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Album reviews roundup: Tunng, Olafur Arnalds, Quakers, Kylie, Tiña, Holy Motors, Planet Battagon, Adulkt Life, The Growth Eternal

November 10, 2020 Peter Kimpton
This week’s magic nine

This week’s magic nine

Album reviews roundup: an exceptionally experimental and original lineup includes Tunng’s special death project, Iceland’s Olafur Arnalds at his most vulnerable, Tiña, the cosmic jazz funk of Planet Battagon, and for balance, some Kylie disco

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In albums, ambient, country, dance music, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, hip hop, grime, indie, metal, jazz, pop, post-punk, punk, rock, soul, trip-hop, African Tags albums, new releases, Tunng, Ólafur Arnalds, Quakers, Supa K, Geoff Barrow, Sampa The Great, Kylie Minogue, Tiña, Holy Motors, Planet Battagon, Adulkt Life, The Growth Eternal, Full Time Hobby, Mercury KX, Stones Throw, BMG, Speedy Wunderground, Wharf Cat Records, On The Corner, What's Your Rupture?, Leaving Music, Bandcamp
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Album reviews roundup: Elvis Costello, Dizzee Rascal, Sun Ra Arkestra, Eels, Oneohtrix Point Never, Action Bronson, Jim White, Adrianne Lenker, Keaton Henson

November 2, 2020 Peter Kimpton
This week’s very colourful square of album covers is matched by the quality of the music

This week’s very colourful square of album covers is matched by the quality of the music

Album reviews roundup: This week’s selection again reflects the times - divided political America to grief and isolation, but also presents an abundance of creativity, wit and musical invention crossing everything from jazz to hip hop

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In country, blues, albums, African, ambient, classical, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, grime, hip hop, indie, jazz, poetry, pop, post-punk, psychedelia, reggae, soul, rocksteady, soundtracks, traditional Tags Songs, albums, new releases, Elvis Costello, Dizzee Rascal, Sun Ra Arkestra, EELS, Oneohtrix Point Never, Action Bronson, Jim White, Adrianne Lenker, Big Thief, Keaton Henson, Concord Records, Island Records, Dirtee Stank, Strut Records, E Works Records, Warp Records, Loma Vista, Loose Music, 4AD, Play It Again Sam
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Album reviews roundup: Bruce Springsteen, Future Utopia, This Is The Kit, Laura Veirs, Matt Berninger, Songhoy Blues, Ela Minus, Sam Brookes, Girlhood

October 26, 2020 Peter Kimpton
The latest square of nine new albums

The latest square of nine new albums

Albums reviews roundup: The latest selection includes a big reunion for the Boss. a mass collaboration via Fraser T Smith, Stormzy and more, exquisite work by This is The Kit, and reflective breakup by Laura Veirs

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In albums, African, ambient, blues, dance music, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, gospel, grime, grunge, hip hop, indie, jazz, poetry, pop, post-punk, psychedelia, punk, rock, soul, traditional Tags albums, new releases, Bruce Springsteen, E Street Band, Future Utopia, Fraser T Smith, Stormzy, Dave, Simon Armitage, Arlo Parks, This Is The Kit, Kate Staples, Laura Veirs, Matt Berninger, The National, Songhoy Blues, Ela Minus, Sam Brookes, Girlhood, Tessa Cavanna, Christian Pinchbeck, Columbia Records, Platoon Records, Rough Trade, Bella Union, Concord Records, Transgressive, Domino Records, Go Slowly Records, Team Talk Records
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Album reviews roundup: Future Islands, Black Thought, Public Enemy, Emmy The Great, Sylvan Esso, Hen Ogledd, Kronos Quartet, Blake Scott, Slow Pulp

October 12, 2020 Peter Kimpton
Nine more albums of note

Nine more albums of note

Album reviews roundup: Hip hop comes up strong this week with Black Thought and a recent Public Enemy release with heavyweight guests, but there’s not shortage of other highly original artists from Future Islands to Sylvan Esso

