HOLLIE COOK Vinyl & CDs

Review: Hollie Cook's 2022 album Happy Hour was widely hailed as a standout entry in the UK singer's accomplished career to date, and now she's doubled down on her dub instincts by going back in with producer Ben McKone for a proper echo chamber revision which lets different ingredients in the album shine in a whole new, delay-soaked light. As well as stripping down some of the tracks and reworking the fundamentals, there's also space for some new ingredients from Rosie Turton on 'Golden Dub', Josh Skints and Jah9 on 'Kush Dub' and Kiko Bun on 'Dubbing On'.

Review: The world may feel dark and depressing right now, but mercifully there are still artists whose escapist instincts can help lighten the gloom. Hollie Cook, daughter of Sex Pistols' Paul Cook and long a purveyor of soul-fired dub and reggae, is one such artist. Happy Hour, her first album in four years, is a glorious, life-affirming distraction in this summer of discontent - a colourful, groovy, bass-heavy and sugary-sweet riff on lovers rock capable of putting a spring in your step. Our picks of an especially strong bunch include the weary-but-uplifting title track, the jaunty 'Kush Kween' (featuring the distinctive vocals of guest Jah9) and the immersive, sonically kaleidoscopic 'Full Moon Baby'.