Phil Martin
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark
Innovative and immensely enjoyable second album from Essex-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Phil Martin
Steven Wilson
Drive Home
Breathtaking music and video combination on CD/DVD package from Porcupine Tree front man. Steven Wilson
Dr Feelgood
Get Rhythm: The Best of Dr Feelgood 1984-1987
Enjoyable mid-era double CD compilation from blues rock veterans Dr Feelgood, which, however, does not match up to the magnificence of their early years
Carta
The Faults Follow
Incredible fusion of post-punk and space rock on third album from San Francisco based band Carta, which is their first to feature vocals on every song
Moby
Innocents
Formulaic and uninspired latest album from Moby, which finds him moving little on from 1998’s era-defining ‘Play'
Zoo Zero
Zoo Zero
Inventive and confident debut mini-album from London-based alternative rockers, Zoo Zero
Council Tax Band/Ice, Sea, Dead People
Split EP
Angry but humorous political punk on superb split EP from Bedfod-based groups, the Council Tax Band and Ice, Sea, Dead People
Nick Lowe
Quality Street
Surprising but unnecessary collection of covers on early Christmas album from Nick Lowe
Aisha Burns
Life in the Midwinter
Fascinating but over melancholic and bleak debut solo album from Balmorhea violinist, Aisha Burns
Stephen Dale Petit
Cracking the Code
Uncompromising fourth album from Californian blues guitarist Stephen Dale Petit, which includes guest appearances from Dr John, Mick Taylor and Chris Barber
Audrey Auld
Tonk
Superb country rock from Australian-born but now Nashville-based singer-songwriter and country musician, Audrey Auld
Mona and Maria
My Sun
Uplifting 1960’s psychedelic-influenced debut album from Oslo-based duo, Mona and Maria
Joseph Arthur
The Ballad of Boogie Christ Acts I and II
Astonishing tenth solo album from Ohio-based singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur, which is his musical response to the concept of the great American novel
Various
A Brilliant Escape
Superb eighteen track free download compilation sampler from Ottawa-based label This Beautiful Music, which includes artists such as Dot Dash, Roy Moller and the Model Spy
Strange Names
Strange Names EP
Enjoyable debut EP from New York and Minneapolis-based electronic act, Strange Names
Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire
Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire
Haunting and anthemic debut album from Glasgow-based singer-songwriter Roddy Hart and his band the Lonesome Fire, which draws comparisons with the very best of early U2 and Simple Minds
Body Rampant
Midnight Mayfair
Exhilarating debut album and concept record from ballsy Californian rockers, the Body Rampant
Blues Band
Live at Rockpalast
Fabulous live album from the Blues Band recorded in 1980 the year after they formed at the Rockpalast in Germany, which, while it comes accompanied by a poor quality DVD of the show, nevertheless is totally compelling
Royal Forest
Spillway
Fantastic third album from quirkily experimental Austin, Texan-formed band, Royal Forest
Ballet
I Blame Society
Hugely enjoyable third album of 80’s-influenced electronica from gay New York trio, the Ballet
Jacob Bellens
The Daisy Age
Melancholic, but riveting debut solo album from Danish singer-songwriter, Jacob Bellens
French Boutik
Les Chats de Goutierre
Stunning 7 inch vinyl only debut single from French-based indie pop outfit, French Boutik
Damien Dempsey
Almighty Love
Surprisingly celebratory and anthemic, but fine sixth album from Irish singer-songwriter and one-time Morrissey favourite, Damien Dempsey
Lund Quartet
Lund Quartet
Subtle but compelling mixture of jazz, trip-hop and electronica on debut album from Bristol-based group, Lund Quartet
TweakerRay
The Collector Chapter 02
Compelling combination of video game soundtracks, grinding industrialism and Kraut rock on latest album from Hamburg-based electroniic musician, TweakerRay
Princess Chelsea
Lil' Golden Book
Enchanting and eccentric debut album from Princess Chelsea, who is a New Zealand-based musician and pianist
Sonnymoon
Sonnymoon
Mesmerising kaleidoscope of hip-hop, electronica, punk and R&B on debut album from Boston duo, Sonnymoon
Cheek Mountain Thief
Cheek Mountain Thief
Understated and lo-fi, but multi-layered and original debut album from Cheek Mountain Thief, the project of Tunng’s Mike Lindsay, which was born out and inspired by his love with Iceland
Sone Institute
A Model Life
Inventive and unique second album from one-man electronic project, the Sone Institute
Iori's Eyes
Double Soul
Refined, but remarkable dream-pop on debut album from harmonic Milan-based duo, Iori's Eyes
J. Allen
Wonder City
