Hello and a big welcome to the first new set of releases for 2024.
Down There! Is the full debut from London-based four-piece Folly Group and it’s exactly what we needed to start the new year. Their (excellent) EPs (Awake And Hungry and Human And Kind) have both shown them to be adept at borrowing tones and styles and creating something new. Down There! Takes the fusionism even further, with a set of oozing art rock that successfully moves through sonic landscapes and experimentalism whilst always retaining plenty of drive, knotty riffs and lots of humour. Ambitious and really gratifying, our Record of the Week.
+ Pressed on ‘Blue Moon’ colour vinyl.
+ The band play outstore in Totnes on 12.01.24
This first, full, new week of the year also delivers our January Record of the Month with Bill Ryder-Jones’ gorgeous Iechyd Da. As we said a little earlier in the week, we don’t often say it but it’s an instant classic. Honest and humble, these are spiritually uplifting songs.
Read more here.
Big Sigh is the return of Marika Hackman and she remains as unflinching as ever. Her whispered vocals are really alluring and the production supports her from big and swooning through to some very raw and stripped-back moments. One for the repeat listens, you have to really focus on what she’s saying.
+ Available on limited and exclusive Green colour vinyl.
Another big return this week with The Vaccines and the hugely anthemic new Pick-Up Full Of Pink Carnations. Strangely wistful, whilst still structured around three-minute pop nuggets.
+ We have signed prints, tattoos and bookmarks to give away.
Lastly this week, Australian guitar-pop duo Royel Otis become the latest act to join the Speedy Wunderground 7” singles series with Heading For The Door. Really tight production but DIY arrangements for a big, woozy sound. It’s really great stuff.
It’s a really strong week for best new reissues too, with Lou Reed’s twentieth and final solo studio LP Hudson River Wind Meditations, we also have McCoy Tyner and Ramsey Lewis Trio under the Verve By Request series, The Triffids, East Village, essential compilations from Numero and Soul Jazz and a fresh pressing of The Stokes all time essential Is This It.
How nice it is to be back!
Drift
