Moshi Moshi レコード& CD

Review: A self-declared "proper second album", the songs that comprise The Rhythm Method's latest full-length Peachy are born of candour, and from the emotional rollercoaster that is touring. After a psychotic episode related to the job in 2018, frontman Rowan Martin made the defiant decision to carry on touring and recording despite the experience, seeing things through. Peachy is the result of this dedication, with new songs like 'I Love My Television' and 'Have A Go Heroes' blending Mike Skinner-esque and slacker rock songwriting, making for affecting Britpop edibles. Influences on the new sound will surprise confirmed fans; ranging from The Band and Kris Kristofferson to The Waterboys and Deacon Blue - it is a marked departure from their beginnings. Traditional Irish and Scottish music also play a huge part on this record: Aoife Power lending a Cranberries-esque Celtic warmth to a collection of poignant, thoughtful and at times moving songs that will dramatically switch perceptions of this duo.

Review: Good Time/Hard Time is a fourth full length album from Teleman, a collective who make marked evolutions in sound here. Despite a wealth of experience between the trio of players, they managed to head down new paths here and unveil a stream of lyrical consciousness packed with wise words of wisdom. This is also the band's most dancefloor-friendly record yet with songs musing on themes that are universal to us all and grooves that everyone can connect with, get lost in and get down to. Nine years into their time together, this is the best work yet from Teleman.

Review: 'Sonic honesty' - characterised by a nakedness of voice and dryness in production - is central to folk rock music. It's a sound that was more or less nailed by The Wave Pictures upon their formation in 2005, and now inevitably in 2022, come their latest LP. 'When The Purple Emperor Spreads His Wings' is a long and sprawling album of folk-garage drama, testament to the Leicester outfit's propensity for frank lyrics, space-country themes (case in point: 'This Heart Of Mine'), and roadrunner-style carefreeness.