007. A stunning blend of gruff sludge-metal riffing and progressive rock, the group eschewed the belligerent, repetitive riffery of most groups in the sub-genre to offer a technical and psychedelic record. The guitar leads are buttery and smooth, the vocals are powerful and grizzly, the drumming is smart and intricate - fans of Mastodon, Kylesa, Red Fang, Torche and High On Fire will love 'Red Album'.

Continuing the theme of incredible sleeve illustrations from frontman John Dyer Baizley - and also that of naming their albums after a colour - 'Blue Record', the second LP from progressive metallers Baroness, picked up where 'Red Album' left off. It's a slightly more melodic affair than 'Red', with Baroness tightening up their sound and increasing the duel riffing and use of soaring vocals. It features many fan-favourite singles which they often play live - 'Jake Leg', 'A Horse Called Golgotha', 'The Gnashing' and 'The Sweetest Curse'. An essential sludge-/post-/prog-metal record.

A member of bands such as Acteurs, 90 Day Men and Bambi Kino Duo among others, Chicago-based artist Brian Case reveals his fourth solo studio album 'Parallel Voices'. Although it’s a fully instrumental work, 'Parallel Voices' is in some ways Case’s most revealing and personal album he’s ever released. The LP's haunted, shimmering drones land somewhere between Prurient and James Leyland Kirby.

Trumpeter Aquiles Navarro and  percussionist Tcheser Holmes have been friends and musical collaborators for many years, most recently collaborating as members of Irreversible Entanglements. Because of their friendship, they just seem to know how each other work and how to respond to each other musically. It is this telepathy that drives the latin and afro-carribean sounds that make Heritage of the Invisible II. 

Concerning his Catholic upbringing, 'The Hill' is the new album from Irish singer-songwriter Paddy Hanna. Backed by a band consisting of Adam Faulkner and Daniel Fox from Girl Band, Badhands’ Daniel Fitzpatrick and Jill Redmond, 'The Hill' uses the settings of abandoned railway stations and boatyards to give it a sense of time and place. Sonically it's got both the ramshackle energy of Fat White Family and harmonious craft of The Magnetic Fields.