Everything Is Recorded, Noah Cyrus & Bill Callahan - "Porcupine Tattoo" (3:31)
Everything Is Recorded - "Norm" (feat Bill Callahan) (3:04)
Review: XL boss Richard Russell's Everything Is Recorded returns with 'Porcupine Tattoo', an unexpected yet compelling collaboration with Bill Callahan and Noah Cyrus. The track, released via XL Recordings, came about during sessions at LA's infamous Chateau Marmont hotel, when Russell asked Callahan who he'd most like to write a song for. Callahan's surprising answer: Noah Cyrus. The result is a stripped-down folk tune with subtle gospel undertones, featuring Callahan's deep, pitched-down vocal layered alongside Cyrus' delicate voice. Russell's production, iminimal yet atmospheric, ihighlights the contrast between Callahan's gravelly tone and Cyrus' ethereal presence. Recorded during a rain-soaked week, the track evokes a sense of melancholy and intimacy. On Side-2 'Norm', is a tribute to comedian Norm Macdonald, featuring only Callahan. This release continues Russell's tradition of creating genre-blurring, evocative collaborations.
Review: Alongside fellow Belgians Front 242, The Neon Judgement are widely regarded as pioneers of electronic body music (EBM), a synthesised slice of underground noise that incorporates elements of electro and industrial to often disorienting and intense effects. Led by Dirk Timmermans and Frank Vloeberghs, the pair combined synth pop and post punk with more abrasive tones, unusually, for EBM, bringing guitar work to the fore. Marking 40th years of the Play It Again Sam (PIAS) imprint, a veritable institution in its own right that has itself influenced many bands and scenes, some of TNJ's most triumphant efforts and attempts at pushing the boundaries of genre and style forward are collected here. A selection of tracks that showcases exactly what they were about very well indeed, and why their legacy is so significant, albeit subtle.
Review: You might think that you could cop a copy of New Order's seminal hit 'Blue Monday' fairly easily and cheaply given its ubiquity over the years. But no, copies in good condition still fetch around 50 quid, so this remastered reissue is well worth a cop. The single's iconic bassline and twitchy synth modulations very much soundtrack a generation, if not an entire youth revolution, but still enliven any dance floor many years later. What's more, the de-humanised vocals will always provide real singalong joy. On the flip is a 'The Beach', which is drenched in echo and reverb and general sonic filth.
Review: The remastered reissues of New Order classics continues with this 1984 gem 'Thieves Like Us' (the title is taken from the Robert Altman movie). It originally landed, of course, on Factory and like all that label's releases, comes with a Peter Saville designed cover, based on a painting by Giorgio de Chirico. It's the band's seventh single and the remastering job has been done from the original master tapes at Abbey Road Studios. The title track is a typically forlorn affair to start, but it erupts into a more joyous and life-affirming sing along. 'Lonesome Tonight' is as low key and wallowsome as the name suggests.
Review: As part of the Low-Life 'Definitive Edition' release campaign, New Order reissue the 12" singles from the album, first released in May 1985 at the height of their controversial exploitation by Factory Records. 'Sub-Culture' is one of its lead singles: originally released on white label (infamously, graphic designer Peter Saville allegedly deemed the song unworthy of his talents), this functional synthpop banger reeks with and oozes of FM-farty glitz, and lyrically concerns a nocturnal protagonist, disaffected with the modern, measured day-night cycle. The B 'Dub-vulture' pulls a similar instrumental trick with a varied melody.
Review: Alongside the reissue of their eternally adored Substance 1987 compilation, New Order are bringing back this 12" edition of their equally seminal 'True Faith'. It's one of the tracks the group are most readily associated with, capturing the essence of the band around bombastic pop hooks, the spikiness of new wave and Bernard Sumner's sharp distillation of the prevailing British mood. It's a golden slice of pop history which sounds better than ever thanks to a new remaster, and the same goes for the excellent B side '1963'.
Review: If you had an asset as potent and praised as 'Blue Monday', you'd want to see where else you could take it, wouldn't you? After New Order released their singles collection Substance 1987, they served up 'Blue Monday 88' with some subtle refinements overseen by none other than Quincy Jones. It's just the right approach, adding some spice to the rhythm section but keeping the brilliance of the song intact. Meanwhile 'Beach Buggy' on the flip sees Michael Johnson going in on the instrumental flip side version for those who need maximum club reaction. Both tracks absolutely shine thanks to a tidy remastering treatment, so if you don't already own it, now's the chance to put that right.
Review: New Order's 'Touched By The Hand Of God', originally released in 1987, returns as a remastered 12" single, retaining its original tracklisting. The main version embodies the quintessential New Order sound of that era, featuring a powerful and uplifting chorus that sticks in your mind. The infectious rhythm and expertly crafted drum programming create a danceable beat that showcases the band's signature blend of post-punk and electronic elements. The track is equally know on the dancefloor as it is for the iconic music video, which humorously depicts the band performing in heavy metal attire, exemplifying their characteristic tongue-in-cheek style. On Side-2 features a dub version that extends the instrumental sections while preserving the vital chorus, maintaining the track's strength and appeal. A reminder of New Order's ability to craft memorable, infectious dance tracks.
