New releases last four weeks: All genres

Review: Like many ambient and drone artists, New Zealander Rudy Adrian specialises in ringing maximum emotion from abstract electronics, experimental tones and immersive, widescreen soundscapes. As the title suggests, Reflections on a Moonlit Lake is another emotive exploration designed, in his words, for "rest, reading, meditation and sleep". For proof, check the slow-burn swell of opener 'Mirror Island', where echoing wood block hits and lapping waves rise above immersive chords and yearning melodies, the Pete Namlook-goes-to-the-South-Island flex of 'Lunar Shadow', and the faintly foreboding half asleep/half-awake haziness of 'Within The Darkness'. Impeccable ambience.

Review: Andre 3000s 87-minute flute epic makes it onto a double CD courtesy of Sony. One of the most intriguing, enveloping and therapeutic LPs of 2023, New Blue Sun sees the Outkast veteran drop the mic in favour of myriad flutes, both digital and acoustic, creating a loose, patient album which sounds somewhat like the lovechild of Jon Hassell and Ras G. The whimsically named tracks unfold in a languid dream sequence, feeling improvised but focused, sparse yet dense, and deeply emotive throughout. 3000's far-from-virtuosic flute performances add to the charm and unpredictability of the album, and ensure that the overwhelmingly gentle music doesn't veer too far into vapid new-agery. One for yer pensive off-days!

Review: On his return to China in 2019 after a period away, Brock van Wey noticed a "strange, sound emitting item" on the table. It was a handmade 'steel tongue drum', a unique percussion instrument associated with spirituality and meditation in Asian culture. A few days later, van Wey recorded an extended jam of himself playing it, and later overdubbed electronic sounds, melodies, chords and textures. The result is The Depth of Rain, the long-serving ambient and drone artist's second Bvdub album of 2024. Where some of van Wey's ambient sets can tend towards the intense and claustrophobic, The Depth of Rain is a genuinely melodious, evocative and spring-like affair that ebbs and flows wonderfully throughout, providing entertainment and sonic bliss in equal measure.

Review: BBE has delivered something of a future classic here, as decorated Eastern European harpist Alinha Bzhezhinska and British tenor saxophonist Tony Kofi join forces on a picturesque full-length excursion dedicated to the memory of spiritual jazz maestro Pharoah Saunders. It's a genuinely unique and hugely evocative affair, with Kofi's meandering, mesmeric melodies and inspired improvisations snaking in and out of Bzhezhinska's dreamy harp motifs and melodic percussion instruments (think bells, marimbas, vibraphone, xylophone and so on). It's not a familiar musical palette, but it's one that consistently delivers - and then some. Our picks of a very strong bunch include lucid opener 'Tabula Rasu - Blank Slate', the exotic and psychedelic 'Audite Me - Hear Me', and the picturesque, meditative closing cut, 'Altera Vita - Another Life'.

Review: 'Who Killed Marilyn?' is an early track written by Glenn Danzig when he was with the Misfits. Originally recorded in 1979 with the Misfits but due to financial issues with pressing vinyl copies at the time, was then re-recorded again in 1991 and released under Glenn Danzig's name. An important song in the history of the legendary figure, this is the first time this single has been issued on the CD format. Also included is an additional version of each track remixed and remastered by Danzig himself.

Review: Mark Knopfler's One Deep River delivers a steady stream of timeless classics, featuring his signature blend of poetic lyricism and exquisite guitar work. As the tenth solo album released on his own label, British Grove via EMI, Knopfler continues to captivate with his warm vocals and masterful compositions. The album's lead single, 'Ahead Of The Game,' sets the tone with a melancholic narrative, possibly autobiographical, over a classic Knopfler riff. Title track 'One Deep River' taps into Knopfler's emotional ties to his hometown of Newcastle, particularly the Tyne River. This connection to childhood memories imbues the album with a sense of nostalgia and introspection, echoed in each meticulously crafted song. Produced alongside longtime collaborator Guy Fletcher, the album exudes sophistication and depth, with Knopfler's guitar textures and evocative storytelling taking center stage.