Inventive and intelligent human to urban loneliness on debut solo album from New York-baded singer-songwriter, J. Allen
Collapse under the Empire
Fragments of a Prayer
Breathtaking latest album from Hamburg-based instrumental post-rockers, Collapse Under the Empire
Adam Leonard
Nature Recordings
Atmospheric and unique blend of folk, psychedelia and electronica on second album from English singer-songwriter, Adam Leonard
Dreaming Spires
Brothers in Brooklyn
Uplifting and retro-inspired debut album from Janice Long’s new favourite band , the Dreaming Spires
Bloody Knives
Blood
Abrasive and forceful debut album from Austin-based industrial/electronic act, Bloody Knives
Mere
Mere
Unsettling, but highly original dark-ambient jazz on debut album from semi-improvised Dutch trio, Mere
Carlos Cipa
The Monarch and the Viceroy
Stunning debut album from classically-inspired Munich-based 22 year old jazz pianist, Carlos Cipa
Beach Boys
That's Why God Made the Radio
Fabulous first album in twenty years from the Beach Boys which, possibly their farewell record, has been released to coincide with their fiftieth anniversary
Neil Young And Crazy Horse
Americana
Unorthodox reworkings of classic mainly American folk songs from Neil Young, which reunites him with Crazy Horse for the first time since 2003
Jack Savoretti
Before the Storm
Upbeat and catchy melodic pop on third album from English-Italian songwriter and musician, Jack Savoretti
Firefly Burning
Lightships
Perfectly executed debut album from East London experimental group Firefly Burning, who have taken their lyrics from poetry and set them to music
New York Dolls
Live from the Bowery
Superb combination of classic and newer material on live CD/DVD from the New York Dolls, recorded at a hometown gig on the first night of a tour
Foreign Slippers
Farewell to the Old Ghosts
Superbly packaged debut album from versatile and offbeat British/Swedish alt. folk/rock band, Foreign Slippers
Nelson Bragg
We Get What We Want
Exuberant power pop on second solo album from Brian Wilson and Beach Boys percussionist and drummer, Nelson Bragg
Roy Moller and Sporting Hero
The Singing's Getting Better
Excellent acoustic and country-tinged third album from underacknowledged Glasgow-based singer-songwriter Roy Moller, who has combined on it with Northern Irish multi-instrumentalist Sporting Hero
Joan and the Sailors
Mermaid
Gently understated and mature-sounding debut album from alternative rock outfit, Joan and the Sailors
Leg
An Eagle to Saturn
Bold and inventive third album from joyously eccentric Edinburgh-based experimentalists, the Leg
Drowner
Drowner
Inventive and intelligent debut album from Texan-based shoegaze group, Drowner
Magnetic North
Orkney Symphony of the Magnetic North
Fabulous mix of the traditional and contemporary on debut album from electro folk super group, which includes Erland and the Carnival front man Erland Cooper, acclaimed singer-songwriter Hannah Peel and ex-Blur and Verve man Simon Tong, and that its takes its inspiration from Orcadian history
Elika
Always the Light
Superb combination of shoegaze and electronica on fourth album from Brooklyn-based two-piece, Elika
Variety Lights
Central Flow
Eccentric and challenging, but convincing debut album from Varety Lights, the new project of early Mercury Rev front man David Baker
Orbital
Wonky
Flawed, but mainly successful first album in eight years from electronic duo, Orbital
Admiral Fallow
Tree Bursts in Snow
Innovative amd optimistic nu-folk on second album from much acclaimed Glaswegian group, Admiral Fallow
Bersarin Quartett
II
Compelling second album from the Bersarin Quartett, the project of German graphic and sound designer, Thomas Bucker
One Little Plane
Into the Trees
Exciting and innovative second album from Chicago-based psychedelic folk three-piece, One Little Plane
HAL
The Time The Hour
Superbly written and executed first album in seven years from Dublin-based pop rock outfit, HAL
A-Sun Amissa
Desperate in Her Heavy Sleep
Excellent debut album from Leeds trio A-Sun Amissa, which consisting of former members of Glissando, combine dense dreamscapes and blissfully minimalist drone textures
Junior Electronics
Musotonics
Tntelligent and playful second album from Junior Electronics, the solo work of Stereolab keyboardist Joe Watson
Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation
Egor
Unsettling, but compelling live fourth album from the Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation, the experimental side project of the Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Brother Sun, Sister Moon
Understated, yet inventive debut album from Brother Son, Sister Moon, the new project of Alicia Merz from Birds of Passage and Gareth Munday from Roof Light