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In albums, classical, blues, country, dance music, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, hip hop, indie, jazz, poetry, pop, post-punk, punk, psychedelia, prog-rock, rock, traditional, soundtracks Tags albums, new releases, Future Islands, Black Thought, The Roots, Pusha T, Killer Mike, Public Enemy, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Cypress Hill, George Clinton, Beastie Boys, Mike D, Ad-Rock, Run-DMC, Rapsody, Emmy The Great, Sylvan Esso, Hen Oggled, Richard Dawson, Kronos Quartet, Pete Seeger, Lee Knight, Blake Scott, The Peep Tempel, Slow Pulp, 4AD, Republica, Def Jam, Bella Union, Loma Vista, Domino Records, Smithsonian Folkways, Wing Sing Records, Winspear Records
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Album reviews roundup: Róisín Murphy, Blackpink, Melanie C, Working Men's Club, Hello Forever, The Nude Party, Ailbhe Reddy, Diana Krall, Peter Broderick

October 7, 2020 Peter Kimpton
The latest celebrity square of innovation, commercial and creativity …

The latest celebrity square of innovation, commercial and creativity …

Albums reviews roundup: This selection mixes some serious disco and dance grooves with Róisín Murphy, K-pop megaband Blackpink, the return of a Spice Girl, northern electropop from Working Men’s Club and much more

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In albums, ambient, country, dance music, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, garage, grime, hip hop, indie, jazz, pop, post-punk, psychedelia, punk, rock, soul, traditional, prog-rock Tags albums, new releases, Roisin Murphy, Blackpink, Melanie C, Working Men's Club, Hello Forever, The Nude Party, Ailbhe Reddy, Diana Krall, Peter Broderick, Skint, BMG, YG Entertainment, Red Girl Media, Heavenly Recordings, Rough Trade, North West Records, Friends of the Family, Verve Records, Erased Tapes
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Album reviews roundup: Sufjan Stevens, IDLES, Diana Jones, A Certain Ratio, Bob Mould, Sad13, Marie Davidson, Deftones, Mildlife

October 5, 2020 Peter Kimpton
Another square of nine great new albums

Another square of nine great new albums

Album reviews roundup: This selection has a particularly political and topical element with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, IDLES, Bob Mould and Diana Jones tackling issues in different styles, as well as other stylish pop and experimental releases

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In albums, ambient, country, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, garage, grunge, indie, jazz, metal, pop, post-punk, prog-rock, psychedelia, punk, rock, soul, traditional Tags albums, new releases, Sufjan Stevens, IDLES, Diana Jones, Steve Earle, Richard Thompson, Peggy Seeger, A Certain Ratio, Bob Mould, Sad13, Sadie Dupuis, Speedy Ortiz, Marie Davidson, Deftones, Mildlife, Asthmatic Kitty, Partisan Records, Proper Records, Mute Records, Merge Records, Wax Nine, Ninja Tune, Reprise Records, Heavenly Recordings
Comment

Album reviews roundup: Fleet Foxes, Sault, Thurston Moore, Alicia Keys, A Swayze and the Ghosts, Native Harrow, Fenne Lily, Matt Berry, Widowspeak

September 27, 2020 Peter Kimpton
Another nine great albums square up

Another nine great albums square up

Album reviews roundup: The latest section sees the return of Fleet Foxes in full voice, yet another high quality release by the Sault collective, the ever inventive Thurston Moore, Alicia Keys in collaboration and many more

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In albums, ambient, dance music, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, indie, post-punk, psychedelia, punk, rock, soul, garage, pop, jazz Tags albums, new releases, Songs, Fleet Foxes, Robin Pecknold, Sault, Thurston Moore, Deb Googe, Steve Shelley, Alicia Keys, Sampha, Jill Scott, A Swayze and the Ghosts, Native Harrow, Fenne Lily, Matt Berry, Widowspeak, ANTI Records, Forever Living Originals, Daydream Library, RCA, Ivy League, Loose Music, Loose Records, Dead Oceans, Acid Jazz, Captured Tracks
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Album reviews roundup: Doves, The Flaming Lips, Marilyn Manson, Toots and the Maytals, Bróna McVittie, Susanna, Anjimile, Mammal Hands, Richard and Linda Thompson

September 24, 2020 Peter Kimpton
Another artful square of nine notable albums

Another artful square of nine notable albums

Album reviews roundup: A particularly strong lineup includes the return of Doves, The Flaming Lips’ signature sound, a farewell from Toots, a stunning debut from Anjimile, and more beauty and innovation from Mammal Hands, Susanna and Bróna Mcvittie

