New releases this week: Indie/Alternative

Review: Legendary emo indie outfit The Cure have played all over the world in their decorated careers but back in 1996 when they headed to Brazil, it was the first time they had been to the country since 1988. They were there for the 1996 edition of the Hollywood Rock Festival which they headlined in superb fashion and wowed their Latin American fans. Live Lullabies & Other Bedtime Stories is a special recording of that night that comes on nice yellow vinyl and features the likes of signature anthems like 'Boys Don't Cry,' 'Friday I'm In Love,' 'Just Like Heaven' and many more.

Review: The Jesus & Mary Chain - Peel Sessions 84/86 offers a riveting glimpse into the evolution of the iconic noise pop band across four recording sessions for John Peel's BBC show. These sessions capture the band at various stages of their early sonic development, showcasing their signature blend of classic pop, noise, punk, psychedelia and garage rock. Each track serves as a testament to the band's innovative and influential sound, presenting a raw and unfiltered expression of their musical vision. With its combination of infectious melodies and gritty noise textures, this collection stands as a perfect document of The Jesus & Mary Chain's essential contribution to the alternative music landscape of the 1980s.

Review: The Minneapolis Uranium Club Band's Infants Under The Bulb album is an engaging journey through unbridled punk creativity and raw guitar energy. Released amidst their hometown's vibrant underground scene, the album defies categorisation in the way it blends elements of punk, post-punk and experimental rock. With relentless rhythms, angular guitar riffs and cryptic lyrics, each track unfolds in heavy and arresting fashion and the band's unconventional approach and uncompromising attitude challenge listeners to embrace the unconventional throughout this most visceral of albums.

Review: Raymond Richards emerges once again as a musical maestro in Sand Paintings, displaying his unparalleled mastery of the pedal steel. Teaming up with Calexico's John Convertino and an array of eclectic instrumentalists, Richards delves deeper into his contemplative sonic world. From the courageous chords of 'Badwater Basin' to the dramatic landscapes of 'Monument Valley' and 'Saguaro,' each track resonates with emotional depth and cultural richness. While the album expands into grand cinematic gestures, there's a stoic singularity pervading throughout—a lonesome cowboy facing the elements with unwavering resolve. Despite the visceral intensity, a cloaked vulnerability emerges, revealing a profound connection to the world. Sand Paintings is not merely an album; it's a journey through landscapes of sound and emotion, guided by Richards' transcendent vision and honesty.