Back in stock: Indie/Alternative

Review: At 66 years young, Guiding By Voices main man Robert Pollard has a whopping 3,000 songs registered to his name with BMI, while outside of his primary project, he's released 22 solo albums as well as a plethora of lesser known works put out under obscure aliases. His latest alter ego, Rip Van Winkle, features a backing band shrouded in mystery on their debut EP The Grand Rapids, which redirects Pollard's eccentric and unique penmanship down the realms of neon-hued post-punk and frosted cold meets new wave machinations.

Review: Mute's reissue of These Immortal Souls' sophomore album, I'm Never Gonna Die Again, has been long awaited by fans of the band's dark and brooding sound. Remastered from the original tapes by Lindsay Gravina, along with original members Harry Howard and Genevieve McGuckin at Birdland Studio, this edition breathes new sonic life into the haunting melodies and gritty textures of the album. Originally released in June 1992 after a hiatus due to Rowland S. Howard's writer's block, the album marked a triumphant return for These Immortal Souls. Lead single 'King of Kalifornia' set the tone with its gritty intensity, showcasing the band's evolution since their debut. Joined by Anthony Thistlethwaite on saxophone and slide mandolin, the band's lineup remained formidable, with Rowland S. Howard's distinctive vocals and guitar work leading the charge. Alongside Harry Howard, Epic Soundtracks, and Genevieve McGuckin, they craft a sonic landscape that was both haunting and hypnotic. For fans of post-punk and dark wave, I'm Never Gonna Die Again remains a standout in These Immortal Souls' discography. With this reissue, Mute pays homage to the band's enduring legacy, ensuring that their music continues to gain new fans for years to come.

Review: The Vanishing Twins first surfaced in 2016 with their Choose Your Own Adventure LP before taking some years away to magically re-appear like ghosts can do with The Age Of Immunology. The album brings together space pop with African spoken word and poetry, odd-ball percussion and strangely inspired UK synth pop made to fit a world of other exotic musical styles. There's no denying the unique sound that the band have conjured and it's something for those Broadcast, Pram and Stereolab fans out there in need of new, inspired material. At 10 tracks long it's a magical carpet ride for the ears and you'll never know what part of the world you'll end up.