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In African, albums, ambient, blues, country, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, indie, jazz, poetry, pop, punk, psychedelia, prog-rock, post-punk, reggae, rock, soul, traditional Tags albums, new releases, Songs, Doves, The Flaming Lips, Marilyn Manson, Toots and the Maytals, Bróna McVittie, Susanna, Anjimile, Mammal Hands, Richard and Linda Thompson, Virgin, Bella Union, Loma Vista, Trojan Records, Trojan Jamaica, BMG, Company of Corkbots, Susanna Sonata, Father/Daughter Records, Gondwana Records, UMC, Universal Music
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Album reviews roundup: Emily Barker, Throwing Muses, Tricky, Declan McKenna, Hannah Georgas, Soundwalk Collective with Patti Smith, Sarah Davachi, Allison Neale, Richard Norris

September 16, 2020 Peter Kimpton
The latest mesmeric musical nine

The latest mesmeric musical nine

Album reviews roundup: This week’s selection mixes deep emotions with philosophy, evolution with the elemental, with a mixture of folk, pop, electronica and indie, and including drone music featuring five ancient church organs

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In albums, ambient, blues, classical, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, garage, grunge, hip hop, indie, jazz, poetry, pop, post-punk, psychedelia, rock, soul, traditional, trip-hop Tags albums, new releases, Emily Barker, Throwing Muses, Tricky, Declan McKenna, Hannah Georgas, Aaron Desner, Soundwalk Collective, Patti Smith, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Anoushka Shankar, Sarah Davachi, Allison Neale, Richard Norris, Bishi Bhattacharya, Everyone Sang, Fire Records, Columbia Records, Brassland, Arts and Crafts, False Idols, Bella Union, Warp Records, Late Music, Ubuntu Music, Group Mind
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Album reviews roundup: Bright Eyes, The Killers, International Teachers of Pop, The Lemon Twigs, X, Dan Croll, Bully, Andrew McCormack, Chuck Prophet

August 31, 2020 Peter Kimpton
Another celebrity square of nine new albums, in now particular order

Another celebrity square of nine new albums, in now particular order

Albums reviews roundup: Our latest selection includes a couple of comebacks from Bright Eyes and US punk legends X, plus Sheffield’s wonderful International Teachers of Pop, a mainstream Killers and the talented Lemon Twigs brothers

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In albums, classical, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, indie, jazz, pop, post-punk, punk, psychedelia, rock, soul, traditional Tags albums, new releases, International Teachers of Pop, Bright Eyes, The Killers, Conor Oberst, The Lemon Twigs, X, Dan Croll, Bully, Andrew McCormack, Chuck Prophet, Desolate Spools Records, Dead Oceans, Island Records, 4AD, Fat Possum, Communion Records, Sub Pop, Ubuntu Music, Yep Roc
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Album reviews roundup: Biffy Clyro, Kiesza, James Dean Bradfield, Idris Ackamoor, Nubya Garcia, Oscar Jerome, Burna Boy, Alula Down, Duckwrth

August 29, 2020 Peter Kimpton
The latest nine album releases, freeform jazz order

The latest nine album releases, freeform jazz order

Albums reviews roundup: Jazz and African are foremost in this week’s selection with two sax stars and a guitarist, as well as a tribute to a Chilean poet by the Manic Street Preachers’ frontman, rock by Biffy Clyro and lovely folk by Alula Down

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In African, albums, ambient, blues, folk, funk, jazz, indie, pop, poetry, psychedelia, reggae, traditional, soul, grime, rock, trip-hop Tags albums, new releases, James Dean Bradfield, Manic Street Preachers, Biffy Clyro, Kiesza, Idris Ackamoor and the Pyramids, Nubya Garcia, Oscar Jerome, Burna Boy, Alula Down, Duckwrth, MontyRay, 14th Floor, Zebra Spirit Tribe, Strut Records, Concord Jazz, Caroline International, Atlantic Records, Bandcamp, Republic
Comment

New albums: Marlowe, Leila Moss, Gillian Welch, Victoria Monét, Another Sky, Video Age, Willie J Healey, Washed Out, Tkay Maidza

August 18, 2020 Peter Kimpton
Nine more albums to enjoy …

Nine more albums to enjoy …

The latest selection includes another solo album from The Duke Spirit singer, hip hop follow-up from the Marlowe duo, beautiful fragments from Gillian Welch, a work of ethereal beauty from Another Sky, and 80s pop from Video Age

