New releases last eight weeks: All genres

Review: Fifty years after its original release, and over 20 since its first reissue, the quiet Beatle's landmark solo record All Things Must Pass has been punctiliously expanded once more, offering a complete sonic and archival overhaul. Spearheaded by Dhani Harrison and Grammy winner engineer Paul Hicks, the collection is a deluxe format-multiple, with one Uber Deluxe Box Set coming housed in a bespoke wooden crate and featuring 70 tracks. Alas, this CD edition is but a mere optical truncation, offering the humble and prudent listener a much sublimer curated experience: rooted in George Harrison's growing frustrations within the Beatles and a desire for artistic autonomy, 'Isn't It A Pity', 'Let It Down' and 'I'd Have You Anytime' still lie among the most enduring songs of Harrison's Tibetan Buddhist era, and with none other than compression master Phil Spector at the mix controls, you can be certain of a well-smoothened sonic experience from front to back.

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.

Review: Captured during their sold-out show at Amsterdam's Ziggo Dome on April 6, 2024, this live album features the band in fine form. The band's enduring ability to electrify audiences with a career-spanning setlist is fully evident here while this edition is pressed on clear & glitter vinyl for added visual appeal. From the thunderous opener 'Waterfront' to the anthemic closer 'Sanctify Yourself', the album is a celebration of the band's evolution, blending early post-punk intensity with the polished grandeur of their later work. Classics like 'Love Song' and 'Sons & Fascination' retain their sharp edges, while 'Let There Be Love' and 'See The Lights' shimmer with melodic depth as the band settled into their second decade of album making at the time. The emotional weight of 'Belfast Child' is undeniable, and the closing trioi'Don't You (Forget About Me)', 'Alive & Kicking' and 'Sanctify Yourself' will leave you standing and applauding the performance - even in your own front room. With crisp, dynamic production and a stellar recording and blending of the band, Live in the City of Diamonds proves that Simple Minds remain a commanding force, their music as vital as ever.