New releases on CD & DVD
Albums of the Year 2018: Black Merlin - Kosua
Sunday, 16 December 2018
Kosua was released only last month, but its journey began two years ago when George Thompson, aka Black Merlin, released Hipnotik Tradisi, a beautiful and captivating document of his travels through Indonesia, seamlessly blending field recordings, found sounds and studio experimentalism.
Albums of the Year 2018: Farai - Rebirth
Saturday, 15 December 2018
It’s been an odd year for albums. The one I’ve listened to most is Stop Lying, a mini-album by Raf Rundel, an artist best known as one half of DJ-producer outfit 2 Bears. It’s a genially cynical album, laced with love, dipping into all manner of styles, from electro-pop to hip hop, but essentially pop.
Albums of the Year 2018: Sarah Gillespie -...
Friday, 14 December 2018
The problem with being an increasingly senile but still rabidly enthusiastic music fan is that you find yourself declaring that an autumn release is...
Albums of the Year 2018: Erland Cooper - Solan...
Thursday, 13 December 2018
I’ve noticed a stark shift in transition of the kind of music I want to spend my time listening to over 2018. I’ve slowed down. I’ve started...
CD: Aloe Blacc - Christmas Funk
Wednesday, 12 December 2018
Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III – Aloe Blacc – is one shrewd dude. He's extremely adept at reaching out beyond the confines of his natural beat of funk...
CD: Mary Poppins Returns - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
One of Disney's untouchables makes it through an unwanted regeneration looking surprisingly OK |
CD: Jessie J - This Christmas Day
High production values and some imagination in reworking of favourite Christmas songs |
Eric Clapton - Happy Xmas
How festive does Slowhand get? |
DVD: The Workshop
Teenage narrative kicks do not last in Laurent Cantet's latest |
DVD: The Heiresses
Disruptions of a defined world beautifully observed in an accomplished Paraguayan debut |
CD: The Albion Christmas Band - Under the Christmas Tree
As traditional as turkey with all the trimmings |
CD: The Monkees - Christmas Party
Wake up Sleepy Jean, the Monkees are back to spread some Christmas cheer |
CD: The 1975 – A Brief Inquiry into Online Relationships
The ambitious pop-rock outfit return with an album that's interesting, but overlong |
CD: My Baby - MOUNAIKI: By The Bright of the Night
Kiwi-Dutch psychedelic funk-rockers finally match their live reputation |
CD: Majken - Young Believer
Unfulfilled promise on Swedish singer-songwriter’s debut album |
CD: Bill Ryder-Jones - Yawn
Fourth album crackles with intimacy and floors with its candour |
DVD/Blu-ray: Columbus
Architecture heals solitary souls in an auteur gem |
CD: Kim Myhr - Pressing Clouds Passing Crowds
The Norwegian guitarist collaborates with poet Caroline Bergvall in an enthralling reflection on transformation |
DVD: The Man from Mo'Wax
Sometimes absorbing, sometimes morose documentary on London's 1990s kingpin of underground instrumental hip hop beats |
CD: Dead Can Dance - Dionysus
Festival music for an ancient God |
CD: Sandra Kerr & John Faulkner – The Music From Bagpuss
Recommended restorative listening from the children's TV classic |
CD: Ed Harcourt - Beyond the End
A surprising turn for the singer-songwriter |
DVD/Blu-ray: Invention for Destruction
A steampunk delight: Karel Zeman's first international success returns |
CD: Josephine Foster - Faithful Fairy Harmony
Country-folk auteur tunes in to the ether |
CD: Cliff Richard - Rise Up
Cliff steps out of the shadows with a new album |
CD: Planet B - Planet B
American duo lay out their politico-punk rock hip-hop stall |
CD: Mumford & Sons - Delta
A decade on from their debut, the British darlings of Americana explore new musical territory |
CD: Imogen Heap - The Music of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The cult alt-pop star's soundtrack finally receives a release |
CD: Liela Moss - My Name is Safe in Your Mouth
Arresting first solo album from the voice of The Duke Spirit |
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