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In albums, ambient, country, dance music, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, garage, grime, hip hop, indie, jazz, pop, post-punk, prog-rock, psychedelia, rock, soul, trip-hop, traditional Tags new releases, albums, Marlowe, Liela Moss, The Duke Spirit, Video Age, Another Sky, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Victoria Monét, Willie J Healey, Washed Out, Tkay Maidza, Mello Music Group, Bella Union, Winspear Records, Fiction Records, Acony, Tribe Records, Yala! Records, Sub Pop, 4AD
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New albums: Taylor Swift, Jessy Lanza, Shirley Collins, Seasick Steve, Kamaal Williams, Jon Hassell, Courtney Marie Andrews, Dan Michaelson, Mohit

July 29, 2020 Peter Kimpton
This week’s pick of nine …

This week’s pick of nine …

Refreshingly alternative releases include the Nashville popstar showing a mellower side, electro eccentricity from Jessy Lanza, unique sounds Jon Hassell and Mohit, and a great comeback from folk legend Shirley Collins

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In African, albums, ambient, blues, classical, country, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, garage, hip hop, jazz, metal, pop, post-punk, prog-rock, punk, reggae, soul, traditional, rock Tags albums, new releases, Taylor Swift, Jessy Lanza, Shirley Collins, Seasick Steve, Kamaal Williams, Jon Hassell, Courtney Marie Andrews, Dan Michaelson, Mohit, Republic, Hyberdub, Domino Records, Contagious, Black Focus Records, Ndeya, Loose Music, Village Green, DVTT Records
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New albums: Lianne La Havas, JARV IS (Jarvis Cocker), The Pretenders, The Chicks, Ellie Goulding, Sault, Wilma Archer, Protomartyr, Oumou Sangaré

July 21, 2020 Peter Kimpton
Hair today … new album releases in random formation

Hair today … new album releases in random formation

Latest albums include exquisite soul and gospel with the divine voice of Lianne La Havas and the mystery band Sault, plus mischief from Jarvis Cocker, The Pretenders roll back the years, the return of the (no longer Dixie) Chicks

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In African, albums, ambient, classical, country, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, garage, gospel, hip hop, indie, jazz, metal, pop, post-punk, prog-rock, psychedelia, punk, reggae, rock, soul, soundtracks, traditional, trip-hop Tags albums, new releases, Lianne La Havas, Jarvis Cocker, JARV IS…, Serafina Steer, The Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde, The Chicks, Dixie Chicks, Sault, Ellie Goulding, Wilma Archer, Sudan Archives, MF DOOM, Protomartyr, Oumou Sangaré, Nonesuch Records, Rough Trade, BMG, Columbia Records, Loma Vista, Forever Living Originals, Polydor, Weird World, Domino Records, Nø Førmat
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New albums: Rufus Wainwright, Julianna Barwick, The Streets, Donna Missal, Mr Ben & The Bens, The Beths, NZCA Lines, SoKo, Mulatu Astatke & Black Jesus Experience

July 14, 2020 Peter Kimpton
This week’s big nine

This week’s big nine

This week’s selection includes classic Rufus Wainwright, a return for Mike Skinner collaborating on each Streets song, powerful ambience from Julianna Barwick and a selection of eccentric, eclectic pop releases

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In African, albums, ambient, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, garage, gospel, grunge, hip hop, indie, jazz, pop, post-punk, rock, soul, traditional, trip-hop Tags new releases, albums, Rufus Wainwright, Julianna Barwick, The Streets, Mike Skinner, Donna Missal, Mr Ben & The Bens, The Beths, Soko, NZCA Lines, Mulatu Astatke, Black Jesus Experience, BMG, Ninja Tune, Island Records, Harvest Records, Bella Union, Carpark Records, Memphis Industries, Because, Because Babycat, Agogo Records
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New albums: Paul Weller, The Irrepressibles, Margo Price, Keleketla!, Dream Wife, A.A. Williams, bdrmm, Hania Rani, The Mystery Jets

July 6, 2020 Peter Kimpton
This week’s magic nine new albums

This week’s magic nine new albums

This week includes a mellow one from the modfather, innovative electronica from The Irrepressibles, gorgeous piano-based work by A.A. Williams and Hani Rani, African and Coldcut collective Kelekelta, and kickass pop-punks Dream Wife

