Pont Neuf Vinyl & CDs

Review: This beautiful EP, 'Sunset Thoughts', finally makes its way to vinyl after a digital release back in October. Cosmonection is a fast-rising Frenchman who makes an awful lot of music and is sure to blow up fully in 2024, and for this one, he works with fellow French artists and singer Soren Lyann. 'Bulles' establishes a lovely vibe with its organic chords and colourful little samples over a slick groove, then '"Wakin' Up With You' brings acoustic guitar and indie vocals over a hurried house groove. There is plenty more sun and subtle hints of acoustic guitar in 'Solar' and 'Ballad' shuts down another mix of acoustic strings, ad-libbed vocals and fresh beats.

Review: The Cult had their fair share of phases from the inception in the early 80s, with Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy forming the nexus of the band through various line-ups. Their self-titled album (known as Black Sheep to the band's devoted fanbase) from 1994 captures them shortly before breaking up for the first time, when Astbury and Duffy were at odds with each other and recording their parts in separate sessions. You wouldn't know to hear this cohesive, clear-sighted slab of early 90s rock, where detectable grooves sneak in amongst the hooky riffs and Astbury's gutsy delivery. It's also one of the most personal albums for the singer, tackling some deeply personal subject matter and making for a unique point in a perennial band in UK rock history.

Review: Pont Neuf approaches its quarter of a century of releases with Shore serving up a fresh blend of the old and the new on this Life Is A Blur EP. It kick off in laissez-faire fashion with some heavenly ambient, then 'Constant Motion' is a synth-drenched house kicker with jazzy leads. 'So Low' is more progressive and a little darker, while 'Thinking Out Loud' cuts loose and slows down from some sunset downtempo bliss. 'Ascent' rounds out with kaleidoscopic melodies that have you gazing off to the stars.