All bases covered this week with beautifully quiet moments and plucked strings, through to some very sassy beats.
Hello, Friends.
Record of the Week is Quiet Signs, the third album from San Franciscan singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt. It's an album of really beautiful subtlety, it is a collection of quiet songs that are delivered so beautifully and above all else utterly captivating. The arrangements are pretty simple, predominantly Jessica on her own, focusing on the nuances of the songs and her beautiful voice. Easy to miss on the first listen, but there are so many glorious moments and its this years first proper grower of an album. Very highly recommended.
+ Indies only edition pressed on Crystal Clear vinyl
Cosey Fanni Tutti releases her first solo album in 36 years today with TUTTI. The eight pieces were originally conceived as the soundtrack to the autobiographical film 'Harmonic Coumaction', the music was then updated and enhanced with elements of the original tracks re-recorded and further processed specifically to create a unique stand-alone document. It brilliantly covers all sorts of parts of her storied career.
Michael Chapman returns today with True North, the masterful follow-up to his universally celebrated 2017 album 50 (again produced by Steve Gunn). True North finds the elder statesman of British songwriting and guitar looking introspectively about age and regret, it's a really perfectly balanced record. We have an indie pressing on Red Wine colour vinyl, we also have a bottle of True North that we'll be drinking at Drift tomorrow night if you care to come and join us.
Every so often an album is thrilling in the elevator pitch alone... Mercury Rev reimagine Bobbie Gentry's The Delta Sweete album from 1968 with guest vocals from; Norah Jones, Hope Sandoval, Rachel Goswell, Vashti Bunyan, Beth Orton, Marissa Nadler, Lucinda Williams, Margo Price, Susanne Sundfør, Phoebe Bridgers, Kaela Sinclair, Carice Van Houten and Laetitia Sadier. It sounds magnificent, huge and beautifully produced without losing sight of the songs. Everyone is on form, really enjoying this.
Really feeling Into The Iris today, six new songs from Los Angeles-based Flat Worms. Angsty as you like, these songs were recorded by Ty Segall in his home, and are now being offered on God? Records.
Former Hüsker Dü leader Bob Mould returns today with his new studio LP Sunshine Rock. After a stretch of dark and searching records, this new LP is suitably sunny and full of melodic peace.
+ Limited Indie coloured LP on opaque red and yellow swirl vinyl, just like the cover!
The Lemonheads follow up the critically acclaimed Varshons from nearly ten years ago with another eclectic collection of covers. Includes versions of; Nick Cave, Yo La Tengo, The Bevis Frond, Eagles and more.
+ Indies only LP version on limited 'unripe green' coloured vinyl, packaged in a banana-scented scratch-'n'-sniff sleeve!
Few albums in rock ‘n’ roll history have seen its creator’s obsession veer so close to self-destruction, as Yak’s new The Pursuit Of Momentary Happiness. For singer, guitarist and driving force Oli Burslem, making his band’s second album became about pursuing his artistic vision at the expense of all else, including his own financial security, and mental health. Explosive, some right good moments here.
+ LP - Indie Edtion - Limited Beige Coloured Vinyl housed in Gatefold Sleeve.
Noah Lennox returns with his sixth solo album as Panda Bear. Buoys was co-produced and co-mixed by collaborator Rusty Santos in Lennox’s adopted home of Lisbon, Portugal.
+ Limited Indie version pressed on red and white marbled coloured vinyl.
Self-titled International Teachers of Pop LP is released today on Desolate Spools. Synth-pop vibes with loads of bite from members of Moonlandingz and Eccentronic Research Council.
+ Limited green vinyl pressing
Springhead Works is the second release by Craven Faults and it is utterly lush. Two pieces from the mysterious Yorkshire producer that sounds like dusty synths and howling moors... limited edition of 300 copies.
* Stock will be with us early next week, don't miss out.
Following the 2011 London Sessions, LCD Soundsystem took to NYC's iconic Electric Lady studios for this new session. Double LP, rammed full of bangers.
A batch of Prince reissues today, with 3121, Musicology and Planet Earth getting 2019 remasters.
As Metronomy work on their forthcoming sixth album - and their forthcoming Sea Change Headline spot in May - they take a moment to reflect on the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough album Nights Out. Metronomy’s Joseph Mount has delved into the archives for Nights Out: 10th Anniversary Edition and it's sounding pretty lush. B-Sides, remixes and unreleased tracks and double LP edition pressed on Double Green Coloured Vinyl.
We have Michael Clark playing live in the shop this Tuesday night, and William the Conqueror next Friday night. More info here, but both are free and we'll be cracking some cans.
- Drift