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In African, albums, ambient, classical, country, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, hip hop, indie, jazz, poetry, pop, post-punk, psychedelia, punk, rock, soul, traditional Tags albums, new releases, Paul Weller, The Irrepressibles, Margo Price, Keleketla!, Tony Allen, Dream Wife, A.A. Williams, bdrmm, Hania Rani, Mystery Jets, Polydor, Of Naked Design, Loma Vista, Ninja Tune, Lucky Number, Bella Union, Sonic Cathedral, Gondwana Records, Caroline Records, Coldcut
Comment

New albums: Nadine Shah, Arca, HAIM, Becca Mancari, Khruangbin, Pottery, LYR (Simon Armitage), Public Practice, Bananagun

July 1, 2020 Peter Kimpton
This week’s fabulous lineup of nine

This week’s fabulous lineup of nine

The latest lineup includes female vocalists of rich original Nadine Shah and Becca Mancari, nonbinary electronica star Arca, wonderful poetry in a band from Simon Armitage, and frenetic work from Pottery and Bananagun

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In albums, ambient, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, garage, hip hop, grime, indie, jazz, pop, post-punk, prog-rock, psychedelia, punk, rock, soul, traditional, African, classical, poetry Tags albums, new releases, Nadine Shah, Arca, Haim, Becca Mancari, Khruangbin, Pottery, LYR, Simon Armitage, Public Practice, Bananagun, Infectious Records, Dead Oceans, XL Recordings, Captured Tracks, Partisan Records, Mercury KX, Wharf Cat Records, Full Time Hobby, Polydor
Comment

New albums: Phoebe Bridgers, Norah Jones, Neil Young, Chloe x Halle, Jockstrap, Jonah Yano, Noveller, Article 54, Bessie Jones

June 23, 2020 Peter Kimpton
This week’s picture puzzle starts with Phoebe Bridgers, top right

This week’s picture puzzle starts with Phoebe Bridgers, top right

This week’s selection includes albums of marvellous melancholy and mellowness from Phoebe Bridgers and Norah Jones, topical disco, genre-benders Jockstrap and older material newly released from Neil Young and Bessie Jones

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In albums, ambient, blues, dance music, country, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, garage, hip hop, indie, jazz, pop, soul, soundtracks, traditional, gospel Tags albums, new releases, Phoebe Bridgers, Norah Jones, Neil Young, Chloe x Halle, Jonah Yano, Noveller, Article 54, Rhodri Marsden, Jockstrap, Bessie Jones, Dead Oceans, Virgin, Warner Bros, Parkwood Entertainment, Columbia Records, Innovative Leisure, Bandcamp, Warp Records, Alan Lomax Archive
Comment

New albums: Bob Dylan, Jehnny Beth, Wesley Gonzalez, White Denim, Drab City, Larkin Poe, Orlando Weeks, GoGo Penguin, Blanco White

June 17, 2020 Peter Kimpton
This week’s album picks, beginnig with GoGo Penguin (top right)

This week’s album picks, beginnig with GoGo Penguin (top right)

One of the best from Bob in years leads out this week’s team of releases, alongside some outstanding work from former lead singers from other bands, including from Savages, The Macabees and Let’s Wrestle, among others

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In albums, ambient, blues, classical, dance music, dub, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, hip hop, indie, jazz, pop, post-punk, prog-rock, psychedelia, punk, rock, soul, soundtracks Tags albums, new releases, Bob Dylan, Jehnny Beth, Wesley Gonzalez, White Denim, Drab City, Larkin Poe, Orlando Weeks, GoGo Penguin, Blanco White, Columbia Records, 20L07 Music, Moshi Moshi, Radio Milk Records, Bella Union, Tricki-Woo Records, PIAS, Blue Note, Yucatan Records
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New albums: Run The Jewels, The Nightingales, Sports Team, Rolling Blackouts CF, Brigid Dawson, Brigid Mae Power, LA Priest, The Stroppies, Westerman

June 9, 2020 Peter Kimpton
Nine more delights to peruse

Nine more delights to peruse

As well as a powerful Run The Jewels release raising funds for protester legal rights, this week’s selection is packed with excellent independent bands’ work, especially The Nightingales, plus Brigid Dawson, Sports Team, The Stroppies and more

