Review: Life changed dramatically for The War On Drugs when they released Lost In The Dream in 2014. It was the Philadelphia band's big, breakthrough record, taking the band all over the world and to some of the biggest stages. Since then, their stock has only continued to rise and they've become one of the most beloved rock bands in the world. This live album was recorded on tour between February 2022 through December 2023 in America, UK, Europe and Australia. Intro 'Harmonia's Dream' is their answer to The Who's 'Baba O'Riley' and you can hear the ecstasy running the crowd. 'Come To The City' is one of band leader Adam Granduciel's best ever vocal takes. Unbelievably powerful and peerless. No War On Drugs set would be complete without 'Under The Pressure' and the ten minute-plus version here is a representation of how far they've come - not only in terms of popularity, but in terms of quality as a band. They've not rested on their laurels they've just got better and better.
Review: American blues rock's other famous double zed, ZZ Ward doubles down on her blues instincts with her fourth studio album, going to the logical ends of her newfound motherhood and creative independence. Produced with longtime collaborator Ryan Spraker, the record folds four tracks from her recent EP 'Mother' into a broader canvas of originals and carefully chosen covers. In the midst of early parenthood, the songs confront exhaustion, strength, and clarity with grit and grace. "It just took me a long time to get here," she reflects, describing the album as a way of reclaiming her place in the genre, as lead single 'Love Alive' lights the way to a blues-traditional, real-life sound and upcoming tour, Dirty Sun. Messy, honest, and unmistakably hers.
Review: Chris Marigold and Leo Wyndham's Blu Mar Ten label - an offshoot of their music alias of the same name - shares the third addition to the Wardown albums series by the eponymous artist, real name Peter Rodgers (of Technimatic fame). Described from the outset as a musical diary of smeared memory, Rodgers' drum & bass-focused Wardown records are accounts of dislocation - emotional, familial, local - that document and textualise the disjunction between the artist's childhood in Luton and a musical career forged elsewhere. While the first record in was packed with personal nostalgia, Wardown III charts a continuing macroscopy in sound occurrent thereafter; this time around, Rodgers incorporates a cyborgish, anthropocenic monologue as the intro, and follows it with humanistic, synaptic drum & bass expansiveness in the form of 'Perfect Your Memories', 'As They Fall' and 'Deteriation'.
Review: Warhaus' fourth album, Karaoke Moon, marks a bold return for Maarten Devoldere, two years after Ha Ha Heartbreak. Teaming up with producer Jasper Maekelberg, Devoldere spent months crafting this record, exploring over 50 songs he wrote during a two-year period. The result is a stunning and multifaceted work, likely the most adventurous Warhaus release yet. Karaoke Moon cleverly tackles themes of modern masculinity, often with a playful and self-deprecating tone. Devoldere's sharp wit and introspective lyrics take center stage as he wrestles with his inner thoughts, blending dark reflection with humor. Musically, the album covers diverse territoryifrom the sultry nightclub vibes of 'No Surprise' to the moody, Nick Cave-esque atmosphere of 'Zero One Code'. Tracks like 'Hands of a Clock' feature lush orchestration, merging choir and piano for a sweeping conclusion. The album masterfully balances intensity and levity, creating a layered experience that invites repeated listens. With each spin, Karaoke Moon reveals more of its mysterious allure, drawing listeners deeper into Devoldere's intriguing world. It's a thrilling addition to the Warhaus catalog.
Review: Sydney-based friends MP Hopkins and Mary MacDougall bring a haunting edge to folk music here. 'Weeds' is like lo-fi horror film music with tape-recorded radio static giving a foreboding atmosphere. 'Clay Graffiti' sounds like a post-apocalyptic ghost story with the spoken word conjuring images of landscapes tormented by wind and life dissolved. The group clearly have a knack for sequencing and the finer details of what makes a great album. After the intense end-of-the-world feel of the track that closes side A, Side B opens with 'Yellow Rose', which feels like spring; lyrically, in the bright piano, guitar and through the vocal timbre. It gives a sense of renewal that wouldn't have the same impact if it wasn't for the harsh winter feel of the track before it. But don't mistake this for anything twee - experimental folk is taking over the underground cultural zeitgeist and Warm Currency are an important part of that. This is the band's third release on the Horn of Plenty label and it's a solid follow-up to Returns (2022) and Live at the Petersham Bowling Club (2023).
