Back in stock: Indie/Alternative

Review: Billy Nomates is coming off the back of a hugely acclaimed album in 2002. That was the self titled work on Invada Records and now she follows it up with a new EP that has already had heavy plays on BBC 6Music. Billy even stepped in for Iggy Pop on his show and impressed with her selections. Here the artist develops her unique sound and unflinching lyrics and says of the music that it is "predominantly about communication breakdowns; personally, mentally, physically. A strange thing to happen while communication has never had so many channels. Perhaps we need a direct line."

Review: Q Lazzarus was always going to be a good fit for the cult synth and cold wave crew, Dark Entries, and so it proves here with this overdue debut. Diane Luckey was born in 1960 in New Jersey and created her iconic moniker while living in NYC's East Village. Her breakout moment came after meeting director Jonathan Demme during a 1986 snowstorm; he was captivated by her demo playing in her taxi. Their encounter led to the unforgettable inclusion of 'Goodbye Horses' in Silence of the Lambs. Despite its cult status, Luckey and collaborator William Garvey remained largely overlooked but surely that will change now as they offer up five unreleased tracks that have been newly mixed from original master tapes.

Review: Legendary Reading shoegaze band Slowdive had s short but powerful run from 1989 until 1995 (during their first spell) and that included the 5EP. In the same year, it was remixed to perfection by Bandulu and Reload and now it gets reissued on limited hand numbered vinyl. First up, Bandulu stretch the original's heavy minor chords and fatten the track out into a dubby masterclass and then the Reload version from Tom Middleton & Mark Pritchard (better known as Global Communication) is even more impressive. It's a supremely blissed out cut with a slow motion rhythm and futuristic sense of soul cut on 45 rpm but just as suited to 33rpm playback.

Review: Dublin band Sprints quickly return to the fore after the success of their recent highlight 'How Does The Story Go?' This new EP is destined to be heard loud at beer swilling festival main stage all over the world. It has powerful riffs, plenty of fuck you energy and sizeable choruses that will connect on a large scale. Karla Chubb's spoken-sung vocals bring an alt-rock feel with a critique of modern existence served up next to an exploration of what it is to grow up queer in the modern day.

Review: Volksmusik's Underground is a captivating release on Unusual Systems, featuring five dance tracks that fuse various darker subgenres into a compelling electro house hybrid. The album explores dark wave, EBM, and electro techno, creating a unique sonic experience. Side-1 opens with 'Underground,' an uptempo track with a darker Italo house feel that captures an 80s futuristic vibe. Following is 'The Force,' a dynamic piece with engaging lyrics that blend a Nu-Romantic vibe reminiscent of Visage. Side-2 begins with 'Glowing In The Dark,' maintaining the album's dark and atmospheric tone. 'Snake Island' shifts towards a darker rock sound, verging on Goth rock, adding variety to the album's texture. Closing the release is 'We Danced,' which infuses an EBM edge, rounding out the collection with its energetic and intense rhythm. Underground stands out for its innovative blend of genres, making it a great release for fans of dark, electro-infused dance music.