Heavenly 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Although it didn't make huge waves commercially on its initial release in the early 90s, East Village's sole album, Drop Out, has long been considered a cult classic by observers of British indie music in the pre-Britpop era. Listening back three decades on, it's easy to see why. The band's sound was simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary, combining wide-eyed late 60s psychedelic pop flavours, minor chord-heavy 80s alternative jangliness and nods to soul-inspired Mod stompers with the distinctively loose, funky and loved-up MDMA-pop so beloved of indie bands at the turn of the 90s. This anniversary reissue does a great job in celebrating both band and album, with the original ten-track set coming with a bonus disc of singles and alternative versions. Throw in on-point sleeve notes by Jon Savage and you have an irresistible package.

Review: Mildlife's reputation has soared since the release of their last studio album, 2020's Automatic, with the Melbourne trio's every musical move now being watched with bated breath by a global fanbase. Chorus is built on a concept of sorts - "a coming together of disparate elements" and "cosmic compatibility and chemistry" according to the band - but as ever it's the quality of the music on offer that really hits home hard. Warm and optimistic, with nods to West Coast jazz-rock as well as space rock, kosmiche, blue-eyed soul and jazz-funk, it sounds more nuanced, sonically detailed and wide-eyed than their previous work. Highlights include, but are in no way limited to, the yacht rock-leaning 'Yourself', the cosmic disco-influenced wonder of 'Musica', and epic recent single 'Return to Centraus'.