Review: Warmduscher fifth album is the band's most ambitious and eclectic work yet. Led by the inimiatble Clams Baker Jr and featuring Benjamin Romans Hopcraft, Adam J. Harmer, Marley Mackey, Paranoid London's Quinn Whalley and Bleu Ottis Wright, it masterfully blends gqom, hip-hop, jazz, punk-funk and disco pogo into a spellbinding mix. Produced by Ben Romans Hopcraft and Jamie Neville, the album opens with the Talking Heads-esque 'Fashion Week,' a joyous ode to fashion's die-hard enthusiasts and contains the also already well circulated singles 'Staying Alive' and 'Top Shelf'. Bulging with brutally honest lyrics and dazzlingly eclectic tracks, the album also features guest appearances from Irvine Welsh - who provides its spoken word intro - Lianne La Havas, Janet Planet, Jeshi and CouCou Chloe, adding to its diverse soundscape. Reflecting the energy of their legendary live shows, Too Cold To Hold pushes creative boundaries to their maximum.
Review: The Best of Warrant compiles 16 defining tracks from the band's early years, pressed on limited 180-gram red audiophile vinyl with a numbered double vinyl format and an insert. This collection revisits the glam-metal era with hits from their first three albumsiDirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, Cherry Pie and Dog Eat Dogioffering fans a nostalgic journey through Warrant's prime. Favorites like 'Down Boys', 'Heaven', and the iconic 'Cherry Pie' capture the band's energetic hooks and singalong choruses. The acoustic version of 'I Saw Red' highlights a more introspective side, while deep cuts like 'Thin Disguise', a Cherry Pie B-side, add exclusivity. Their hard-hitting cover of Queen's 'We Will Rock You', from the Gladiator soundtrack, showcases a grittier edge. The inclusion of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' and 'Mr. Rainmaker' underscores their storytelling flair, while tracks like 'Big Talk' and 'Sure Feels Good to Me' keep the energy high. Originally released in 1996, this greatest hits package is still thee best collection of their best.
Review: Originally released in 2004 and celebrating its 20th anniversary, War Is Hell was the debut full-length from Californian hardcore punk upstarts turned underground heroes The Warriors. Drawing on the groovy yet snarling style of Snapcase and Rage Against The Machine, the success of this release would see them added to bills touring with scene legends such as Comeback Kid, Terror, Sick Of It All and Parkway Drive, with vocalist Marshall Lichtenwaldt even guest featuring on the latter's track 'Hollow' from their Don't Close Your Eyes EP and later re-recorded for 2010's Deep Blue. Namedropped by melodic hardcore peers Set Your Goals on the anthemic 'Summer Jam' while their own cut from this record 'Slings & Arrows' would be covered by metallic hardcore giants in the making Knocked Loose on their 2019 Mistakes Like Fractures EP, The Warriors are a hardcore band's hardcore band with this long overdue repress marking the first since 2005 and is limited to only 100 copies.
Review: Originally known as Stuff Kittens, then Warsaw, the legendary U.K. post-punk band Joy Division emerged from Manchester in the late 1970s, their middle moniker chosen in honour of a David Bowie-Brian Eno track, "Warszawa. This album, recorded at the time but never released, includes five bonus demo tracks recorded at Pennine Studios in Manchester on July 18, 1977, featuring Steve Brotherdale on drums. The first 11 tracks were laid down during a recording session in early May 1978, shortly after 'Interzone' and 'Transmission' - later to become Joy Division classics - had been incoporated into their set, the formere emerging from a cover of Northern Soul classic 'Keep On Keepin' On', the band adding original lyrics to create a unique sound. 'Transmission', written during the final rehearsal week, begins with a line from Alistair Crowley's The Book of Thoth, adding to what is already a fascinating collection of early takes of songs that would later gain iconic post-punk status.
