A rash of hard and prickling guitars, with cinematic soul and immersive headspaces too.

Something Soft is the second full length album from Irish trio M(h)aol and it is a really special one. It channels rage and resilience into a tense and frenetic post-punk sound, but it’s the intimacy of it that's so gripping. Constance’s vocals are whispered like she is making spells, or screamed like she's handing out curses. It's all so intense. The production is really tight too, the drums click feverishly and it all explodes in waves… absolutely not soft at all! It’s full of dark humour — a really fantastic album.

+ Available as an exclusive Dinked Edition.

Something Soft is actually one of THREE Dinked Editions in the racks this week. We’ll talk more about the epic Loop Twelves 3LP set as part of next week’s Best New Reissues. The third release is Makeshift Art Bar’s Lackluster Writing Makes Fundamental Reading EP which we are ludicrously excited about. Keep an eye on our socials as we’re going to go and try and catch up with them.

Melbourne cinematic soul journeymen Surprise Chef return this week with their all new LP, Superb. I mean, we do love the flex of the title and we can attest, they’re not being ironic here, this record has chops! Lots of lush analogue hues, but this is perhaps their most modern-sounding record too with bright synths and sharp melodies.

+ Translucent Tangerine colour vinyl.

Earcandy is the debut LP from fast-rising London-based singer, rapper and producer, Miso Extra. Singing in both English and Japanese, it’s really evocative stuff and the songs are fantastic, but it’s the production that really makes this pop. A bubbling stream of beats and tones, with sugary sweet K-pop aesthetics and loads of UK beat music too. Little bits of glitch and when she gets lo-fi, it has supreme bedroom pop energy. Really good and really exciting.

+ Pressed on limited Pink colour vinyl.

Goodbye Small Head is Ezra Furman’s tenth studio album, and in a career of making emotional and honest records, this might be both her most emotional and honest to date. Stylistically, it has a great mix of slower and sadder moments, alongside more frenetic, wailing, garage-y pearls. A trip through her own personal demons and wider outside world influences too.

+ Pressed on Berry colour vinyl.

Caveman Wakes Up is a woozed out and poetic new country rock record from Philadelphia band, Friendship. A really gorgeous pace throughout, impactful without feeling bloated or idle. One of those records where the vocals and lyrics really hit you.

Better Dreaming is the sixth LP from duo Tune Yards and it is full of smart vibrance. It is mostly based on propulsive and grooving beats, with the production also showcasing some of their most off-kilter, ingenious moments — balanced against big spiritual uplifters.

+ Available on limited Blue colour vinyl.

Land's End Eternal is the new LP on Leaving Records from electroacoustic saxophonist, improviser, and composer Cole Pulice. Man alive, it is just sublime. Swirling drones, new-age tones and slow evolving pieces that just wash all around the stereo. If you’re interested in something a little bit immersive, this is simply stunning stuff.

The week's most entrancing atmosphere is absolutely Grails’ all-new Miracle Music on Temporary Residence Ltd. A revelatory soundscape with melodic and darker tones blurring. Feels like one that we’ll be playing a lot, there is so much going on.

+ Available on ‘Forest Night’ colour vinyl.

Also this week; Peter Doherty releases a new solo album called Felt Better Alive, available on limited Light Rose-coloured vinyl. Billy Nomates returns on Invada with the tense and emotional Metalhorse. Journey Through Life is the bold and introspective album from Afrobeat royalty Femi Kuti.

Lastly this week, We Invented Work For The Common Good is the debut from AAA Gripper and it’s hard, lean, and urgent music. The way the songs stagger to life is fantastic, everyone is doing something pretty out-there but it locks into a forbidding groove. A strange sort of menace, especially vocally. Enjoying this one a lot, highly recommended.

The week’s reissues will include: Throbbing Gristle, Gruff Rhys, Hank Mobley, Regina Spektor and Loop.