Damn Truth
Now or Nowhere
Explosive psychedelic rock on first-rate album from undiscovered Montreal-based band The Damn Truth
Surreal Appeal
Gently Deranged
New release from Sheffield based three piece group Surreal Appeal, bringing their electronic psychedelic sensibilities to an intriguing collection of songs.
Araluen
And There It Is
Instantly classic debut album from new country supergroup which includes three of Danny and the Champions of the World, and also members of the Magic Numbers and Mutton Birds.
London Grammar
Californian Soil
Accomplished combination of pop and balladry on latest album from Nottingham-formed trio London Grammar
Hedvig Mollestad Trio
Ding Dong, You’re Dead
Baffling and energetic cross genre album from Norwegian act Hedvig Mollestad Trio, which combines loud krautrock, prog, jazz and garage punk rock
Jesse Aycock
Jesse Aycock
Tulsa’s Jesse Aycock delivers a sublime new album encompassing country-folk, pop, rock and hints of psychedelia.
MG Boulter
Clifftown
Highly personal and evocative new album from M G Boulter which tells of his relationship with his home town of Southend on Sea
Paul Brett
Stone Survivor - Anthology
Extensive four CD compilation from session musician and experimental guitarist Paul Brett
Firefay and Alison O'Donnell
The Travels of Janus
Evocative and atmospheric second collection of songs from folk legend Alison O’Donnell with Firefay
Robert Jurjendal
Water Finds a Way
Imaginative fourth album from Estonian guitarist Robert Jurjendal which continues to explore the concept of instrumental exploration that is so much part of his solo work
Hayley Williams
Flowers For Vases / Descansos
Introspective and sparse second solo album from Paramore vocalist Hayley Williams
Julien Boudart
Nome Polycephale
French sound artist and musician Julien Boudart explores the boundaries of sound inspired by an ancient myth in this first volume of a planned series
Who
The Stereo Bonus Tracks
Fantastic digital only EP which provides alternative versions of The Who's 1967 album The Who Sells Out', which is being reissued in an expanded version
Bear of Bombay
Something Stranger
Debut EP of synthpop soundscapes from Milanese musician and songwriter Lorenzo Parisini.
Launchers
Rainbow Children
Upbeat and hopeful new single from West London nine-piece reggae/ska act The Launchers
Birdpen
All Function One
Haunting sixth album from Birdpen is a protest against technology’s stranglehold on our lives and society
Various
Riding The Rock Machine: British Seventies Classic Rock
Well-researched three CD box set which provides to the listener with a compelling sonic history of 1970's rock's lesser-known acts as well as also its legends
Black Pistol Fire
Look Alive
Canadian duo Black Pistol Fire offer impassioned and energetic rock with some subtle twists and turns
First Aid Kit
Who By Fire
Excellent tribute album to Leonard Cohen recorded live over two nights at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm by sibling duo First Aid Kit
Steve Robinson
Swallowing the Sun
Classic folky-pop with Beatle touches. on first album in five years from former Headlight and Roger McGuinn sideman Steve Robinson
Nick Cave And Warren Ellis
Carnage
Intense and versatile collaboration between Nick Cave and his fellow Bad Seeds member Warren Ellis
Global Village Trucking Company
Smiling Revolution
Impressive double CD anthology on Cherry Red from Iconic communal band The Global Village Trucking Company
Jason Ringenberg
Rhinestoned
Highly enjoyable solo effort, which was recorded during the 2020 Covid lockdown, from Tennessee’s Jason Ringenberg, one of the early pioneers of alt. country
Fanfara Awantura
Prawdziwie polskie techno
Ingenious blend of brass and techno music from Polish act Fanfara Awantura
Conrad Clipper
Herons' Book oF Dreams
Anonymous German composer Conrad Clipper’s second album is full of wistful piano instrumentals
Damn Vandals
You Me the Devil and the Sunshine
A year’s worth of pent-up energy and emotion blasts through Damn Vandals' new album with one banger after another
Nature's Neighbor
Otherside
Eclectic twelfth album from Chicago-formed band Nature’s Neighbor which reflects upon the current pandemic
Sonia
Everybody Knows - The SIngles Box Set
Pure pop perfection on six CD box set from Hit Factory starlet Sonia
Django Django
Glowing in the Dark
Uplifting and memorable fourth album from critically acclaimed London-based art rock band Django Django
Ted Barnes
17 Postcards
Cinematic and richly rewarding solo album from Beth Orton guitarist and composer Ted Barnes
Eisenhowers
Judge a Man By the Company He Keeps
Confident Elvis Costello-influenced indie rock on latest album from Scottish band The Eisenhowers
Direct Hits
The Broadway Recording Sessions
Enjoyable compilation of Mod pop trio Direct Hits’ early recording sessions which are finally released by Optic Nerve Recordings but is mostly targeted at already converted fans.
