JULIAN COPE Vinyl & CDs

Review: Author and musician Julian Cope, formerly of Teardrop Explodes, is a leftfield national treasure. His books contain some of the funniest and most imaginative stories ever printed and as a musician he is the essence of rock n' roll. This latest album - the follow-up to 2023's excellent Robin Hood - is Cope at his most melodic. It contains nods to the likes of spook rocker Joe Meek, Velvet Underground and Krautrock, with a smorgasbord of guitar tones, mellotron and loose Moe Tucker-esque drumming. Cope's lyrics, with plenty of humour and off-kilter references, are a joy to dive into as they're cloaked in some of the best music he's ever composed.

Review: Julian Cope's My Nation Underground is an album ready for rediscovery and it now gets reissued as a faithful replica of the original 1988 Mercury Records UK release and pressed on high-quality 180g vinyl. Following the success of Saint Julian, Cope surprised fans by changing his band lineup and blending funk with Krautrock with veteran producer Ron Fair at the helm. The album includes three singles, mostly notably 'Charlotte Anne' which was a minor US hit. The opener, '5 O'Clock World', is a cover of a 1965 Vogues song and is upbeat and poppy, while the seven-minute title track uniquely combines go-go beats with post-punk elements.

Review: Julian Cope's albums often fly under the radar, but they shouldn't. His exquisite voice and philosophical depth set him apart in the pop landscape. In the face of 80s superficiality, he refused to conform, drawing inspiration from esoteric realms. With Kate St John's oboe adding a touch of English melancholy, his music evokes images of green fields and ancient stone circles, a serene counterpoint to modern chaos. 'Head Hang Low' reflects Cope's search for stability after fame, while 'Sunshine Playroom' celebrates his enduring love with Dorian Beslity. Vulnerable and musically liberated, Cope's album is a breath of fresh air, bursting with springtime energy. This wider reissue should mark a second opportunity for people to appreciate his music.