A handful of artists that we really like in rude form. A superb end for October.
Radiohead have released a set of live recordings this week, recorded and performed in London, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, and Dublin between 2003 and 2009. All tracks focus on the band’s sixth album, Hail to the Thief, with some tense and frenetic beats, some lush swells and plenty of guitar crunch too. Hail to the Thief (Live Recordings 2003-2009) really does sound fantastic, live but remarkably focused. Mixed by Ben Baptie and mastered by Matt Colton.
+ Available on a limited one-time pressing on Red vinyl.
+ The foil sleeve looks super impressive too.
Melbourne-based quartet The Belair Lip Bombs release their second album - Again - this week on Third Man Records and we’ve been really taken with it. Their jangling melodies have such sun-faded vibes, all slack and easy-going, with room to get a bit angsty and run through the gears too. The riffs are incendiary, but Maisie Everett’s vocal really is a bit special. It was recorded with producer Joe White of Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever and is a sonic step up from their excellent debut, whilst still keeping it suitably loose. Record of the Week and right up our street.
+ Available on limited Sky Blue colour vinyl.
A collaborative album inspired by the beauty and decadence of the rural Midwest and absolutely the year’s most hotly anticipated pastoral Americana sludge metal crossover…
Seriously though, Oklahoma City noise rock band Chat Pile have collaborated with visionary guitarist and composer Hayden Pedigo and man alive is it good! In the Earth Again is all about tones and sounds, with long expansive evolutions of drones and harmonics and progressions, like a post-apocalyptic soundscape. There are some long-held wails, some sublime plucks, some gnarled riffs and some huge expanses. It really is vast and impressive, and surprisingly uplifting as a whole. Highly recommended.
This one really is a treat, but it is pretty limited across a few exclusive editions. Don’t miss out.
+ Available in a deluxe aluminium sleeve, also pressed on Silver and Oxblood colour pressings.
Swedish writer and composer Anna von Hausswolff returns with ICONOCLASTS and it is absolutely massive. Her voice really does sound incredible, so loud and full of emotion. It’s like she is standing right in front of you and she properly gives it all. The production is maximal (with Filip Leyman), a rock opus of classic tones and off-kilter swirls. Features Iggy Pop and Ethel Cain among others, but seriously, they don’t get anywhere close to the magnitude of von Hausswolff’s voice. Wild.
+ Available on double White vinyl.
Tremor is the new collaboratively minded LP from Daniel Avery, featuring guest appearances from Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Walter Schreifels (Quicksand / Rival Schools), bdrmm, Julie Dawson (NewDad), Yeule, Ellie, Art School Girlfriend, yunè pinku, and Cecile Believe. With all the different characters, he does a hugely laudable job in keeping it all coherent as it sways through shoegaze, ambient soundscapes, some serious BPM and industrial bliss. It’s an album.
+ Available on very limited double Red colour vinyl.
Also this week; Admiral Fallow release their fifth LP, First Of The Birds. It was recorded with long-time collaborator and producer Paul Savage in Chem19 Studios and marks their debut for Full Time Hobby. Everybody Scream is the sixth album from Florence + the Machine. We haven’t heard it yet as we can’t be trusted. The Orchestra (For Now) release their new Plan 76 EP and it is heartfelt stuff. Unknown Mortal Orchestra go hard and abrasive with an Italo-horror-inspired EP called CURSE. Man, Ruban really can get wild and still sound like UMO. What a talent.