Review: Premier dub techno outlet Greyscale from Lithuania welcomes back Lotech/Hijack following the success of his last album here, Static Phase. He has served up another full length's worth of sublime deep dub techno explorations here, and that marks his rather remarkable 36th full length in total. Winter Constellations is inspired by the Canadian's love of star gazing and the vastness of space and results in plenty of widescreen and cinematic tracks that are subtly detailed with celestial moods. From the power of 'Let's Forget Who We Are' to the infinite depth of 'Auriga' via the airiness of 'Night Sky Dreaming' and 'Horologium', this is another masterfully immersive work that really exploits the album format.

Review: Brian Williams' Lustmord project has existed in different forms for over 40 years, though it's only in the last couple of decades - when it has become a vehicle for his solo work - that new musical missives have become a regular occurrence. On Much Unseen Is Also Here, the former industrial musician turned soundtrack composer once again showcases his mastery of pitch-black sonics, creepy soundscapes and horror-inspired dark ambient workouts. As you'd expect, the sound design is incredible - listen on good quality headphones for the ultimate listening experience - while Williams' penchant for throwing in suspenseful chords, billowing aural textures and unsettling vocalisations adds further layers of paganistic mystery.

Review: Having previously delivered a box set dedicated to the early-to-mid 70s singles produced by legendary Jamaican studio don Niney The Observer, Doctor Bird has now moved on to the next stage of his career. This two-disc set focuses on seven-inch singles he produced and released on his Observer label in 1976 and 1977, supplementing vocal cuts with flipside alternate versions and his own 'riddim'-focused takes. It's a fine collection of often hard-to-find Jamaican reggae gems from a golden period in the country's musical culture, with headline-grabbing contributions from such scene staples as Gregory Isaacs, Horace Andy, Clint Eastwood, I-Roy, Big Youth, Junior Delgado and Bobby Ellis.

Review: In the midst of disco's golden era, The Ritchie Family released their vibrant second album, 'Arabian Nights' a captivating fusion of disco and Broadway showmanship. The track, 'The Best Disco in Town', exudes an infectious energy, featuring elements of funk and disco that ignite the dance floor. Another standout track, 'Baby I'm on Fire', embodies the excess and drama of the disco scene. Its sultry lyrics and pulsating beats evoke a theatrical ambiance. The album's mesmerising anthem, 'Istanbul' combines disco rhythms with dramatic crescendos, creating an unforgettable musical experience. With its diverse range of tracks, from energetic to sensual, Arabian Nights captures the spirit of the disco era.

Review: Taylor Swift's evolution from country crooner to pop sensation solidifies her status in the Tortured Poets Department as she joins the ranks of music's chief emotional architects. Through heartbreak anthems and soul-baring lyrics, Swift's discography serves as a diary of love, loss, and resilience. From 'Love Story' to 'All Too Well,' her songs resonate with listeners and capture the raw intensity of human emotion. Swift's ability to weave intricate narratives and evoke profound sentiment establishes her as a modern-day poet who navigates the complexities of life and love with eloquence and grace.

Review: Four Flies continue their mission to plunge Italy's funk-historical depths. The pinnacle of their search so far for the sure-to-exist pearly gems on the sands thereunder is the new Africamore compilation, which homes in like a heat-seeking torpedo on the particular Afro- ends of the funk sound prevalent in the nation, in the crucial years between 1973 and 1978. This period was notable for its facilitating fertile ground for the emerging discotheque market in Italy at the time. From psychedelic-tinged tunes like Jean Paul & Angelique's 'Africa Sound' to Afrobeat-esque club banger 'Kumbayero' by Albert Verrecchia; from groundbreaking Afro-cosmics like Chrisma's 'Amore to mind-blowing floor-fillers like Beryl Cunningham's 'Why O', this is a multivalent compilation, among the best out there to document the burblings of that crosswise stew of disco, funk, electro and world musics.

Review: It isn't too often that you can get two rare and desirable releases on one CD but that's just what we have here. Dr.Bird gives us these rare 70s examples of lesser known releases that have a strong cult following but are still being discovered. Delroy Wilson's Sarge from 1977 and Ken Boothe's Unlimited from 1977. Both releases are lauded for each singers soulful voice and music diversity with early ska and rocksteady infused into their reggae sounds. Both releases are hard to get original copies for a reasonable price so having them together is an added treat.