Back in stock: Post Rock/Experimental

Review: Alcest's latest album Les Chants de L'Aurore' is a transcendent journey amidst the chaos of modernity. Originating in the quaint French town of Bagnols-sur-Ceze, Alcest, led by the visionary Neige, defy the confines of heavy music by blending darkness with radiant light. Since their groundbreaking debut in 2007, they've captivated with a unique fusion of beauty and extreme metal, influencing a generation of "blackgaze" artists. Released amidst global turmoil in 2019, Les Chants de L'Aurore now arrives on vinyl and emerges as a beacon of hope. Recorded intimately yet expansively, it reinvigorates Alcest's signature sound for a new era. Amid existential reflections, Neige crafts euphoric melodies, counteracting darkness with love and positivity. Five years in the making, this album represents a profound evolution, resonating with both gentle charm and fierce conviction. In a world hungry for solace, Les Chants de L'Aurore offers a sanctuary of beauty.

Review: South London's potent indie auteur Heartworms unveils her highly anticipated debut album here on Speedy Wunderground. It has been produced by longtime collaborator Dan Carey and fuses the driving, motorik energy of Depeche Mode with PJ Harvey's sharp lyrical prowess, and is finished off with the offbeat rhythms of dance-punk favourites LCD Soundsystem. The result is a dark, intense sonic assault that is unmistakably Heartworms in the way it blends gothic post-punk with unashamed emotion and relentless momentum. It once again proves why Heartworms is one of the most exciting new voices in alternative music.