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In albums, ambient, dance music, electronica, experimental, folk, funk, hip hop, indie, jazz, pop, post-punk, punk, rock, soul, traditional Tags albums, new releases, Run The Jewels, The Nightingales, Sports Team, Brigid Dawson and the Mothers Network, Brigid Mae Power, Rolling BlackOuts Coastal Fever, LA Priest, The Stroppies, Westerman, RBC, BMG, Bandcamp, Island Records, Sub Pop, Castle Face, Fire Records, Domino Records, PIAS, Partisan Records
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New Albums …

Featured
Favourite albums of 2025 - Part Two.jpeg
Dec 17, 2025
Favourite albums of 2025 - Part Two
Dec 17, 2025

Welcome to the second part of Song Bar favourite albums of 2025. There is also a first part and a third part this week. There is no countdown nor describing these necessarily as “best” albums of the year, but they are chosen by their quality, originality and reader popularity

Dec 17, 2025
Favourite albums of 2025 - Part 1 updated.jpg
Dec 16, 2025
Favourite albums of 2025 - Part One
Dec 16, 2025

Welcome to the first part of Song Bar favourite albums of 2025. There will also be a second and third part this week. There is no countdown nor describing these necessarily as “best” albums of the year, but they are chosen by their quality, originality and reader popularity

Dec 16, 2025
Juliana Hatfield.jpeg
Dec 16, 2025
Juliana Hatfield: Lightning Might Strike
Dec 16, 2025

New album: Personal upheaval, grief, powerlessness, trauma, sudden change inform the title and colour the lyrics of this latest LP by the seasoned Boston indie artist but her songs are packed with brutally honest, candid, concise reflections and warm, catchy, stirring riffs and melodies

Dec 16, 2025
Dove Ellis - Blizzard.jpeg
Dec 9, 2025
Dove Ellis: Blizzard
Dec 9, 2025

New album: An extraordinarily mature, passionate, poetic, and outstandingly powerful debut by the Manchester-based Galway-born singer-songwriter, whose soaring delivery has instant echoes of Jeff Buckley and lyrics that go above and beyond

Dec 9, 2025
Spíra by Ólöf Arnalds.jpeg
Dec 5, 2025
Ólöf Arnalds: Spíra
Dec 5, 2025

New album: A gorgeous, delicate, ethereal first release in a decade by the Icelandic singer-songwriter, acoustic instruments and her gentle, high, pure voice, all in her native language, caressing this listening experience like pure waters of some slowly trickling glacial stream

Dec 5, 2025
Melody's Echo Chamber - Unclouded.jpeg
Dec 5, 2025
Melody's Echo Chamber: Unclouded
Dec 5, 2025

New album: A fourth album, here full of delicious uplifting, dreamily chic, psychedelic soul pop by the French musician Melody Prochet, with bright, upbeat, optimistic numbers and a title lifted from a quote by the acclaimed Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, about achieving equilibrium

Dec 5, 2025
Devotion & The Black Divine by anaiis.jpeg
Dec 2, 2025
anaiis: Devotion & The Black Divine
Dec 2, 2025

New album: Following a summer Song of the Day - Deus Deus, a review of the autumn release and third LP by the London-based French-Senegalese singer-songwriter of resonantly beautiful, dynamic, sensual soul, gospel, R&B and experimental and chamber pop, with themes of new motherhood, uncertainty, religion, self-love and acceptance

Dec 2, 2025
De La Soul - Cabin In The Sky.jpeg
Nov 26, 2025
De La Soul: Cabin In The Sky
Nov 26, 2025

New album: The hip-hop veterans return with their first without, yet including the voice of, and a tribute to, founding member Trugoy the Dove, AKA Dave Jolicoeur who passed away in 2023, alongside many hip-hop luminary guests, with trademark playful skits, and all themed around the afterlife

Nov 26, 2025
The Mountain Goats- Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan.jpeg
Nov 26, 2025
The Mountain Goats: Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan
Nov 26, 2025

New album: An evocative musical journey of a concept album by the indie-folk band from Claremont, California, fronted by singer-songwriter John Darnielle, based on a dream of his in 2023 about a voyage to a fictional island by the titular captain, charting adventure, wonder and tragedy

Nov 26, 2025
Allie X - Happiness Is Going To Get You.jpeg
Nov 26, 2025
Allie X: Happiness Is Going To Get You
Nov 26, 2025

New album: A hugely entertaining, witty, droll, inventive, chamber and synth-pop fourth LP with a goth twist by the charismatic and theatrical Canadian artist Alexandra Hughes, who brings paradox and dark themes through sounds that include string quartet, harpsichord, classical and pure pop piano with killer lyrics

