Counter Vinyl & CDs

Review: British duo Maribou State are back with their first full-length since 2015's breakthrough debut album Portraits, and was a result of a two year long journey to find their sound. Story has it that upon returning to the UK to begin work on new material, they relocated their studio at the back of their home in Hertfordshire to London - only to struggle in finding their creative flow. They began to look outward, making regular excursions out of the city, setting up temporary studio spaces throughout Asia, Oceania, the Middle East to North America and beyond - the result of which is this tremendous LP. Highlights include "Turnmills" their tribute to the now defunct but legendary clubbing institution, the dreamy lo-slung pop of "Nervous Tics" which continues their long standing collaboration with vocalist Holly Walker, and another fabulous hook-up with Houston based purveyors of exotica Khruangbin - on the sublime "Feel Good".

Review: This is an indie exclusive yellow vinyl version of Jeffrey Paradise aka Poolside's second studio album on Ninja Tune. The Los Angeles-based producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist is a master of those hazy downtempo sounds we call crave when the sun comes out. As such Blame It All On Love is a gorgeous accompaniment to warm days, with a retro-feel, lo-fi aesthetic and lush daytime disco vibes. The album is a collab with Minnesotan indie dream pop act Vansire and showcases classic pop songwriting structure, catchy hooks and irresistible grooves of the sort that Poolside has become well known for. Fans have already been wooed by the dreamy soundscapes of lead single 'Float Away' which has Vansire's Josh Augustin providing lush vocals. Essential stuff.

Review: Dutch artist Sander van Dijck is the man behind the San Holo, and someone who is known for joining the dots between electronic and indie music. He does that again here on a bumper 20 track album that explores analogue sounds, soft vocals and some mature alt-rock sojourns. It is a grown up album and fine follow up to his romantic 2018 debut Album1 with some of the same lush chord work but more sophisticated structures. Richly emotional but never sentimental, the artist says it is largely an album that address the feelings one has in the aftermath of a relationship.