Bryan Ferry
Royal Albert Hall 2020
Excellent live album from Bryan Ferry, recorded at the Royal Albert Hall just before lockdown, all proceeds of which go to his touring musicians and road crew
Lake Street Dive
Obviously
Unpredictable and innovative eighth album from Brooklyn-based five-piece act Lake Street Dive who have worked on this new release with hip-hop producer Mike Elizondo
Zara Larsson
Poster Girl
Upbeat and positive latest album from acclaimed Swedish singer-songwriter and pop artist Zara Larsson
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
All The Good Times
Intimate and acoustic covers album from leading Americana duo Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
Coldharbourstores
Dearly Devoted
Sweetly jangling but flawed fourth album from London-based band Coldharbourstores
Virginia Wing
private LIFE
Fifth LP which captures the present difficult times from experimental Manchester trio.Virginia Wing
Various
Shake the Foundations: Militant Funk and the Post-Punk Dancefloor 1978-1984
Impressive three CD box set from Cherry Red follows up the success of their previous post-punk box sets with this reflection into the more danceable part of the scene
Darrell Scott
Jaruso
Intimate live album recorded in an old church from Nashville-based singer-songwriter Darrell Scott which proves a heartwarming listen
Arlo Parks
Collapsed in Sunbeams
Inspirational debut album whose influences include Sylvia Plath from London musician and poet, Arlo Parks
Steve Earle
J.T.
Thoughtful and emotive album from Steve Earle, in which he pays tribute to his son Justin Townes Earle who died of an accidental drugs overdose last year by covering a collection of Justin’s songs
Barry Gibb
Greenfields
Appealing new album from Barry Gibb in which he has reworked some of his classic catalogue with a range of country artists including Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, Alison Krauss and Sheryl Crow.
Celeste
Not Your Muse
Fantastic debut album from Celeste who lives up to all her promise after winning a BRITS Rising Star award
Sharhabil Ahmed
The King of Sudanese Jazz
Festive frenzy funk on compilation album from 1970's era Sudanese musician Sharhabil Ahmed
Urlaub in Polen
All
Impressive sixth album and first in nine years from Cologne new wave krautrockers Urlaub in Polen
Rick Shea
Love and Desperation
Convincing new album from veteran country singer-songwriter Rick Shea which finds him on top of his game and undeterred by Covid restrictions using remote recording techniques with his band
McKenzie FIX
Pandora's Box
Over-polished but eclectic debut album from the McKenzie FIX, the new project of acclaimed Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Ewan McKenzie
Myles Cochran
Unsung
Building on the promise of last year’s ‘My Own Devices’ EP, American bluegrass and country instrumental musician Myles Cochran’s new album shows his talents to the full
Iain Matthews
Fake Tan
Enjoyable new album from Fairport Convention and Matthews Southern Comfort’s Iain Matthews, which he has recorded with Norwegian musicians The Salmon Smokers
Pearl Charles
Magic Mirror
Eclectic second album from rising Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Pearl Charles
Nick Cave
Idiot Prayer
Intense but quietly hopeful and resilient live piano-and-voice album from Nick Cave recorded alone in the empty Alexandra Palace in London
Taylor Swift
Evermore
Impressive second album in a year from Taylor Swift which finds her continuing to develop in an indie-folk direction
My Darling Clementine
Country Darkness
Excellent and unpredictable set of Elvis Costello covers from country duo My Darling Clementine
Conny Frischauf
Die Drift
First-rate synth pop which combines modern and vintage sounds on debut album from Viennese electronic artist Conny Frischauf
Rats on Rafts
Excerpts from Chapter 3: The Mind Runs a Net of Rabbit Paths
Unusual but brilliant psych pop on long-awaited third album from Rotterdam-based group Rats On Rafts
RVDS
Moods and Dances 2021
Flawed but promising electronica on new album from Hamburg-based DJ RVDS
Staves
Good Woman
Resilient and emotive first album in five years from Watford-based folk-pop sister trio The Staves
Jane Weaver
Flock
Optimistic latest album from 'Modern Kosmonaut' Jane Weaver which provides a vision for the brighter future that we all need
Randolph’s Leap
Spirit Level
Scottish folk-pop collective Randolph's Leap’s new album is full of catchy melodies and sunny skies