Today Only: Pop sale vinyl

Review: The revered songstress that is AK is back on Most Excellent Unlimited for another hot and soulful single that comes on the heels of a special 7" release of her seminal 'Say That You Love Me.' This one, 'Beautiful You' is making its vinyl debut here and comes with strong messages of empowerment and affirmation. The lyrics and vocals are uplifting as is the music which comes in the form of a 7" edit by Body & Soul legend Danny Krivit' of GRAMMYr award-winner Hex Hector's Lush remix. It's a perfectly paired back sound with the original on the flip, and both tunes really make their mark. This is a great package that's exclusive to wax.

Review: Ionnalee's 2018 debut album "Everyone Afraid To Be Forgotten" was superb, so hopes are high for the artist's similarly minded sequel. "Remember The Future" is a little bolder, shinier and more upbeat than its predecessor, though stylistically it still sounds like a 21st century update of Kate Bush's distinctive early '80s sound circa "The Dreaming" and "Hounds of Love". It's a dreamy, ethereal and otherworldly take on electronic pop that's always alluring and often memorable. The album's plentiful highlights include "Some Body", the superb Zola Jesus collaboration "Matters" - a deep, bubbly and intoxicating affair - and "Mysteries Of Love", an echoing, Royksopp-produced cover of a song from David Lynch and Angelo Badalamenti's "Blue Velvet" movie soundtrack.

Review: Get ready to revisit the magic of Miki Matsubara's seventh album, Cool Cut, which is now reissued for the first time on stunning coloured vinyl. Originally released on May 21, 1984, this edgy masterpiece captures the vibrant sound of an era and features the unparalleled production of charismatic guitarist Katsutoshi Morizono who is known for his groundbreaking work with Yonin Bayashi and Prism. Morizono's influence shines through in every note and this reissue brings back the cool, electrifying band sound that made the record a standout.

Review: Jakarta-born, LA-based singer-songwriter NIKI has announced her third studio album, Buzz, set for release on August 9th via 88rising. Alongside this exciting news, she has unveiled the lead single, 'Too Much Of A Good Thing.' Co-produced with Ethan Gruska, known for his work with Phoebe Bridgers and Bon Iver, the flirty track features sardonic lyrics and a sinewy bass guitar, speaking about the excitement of a new crush. NIKI describes the song as a fun, tongue-in-cheek exploration of desire and imagination, with a groove inspired by classic rock from the 60s and 70s. Emerging from a profound inner journey, this album delivers warm folk-rock songs that crackle with intimacy and introspection. Reflecting on an identity crisis, NIKI blends influences from Joni Mitchell to Liz Phair, crafting a personal narrative through elastic guitar melodies. Collaborating with seasoned producers, she captures a wandering spirit that resonates with hard-earned wisdom and resilience.

Review: Happenstance can be a fortuitous element. A union-funded single discovered in a dusty store, a long disbanded band found, leads to unreleased post punk dubs in a box of unreleased demos.

Formed during the mid-80s in the downbeat town of Walsall, their music is a blend of disparate influences from 50's crooners, blues and reggae to Killing Joke and The Bunnymen; Ron's Neighbours were out of step with the perfect pop of the C86 indie generation.

Their only single - "To The Fight" - a split 7" was supported by the Trade Union Resource Centre, while many gigs were benefits for striking miners, leading to a loyal local following.

Engineered by Ozzy Osbourne's brother Tony, tracks were recorded at an 8 track bedroom / home studio, while a terraced house served as rehearsal space. Here Ron Next Door was born. When a tape recorder was left running it captured the long-suffering neighbour for posterity. His outburst gave the band and song, its name.

Experimenting with drum machines, the resultant jam track, here in its "Alternative Mix", languished unheard until now. Ron's 'Black Country' tones lead to driving bass / percussion against crashing Stratocasters and repeating, refrained vox - a post punk dub turned symphony.

The B side, Sitting On Top of the World, is an indie anthem, becoming their theme, a blend of grandiose and banal that characterised their songs.

Review: Sedsoul welcome back one of their mainstays, David A Tobin, with a fresh new tune, emblematic of a soul supremo reared in the gospel tradition. Tobin's nominal credits stretch as far back as the early 1990s, when he operated as a house music vocalist working under the stage name Phoenix, but his more recent efforts under his own name have seen him steer in a determined soul direction, post-2010. 'Fallin' In Love' is an amorous cascade and an homage to sea-changes, with the titular "falling in love" coming backed by refrained urges to "turn your life around".