Same Drift-time.
Same Drift-channel.
Here are our musical highlights for you.
Hello, Friends.
Headlining this new set is Ookii Gekkou (Japanese for Big Moonlight), our Record of the Week from the London-based Vanishing Twin. Whereas the band's previous The Age of Immunology (ranked № 5 in our 2019 Albums of the Year) was rooted in library music cinematics, this new LP is more even more expansive with tones of afrofunk, driving jazz and all sorts of other locked grooves. Super-stylish, super-cool and so much to discover.
Moondust For My Diamond is the new solo LP from Hayden Thorpe (formerly of Wild Beasts) and it really is a swooner. The tone, quality and delivery of his vocal is just incredible. The way it wraps around the production is elegance incarnate.
+ Indie LP includes a limited edition signed screen print.
Rejoice, rejoice, we have no choice. The absolutely brilliant Yves Tumor returns on Warp with The Asymptotical World EP and it's another sonic treat. A similar tour-de-force through genres and styles as his incredible Heaven to a Tortured Mind LP, with so much dark energy in this thrilling new set.
+ Available as a 12" or as a limited 3 x 7" Box Set.
Skin is the full-length debut from Joy Crookes, who will be described endlessly this week as being the UK's boldest and brightest young talents... And that is not wrong at all. The more straight-up soul ballads are faultless in a sort of post-Winehouse mode, but where the Bengali/Irish singer-songwriter really pops is where she brings in elements of bass culture to the production.
+ Limited Indie shop version LP is pressed on clear vinyl.
Julia Shapiro (of the excellent Chastity Belt) releases her new solo LP Zorked. Julia explains that; Zorked (adj.) - what happens when you end up thunder-baked, as in extremely stoned or in any situation where you feel not sober. It has such a fuggy vibe, layers of haze and dim light flashes through the dark. One of the most down records we've heard in ages, but highly recommended because of it.
+ The LP is pressed on coke bottle clear vinyl.
Jerusalem In My Heart (centered on Lebanese-Canadian producer/musician Radwan Ghazi Moumneh and Montréal-based filmmaker Erin Weisgerber) return with the hugely ambitious Qalaq on Constellation. Quite extraordinary sound design here with Arabic language, frantic beats and epic cinematics. Amongst many, there are guest appearances from Tim Hecker, Greg Fox, Beirut and Alanis Obomsawin. This really is quite an event.
Former 4AD label-mates Ian Masters (Pale Saints) and Warren Defever (His Name Is Alive) combine as ESP Summer. Kingdom Of Heaven takes the 13th Floor Elevators song as a starting point and shreds it to bits and reimagines it as quite the trip.
+ Limited Clear vinyl pressing as part of Disciples R.A.T.S. series following its original Japanese, lathe-cut edition.
Leftovers is the debut album from Montreal's Le Ren and my word does she have a lush voice. It's a pretty timeless collection and even after only a few spins we're pretty stuck on her.
+ Indie LPs are pressed on opaque yellow vinyl.
Also this week; Songs Of Vienna is a psychedelic ride through modern electronics, choral pop and contemporary jazz from the Austrian producer Cid Rim. It's a pretty thrilling ride and we have a limited White vinyl pressing. Fast Idol is the new LP from the LA-based Black Marble and the production is dope. Lots of vintage synth pop-cues and lots of weird changes of pace. Good energy. What Then? is the second album from Irish singer-storyteller David Keenan. Pokey LaFarge returns in joyous and laid back form with his seventh studio LP, In The Blossom of Their Shade. Super stylish and there IS always something to drink about!
Also en route for the #newmusicfriday racks, we're expecting A.A. Williams' Arco EP and Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes jacked-up new Sticky LP. Oh yeah, Coldplay too!
Lastly today, Fourth Density is the ambitious new set from composer and multi-instrumentalist Daniel O’Sullivan. beguiling instrumental beauties and mini epics. Really glorious.
Loads of decent Not-New releases for you tomorrow; The Beatles' Let It Be, The Charlatans and a very limited Third Man pressing of the debut North Americans LP. Saturday is also National Album Day with some good bits and some utter rot.
- Drift