Nov 26, 2025
Tortoise - Touch.jpeg
Nov 25, 2025
Tortoise: Touch
Nov 25, 2025

New album: A welcome return with a cinematic and mesmeric groove-filled first studio LP in nine years, and the eighth over all by the eclectic Chicago post-rock/jazz/krautrock multi-instrumentalists Dan Bitney, John Herndon, Douglas McCombs, John McEntire and Jeff Parker

Nov 25, 2025
What of Our Nature by Haley Heynderickx, Max García Conover.jpeg
Nov 24, 2025
Haley Heynderickx and Max García Conover: What of Our Nature
Nov 24, 2025

New album: Beautiful, precise, poignant and poetic new folk numbers inspired by the life and music style of Woody Guthrie as the Portland, Oregon and New Yorker, now Portland, Maine-based singer-songwriters bring a delicious duet album, alternating and sharing songs covering a variety of forever topical social issues

Nov 24, 2025
Tranquilizer by Oneohtrix Point Never.jpeg
Nov 24, 2025
Oneohtrix Point Never: Tranquilizer
Nov 24, 2025

New album: Ambient, otherworldly, cinematic, mesmeric, and at times very odd, the Brooklyn-based electronic artist and producer Daniel Lopatin returns with a new nostalgia-based concept – constructing tracks from lost-then-refound Y2K CDs of 1990s and early 2000s royalty-free sample electronic sounds

Nov 24, 2025
Iona Zajac - Bang.jpeg
Nov 24, 2025
Iona Zajac: Bang
Nov 24, 2025

New album: A powerful, stirring, passionate and mature debut LP by the 29-year-old Glasgow-based Scottish singer with Polish and Ukrainian heritage who has toured as the new Pogues singer, and whose alternative folk songs capture raw emotions and the experience of modern womanhood, with echoes of PJ Harvey, Patti Smith, Aldous Harding and Lankum

Nov 24, 2025

new songs …

Featured
Kaitlyn Aurela Smith - I Miss The Way You Swim.jpg
Dec 17, 2025
Song of the Day: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - I Miss the Way You Swim
Dec 17, 2025

Song of the Day: Beautiful modular synths and intermingling orchestral sounds ripple in this work by the American composer, performer and producer in a piece shaped by loss of someone loved, taken from an upcoming instrumental album Thoughts On The Future, out on Nettwerk Music

Dec 17, 2025
The Paper Kites - If You Go There.jpeg
Dec 16, 2025
Song of the Day: The Paper Kites - Change Of The Wind
Dec 16, 2025

Song of the Day: A beautiful, reflective number by the alternative folk-rock band from Melbourne fronted by Sam Bentley, heralding their seventh studio album If You Go There, I Hope You Find It, out on 23 January via Nettwerk Music Group

Dec 16, 2025
Courtney Marie Andrews - Valentine.jpeg
Dec 15, 2025
Song of the Day: Courtney Marie Andrews - Little Picture Of A Butterfly
Dec 15, 2025

Song of the Day: Beautiful, delicate, fluttering, eclectic, heartbreak folk and Americana by the singer-songwriter from Phoenix, Arizona, heralding her forthcoming new album, Valentine, out on 16 January via Loose Future

Dec 15, 2025
Peter Perrett - Proud To Be Self-Hating.jpeg
Dec 12, 2025
Song of the Day: Peter Perrett - PROUD TO BE SELF-HATING (irony and provocation)
Dec 12, 2025

Song of the Day: The veteran British artist, originally frontman of The Only Ones, and now with three solo albums, who actually has Jewish heritage, releases a gently powerful, nuanced, pro-Palestine acoustic number as a response to ongoing genocide by the Israeli government, out on Domino Records

Dec 12, 2025
Maddie Ashman - Jaded.jpeg
Dec 11, 2025
Song of the Day: Maddie Ashman - Jaded
Dec 11, 2025

Song of the Day: Magical, delicate, eclectic, intricate, experimental microtonal music by the London musician and singer, released alongside a longer track, In Autumn My Heart Breaks

Dec 11, 2025
Ye Vagabonds.jpeg
Dec 10, 2025
Song of the Day: Ye Vagabonds - The Flood
Dec 10, 2025

