New releases last two weeks: Rock

Review: In honour of Record Store Day 2025, Canadian-American alt-rockers Big Wreck have decided to reissue one of their most popular albums, 2012's The Albatross. Available in limited numbers (only 1,000 of this CD version was pressed), it not only includes the freshly remastered original album in full, but also three alternate versions, rare bonus cut 'Fade Away', and a raucous live recording of title track 'Albatross'. The original album remains a timeless alt-rock classic where raw guitar riffs, bluesy solos and Ian Thurnley's distinctive lead vocals wrap around thickset bass and punchy drums. For proof, check standouts 'Wolves', 'Glass Room' and the rowdy 'The Rest of the World'.

Review: To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Steve Harley's iconic hit 'Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)', Chrysalis Records is serving it up on a limited 7" for Record Store Day. The single features the original version backed with a previously unreleased recording from Apple Studios, which offers a different perspective and nice twist on the original. 'Make Me Smile' was a UK chart-topper in 1975 and has sold over 1.5 million copies and is thought to have inspired more than 120 cover versions from artists like Duran Duran and Erasure. However, you can't beat the original, which is a glam-pop classic that continues to get love across generations.

Review: Few bands embody pure, unfiltered rock'n'roll like this power trio, whose vicious sound was forged in sweat, speed and sheer volume in the squats of West London and went on to effective bulldoze the line between hard rock and punk overnight. Driven by the unmistakable growl of their frontman and bassistiequal parts outlaw poet and rock deityithe group delivered some of the most incendiary riffs in history, backed by a rhythm section that hit like a runaway freight train. This edition pairs the original 12-track studio recording with an originally televised full-throttle live set from Belfast in 1981, capturing the band at their most primal. From the precision attack of 'Love Me Like a Reptile' and the relentless stomp of '(We Are) The Road Crew' to the sheer force of 'The Chase Is Better Than the Catch', the first half is a masterclass in unhinged rock'n'roll. The second half turns up the intensity even further, featuring live versions of 'Overkill', 'Bomber', and 'No Class'iraw, deafening, and unstoppable. Remastered from the original tapes, this edition is a high-voltage reminder of why they remain one of the loudest, fastest and most influential bands of all time.