tue 08/07/2025

New releases on CD & DVD

Blu-ray: A Hard Day's Night

Johncarvill

Andrew Sarris, doyen of auteurist film critics, dubbed A Hard Day’s Night “the Citizen Kane of jukebox musicals”. Wild over-praise, or sly, back-handed compliment?

Album: Olafur Arnalds and Talos - A Dawning

Tim Cumming

Silken ambience is the name of the game on this set from Icelandic composer-producer Olafur Arnalds and dreampop singer Talos, aka Eoin French, who tragically died in August last year, aged 36. Arnalds completed the album after his death.

Album: Barry Can't Swim - Loner

Kathryn Reilly

Despite being Mercury nominated, Bazza’s hardly a household name. Nevertheless, his debut album When Will We Land was highly praised by...

Album: Kesha - .

Thomas H Green

“I’m, like, pop star when I have to pop star, and then I’m, like, naked hippy when I can naked hippy.” So Kesha explained recently on the Jennifer...

Album: Claudia Brücken - Night Mirror

Thomas H Green

German singer Claudia Brücken has had a long and busy career, initially defined by her role in Propaganda. They were a cult 1980s band on ZTT Records...

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Album: Mocky - Music Will Explain (Choir Music Vol. 1)

Joe Muggs

Is the Canadian polymath hiding behind his exquisite production and arrangement skill?

Album: Brìghde Chaimbeul - Sunwise

Kieron Tyler

A singular sonic auteur reshapes traditional Celtic music

Album: JF Robitaille & Lail Arad - Wild Moves

Thomas H Green

A set of graceful, wry melancholy from an Anglo-Canadian singer-songwriter duo

Album: Lorde - Virgin

James Mellen

Sombre self-examination and scratchy cellos fail to ignite on the New Zealander's new LP

Album: Bruce Springsteen - Tracks II: The Lost Albums

Liz Thomson

The Boss: Finding joy in imperfections

Album: BC Camplight - A Sober Conversation

Kieron Tyler

Brian Christinzio exorcises childhood trauma

Album: Durand and the Indications - Flowers

Mark Kidel

Languorous neo-soul to chill by

Album: Yungblud - Idols

Guy Oddy

Dominic Harrison’s latest disc fails to live up to the hype

Album: Loyle Carner - Hopefully!

Ibi Keita

The rapper takes a deep breath with his latest release

Album: HAIM - I Quit

Thomas H Green

The Californian trio convincingly continue their ascent to the top of the pop-rock tree

Blu-ray: Darling

Demetrios Matheou

John Schlesinger's Sixties classic now feels problematic, but retains an icky fascination

Album: Yaya Bey - do it afraid

Joe Muggs

The continued maturation of Yaya Bey and of modern R&B dazzles and nourishes at every turn

Album: The Young Gods - Appear Disappear

Guy Oddy

Swiss electro-rockers unleash a techno-metal monster

Album: Sam Binga - Sam Binga Presents Club Orthodontics

Joe Muggs

A thrilling whirlwind tour of bass culture across decades and continents

Album: Neil Young & the Chrome Hearts - Talkin' to the Trees

Guy Oddy

Musical titan reflects on his life as he careers towards his 80th birthday

Album: Mary Halvorson - About Ghosts

Kieron Tyler

Lauded US jazz guitarist strikes a balance between the composed and the improvised

Album: Marina - Princess of Power

Thomas H Green

Sixth album from L.A.-based Welsh singer is over-the-top but rife with pop gems

Album: Mary Chapin Carpenter - Personal History

Liz Thomson

Distinctive, intimate, perfectly pitched

Album: Van Morrison - Remembering Now

Tim Cumming

As he approaches 80, a lush new set has an invigorated Van showing his mystical side

Album: Pulp - More

Kathryn Reilly

The very opposite of past it, this immersive offering is perfectly timed

Album: Turnstile - NEVER ENOUGH

Ibi Keita

Hardcore, ambient and everything in between

Album: Little Simz - Lotus

Joe Muggs

A major hurdle in the UK star's career path proves to be no barrier

Album: Death In Vegas - Death Mask

Thomas H Green

Electronic music perennial returns with an hour of deep techno illbience

Blu-ray: Eclipse

John Carvill

The BFI has unearthed an unsettling 1977 thriller starring Tom Conti and Gay Hamilton

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