Another busy week with plenty of releases that are worthy of more than a cursory listen. Here is the Silent Radio guide.
Snowgoose Descendant
The album features a collaboration of some of Scotland’s most esteemed musicians, including Raymond McGinley (Teenage Fanclub), Chris Geddes (Belle and Sebastian), Stevie Jones (Arab Strap), Tim Davidson (Tracyanne & Danny), Stuart Kidd (BMX Bandits), and Adam Stearns (Trembling Bells). It results in some sublime indie-folk.
Guy Blakeslee Extravision
After a traumatic accident in which he was knocked down by a car, Blakeslee pursued physical and spiritual recovery with music as his primary medicine. Sitting for hours at the piano, the man for whom guitar had always been the primary instrument now intuited the riddles and patterns laid out neatly before him in black and white. ‘Extrravision’ is the result.
Keeley Beautiful Mysterious
A blend of shoegaze and dark lyrical obsessions inspired by Inga Maria Hauser, an 18-year-old who was murdered in 1988 while backpacking across the British Isles.
Nicky Lawrence Ugly Black Woman
Debut album consisting of 9 songs and 9 poems/monologues from innovator, singer, songwriter, actor, playwright and director which made up the soundtrack to her production which was performed at Toronto’s Paradise Theatre in 2022 in which she tells her story and of other Black Canadian women throughout history.
Seckou Keita Homeland (Chapter 1)
Senegalese kora player and composer Seckou Keita continues to defy categories with an impressive body of work that beautifully blends traditional music and rhythms with pop sonorities, embracing afro-pop, urban, hip hop, and spoken word.
American Football American Football
25th anniversary reissue which in addition to the original album includes a covers edition of the record featuring contributions from an array of artists including Ethel Cain, Iron & Wine, Manchester Orchestra and Blondshell.
Various POE – To One in Paradise (for Hal Willner)
A collection of Edgar Allan Poe’s immortal poems read by musicians, poets, actors & one magician, dedicated to the memory of Kramer’s great friend and fellow traveller on the musical roads least taken, Hal Willner (1956 – 2020). It features contributions from, amongst others, Thurston Moore, Joan As Police Woman, Lydia Lunch and Allen Ginsberg.
Bloom De Wilde The Circular Being
A cosmic odyssey. Spanning 15 years of songwriting, this project charts Bloom’s deeply personal journey from her early days as an art student in London, to her time as half of the chart-topping duo Sam and the Womp, and now, her artistic evolution as a solo artist living in Amsterdam. Bloom’s music is both experimental and accessible, fusing elements of dream pop, freak folk, art rock and avant-pop
Bronski Beat The Age of Consent
Deluxe reissue of their 1984 debut album which additional remixes, early versions, bonus tracks and essays. Serves as a reminder of Jimmy Somerville’s fantastic falsetto.
The Chefs Records & Tea: The Best of The Chefs and Lost Second Album
A double album set from early 80s indie punks who went on to be part of Helen and the Horns, Yip Yip Coyote, and John Hegley’s Popticians.
Bottlemoth Even us ghosts
Debut album from indie-folk quintet. Lyrically the album explores contemporary themes, digging deep into the complexities of living in your twenties; Coming into your own independence, heartbreak, returning home, navigating mental health and celebrating love, friendships and those who matter most.
Harvestman Triptych
Released on three full moons throughout 2024, and inspired by British folklore, Triptych has shown Harvestman at his most mysterious, and collaborative.
La Fleur Vasen
Swedish producer/DJ/artist whose signature style is highly technical and superbly crafted yet goes straight to the heart like a laser scalpel.
Rag’n’Bone Man What Do You Believe In?
A record that speaks to Rag’n’Bone Man’s roots, heavily dipped in hip hop, soul and blues influences.
Kelly Lee Owens Dreamstate
Welsh electronic artist
W.H.Lung Every Inch of Earth Pulsates
Mancunian synth band’s third album is rooted in a sense of capturing a moment and a sparky liveness.
