January ends with a flurry of new releases. Here is our guide.
Eddie Chacon Lay Low
Best known for the Charles and Eddie mega hit ‘Would I Lie To You’, his third solo album is a thoughtful strain of R&B that muses on intimate themes like mortality, failure and experience.
Geologist & D.S. A Shaw Deal
An expanding sonic field built up by Animal Collective’s Brian “Geologist” Weitz that lovingly reorders and reconstructs a few minutes of Doug Shaw’s fine folk guitar chops and magic vibe.
Frànçois & the Atlas Mountains Age Fleuve
The record features collaborations with British folk artist Rozi Plain, captivating pop connoisseur Malik Djoudi, and in-demand jazzman Thomas de Pourqueryand is deeply influenced by the death of his father during the pandemic.
Lawrence English Even The Horizon Knows Its Bounds
Artist, composer and curator with an album that traces architectural form in sound, reflecting on the atmosphere’s that at first haunt and then ultimately form physical space. Includes guest appearances from Jim O’Rourke and Claire Rousay.
Jack Valero Not In Kansas Anymore EP
His songcraft, rich melodies and skill for delivering intriguing lyrics all remain in fine focus, but the energy and positive feel of his music has been elevated to new heights.
Kim Wilde Closer
It is intended as a companion piece to her fan-favourite 1988 album Close, this new offering also achieves a perfect balance of pop, rock and dance.
Trinelise Væring A Songwriter’s Odyssey
Danish songwriter’s eighth album marks her official deep dive into the Americana and alt-country music scene.
Johnny Lloyd Punchline
Reminiscent of Bright Eyes, Elliot Smith, or even Nick Drake, the first solo material from the artist since 2021’s ‘La La La’ album, arrives with an understated grace and a hymnal aura.
Henge Voltus B
Their sound occupies a space somewhere between rave and prog-rock that nobody knew existed – with robotic vocals, thundering drums, hyperdrive bass, rude guitar and soaring synths combining to provide a euphoric soundtrack to a space launch.
Manic Street Preachers Critical Thinking
Their fifteenth studio album celebrates conflicting ideas colliding, with unflinchingly soul-searching lyrics meeting some of the most head-on, addictive melodies the band have ever recorded.
Hawkwind Live at the Royal Albert Hall
3CD/3LP set recording their appearance at the legendary venue in September 2023.
Prison Downstate
They plays all kinds of things, from insane distorted rock to dreamy psychedelia, plus some jazzy and gutsy blues too.
The DSM IV Negative Utopia EP
Gothic alt-pop trio formed by ex-Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster frontman Guy McKnight
Last Train The Plan
Lyon quartet who have toured with Muse and Placebo.
Christian Sean Hallelujah Showers
It blends brash electronic ventures with ethereal vocal layering, resulting in a progressive pop sound that strikes a balance between irresistible melodies and ambitious experimentalism.
Freckle Freckle
A debut with acoustic guitars held high from Corey Madden (Color Green) and Ty Segall
Maribou State Hallucinating Love
Ambitious, packed with sublime anthemia, and is injected with restless energy, soaring strings and guest vocals from long-standing collaborator Holly Walker and new friends like MOBO-nominated artist Andreya Triana.
Rüdiger Lorenz Synrise – Early Tape Recordings 1981-83
If you’re already aware of Rüdiger Lorenz, chances are you washed ashore on ‘Southland’, his cult kosmische curio graciously reissued by the ever-benevolent Bureau B in the middle of the last decade. Either that, or you’re one of the few hundred electronic music obsessives who encountered his work the first-time round.
Confess Destination Addiction
Iranian-Norwegian metallers ask the question “What happens when you’ve survived things that no-one should have to?”
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy The Purple Bird
Latest release from poignant alt-country artist.
Circa Waves Death & Love Pt.1
A nine-track hit of cathartic guitar-pop, serving as a powerful coping mechanism to help process frontman Kieran Shudall’s near-death experience.
Liza Lo Familiar
A meditative take on indie-folk full of uncanny and intimate guitars, retro pop-inflected synth and bass, and crystalline piano that intensify and build into widescreen, driving poignant songs about vulnerability and emotional fulfilment.
Everyone Says Hi Everyone Says Hi
The brand-new supergroup fronted by ex-Kaiser Chiefs’ songwriter/drummer Nick Hodgson and also including Pete Denton on bass (The Kooks), Glenn Moule on drums (The Howling Bells), keyboard player Ben Gordon (The Dead 60s), alongside Leeds based guitarist Tom Dawson.
Gus Engelhorn The Hornbrook
From the charm of ’50s oldies and the grit of ’60s garage, to the glam of the ’70s and the experimental edge of ’80s and ’90s indie, this album spins these eras into a futuristic, otherworldly experience
Rosa Bordallo Isidro
A heady blend of indie pop and lush, psychedelic electro-rock.
Eterna Debunker
His music manages to feel alien yet instantly familiar all at once. Soundscapes and distortion are weaved through cryptic lyricism about solitude and longing.
Cut The Kids in Half What We Became
Out of admiration for great songwriters like Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed and Thom Yorke, four years ago brothers Charlie and Jack Silver began writing together when they were 14 and 15 respectively. Pulling from a deep well of inspiration, from their childhood to fictional characters and everything in between, songs beyond their years took shape.
The Night Flight Orchestra Give Us The Moon
Swedish rockers whose record is free from the limitations of one genre or style, although many of the soundscapes of the album draw inspiration from the 80s.
