Review: Chappell Roan burst onto the scene in 2020 with this viral hit which did a great job of introducing a vibrant and unapologetically queer pop sound. Co-written with Daniel Nigro, her debut album followed in the form of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and it captured the Missouri native's journey toward achieving her pop star dreams. This limited-edition 7" single features 'Pink Pony Club' and 'Naked in Manhattan', both pressed on stunning baby pink vinyl that reflects Roan's bold and heartfelt artistry. As a celebration of self-expression and musical passion, this is a must-have.
Review: A quirky, addictive gem that captures the essence of pop's disco revival with flair and ingenuity. Produced by Julian Bunetta, the track combines sunny reggae-inspired rhythms with a sparkling nu-disco groove, echoing the vibe of Carly Simon's Why while carving out its own eccentric identity. Sabrina Carpenter's playful lyrics are delightfully strange, channeling the evocative charm of 80s Italo-disco. Clever, fizzy and undeniably fun, this track feels like a breath of fresh air amid a crowded pop landscape. Perfect for a quick spin or a DJ set, his gem might just stretch disco's summer renaissance a little longer.
Review: Chappell Roan's latest single, 'Good Luck, Babe!' is a nostalgic pop anthem reminiscent of a young Cyndi Lauper. The song's retro feel, highlighted by synth instrumentation, sets it apart from other modern artists, while Roan's vocals shine as she sings about unsuccessful love affairs, delivering lyrics that are relatable and empowering. The song builds to a powerful bridge, showcasing Roan's impressive vocal range and stylistic choices. Overall, 'Good Luck, Babe!' is not just a sappy breakup song but an empowering anthem that leaves a lasting impact.
Review: Taylor Swift's latest offering presents an eclectic mix of deeply personal storytelling and sonic experimentation. Opening with 'Fortnight' featuring Post Malone, the track sets a tone that merges soft melodies with a hint of contemporary edge. The album moves seamlessly between intimate moments, like 'My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys,' and more expansive anthems such as 'Florida!!!' featuring Florence & The Machine. The acoustic versions of some tracks, like 'Down Bad' and 'But Daddy I Love Him,' strip back the production, allowing Swift's vulnerability to shine. This release reveals a further evolution of her sound, weaving together emotive lyrics and bold musical choices.
Review: After a run which has seen her re-recording her early albums in defiance of a restrictive record deal, Taylor Swift dropped a bomb at the MTV VMAs this year by announcing her 10th studio album. Since then, the information has been trickling out with the steady precision we expect from one of pop's biggest stars, and finally we can clutch Midnights. An album steeped in concept and supposedly drawing from 13 different sleepless nights from throughout Swift's life, it's a reflection on those strange places we go in ourselves when we choose to burn the midnight oil, crafted alongside her steadfast producer Jack Antonoff. There are a variety of editions of this highly anticipated record, and this Lavender pressing is sure to be one of the most coveted.
Review: A sneaky live album from Lana Del Rey, which showcases a radio broadcast recording of the pop superstar's set at 'Worthy Farm' - that would be Glastonbury festival, fact fans - back in 2014. It was a significant performance all told - a mid-afternoon Pyramid Stage debut that earned rapturous praise from pundits and even won over the previously sniffy indie bible NME. Beginning with a heady and intoxicating take on 'Cola', the triumphant set - captured complete with crowd noise, of course - boasts superb live (and frequently string-laden) versions of 'Ultraviolence', 'Blue Jeans', 'Video Games' and 'National Anthem', amongst many other attractions.
Review: Dua Lipa's Radical Optimism, shows off her innovative blend of dance-pop and psychedelic sounds, embodying a message of radical optimism. As her third studio album, it marks a vibrant return after the success of Future Nostalgia. The album effortlessly fuses genres, including electropop, soft rock and Europop, delivering a dynamic listening experience that nods to the vibrant 80s. Notable tracks like 'Houdini', 'Illusion' and 'Maria' transport listeners back to the 80s, combining nostalgic melodies with modern pop sensibilities. Each track transitions smoothly, creating a cohesive flow that keeps listeners engaged. Radical Optimism is an excellent album with this version being pressed on zoetrope picture disc to make it an exciting package to support the great music inside.