Japandroids Fate and Alcohol
The fourth and final album of visceral rock’n’roll.
The Fall The Infotainment Scan
6CD set reissue of their 1993 album together with singles, demos, radio sessions and three live shows.
Danny & The Champions of the World You Are Not A Stranger Here
An intricate tapestry of sounds with self-reflexive lyrics.
Nap Eyes The Neon Gate
Songs that are funny, quirky, and touching, juxtaposing absurdist Middle Ages settings with concisely rendered quotidian details of journeys between earthly and cosmic planes.
Shower Curtain Words From A Wishing Well
An ode to the early bedroom pop beginnings of Shower Curtain whilst showcasing how the band has grown leaps and bounds through break-up musings and layered guitar riffs.
Frank Chickens Ninja Legends 1983:1989
4CD boxset from Peel favourites who gained a cult following for their unique blend of Japanese folk, pop, and punk influences.
Nicolas Michaux Vitalisme
A blend of indie rock and French chanson, constantly rooted in a soundscape reminiscent of the warmth and freedom of 70s records.
Crash Harmony No One Asked For This
First album in over 30 years from American band influenced by The Replacements, Husker Du, Big Star, REM, Camper Van Beethoven.
Berries Berries
Veering between Riot Grrrl-esque discordance and thunderous grunge-rock anthems while taking in post-rock and acoustica.
Black Pus Terrestrial Seething
The guttural, raw, freeform project of singular drummer, vocalist, & artist Brian Chippendale of Lightning Bolt fame.
Phoebe Rings Phoebe Rings EP
New Zealand dream pop crew produce a love letter to Studio Ghibli films, Zelda and Stardew soundtracks, Bossa Nova, Stereolab, and 90’s Korean ballads.
Pypy Sacred Times
Montreal band with echoes of Delta 5, Slits and ESG.
Pipe-eye Pipe Defy
Member of King Gizzard whose new album is a stylistic departure from previous releases with its nods towards funk and 1970/80s synth dance classics.
Bird Call The Life is Extraordinary
Her sound has a mercurial presence, always evolving, yet remaining rooted in a foundation of punchy lyrics and a voice that WNYC describes as “direct and impassioned”.
The Awakening The Awakening
A sound that blends gothic rock, darkwave, post-punk, electronic rock, folk noir and new wave.
Emma Anderson Spiralée: Pearlies Rearranged
Consisting of all 10 tracks from her debut solo album, Pearlies, reimagined by Julia Holter, LoneLady, The Orielles, deary, Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, MEMORIALS, Concretism and Masal.
Fantastic Negrito Son of a Broken Man
An artist that excels at creating storytelling roots music grounded in the blues: a niche which has earned him three Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Wild Rivers Better Now
Companion album to Never Better that was released three months ago as the group dives deeper into the complicated, confusing and unknown realities of life in their twenties, and the personal growth they’ve found through it all.
Caroline Kingsbury I Really Don’t Care EP
A queer artist born and raised in the church. She had little access to secular music until her teen years when its discovery led her to run headfirst toward a life in music.
Frozen Crown War Hearts
Italian power metal act serving up a dynamic sound brimming with powerful riffs, unforgettable melodies, and raw energy.
Ensiferum Winter Storm
Finnish folk metal band whose latest is based in part on an unpublished fantasy book and is more like a musical than a traditional album.
Jamie Miller Long Way Home
A combination of Miller’s trademark emotional ballads and soul-stirring melodies, now blended with fresh, upbeat rhythms.
Jennifer Hudson The Gift of Love
Her first-ever holiday album, the genre-defying vocalist performs seasonal favourites such as “O Holy Night,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Auld Lang Syne” alongside original songs that bring fresh meaning to the holidays.
Lisel The Vanishing Point
An exploration of vocal sounds, pop genre tropes, and the existential anxieties of living in a time of crisis.
