Lovely voices, swooping production, sunshine melancholia and a few loud bits too!
LA-based singer-songwriter Natalie Bergman (formerly of successful brother-sister duo Wild Belle) releases her second solo LP - My Home Is Not In This World - on Jack White’s Third Man. It really has a vibe going on, vintage psychedelic soul hues and 60s alt-pop melancholia. Her voice is really lush, quietly commanding and expertly wrapped by the swooning production. Sounds not of this time, without trying to sound not of this time, which is a tricky one to pull off. It’s one of those ones that we’ll sell off the turntable at a steady rate. Record of the Week.
+ Available on limited White vinyl.
Headlights is the major label debut from cult songwriter Alex G and it is reassuringly Alex G–ish. The production does sound full and swooping, but not without intimacy and some rough corners too, this isn’t the sort of departure long-term fans might fear.
+ Available on exclusive Metallic colour vinyl.
New Jersey rock band Forth Wanderers release The Longer This Goes On on Sub Pop, their first album since they parted ways seven years ago! The return is for all the right reasons, reinvigorated after a break from the grind and making music without audience or expectation in mind. It has plenty of jangle as it moves through styles and paces with a really great flow. The bounce from downhearted to dopamine high is electric stuff, we’ve been really getting to know this one.
+ Available on limited White vinyl.
Dog Eared is the return of British singer-songwriter Billie Martin and her voice sounds fantastic. It was recorded with Phil Weinrobe (Adrianne Lenker, Buck Meek, Laura Veirs) at his Sugar Mountain studios and it really has a gorgeously free flowing energy to it. Lots and lots of guests creating a very sweet harmony.
+ Available on Deep Ocean colour vinyl.
New York City-based power-poppers We Are Scientists release their ninth studio album, Qualifying Miles. Some really nice crunch to the guitar tones, and when they go big pop, they go big pop.
+ Available on "Molten Candle" vinyl with a signed print.
Panic Shack is the eponymous, raucous and very naughty full debut album from the Cardiff-based band. Full of live show energy, but also glimmering with pop punk sheen. Our limited Dinked Edition pressing is long gone, but we do still have ‘Latex’ Red colour vinyl.
Africa Express Presents... Bahidorá is an all new collaborative LP recorded at the Bahidorá Festival in Mexico. Features the renowned Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara, Joan As Police Woman, Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), Damon Albarn, Poté, Moonchild Sanelly, with contributions from Django Django and Bonobo too. Most importantly, it also features some of the best new talent out of Mexico and that really is what makes it all pop. Soft laments and some serious bangers, it’s a great trip.
In other business…
A reminder that we have a new celebratory pressing of Fontaines D.C.’s Romance LP, pressed on limited Turquoise Blue vinyl and including that rare as hens ‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’ bonus 7”.
Our mate Richard Norris has remixed our mates Pale Blue Eyes with a 12” Vocal Remix of How Long Is Now from the band’s recent third LP.
SOPHIE’s (game changing) singles collection PRODUCT is en route as an all new anniversary edition, shipping those early next week.
So then lastly today, country singer Dougie Poole recorded an intimate live set last September at the iconic Kingston NY neighborhood bar, Tubby’s and that is released this week on Wharf Cat. Man, it really is just great stuff. Sparse and spacious (just electric guitar and pedal steel) and Poole really holds court. We’ve been enjoying this one a lot.
We have some splendid reissues for you too, with; Tidiani Koné and T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo in full flow, Sun Ra, Donald Byrd, Eddie Henderson, The Wild Magnolias and the very very VERY mighty Grinderman.