Review: One of the most important pop albums of the last decade, responsible for shaping radio pop for many years to come, '1989' is a well-beloved part of the Taylor Swift canon. Deservedly so, featuring some of the most important hits, not just of the discography of America's sweetheart, but of the century. 'Shake It Off' and 'Bad Blood' were playing on every speaker around the world at one time, letting the world know exactly the grip Swift had, and would continue to have to this day, on the music industry. Now updated with never-before-seen alternate art and images, TS is continuing full steam ahead with the re-recordings of her iconic catalogue, reclaiming her masters for herself and giving her old tracks a new lease of life as well as including 5 previously unreleased tracks from the vault. No modern Taylor release would be complete without multiple coloured vinyl variants, the sky hue of the vinyl reflecting the vast blueness beyond the smiling 33-year-old as birds freely fly overhead. It's a far cry from the candid, faceless polaroid that the original record donned; A defiant image of freeness from the shackles of her past.
Review: Billie Eilish has been uncharacteristically secretive about her upcoming LP 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' despite the past whirlwind success of her career that has catapulted her into having heaps of Grammy awards - least of all the current reigning song of the year for the Barbie movie. In truth, all we know about this album is that it's her third, that (as with everything the singer has done) her brother and fellow artist FINNEAS is the executive producer and that the album has reportedly got ten tracks, no thanks in part to a leak by magazine Rolling Stone that drew the public ire of Eilish. Part of the rollout was Eillish's public condemnation of the out-of-control music industry practice of excessive vinyl variants, which has resulted in her offering eco-only discs - though of course she will be releasing multiple variants herself, her point still stands. It's a rare opportunity to get on board with an album without the raging industry tactics behind it, just an album dropped all at once on the day - as it should be, we'd venture.
Review: When it came to following up their surprise 1994 hit album "Amplified Heart", Everything But The Girl's Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn decided to rip up the rulebook and do things differently. Previously, their music has been considered, downtempo and - whisper it quietly - Balearic. 1996's "Walking Wounded" retained their inherent beauty and sense of melancholia, but updated their musical blueprint to include far more influences from (then) contemporary dance music. As this half-speed re-mastered reissue proves, they largely hit the spot, with warm deep house cut "Wrong", the sparkling drum and bass pop of the title track and the similarly minded "Big Deal" standing out.
Review: Desire I Want To Turn Into You is the latest career-redefining album from pin-up poptimist Caroline Polachek, swiftly moving on from the style of her prior opus Pang by treading into several completely new musical territories for the artist (albeit working with her same, favourite producers). This version of the album, along with the standard edition, comes as a unique metallic copper metal vinyl record.
Review: BTS celebrates a milestone with the release of their 2014 Japanese debut album Wake Up on vinyl, commemorating its tenth anniversary. This limited edition double album set on clear vinyl marks a significant moment in BTS history, showing their journey from K-POP stars to global superstars. Featuring iconic tracks like 'No More Dream - Japanese Ver.-' and 'Boy In Luv - Japanese Ver.-,' the album also includes exclusive Japanese songs and alternate versions previously unavailable on vinyl. This release not only pays homage to BTS's early days but also highlights their enduring popularity and musical evolution over the past decade. Wake Up on vinyl offers a nostalgic and collectible glimpse into BTS's formative years and their groundbreaking impact on the music industry.
Review: For Life Entertainment do well to rerelease yet another bunch of greats from a classic artist working in the Japanese genre of city pop. Along with her album Heaven Beach, Timely!! comes as an LP reissue of the 1983 original album. It's a propulsive jet-setter in the realm of honest 80s J-funk, backed up by weighty production, dynamically swung horn sections and prominent slap bass stylings. Toshiki Kadomatsu's production neatly backs up ANRI's incredible vocal range and dexterity, and without him, perhaps we wouldn't be blessed with the present-day microgrenre that is future funk.
Review: Returning just one year on from 2023's Zig (with what many initially presumed to be titled Zag), Moriah Pereira, better known as Poppy, delivers her sixth full-length LP Negative Spaces. Fresh off of appearances on both the new Bad Omens and Knocked Loose albums, with the latter marking her most unhinged vocal performance to date, this latest work seeks to strike a balance between her established digi-metal-pop formula and more outsider experimentations in both regards to heavier delivery and more complex electronica. Produced by former Bring Me The Horizon producer/keyboardist/programming wizard Jordan Fish, the not-so-strange bedfellows compliment each other majorly with Fish's ear for the sonic coalescence of metallic and industrial soundscapes within glistening pop structures providing an ample playground for Poppy to stretch her vocal cadences and multi-faceted character dynamics to enthralling new heights. This limited indie exclusive pressing arrives on a trifold pink & white split-coloured vinyl.
