Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka
Third album from the acclaimed British-Ugandan singer-songwriter sees him join forces with star producer Danger Mouse. It's a more dynamic affair than his previous work, with instrumental section that features Burt Bacharach-type orchestrations, strings and harps, samples of civil rights campaigners, Hendrix-type guitars. It builds slowly and pensively, but has beautiful, profound power, with police shootings a running theme from the martyrdom on Hero (comparing 60s activist Fred Hampton current cases) and on Rolling, moving then to Final Days at the threat of nuclear holocaust. This both retro and current, Marvin Gaye meets Donny Hathaway meets Terry Callier. Well worth listening from start to finish to get a sense, in the old-fashioned way, of full album shape, crossing into psychedelia, breakbeat, rock, Afro, but above all, timeless soul. Out on Polydor.
Michael Kiwanuka – Hero
Underworld – Drift Series One: Sampler Edition
Dance music veterans Karl Hyde and Rick Smith, as well as a series of joyous live greatest hits shows of late, have also been releasing a song a week, every Thursday, for the past year, compiled into a seven-CD box set, with one standalone album as overview of the project. Some of it is highly experimental and boundary pushing, such as Appleshine Continuum, a 34-minute collaboration with experimental jazz trio the Necks, Brilliant Yes That Would Be, Border Country, a reworking of Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s children’s classic Each Peach Pear Plum. So Mother Goose, Bo Peep and friends come out instead in a rapid fire namecheck of political popular culture figures, from David Beckham to the Dalai Lama to Dr Dre. All insanely nod-heady catchy, taking you instantly back to a state of bliss. And there's so much more out there, such as Custard Speedtalk. Out on Caroline.
Underworld – Listen To Their No (#DRIFT Ep.4 Pt.1)
Jeff Lynne's ELO – From Out Of Nowhere
Liking ELO was never cool, but with the rise of the 'Guilty Pleasures' franchise, and Mr Blue Sky appearing several films, Jeff Lynne has come back into the glorious spotlight in recent years, to become a beloved treasure and stadium filler again. His pedigree and talent is undoubted and this latest album is very much in classic ELO territory, with huge orchestrations and richly layered vocal harmonies, classic pop tunes a big splash of rock'n'roll and echoes sadly departed friend Tom Petty. The spaceship has landed again, and you can't help but admire it. Out on Sony/RCA.
Jeff Lynne's ELO – From Out Of Nowhere
Miranda Lambert – Wildcard
This seventh album by the Tennessee country-pop singer is a humdinger of catchy numbers, several of which have a drinking theme, from Dark Bars, Tequila Does, to Holy Water, and there's a splash of Chardonnay on the humorously dark Way Too Pretty for Prison. There's also plenty of heartbreak, and this is the sassy, pop, bluesy swinging stuff. Stir in a cauldron of Shania Twain and a big jug of Dolly Parton and the punch is tasty - you've got a winner. Enjoyable even if country rock is not your thang. Out on RCA.
Miranda Lambert – It All Comes Out In The Wash
Gang Starr – One Of The Best Yet
Nine years since rapper Guru's death from cancer and 16 after their last album, DJ Premier's rebirth of the 90s hip hop name is a better-than-average comeback, keeping consistency with older output, but adding Guru's contempories alongside some snippets of the man himself, from Q-Tip, Jeru the Damaja, Big Shug, and Group Home, as well as younger rapper J Cole. As before, much of Gang Starr is self-referential, about rap itself, and so this goes old skool in a decent way, in making tribute to an old friend. If not the best yet, one of the best for a long time. Out on Gang Starr Enterprises LLS.
Gang Starr – Family And Loyalty (featuring J Cole)
A Winged Victory For The Sullen – The Undivided Five
Welcome return for Dustin O’Halloran and Adam Wiltzie on only their second full studio album outside of film and TV music. This is thematically focused on the serendipitous role of the number five, including the perfect fifth chord, featuring orchestra, ambient moods, and some exquisite recording locations across Europe. Out on Ninja Tune.
A Winged Victory For The Sullen – The Undivided Five (preview)
Turnover – Altogether
Latest by the Virginia Beach band fronted by Austin Getz is jazzy, dreamy pop, with an 80s feel, a likeable, easy-listening fusion of Beach House and Metronomy. Out on Run For Cover Records.
Turnover – Altogether (album stream)
Sunset Sons – Blood Rush Deja Vu
Second full LP, on top of several EPs, from the three-piece British-Australian indie band who are based in Hossegor, south-west France, the 'European surfing capital' and these surfer and snowboarding dudes have developed high waves of stadium filling choruses, with an eye on the commercial mainstream. Out on Bad Influence.
Sunset Sons – Superman
This week's selection is by The Landlord.
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