Warner Us 黑胶唱片和CD

Review: Once known as the technical wunderkind of alt hip-hop collective Odd Future, the ascension of Earl Sweatshirt to incomparable outlier status as a wordsmith very much in his own lane, has been a muted spectacle to behold. Celebrating the tenth birthday of Doris (his acclaimed major label debut released in 2013) earlier this year in front of a sold out KOKO just a stone's throw (no pun intended) from our offices, the anniversary show was immediately followed by a mass exodus down to Camden's Jazz Cafe where a limited club experience teased material from the much-pondered collaborative project with legendary producer and long-time Earl affiliate The Alchemist. Currently available to stream while vinyl continues to be pressed, Voir Dire exudes a lackadaisical, dare we say positive demeanour across its brief half-hour runtime, with Earl unpacking his fading twenties, preparing for his encroaching thirties and delving into the shift in perspective that comes with fatherhood. Brimming with both artist's trademark flourishes of drugged out, apathetic delivery and chopped, screwed and warped jazz and soul samples, the subtle coalescing of styles results in a work that's equal parts enlightening yet understated, while long-time collaborators/friends Vince Staples and MIKE both offer standout appearances.

Review: Swimming by the late Mac Miller, released in 2018, stands as a poignant testament to the rapper's artistic evolution and introspective depth. The album is a sonic exploration of self-discovery and resilience, addressing themes of mental health and personal growth. Miller's introspective lyricism, coupled with lush production and jazzy instrumentation, creates a soulful and immersive soundscape with tracks like 'Self Care' and 'Ladders' showing his lyrical vulnerability and musical versatility. Swimming not only received critical acclaim but also serves as a bittersweet reflection on Miller's artistic prowess and leaving an indelible mark on fans in the process.

Review: American singer Omar Apollo dropped his debut album last year with singles such as 'Go Away', 'Bad Life', and 'Tamagotchi' all performing well. The record was the artist's first ever entry into the Billboard Top 200 which no doubt rewards him for deciding to rewrite the whole thing after not being happy with the first version. "I wasn't excited about it. It was good music - it wasn't bad music, but it didn't feel like me" he said at the time. The genre-hopping record mixes up pop-punk, r&B, hip-hop, indie-pop and elements of Latin trap, funk, psychedelic music and traditional Mexican music.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Torn sleeve, product unopened & in excellent condition***


Mike Skinner is surely deserving of National Treasure status by now, is he not? From mischievous young MC upstart to garage innovator and now the voice of the nation, his journey has been remarkable and as this album shows it isn't done yet. He said in the built-up to it that for the first time in his career, he has allowed himself to be more loose with his lyrics, to say enigmatic things, make odd references and use stranger metaphors that might not always make perfect sense but that feel right in the moment. That makes it a great listen, as well as all the usual catchy hooks and compelling beats.