Song of the Day: Wonderfully warm, rich, lively fiddle-driven Irish folk by the award-winning band fronted by Carlow brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn with a heartbreaking number about the housing crisis, heralding their upcoming new album, All Tied Together, out on Rough Trade’s River Lea Recordings on 30 January

Dec 10, 2025
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Dec 9, 2025
Song of the Day: DBA! A Poet And A Clown
Dec 9, 2025

Song of the Day: Catchy fuzz-guitar indie rock with a swagger by the Liverpool-formed trio of Sam Warren, James Lindberg and Joshua Grant in a song described as “a confessional story of desire tangled with religious guilt”

Dec 9, 2025
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Dec 8, 2025
Song of the Day: Puma Blue - Croak Dream
Dec 8, 2025

Song of the Day: A dark, esoteric, mysterious and stylish title track with a hint of Radiohead and playing with the idea of knowing your future death, from the experimental indie/goth/ambient London artist Jacob Allen’s forthcoming album out on 6 February via Play It Again Sam

Dec 8, 2025
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Dec 7, 2025
Song of the Day: ELIZA - Anyone Else
Dec 7, 2025

Song of the Day: Stripped-back, bluesy, fuzzy funk with slight echoes of Prince and alt-R&B are conjured up in this love song by the London-based singer-songwriter Eliza Caird, her first single for two years, now off the mainstream and out on Log Off Records

Dec 7, 2025
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Dec 6, 2025
Song of the Day: Tiga (featuring Fcukers) - Silk Scarf
Dec 6, 2025

Song of the Day: A fun, sensual, quirkily oddball electronica dance single with a slick, fetish-flirtatious ode to a favourite smooth material by the Montreal musician (Tiga James Sontag) joined here with vocals by the New York band (Shanny Wise and Jackson Walker Lewis), and heralding Tiga’s upcoming album Hotlife, out in April on Secret City Records

Dec 6, 2025
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Dec 5, 2025
Song of the Day: Flea - A Plea
Dec 5, 2025

Song of the Day: A striking, powerful new single by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers bassist (aka Michael Balzary), who brings a fusion of jazz and spoken word with a fabulous band on an impassioned number about the state of the US in a culture of hatred, social and political tensions, out now on Nonesuch Records

Dec 5, 2025
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Dec 4, 2025
Song of the Day: The Lemon Twigs - I've Got A Broken Heart
Dec 4, 2025

Song of the Day: Despite the title, this new double-A single (with Friday I’m Gonna Love You) has a wonderfully uplifting guitar-jangling beauty, with echoes of The Byrds and Stone Roses, but is of course the brilliant 60s and 70s retro sound of the Long Island brothers Brian and Michael D'Addario, out on Captured Tracks

Dec 4, 2025

Word of the week

Featured
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Dec 4, 2025
Word of the week: crapulence
Dec 4, 2025

Word of the week: A term that may apply regularly during Xmas party season, from the from the Latin crapula, in turn from the Greek kraipálē meaning "drunkenness" or "headache" pertains to sickness symptoms caused by excess in eating or drinking, or general intemperance and overindulgence

Dec 4, 2025
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Nov 20, 2025
Word of the week: discalceate
Nov 20, 2025

Word of the week: A rarely used, but often practised verb, especially when arriving home, it means to take off your shoes, but is also a slightly more common adjective meaning barefoot or unshod, particularly for certain religious orders that wear sandals instead of shoes. But in what context does this come up in song?

Nov 20, 2025
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Nov 6, 2025
Word of the week: erythrophyll
Nov 6, 2025

Word of the week: A seasonally topical word relating to the the red pigment of tree leaves, fruits and flowers, that appears particularly when changing in autumn, as opposed to the green effect of chlorophyll, from the Greek erythros for red, and phyll for leaves. But what of songs about this?

Nov 6, 2025
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Oct 22, 2025
Word of the week: fennec
Oct 22, 2025

Word of the week: It’s a small pale-fawn nocturnal fox with unusually large, highly sensitive ears, that inhabits from African and Arab deserts areas from Western Sahara and Mauritania to the Sinai Peninsula. But has it ever been seen in a song?

Oct 22, 2025
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Oct 9, 2025
Word of the week: gongoozler
Oct 9, 2025

Word of the week: A fabulous old English slang term for someone who tends to stand or sit for long periods staring at the passing of boats on canals, sometimes with a derogatory or at least ironic use for someone who is useless or lazy. But what of songs about this activity and culture?

Oct 9, 2025

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