Rich darkness and bubbling light
SAVED! Is the debut from Kristin Hayter as ‘Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter’ (we understand that she was ordained) after retiring her Lingua Ignota moniker. It really is one to behold, a slightly terrifying but thoroughly gripping album based around her startling voice and words. Interestingly, she recorded the stark music in high fidelity, before degrading it through four-track and broken tape machines to give everything its own distinct journey. Otherworldly, wild and highly recommended.
+ Available on Red colour vinyl.
Bolted is the first album in six years from producer Forest Swords and it is a dark treasure. The beats and tones positively writhe around one another, a swirling vortex of industrial clunks and siren-like samples. The sound design is quite masterfull, it feels very much like you’re slowly being drawn deeper and deeper into the speakers. There is so much going on. Record of the Week.
+ Available as a deluxe edition pressed on Light Indigo vinyl in a gatefold matte varnish outer sleeve.
Lahai is the new LP from Sampha and follows his 2017 Mercury Prize-winning debut album. The production is really smooth, full of ideas and gestures, but all carefully woven into a rich sonic bed that gives his voice all the space to sound just delicious. Lahai is so celebratory, a collaborative and communal album with contributions from Yaeji, Léa Sen, Sheila Maurice Grey (Kokoroko), Ibeyi, Morgan Simpson (Black Midi), Yussef Dayes, Laura Groves and Kwake Bass. He sounds older and more experienced on this rich and emotional album.
+ Available on limited White colour vinyl.
Bobbie is the third album from Dutch singer-songwriter Pip Blom, a bold and vibrant leap into synth pop. She has retained the sparkle of her adrenaline-rich earlier work, but given everything an entirely maximal production and it has to be said, she is a brilliant pop singer. Alex Kapranos’ rich croon on Is This Love? Is also an unexpected treasure!
+ Pressed on Pink colour vinyl.
Pearlies is the debut solo LP from Lush co-founder Emma Anderson. It’s such evocative stuff, reverbs and delays swoon around her voice, which sounds as crisp as a bell. Really luxe, rich textures.
+ Available on limited Pearly White colour vinyl.
Also this week, Lee Gamble returns on Hyperdub with Models, a seven-track album focused on synthetic voices. Producer Barry Can't Swim releases his eagerly-anticipated debut When Will We Land? On Ninja Tune. Jenny Hval and Håvard Volden re-group as Lost Girls for the dark and driving Selvutsletter on Smalltown Supersound. Balladeer Dylan LeBlanc turns in some serious studio shimmer for his new Coyote LP. Bombay Bicycle Club return with the euphoric new My Big Day LP. Spike Field is the beautifully fragile new album from Maria BC on Sacred Bones. Poolside release the super-squelchy Blame It All On Love via Counter Records. The production really is special. Composer Volker Bertelmann returns as Hauschka this week on City Slang with Philanthropy and it’s a knotty treat. Neo classical tones making scattered beats, it’s really good. Sleaford Mods return with ‘More UK Grim’, a new EP of grim bangers.
Lastly today, the main man John Dwyer returns with Ritual/Habit/Ceremony, sonic experimentations and improvisations with strings, reeds, synths and hand percussion. Another mini orchestra of sonic explorers taking an epic trip. Really meditative stuff, this one has great balance to it.
- Drift
