PIAS US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Bebel Gilberto has put out several genre-bending albums is a truly gene-bending talent. The Grammy-nominated Brazilian singer-songwriter had her Joao album reissued in 2023 and now Agora is her first new music in six years. It finds her work with Thomas Bartlett who has worked with the likes of Sufjan Stevans and sees Gilberto reach all new heights. Her sultry and smoky Brazilian rhythms come embellished with plenty of catchy electronic beats and it carries on where much loved previous albums like Tudo, released in August 2015 on Sony, and her self titled album from 2004.

Review: Classic early 90s hard rock from Great White, whose eighth proper LP sounded to tear up the world in its jaws. Building on ideas of addiction and captivation, Great White had already hooked us on their powerfully maximal, LA-bred booster sound. Hooked was only their secondmost popular record after Twice Shy, and had the task of ushering forth their mostly 70s associative sound into the 1990s, where the likes of 'South Bay Cities' and 'Can't Shake It' render rock & roll just that bit more toothy and jowly. Their sound at this point was heightened by the production prowess of Alan Niven and Michael Lardie, though it sacrificed Great White's earlier explorations in heavy metal.

Review: The arrival of Kelis Rogers at just 20, paired with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo (The Neptunes), marked a seismic moment in r&b's evolution. With its refusal to stick to formulas, the album stands out for its fearless experimentation. Tracks like 'Caught Out There,' with its unforgettable "I hate you so much right now" refrain, showcased Kelis' smoky vocals and raw energy, setting a new standard for cathartic pop. Elsewhere, 'Ghetto Children' taps into swooning urban soul, while the AOR-tinged 'Mars' and the doo-wop leanings of 'Suspended' push genre boundaries. Kaleidoscope's blend of ambition and bold production feels as vibrant today as it did on release.