Review: New Order's 'State of the Nation' returns as a remastered reissue of the original 12" single, originally released in 1986. During this period, the band's confidence was soaring, and this track exemplifies their knack for crafting catchy dance music that resonated with audiences. The remastered version maintains the original tracklisting, including the second side 'Shame of the Nation', which serves as a dub rendition of the title track. This version extends the rhythmic elements, offering a fresh perspective on the song while preserving its infectious energy. State of the Nation not only secured its place as a Top 40 hit in the UK but also featured on the iconic compilation Substance, released the following year. New Order's enduring legacy and ability to blend catchy melodies with danceable beats is captured perfectly with these recent 12" single reissues.
Review: When New Order released 'True Faith' in 1987, they broke the mould as the first band to present multiple different editions of their single right at the point of arrival. As well as the widely adored original version of the track, there was a club-ready version mixed by the mighty Shep Pettibone, a true king of New York's scene who knew exactly how to get the best out of the track for the dancefloor. As singles compilation Substance 1987 gets a high-end reissue, so too does this late 80s club monster sounding brighter and bolder than ever thanks to a tidy remaster treatment, with the 'True Dub' version on the B side for those who really want to lock in.
Review: If you're never been to Galway, Ireland, we implore you to head for Skyscanner airport immediately after ordering this latest EP from one of the city's most promising new(ish) outfits. Once you arrive it will quickly become apparent that, in so far as guitars go, the place is brimming with great artists and outfits, not to mention incredible ideas, with an abundance of incredible places to see those creatives at their best.
Suffice to say, labelling NewDad among the finest in G-Town, to use the colloquial, could never be a spurious statement given their peers. Combining, at various points, elements of Goat Girl, The Cure, and Slowdive, while comparing easily to none of the above, they paint vivid pieces with gradually emerging powerhouse tracks disguised as intimate meditations on highly emotional formative experiences.
Review: NewDad continue to offer the kind of jangly, low-slung, affected alternative rock & roll people don't seem to make (and we don't seem to hear) enough of anymore. At once laidback, raw, melancholic but euphoric, wry and yet heartfelt, on Waves the Irish West Coasters seem to invoke the gusty breeze of their homeland, powerful energy of a basement gig, and the reflective, expansive reality of the wilds.
Already having made friends in the right places, it seems unthinkable that the Galway hopefuls will not continue their ascension through the ranks of what might be coined nu-shoegaze with this. Even if we want to cut our fingers off for even considering using that term. Regardless, it's reverb soaked, highly emotive and achingly cool stuff that is bound to hit home.
Review: With just their third single, Exposed to Some Light, Nightbus continues to showcase their moody and atmospheric sound, drawing comparisons to many well regarded bands. The track unfolds like a captivating narrative, drenched in nostalgia yet tinged with a sense of dread. Originally born from a poem written during a cold January weekend, the song explores the idea of bringing something to the forefront of one's mind and current headspace. Through their minimal yet evocative video, Nightbus invites listeners to delve into their introspective world.
Review: Falle Nioke is back and boy are we glad about it. Last year he worked with sir Was on the sublime Marasi EP and now here he is with a second collaboration with Ghost Culture. Nioke is a multi-lingual singer and percussionist who hails from Guinea Conakry in West Africa. He delivers his verses in Coniagui, French, English, Susu, Fulani and Malinke and also plays a range of instruments that provide authentic accompaniment to his singing. For this one he fuses all that African heritage with pulling electronic sounds to make an EP that takes in funky rhythms, acid tinged club tracks and plenty in between.
Review: This is a 7" gem that comes on random coloured vinyl and is a great new chance to own a classic bit of reggae form the 90s. The legendary four tacker was first dropped back in '94 by this cult German Ska band and it has plenty of attitude that encourages you to stay rude yourself. 'Stay Rude - Stay Rebel' kicks off with big horns and uptempo drums, 'Tour De France' keeps the pressure on and 'Love Song' strips things back a little more with a more laid-back and swaggering sound. 'Girl (Tango)' has a more playful and funky edge with some sumptuous sax leads.
Review: Baltimore's gothic synthpop golden child Nourished By Time (Marcus Brown) has made a wonderful name for himself so far, flaunting a blithe, nigh ghostly vocal talent, usually paired with a lo-fi alt-pop aesthetic. The 'Catching Chickens' EP, his debut record for XL Recordings, continues this trend with a brand new five-track EP, following up 2023's equally great LP Erotic Probiotic 2. Written between 2022 - 2023 in his home studio in Baltimore and along his world travels this past year, Catching Chickens is derived from the film Rocky, and the iconic scene in which Rocky's trainer makes him chase and catch a flock of chickens as a test of agility. Channelling Brown's per usual contemplation of late stage capitalism and post-pandemic loneliness, every song here is indicative of a well-earned artistic progression.
Review: Cardiff-based troubadour Ali Lacey, AKA Novo Amor, began this musical project in the wake of a breakup, but things quickly became about much more than redemption and recovery. Not completely dissimilar in style to one of indie-folk's most famous heartbroken men, Bon Iver, both chaps share a penchant for falsetto vocal delivery, gentile but complex acoustic guitars, and rural America, with Lacey having spent a summer in upstate New York, memories of which were directly translated into his debut LP, Birthplace.
Four years on and he's still clearly finding inspiration in both the subtle beauty and tragedy of existence, offering four tracks here best - perhaps only - described as quietly powerful. From delicate emotions worthy of Sufjan Stevens running through 'Weather', to the gradually building, stop-you-dead 'From Gold', this is a name you won't forget after the first encounter.
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