Back catalogue: All genres

Review: New Order's 'The Perfect Kiss' stands out as their first single to be simultaneously released on a studio album, appearing on 1985's Low-Life. Recorded at Britannia Row Studios in London, the track merges alternative dance with rock influences, reflecting themes of love and mortality. Bernard Sumner himself has admitted he's unsure of its full meaning, though one of its most recognised lines - "pretending not to see his gun / I said, 'Let's go out and have some fun'"- was inspired by a real-life encounter with a gun-owning host in the United States. Created in a sleep-deprived rush just before an Australian tour, the song has since been reinterpreted by artists like Capsule Giants and Amoeba Crunch and remixed by collectives such as Razormaid. Spin magazine's John Leland praised its evocative melody and intensity, particularly the explosive finale where the band cranks every machine to full power.

Review: First released in 1981 in the wake of Ian Curtis's death, the compilation Still served as both an epilogue to and archive of Joy Division's brief but seismic existence, beginning in 1980s Manchester. A one-of-a-kind compilation, its uniqueness stems from two non-album wranglings, 'Dead Souls' and 'Glass', which precipitate a revelatory ream of studio outtakes, before a raw, emotionally freighted live set from their final show at Birmingham University. That concert also captured the only time the band played 'Ceremony' live; the tune would later reappear, reshaped, on the other side of Curtis's death, as New Order's debut single. An unusually passable idiosyncrasy consists in the fact that Curtis' vocals are barely audible on this version, as was often the case with every live performance of the song. Now reissued, this has to be one of the most comprehensive four sides of formative post-punk supersession ever to hit the shelves.

Review: With the untimely and tragic passing of Chester Bennington in 2017, it was the natural presumption that Californian nu-metal turned alt rock megastars Linkin Park would cease to exist. Surprising their avid fanbase by announcing news of their reformation with Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong, as well as new drummer Colin Brittain (Rob Bourdain opted not to join the reunion), From Zero offers a nod to their original band name Xero whilst simultaneously ushering in their new era. Sonically, the band are doing their utmost to both pay credence to their heavier origins while naturally rerouting towards their newfound vision. Serving as follow up to 2017's pop-oriented and critically panned One More Light, the understandable decision to re-embrace aspects of their nu-metal motifs is commendable, whilst modifying and building upon their past sonics to craft comfortable musical bedrock for the new voice of their band. Comparing to prior albums may be inescapable for diehard fans with the material owing humble countenance to the Linkin Park of yesteryear, while this deluxe edition expands upon the original version's somewhat succinct (or rushed) 11 tracks over 30 minutes with an additional three bonus cuts as well as five live versions.

Review: The sophomore full-length from New Jersey goth-punks My Chemical Romance was originally released in 2004, changing both the course of their career trajectory as a band but also altering the mainstream acceptance of the goth/emo/alt scene in the 21st century ever since. While it was 2006's third full-length The Black Parade which would cement the band as alt rock legends, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge was an unprecedented success, fusing the macabre darkness of Misfits and Alkaline Trio with stadium-sized hooks to put the likes of Blink-182 or Green Day to shame. Boasting the pop-punk hit 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)', whilst the later singles 'Helena' and 'The Ghost Of You' illustrated their expansive yet understated weaving of emo, post-hardcore and punk rock, all elevated by vocalist Gerard Way's uniquely grim lyricism, experience as a graphic novel illustrator and Billy Borgan-style vocal fractures. Selling over 3 million copies in the US alone, even being certified Platinum less than a year after initial release, this semi-modern fully classic punk staple returns with a revitalised deluxe edition, housed with updated artwork and offering an entirely new remix as well as four previously unreleased live recordings.

Review: Originally released in 2004 as their sophomore full-length, Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge would change both the career trajectory of New Jersey goth-punks My Chemical Romance whilst simultaneously turning the genre on its head with its unique fusion of macabre Misfits and Alkaline Trio worship married to the stadium-sized hooks and melodies of Blink-182 and Green Day. While it would be 2006's follow up The Black Parade that would turn the band to alt rock giants, it all started here with the iconic pop-punk banger and hit single 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)', whilst later singles 'Helena' and 'The Ghost Of You' highlighted their expansive melding of emo, post-hardcore and punk rock, elevated by vocalist/lyricist/graphic novel illustrator Gerard Way's uniquely grim vision and Billy Borgan-esque vocal cadences. Certified Platinum less than a year after initial release, and selling 3 million copies in the US alone, this new deluxe edition features an entirely new remix plus four previously unreleased live recordings.

Review: Seminal electronic doom mongers New Order may be mainly associated for the siesmic shifts they created in electronic music in the 80s, but they remain a huge draw as a live act to this day. Their show at London's Alexandra Palace on November 9, 2018, was their only UK show of that year and Education Entertainment Recreation captures exactly what went down with Bernard Sumner and crew at the helm. This deluxe, limited edition box set includes the full concert and spans two hours and 20 minutes in a show that mixed crowd-pleasing New Order classics like 'True Faitth' and 'Temptation', highlights from Music Complete and even some Joy Division favourites. From 'Singularity' to 'Blue Monday' and a powerful Joy Division encore of 'Atmosphere', 'Decades' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', it's a well-rounded celebration of their legacy, and also includes a Blu-ray film of the entire show.

Review: The Eyes Wide Shut soundtrack was released in 1999 and weaves together haunting classical pieces, jazz standards and eerie original compositions by Jocelyn Pook. Her track 'Masked Ball' stands out as a chilling centrepiece that add to the film's surreal and unsettling mood. The inclusion of Chris Isaak's sultry 'Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing' and Shostakovich's haunting 'Waltz 2' deepens the psychological tension. The album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media so was essential to the film's mysterious atmosphere. Pook's work, paired with Ligeti, Liszt and jazz legends still stands up as a great mix of seduction and suspense.