Review: HOTMIX Records main man Nick Anthony Simoncino is branching out with a new sub-label here, Hot Street. It will deal in plenty of dusty house as is the case of this first release, a bumper new record from Shin Watanabe. It taps into dreamy synth worlds, lo-fi deep house grooves and subtle soul samples that are designed for cosy floors, back rooms and real heads only.
Review: Drone music has a unique quality that really pulls you in. Whether it's the haunting vocals of Pandit Pran Nath or the heavy tones of Sunn O))), it shifts your focus to a deep flow. Water Damage's debut LP Repeater perfectly embodies this. With their motto "Maximal Repetition Minimal Deviation," this Austin septet offers thick layers of sound that are mesmerising, mixing two drummers and two bass players for a powerful effect that keeps evolving. This album invites you to settle in and lose yourself in its depths, so relax and enjoy the ride.
Letter From An Unknown Girlfriend (feat Fiona Apple)
Rock Bottom
I Don't Know How I Made It (feat Taylor Goldsmith)
Frank (Let's F*ck)
Katherine (feat Anana Kaye)
Everybody Loves Dennis Hopper
Golf, They Say
Venice. California (Victoria) / The Passing Of Hopper
Aftermath
Review: Brit folk rock troubadours The Waterboys have put together an evocative exploration of life's complexities with this, their 16th album, all while being inspired by actor Dennis Hopper's defiant spirit. The album blends folk-rock, Americana and poetic lyrics into an introspective look at mortality, legacy and transformation. With Mike Scott's distinctive voice and emotive songwriting, the tracks balance philosophical musings with gritty realism and so embody Hopper's famously raw and rebellious energy, the sort that made him such a star of the silver screen and movies like Easy Rider. The album's atmospheric instrumentation includes sweeping strings and soaring guitars that enhance its reflective nature. Life Death & Dennis Hopper is an ambitious record but one that resonates with depth.
Letter From An Unknown Girlfriend (feat Fiona Apple) (2:05)
Rock Bottom (1:15)
Don't Know How I Made It (feat Taylor Goldsmith) (2:31)
Frank (Let's F**k) (2:02)
Katherine (feat Anana Kaye) (1:28)
Everybody Loves Dennis Hopper (3:09)
Golf, They Say (3:21)
Venice California (Victoria)/The Passing Of Hopper (4:00)
Aftermath (2:42)
Review: Scottish rock veterans return with an ambitious concept album that chronicles a life marked by rebellion, excess and reinvention. Crafted with cinematic scope, the album pieces together the journey of an individual navigating shifting cultural landscapes, embracing chaos, and emerging on the other side transformed. Spanning 25 tracks, the music unfolds like a series of vignettes, moving from youthful idealism to reckless abandon and eventual redemption. There's a raw energy pulsing through the arrangements, from raucous, blues-drenched rockers to more introspective, soul-baring ballads. 'Hopper's On Top' barrels forward with driving rhythms and swaggering vocals, channeling a period of artistic ambition and Hollywood turmoil. Elsewhere, moments of reflection soften the edges, drawing the listener deeper into the story. Produced by Scott alongside James Hallawell and Brother Paul Brown, the record's sonic palette is rich, blending folk-rock roots with cinematic flourishes. Guest appearances from Bruce Springsteen and Fiona Apple add weight to the narrative, their contributions enhancing the album's dynamic range. Packaged on "burnt" vinyl 2xLP, this release is both a tribute and an exploration of resilience, art and survival. It's a bold addition to their storied career.
Behind The Disguise (feat Marina Quaisse
- Closing) (1:22)
Review: An essential work in the trip-hop landscape, now reissued to offer a fresh chance to experience its cinematic soundscapes and genre-crossing influences, weaving samples from jazz, hip-hop, soul and film scores into a cohesive, evocative sonic tapestry. Tracks like 'Que Sera', 'Ungodly Fruit', and 'How I Feel' showcase his unique ability to craft lush, atmospheric beats reminiscent of RJD2 or Portishead's Geoff Barrow. A key part to the success of this release, is the use of samples - ranging from classic hip-hop to cinematic dialogue - with some tracks, particularly those featuring orchestral arrangements, stand out for their unusual intricacy, with 'Hypnosis Theme' and 'Our Dance' exemplifying Wax Tailor's mastery of blending classical elements with laidback rhythms.
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