New Music for August - Part 2
We take a look at some new music recently added to our catalogue.
Mark says: The Joy are a five member a cappella group from South Africa, whose 2021 EP Amabutho and 2023 EP Hammarsdale have received critical acclaim for blending traditional Zulu music with modern influences and production. They have performed on the Jennifer Hudson show, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Later… with Jools Holland & with Doja Cat at the 2024 Coachella Festival. 'Joy', their debut full length was recorded live in one take at the Church Studios in London. The music blends Afro-pop, Afrobeats and amapiano with western pop & an old-school Doo-wop sound. Euphoric, gentle flowing music that transcends cultures.
Poor Creature – All Smiles Tonight
Sam says: Poor Creature are an Irish electronica/folk collective consisting of members of the bands Landless and Lankum. Formed during the COVID lockdown, the group came together to create their own interpretations of Irish folk songs, with All Smiles Tonight collectively showcasing these efforts in the form of an album. The lushly dreamy and hazily atmospheric electronically driven arrangements bring about a unique and modern perspective on these traditional Irish folk tunes, with the vocals providing an anchor of authenticity. As described by the group: ‘Songs that have existed for centuries can seem immutable and anchored to time’. Overall, All Smiles Tonight is a curious effort that simultaneously feels ancestral and otherworldly.
Neil says: This New Zealand band’s debut LP is a dreamy indie pop confection, folding in other influences as well, such as eighties urban disco and Korean poetry. The albums production is slick and smooth. Every musical surface has been polished to a brilliant shine, and Crystal Choi’s airy vocals perfectly suit this sweet and chilled out release. There is a prevailing air of laid-back, sophisticated, cosmic exploration and optimism. The musical equivalent of a beautiful impressionist painting of a hazy, dreamy summers day.
Can't lose my (soul) - Annie & The Caldwells
Mark says: Recorded live in a Mississippi church, Annie and the Caldwells’ debut album was forty years in the making, its backstory fascinating enough on it's own. However, the fact that the resulting album is so good that they are now playing European festivals 40 years into their existence as a group is something else. Led by Staples Jr. Singers' Annie Brown Caldwell it's only 6 tracks long, with the remarkable title track clocking in at over 10 minutes. A gritty blend of gospel, soul, & funky disco grooves with raw powerful vocals reminiscent of classic singers like Chaka Khan, Gwen McCrae or Millie Jackson. The songs delve into life's struggles & perseverance over adversity, without being overly religious in nature, as smooth harmonies, funky guitars, keyboards, and call and response stylings move between meditative and euphoric with ease. Every track is really a standout, and culminates in the funky ballad ‘Dear Lord,’ where Caldwell praises Jesus after her family’s lives are saved from a house fire.
MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks
Sam says: Initially known as guitarist of the alternative rock band Wednesday (of which he currently is a non-touring member), North Carolina native MJ Lenderman has also strongly established himself as a solo artist. Manning Fireworks stands as his fourth studio album and shows him further asserting himself as a forerunner of the modern alt-country sound. Along with the distinct Americana flavours, Lendemann’s raw, grungy guitar sound and nonchalant singing style provide a slacker-like sensibility that feels deeply inspired by ‘90s rock. Despite this, there is a real sense of emotional authenticity that permeates across the record’s nine tracks, making for an honest and compelling listen.
Neil says: Regular readers of our blog will be well aware that the Habibi Funk label is one of our favourite labels. Well known for bringing back lost albums, often from the 70’s and 80’s. Predominantly from the Arab world, the labels releases span every conceivable musical genre and often contain unique twists. In one sense 'Hawalat' keeps to this format, however in another it is a bit of a departure. For a start this is a contemporary album, one conceptually based round the idea of Hawalat, “a system of informal money transfers”. But instead of money, we are talking music. And we are talking music that spans generations and cultures, from rural French communes to Stockholm, from Beirut to Brooklyn. The album ultimately has an overall veneer that reminded me of the cinematic music of John Barry; there are elements of hip-hop, Jazz, lounge, and lots of overlayed lush orchestration. The end result has a cinematic, timeless, and contemporary feel.
Drive to Goldenhammer - Divorce
Mark says: Divorce are a Post/punk Nottingham four-piece and 'Drive to Goldenhammer' is their full length debut after 2 previous EPs. Vocalist and bassist Tiger Cohen-Towell's gruff alt-country rumble nicely melds with co-vocalist/guitarist Felix Mackenzie-Barrow's pure high voice, which seems lifted from a shoegaze band, and it's this pleasant dichotomy that gives the band a unique sound. Straightforward alt-country storytelling merges with a more aggressive experimental approach on some tracks, and the complex arrangements and shifting genres seem to deliberately blur the overall sonic vibe. The band have described themselves as "Wilco meets ABBA", which actually makes more sense as you listen to the album. With alt-country, indie rock, folk, and chamber pop, there are many elements to enjoy, and it's one of those albums that benefit from multiple listens to fully appreciate their eclectic musical aesthetic.
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)
Sam says: American indie-pop stalwarts Japanese Breakfast have been kicking about for around a decade now, with numerous releases and even a video game OST under their belt. For Melancholy Brunettes (&Sad Women) stands as their fourth full length album overall and is their first high-level studio recording, with prior releases having more DIY in their studio processes. This in itself showcases a notable step-up for the band, with the slick production style lending itself to and ultimately enhancing the group’s epic and evocative sound to great effect. As the title suggests, there is a mood to the album that feels darker and gloomier than previous efforts from the band. Sitting at thirty-two minutes, For Melancholy Brunettes (&Sad Women) is a powerfully concise work.