Review: For many of a certain age, Alice Deejay's 'Better Off Alone' is one of those tunes that takes you directly back to a very specific time in your life - quite possibly when you were first heading out to local bars and clubs, the sort with insane drinks offers and sticky carpets, a DJ who got on the mic too often and lots of fights in the taxi queue on the way home. That's to say it's a cheesy but loveable Euro-dance hit that sure will bring some fun to the floor now, almost a quarter of a century after it was first released.
Review: It feels like Romy's debut album has been a long time coming, but it's absolutely worth the wait. Stepping to one side of the imposing shadow of her band The xx, the world-famous singer-songwriter has taken her time to deliver something sincere and vulnerable which opens up her world and celebrates the places she's found sanctuary. Having worked extensively with production wonder boy Fred Again, writing for other artists, the two finally funnelled their creative chemistry into songs for Romy which now result in a perfect nugget of pop-club with aeons of space for all the feelings to swirl. It's immediate and catchy, but elegant in equal measure, and certain to lodge Romy in the pantheon of modern pop titans for sensitive souls.
Review: This release sees David A Tobin exploring the multifaceted nature of love, delivering a soulful house cut that's both uplifting and introspective. 'Fallin' In Love' is a journey through the complex emotions of romance, with warm chords and a driving bassline creating an irresistible groove. Tobin's emotive vocals capture the vulnerability and excitement of falling head over heels, while the track's soulful melodies and uplifting energy create a sense of hopeful optimism. The B-side, 'Turnin' Me On', takes a slightly different approach, with a more playful and seductive vibe. The track's infectious groove and seductive vocals are sure to get bodies moving, while its soulful undertones maintain the overall sense of heartfelt emotion. Together, these two tracks showcase Tobin's versatility as a producer and vocalist, delivering a well-rounded listening experience that will appeal to house heads and soulful music lovers alike.
Perry Farrel - "Go All The Way (Into The Twilight)" (3:28)
Collective Soul - "Tremble For My Beloved" (3:47)
Paramore - "I Caught Myself" (3:55)
Blue Foundation - "Eyes On Fire" (4:57)
Rob Pattinson - "Never Think" (4:30)
Iron & Wine - "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" (3:59)
Carter Burwell - "Bella’s Lullaby" (2:16)
Review: A full Twilight soundtrack reissue campaign is well underway, once again bolstering the staying power of the teen emo-gothic vampire brand. As with the entirety of the series, the score for the first edition in the film franchise was overseen by music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas, with its original elements composed by Carter Burwell and also featuring curated songs from the likes of Muse, Paramore, Linkin Park and The Black Ghosts.
Simon Williams (Fierce Panda Records) - "The Story Of Brothers & Sisters" (5:45)
Review: Today marks a significant milestone as Coldplay's iconic Brothers & Sisters EP celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special edition release. Originally launched via Fierce Panda Records, the EP was pivotal in shaping the band's early sound and building their devoted fanbase. Released as a gatefold double BioVinyl 7", this commemorative edition includes the classic tracks 'Brothers & Sisters' and 'Easy To Please', alongside the addition of 'Only Superstition'. Recorded for a modest L450, the EP made its mark, climbing to number 92 on the charts. As an intriguing bonus, the anniversary release features a new track, 'The Story of Brothers & Sisters', offering a spoken word insight into Coldplay's formative years. Lifted from Simon Williams' audiobook 'Pandamonium! How Not To Run A Record Label', this excerpt vividly recounts the band's early days at iconic venues like Camden Falcon and Kentish Town Bull & Gate, where they caught the attention of Radio One's Evening Session and garnered their first NME reviews. Celebrating both Coldplay's journey and Fierce Panda's 30th anniversary, this release encapsulates a pivotal moment in music history.
Review: Following only one year after 2023's critically acclaimed Zig, avant-pop-metal genre-denier Poppy (real name Moriah Pereira) returns with a direct successor which many fans initially and understandably presumed to be titled Zag. Having featured on albums by both the accessible pop-leaning Virgina based metalcore outfit Bad Omens and the far more vicious Kentucky metallic hardcore greats in the making Knocked Loose (which featured her most caustic vocals to date) in the past year, Negative Spaces attempts to eschew the more stripped-down restraint of 2021's Justin Meldal-Johnsen-produced Flux with a total sensory overload of digi-pop chaos. Working with producer Jordan Fish who recently departed from his intrinsic role within Bring Me The Horizon, the duo have seemingly intertwined approaches, dynamics and abilities to complement each other's tastes and carve out soundscapes that equally and simultaneously prioritise pop song structures, industrial harshness and hyperpop maximalism, yet all united under the mercurial presence of Poppy's multi-faceted characteristic cadences.
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