A lot of musical bases covered this week, from the slow and awe-inspiring, to the fast and thrashing. Do come and find something new…
Timefold is the all-new LP from hyper-prolific, Tucson-based duo Trees Speak and it really ticks all the boxes for us over here. There are still plenty of krautrock moteriks, but this new LP weaves in even more of the synth, with sonic textures from 70s and 80s horror films feeling like the biggest influence. It is also their most expansive scope to date, with vast and epic landscapes growing out of warbling electronic arpeggios. Richly cinematic stuff, this one has been soundtracking the week here already. Record of the Week.
The enigmatic Actress returns on Smalltown Supersound this week with Дарен Дж Каннінгем, a physical album pressing based on the mix he created for Resident Advisor back in the summer. It really is hypnotic and beautiful stuff, an elegant mixtape of loops, beats, ambience, field recordings and fleeting vocals. Evocative textures, this is a highly recommended listen.
SNIFF MORE GRITTY is the new, self-produced set of high octane pop smashers from Du Blonde. Lyrically it moves between wry, outright funny and totally scathing; she is pretty direct. Some really striking moments and lots of scuzzy and melodic hooks.
+ Available as a limited Dinked Edition.
+ Please note, ALL Dinked Edition copies will be shipping early next week.
Ramble & Rave On! Is the third LP from Dayton, Ohio rock and roller Andrew Gabbard. Sonically it has such a light vibe; it really glides and is absolutely stacked with vintage hues and AOR richness. It has a funny balance of sounding both old and new in that way, like you may very well have heard these songs before. Super easy to fall for, it just has it going on.
+ Available on exclusive Clear with Black Swirl colour vinyl.
Producer Barney Lister and vocalist Kojo Degraft-Johnson combine as MRCY and their Volume One debut is released this week on Dead Oceans. The production is really fantastic, such a warm soul sound and vocally it really soars.
+ Pressed on limited Green colour vinyl.
Physical Surveillance is the debut LP from L.A. band Jagged Baptist Club. Pretty propulsive stuff with an electroclash swagger.
+ Pressed on limited Yellow Colour vinyl.
Ensatina is the solo debut from NYC drummer to the stars, Homer Steinweiss. His storied career at the drums really is wild, but this debut set is very much about doing something different, with classic and neo soul vibes sitting in a real nice flow. The drums are pretty restrained, but it does have a lot of different paces to it and some great guest vocals too.
+ Available on Orange colour vinyl.
Only Music Makes Me Cry Now is the self-produced debut album from Swedish musician Thea Gustafsson as Becky and the Birds. Stones Throw release Young-Girl Forever from Vienna-based artist Sofie Royer and it has real electro-pop shimmer. Mercury Award winners English Teacher release a limited 10” of their Live From Maida Vale set. Warmduscher return this week with Too Cold To Hold and it is another romp through the genres.
Following a limited release last year, we now have the self-titled debut LP from Dead Pioneers available and it is a proper riot. 22 minutes, with only one of the twelve tracks exceeding the three minute mark, this is hard, fast and really vital stuff. This one’s highly recommended.
+ Pressed on Neon Pink colour vinyl.
Lastly for this week’s new stuffs run down, Daughter Of A Temple is the new LP from Ganavya on Nils Frahm’s LEITER label and it is honestly sublime. Ganavya invited a wide-reaching set of collaborators to a ritual gathering in Houston and Ryan Renteria recorded the results, before further editing and mixing with Nils back in Berlin. Serene, but so powerful, a moving blend of spiritual jazz and South Asian devotional music. We have it on the stereo now and genuinely feel much better than 20 minutes ago. Physical results. Amazing stuff.
We’ll do a bumper Best New Reissues round up over the weekend with some bits we’ve been loving in the shop, plus new arrivals to include; Alvvays, John Cale, Fairport Convention, Dexter Gordon, Duke Pearson, Thelonious Monk Septet and Richard Norris doing the good work!
