PRIMAL SCREAM Vinyl & CDs

Review: Primal Scream's first new album in eight years, via BMG, following 2016's Chaosmosis, featuring the lead single 'Love Insurrection' which is currently doing the rounds. It's produced by David Holmes and includes cover art by Jim Lambie. The recording process began in 2019, with Bobby Gillespie initially crafting lyrics solo on an acoustic guitar. Encouraged by producer Holmes, the band recorded across Belfast, London and Los Angeles. Gillespie describes the album as embodying a theme of conflict and resilience, inspired by the Glaswegian term "come ahead," which signifies a defiant spirit. The album marks Primal Scream's first release since the passing of longtime member Martin Duffy in 2022. Come Ahead promises to blend the band's trademark evolution with fresh, bold sounds.

Review: Produced by David Holmes, who last worked with the band on 2013's More Light, the 11-track album represents a fresh chapter for the Scottish rock veterans, as well as their first new material in eight years. Bobby Gillespie is reportedly approached this record differently, crafting lyrics before music for the first time and relying on an acoustic guitar during the songwriting process. Gillespie describes the album as a reflection on conflictiboth internal and externalitinged with compassion. The title, a Glaswegian term, embodies the fierce and confident spirit of Glasgow, suggesting a defiant stance against adversity. The album's lead single, 'Love Insurrection,' previews this audacious energy. Come Ahead is the band's first release since the death of Martin Duffy in 2022. Duffy, a longtime collaborator, had contributed to every album since Screamadelica, though he had become estranged from the band over a rights dispute. Primal Scream, originally formed in 1982 by Gillespie and Jim Beattie, have continuously evolved from their indie pop roots into psychedelic, garage rock, dance music and then rock 'n' roll, making Come Ahead a compelling addition to their diverse discography.

Review: Perennially indie-dance favs Primal Scream might be best known for albums like the seminal Screamadelica but did you know they wrote an album that never was? Reverberations (Travelling In Time)' is just that - a debut that wasn't a debut. It lasts just 35 minutes but has 16 perfectly formed pop tunes on it, 11 of them previously unreleased BBC session recordings, and the final five are tunes from their earliest singles on Creation Records. Here the record is pressed up on translucent blue vinyl in limited quantities and includes newly commissioned artwork and a large format booklet with extra context.

Review: Some lucky folk managed to bag a copy of this when it was released as part of the Screamadelica 30th Anniversary 12" Singles Box. Suffice to say, many didn't. It's also probably a given to point out the British and global music scenes are still reeling from the untimely and sudden passing of Andrew Weatherall, a studio mastermind and club DJ icon who managed to influence everyone from ambient and techno heads to indie kids, classical fans and heads in just about any other sonic avenue you care to mention. Arguably, though, his most beloved work was around the Screamadelica era, carving out a landmark crossover album from Primal Scream's original material, making stars out of everyone involved and timeless, decade-spanning tracks from singles like 'Come Together' and 'Loaded'. 'Shine Like the Stars' brought that album to a close in spectacular, trippy, emotive style, and has never left our hearts since.

Review: Primal Scream's Dixie-Narco EP was released in 1992 and is an often rather overlooked gem from the band's output in the early 90s. It was laid down at Memphis's Ardent Studios and was an experimental continuation of the sounds they had explored on their legendary Screamadelica album. Everything form country blues to acid house to rock gets distilled across the four tunes, and there is even a rare Dennis Wilson cover included. The EP has long been out of print and very hard to find but thanks to this special Record Store Day reissue - a first since 1992 - fans can now add it to their collection.