A pop epic, woozed up psychedelia, Mike killing it, Corinne’s left-turn and loads more.
The Land is Inhospitable and So Are We is the all-new seventh album from Mitski and it’s really, really good. There is a true grandness to it, the fluidity to move between the intimate and sad, through to the epic and driving (but still sad) is ambitious and graceful. We had a listening event to preview it last night and listening to it as an album in one flow was very clearly how it was intended to be consumed. Her voice is so gripping in either mode, she is completely enthralling and this is an album to really spend time with. Record of the Week and highly recommended.
+ Available on limited ‘Robin Egg Blue’ colour vinyl.
+ Available in a VERY limited custom Pink Die-Cut slipcase.
Perennial is the eagerly-anticipated new LP from Brooklyn rock and roll institutions, Woods. Jeremy Earl’s distinctive vocals lead the swoon across some of their most cosmic and psychedelic songs yet; managing to sound like themselves whilst searching into new tones is really the biggest victory. A great vibe, perfect for the last rays of summery sun.
+ Available as a very limited Dinked Edition on ‘Perennial Purple’ colour vinyl with a huge 24” x 36” fold out poster.
Melbourne quartet Floodlights return (making their major label debut) with Painting of My Time. They retain that rich Antipodean jangle rock, but the production here is a huge step forward, with orchestrations and all sorts else creating a rich and powerful smog. Melancholic and unflinching in tone, they’re one of the most exciting talents to come out of the rich Melbourne scene of late.
+ Available on exclusive Clear vinyl.
If you read any music press, you will be told constantly from here on that Corinne Bailey Rae’s new Black Rainbows LP is the biggest stylistic ‘left-turn’ or ‘musical curveball’ of the year… and they ain’t necessarily wrong. Inspired by Chicago’s Stony Island Arts Bank (a centre of Black history), this is a collection of anger and grief across ambient jazz and some proper punk bangers. Played this one a few times through now and it’s full of surprises and really well worth checking out, especially if you think you know what it would sound like!
+ Available on Opaque Red colour vinyl.
+ We have 12” signed artwork too.
Michael is the first solo LP in about a decade from Killer Mike, the all-round icon and co-founder of Run the Jewels. His voice sounds amazing, hypnotic in its flow, but so commanding. There are some great guest appearances, but Michael is so clearly about Mike and that is exactly what you’d want. A banger.
+ Available on limited double Amber colour vinyl.
Epic Texan post-rockers Explosions In The Sky return in epic Texan post-rock fashion with the End LP on Bella Union. Instrumental face-melters that go from loud to quiet, both of which are euphoric and pensive in different directions. Rumination on life and death.
+ Both Yellow and Black vinyl are due back in stock shortly.
Strange Disciple is the murky new pop LP from New York City trio Nation of Language. The soundscapes they create are really good, slow builds of analogues with glacial vocals. Although doing very well on the radio, it’s way less pop-y than you’d think and creates quite the dark vibe.
+ Available on exclusive Clear colour vinyl.
World Of Hassle is the return/debut of Alan Palomo, your man behind the long-running avant-pop project Neon Indian. The production is wild, pure squelch and hugely enjoyable for it. Rooted in the optimistic jazz-funk of the eighties, there is plenty of smarts to it to avoid pastiche.
We’re still seeing lots of erratic arrivals, so due with us shortly will also be; Bombino’s excellent new Sahel on Partisan, Lusine’s beautifully ambient Long Light via Ghostly International and Rain Parade’s Last Rays Of A Dying Sun on Label 51.
Reissues this week include; Jaga Jazzist, Pharoah Sanders, Ornette Coleman, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs and Rare Funk & Soul From Miami, Florida!
Drift
