Somehow 4 years have shot by since we were last swaddled in the Norfolk songstress's dreamlike sounds. And this is quite the return, Orton's added an extra layer of invigorating grit to her already deeply expressive voice, additional smoulder to her smoky sounds, and an emotional heft that still packs a punch 5, 10, 30 listens later.
Expanding from the solo project of Miles Goodall into a fully fledged Brighton supergroup, SoftTop layer their indie sensibilities with 70s yacht rock and jazzy flourishes, resulting in something simultaneously pop and catchy as well as structurally intriguing in the process.
We've gone dotty for this lot, make no mistake! And it seems like the rest of the world has too - with copies flying out quicker than you can say "mantra-rock, Dadaist, Pythagorean-Cubist orchestra". Fortunately, their take on microtonal psychedelia played in off-kilter cadences fully lives up to the spotlit hype. We've been ducking and jiving, twisting and diving along like we're partying in the back of their intergalactic vehicle, redlining it to the heart of a distant sun. Hop on and enjoy the ride!
Former Dinked and AOTW alumni, the Maryland man's distinctive soul-soused sound has been fine-tuned even further on album number 2. It's an open-hearted affair, festooned with gospel harmonies, blazing horns, and that smouldering voice that never fails to melt us into adoring puddles.
13 years after Tomorrow's Harvest, the mind-expanding duo return with a fresh crop of atmospheric, synth-based monuments. Further exploring the dark textures of its predecessor, Inferno submerges us in a hugely evocative netherworld of creeping soundscapes and speech soundbites.
Weaving a heady tapestry of trip-hop, hypnotic psych-folk, jazz, radiant guitars & rhythm sections that unwind like an expanding cosmos, the second solo album from the Radiohead legend (AKA EOB) is as bewitching and mind altering as we've ever heard from him.
Four years since he claimed the album of the week crown with This Is A Photograph, Morby is back to close the circle on his Midwestern trilogy. And, in doing so, he's imbued the carefully strummed sounds with a world weariness that is neither the sound of regret or defeat, it's the expansive music of a deep wisdom that's been hard-earnt and carefully protected. This is one to really spend some time with.
A firm favourite around these parts, a new Aldous album is always a good reason to down tools and pay attention and Train on the Island is certainly no exception to that rule. Thoughtful and intimate, confessional but good-humoured, the New Zealander has worked her gentle magic, developing her inimitable voice further still, and produced something exceptional yet again. We're all aboard for this one.
Every now and then you hear something which has such a potent auditory impact that it manifests physically. In warm waves of shivers. In a smile gently emerging. ladylike’s debut EP, delicately treading the tightrope between folk and post-rock, is all about this. The confidence to command the space, to patiently nurture the restraint, to hold us captive in their loosely fettered melodies. But also, to know exactly when to release the shackles and allow the ferocity to burn through. You might even recognise a couple of them ;)
An egalitarian collective sharing songwriting duties equally, Mildred’s slacker americana sound feels naturally formed; it’s wistful, introspective, and laced with sweet guitar licks capable of taking you back to another time. They’re going to be strumming their way into a great many hearts in the months to come.
He’s a poet. He’s a producer. He’s a beatmaker. He’s the creator of electronic banger after banger, and just eighteen months after his critically acclaimed debut, the Manchester-born, former English teacher Antony Szmierek is back! Catch him live, intimately inbetween the racks, ahead of his show at CHALK later this year...
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