Welcome to the Drift Summer Statement. Plenty to get hyped on, the taster playlist is two plus hours alone.
Hello, Friends.
Our July Record of the Month is Song For Our Daughter, the absolutely stunning new album from Laura Marling. It was ready - and the world had gone to shit - so she just released it online back in April, but today marks the official release (the record shop release) and we have CD, LP and some super impressive looking marble vinyl editions. Her seventh album (obligatory mention that she is still only thirty) is just so perfectly crafted. Quite simple in it's instrumentation and production (with the odd orchestral flourish aside), with so much space for her wonderful voice and quite thrilling phrasing. She has moved out of the leagues of just being 'very good' to being an all-time writer and voice. Another sure-fire classic.
+ Available on a very limited Marbled vinyl pressing.
Our Record of the Week is That's How Rumors Get Started, the wonderful return of Margo Price. It arrives four years after her debut, a period of time where she has risen from a raw voice and a remarkably compelling story to one of the leading lights of contemporary Country music. She has lived a (dozen) hard lives and channels it all into her music, but avoids any sentimentalism or fixed genre styling, whirling in elements of rock, psych and even pop. A superb voice in every way.
+ Indie version LP includes a bonus 7" single featuring the track 'Twinkle Twinkle'.
A massive return this. Sounding fresh, engaged and as vital as when he left, Mike Skinner reemerges as The Streets with None Of Us Are Getting Out Of This Life Alive. Although he's been busy throughout, it's been a decade away for The Streets and this new LP - with guest appearances from Tame Impala, IDLES, Hak Baker, Ms Banks, Donae’O, Kasien, Dapz on the Map to name a few - is pretty euphoric. It's funny and his delivery is a wry as ever. He really utilises his strengths - and those of his guests - perfectly, it's a great trip.
+ Available on limited Indie Shop Blue vinyl.
+ We had a bonus 7" single for all preorders, but confirming these have now sold out.
Allah-Las' songwriter and guitarist Pedrum Siadatian returns under his PAINT nom de plume with Spiritual Vegas. Whereas his debut was more free-flowing and experimental, this second outing really tightens the reins on the pop production for a deliciously retro set. Really warm, loads of lush tones and some killer songs too.
Auckland's The Beths release their sophomore LP, Jump Rope Gazers. Very much retaining all of the successes of their fine debut, it cements them as excellent pop writers and this new set again can deliver quite the euphoria.
+ LP includes download code, and this first pressing is on Tangerine vinyl.
Pure Luxury is the funky as hell return of NZCA LINES. It's a real masterclass in taking tones and stylings and finding your own space. So many weird turns and maximal ideas, it's super good fun and a really engaging listen.
+ Available on indie shop Neon Pink vinyl.
+ Instagram: Win a MASSIVE Pure Luxury credit card here.
Healing Is A Miracle is the lush new album from Julianna Barwick. Amazing reverbs and her voice is stunning as a cinematic, ghostly centrepoint. Epic without sounding too glossy. Lush guest contributions from Mary Lattimore and Jónsi too.
Life Drawing is the excellent Bella Union debut from Mr Ben & The Bens. A fantastic collection of songs here, suitably lo-fi but full of super smart ideas.
+ Indie version is pressed on limited white coloured vinyl.
GUM is a project helmed by Tame Impala and Pond multi-instrumentalist Jay Watson. New LP Out In The World takes pop and gives it a good psych-ing.
+ 180g limited edition on Baby Blue vinyl.
A couple of country tones this week with Dougie Poole's The Freelancer's Blues (including limited pink vinyl pressing) on Wharf Cat and The Jayhawks eleventh LP XOXO (with a limited white vinyl edition). DMA'S are about to go pop stratospheric with The Glow (we have limited edition Tri Colour vinyl) and Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard release the The Non-Stop EP which has some jacked-up pop takes on classic rock shapes. The Bolan-shaped bits are really good fun.
Rufus Wainwright appears for the first time as a more elder statesman with Unfollow The Rules. His voice sounds incredible, just delicious really. Plenty of humour whilst taking on broader themes of a well-lived life. We love the guy.
Falle Nioke (a singer and percussionist from Guinea Conakry, West Africa) and Ghost Culture (producer James Greenwood) present their debut excellent collaborative EP Youkounkoun Prah Recordings. A real thriller, this one.
Speedy Wunderground continue their campaign towards utter greatness with the The Lounge Society's Generation Game 7" single. Now, the punchline that we are well and truly sold out, but this is a note to firstly ALWAYS get involved early when we announce Speedy', but also to keep both eyes and ears on The Lounge Society, because much like Tiña, they are one of the most exciting things around right now. You heard it here not first.
Grateful Dead's seminal Workingman’s Dead gets a 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, including this really fun picture disc. Any excuse to talk about this stone-cold-classic makes for a good newsletter tbh.
Lastly this week, we have the full release (it appeared as a limited run last year) of All News Is Good News from Melbourne's instrumental soul group Surprise Chef. Funk, Soul and Library tones with a really lush lo-fi vibe, any of you waiting on a new BBNG release can add these cats to your most-played pile.
- Drift