Neil says: Marshal Allen is one of the stalwarts of the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra. 'New Dawn' is, unbelievably, his first ever solo album and was released just after his 100th birthday. Volumes have been written about the visionary influence of Sun Ra and the Arkestra. To say they were pioneers of afro futurist jazz is to put it mildly, as their influence reaches way beyond just the jazz world and into the worlds of art, culture and politics, and their message of love and diversity remains as relevant now as it ever was. 'New Dawn' showcases Marshall’s lifetime of improvisational prowess, and cosmic spiritual jazz soundscapes are to be found in full flow. It doesn’t quite travel to the more extreme places the Arkestra travels to musically on occasion, instead, it evokes their more mellow classical, vintage, spiritual jazz vibe - a sound he helped create. Neneh Cherry’s guest vocals are also worth a mention. Described as, a "love letter to spacetime" it is an album bound to be on many of the jazz albums of the year lists.
A sober conversation - B.C Camplight
Mark says: B.C Camplight is Brian James Christinzio, an American born UK-based musician. Critically acclaimed, his lyrics explore his personal life and self-destructive tendencies, including struggles with depression and alcohol. He faced deportation in 2014 as his third album was coming out due to an expired visa, lost his father shortly before releasing Deportation Blues in 2018, leading to a breakdown that became the basis for Shortly After Takeoff, in 2020, and previous album The Last Rotation of Earth, focused on the end of a long-term relationship. His new album 'A Sober Conversation' is literally about coming to terms with buried childhood abuse after sobering up from a decades-long cocaine addiction. On paper, this all sounds pretty depressing. However there is a 'showtune' type quality to the music, with classicist production layers of baroque pop reminiscent of Ben Folds, Randy Newman or 70s Beach Boys. This mix of raw, heavy, emotional lyrical content - which he often delivers through wry asides and stories - with the lush orchestrated musical soundscapes full of rich melodies, driving energy and uplifting piano refrains, is what makes this a surprisingly engaging listen.
Ichiko Aoba – Luminescent Creatures
Sam says: Ichiko Aoba is a Japanese folk singer-songwriter who has enjoyed an illustrious and prolific career. Over the past fifteen years, she has built up an impressively large discography of studio albums as well as several soundtrack and live releases. Luminescent Creatures sees her continue a trajectory into the experimental ambient and chamber-folk territory that emerged on her previous album Windswept Adan. Gently delicate yet deceptively lush musical arrangements subtly ebb and flow, with Aoba’s vocal and acoustic guitar parts augmented beautifully by an array of instrumental and orchestral flourishes. There is a deep sense of dreamlike calm within the music, making for an absorbing yet sublime and peaceful listening experience.
Neil says: Tonky once again weaves in autobiographical tales of love, survival and transcendence against a background of the most horrific of circumstances, following on from 2023's Oh Me Oh My, which was also a recommend pick. The musical setting is different this time; less abrasive, more lush, and propelled forward by rumbling rhythmic beats. The contrast between the two makes this album even more poignant. The album is a courageous form of transcendent exorcism for Lonnie, and for the listener. An uplifting and powerful listen, like finding a beam of pure white light in a deep dark place, art that works and functions on many levels.
You are the morning - Jasmine.4.t
Mark says: Jasmine.4.T is the stage name of British indie rock singer-songwriter & trans woman Jasmine Cruikshank. Little known as a lo-fi singer in 2016 opening for Lucy Dacus' European tour, Cruikshank would go on to release an EP pre-transition in 2019, and then almost a decade renew the Dacus connection by submitting some demos to Dacus' now bandmate Phoebe Bridgers' Saddest Factory label. This led to Cruikshank being the first UK artist to sign with Bridgers label, and a debut album produced by the whole Boygenius band (Dacus, Bridgers & Julien Baker). Delicate, folksy meditations focus on some dark days after coming out & transitioning, but this is interleaved with more upbeat tracks on the joy of embracing a new life, relationships and community. Bridgers duets on the catchy track 'Guy Fawkes Tesco Disassociation'.
Sam says: The career of Talk Talk spanned just one decade, however during that time they managed to forge a monumental creative trajectory. As such, the beginning and end points of their discography are scarcely recognisable as the same band, save for Mark Hollis’ uniquely evocative and soulful vocal stylings. Whilst their legacy is now more centred around their later, more expansive and experimental outings (such as the career-breaking avant-garde masterpiece Laughing Stock), the 1982 debut release The Party’s Over shows them at their humble beginnings as a nascent synthpop group. Whilst they hadn’t quite hit their compositional stride quite yet, the album still features a solid set of well-crafted and emotionally engaging tunes that make it a standout release of the era.
Neil says: Originally released in 1982 'Juju music' is rightfully regarded as a classic genre defining album. At the time Island records were riding high after turning Bob Marley and the Wailers into global superstars and bringing reggae to a mass audience, and were hoping to replicate this success with King Sunny Adé. Things didn’t quite pan out as Island had intended, however in some respects the albums influence was every bit as profound and deep, blending talking drums & traditional African sounds with modern components like synths and guitars, long before such albums as Graceland. This ground-breaking afrobeat album was a pioneering masterpiece, and it sounds just as good today as the day it was released.