Fire レコード& CD

Review: It takes about a minute to fall head over heels for 'My Lights Kiss Your Thoughts Every Moment', the first track on Rushing, a collection of compelling and utterly spellbinding work by Bristol-based singer, sonic artist, and general visionary Lucy Gooch. A sublime concoction of ambient refrains, deep, moody, muffled keys, and perhaps the most spectacular voice we have heard this decade, creating something serene but powerfully emotive.

It sets a real precedent, but what follows proves every bit the match. The title track looks to focus more on production trickery, taking those sweet vocal tones and developing them into loops and layers while still ensuring the original words take centre stage, a backdrop of strings adding the sense of build and expectation. Throw in the almost church-like feeling of 'Sun', cosmic rays of melody that make up 'There Is A Space In Between' and we're sold. Well, we already were.

Review: Six new tracks from one of the finest talents in the north of England, or indeed the entire UK, will always sound like a pretty appealing offer. And the Widnes-born vocalist, songwriter, composer and musician certainly delivers on the deal, and drafts some incredible names from her home region to work on stellar remixes. A great argument for the current strength of the 'M62 scene', then.

Presenting a kaleidoscope of pop sounds, all leaning into a summertime electronica vibe, we have the incredible 'Sunset Dreams', a woozy slice of laidback downtempo psyche-tinged stuff that lulls you from the off. Andy Votel, who co-founded Twisted Nerve Records with Badly Drawn Boy, a welcome addition to the tracklist. Elsewhere, 'Solarised' received a healthy extended mix from Henry Broadhead, although the real winners in terms of re-rubs must come from incredible WH Lung (also, 'Solarised'), and another Manchester live name to remember, See Thru Hands.

Review: British label Fire return with more retro antics. Virginias Wings perform a cover version of Suzanne Menzel's lost pop classic "It Starts Again" with Jane Weaver on vocals. Noveller Aka Brooklyn based Sarah Lipstate performs a rendition of John Carpenter's "The Thing" and Malmo based dream pop trio Death and Vanilla re-imagine Bert Janschs "Moonshine" on this first edition of the new Lost Library series: conceived by the label boss James Nicholls and designer Luke Drozd. Featuring new tracks from their acclaimed female fronted roster.