Republic US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Completed within six days - always a sign of a unprescribed project, without pretence or conceit, one which just needs to be unleashed - Noah Kahan completed the five-track 'Cape Elizabeth' EP in 2020. The five-track EP, which followed four original CDs already released on major labels, was an instant hit among indie singer-songwriter lovers. Now repackaged for the same audience once more, the towering chart-topper now returns to Republic Records for a first-time aqua vinyl reissue, after its initial digital-only run.

Review: American artist Kid Cudi dropped his eighth studio long player Entergalactic on his own Wicked Awesome label. It is an accompaniment to an adult animated special of the same name in which he stars on Netflix. It is a record that finds him doing something rather different than before and features a lot of songs about love and relationships, but from an imaginary perspective given that he was single when he wrote them. He says he found the whole process incredibly exciting and the alt r&b that results sure has got fans excited.

Review: The seventh studio album by pop princess Taylor Swift, Lover was released in 2019 and saw to such unavoidable hits as 'Me!', 'You Need To Calm Down', 'Lover' and 'The Man'. Responding to much fan demand after a series of mental health troubles in the fallout of her prior album Reputation, Lover is a more sincere and earnest approach to the Swift formula, paring back the edgy histrionics heard on the prior album in favour of a maturer version of the pastel-hued nostalgia evocative of an earlier Swift era. As a wise man once said: true love is giving something you don't have to a person who doesn't want it; with Swift seeming to hold this bittersweet but ultimately redemptive adage firmly at heart, the album cycles through all the vagaries of both false and true love: infatuation, commitment, lust, heartache.

Review: '1989 (Taylor's Version)' sees global pop icon Taylor Swift revisiting one of her many masterpieces with a newfound maturity and depth. Swift's 2023 reimagining of her 2014 album breathes fresh life into iconic tracks like 'Shake It Off' and 'Blank Space,' while also introducing previously unreleased material like 'The Lakes.' With Taylor's trademark introspection and emotional resonance, each song feels like a rediscovery, resonating with both nostalgia and contemporary relevance. The album serves as a testament to Swift's enduring talent and artistic growth that she can re-captivate listeners with fresh infectious hooks, irresistible beats, and poignant storytelling and in doing so once again reaffirms her status as a modern music icon.

Review: This new Taylor Swift album broke her own previous records for streaming more than 300 million times on its day of release. It's another of her fusion of pop and country and folk with lots of confessions about past lovers that continue to appeal to her legions of fans around the world. Each track explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery and Swift's lyrical prowess shines through as she navigates heartbreak and resilience, accompanied by rich melodies that stir the soul. The album serves as a poignant reflection of the human experience, highlighting Swift's growth as both a songwriter and storyteller. It solidifies her standing as one of music's most compelling voices and marks yet another milestone in her illustrious career.

Review: In her highly anticipated 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift dives deep into raw emotion, showcasing her trademark vulnerability once again. Each track explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery that will resonate deeply with her devoted fan base. Swift's lyrical prowess shines as she navigates heartbreak and resilience, accompanied by rich melodies that tug at the heartstrings. The album serves as a testament to the complexities of human experience, highlighting Swift's evolution as both a songwriter and storyteller. With over 200 million records sold and 13 Grammys under her belt, Swift's latest release promises a departure into darker, more introspective themes while retaining her signature charm.

Review: Licorice Pizza is the new film from acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson. Set in the San Fernando Valley in 1973, it's a veritable time capsule of a movie with a soundtrack to match. There's plenty of classic period pieces gathered here on this album, featuring songs by David Bowie, Nina Simone, and Wings, Donovan, Sonny & Cher, Gordon Lightfoot, and more. As well as that, there's also a new original song written by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood, who has worked with Anderson before. Look out for Chuck Berry performing with Steve Miller Band for an added surprise in the midst of the hits, and a deep cut from Joe Walsh's pre-Eagles band James Gang.

Review: The fourth studio album from Canadian R&B pinup The Weeknd (released last March) was produced, in the main, by the artist himself. Previous collaborators like DaHeala, Illangelo, Max Martin, Metro Boomin and OPN also stepped up to give a hand and between them, the four singles 'Heartless', 'Blinding Lights', 'In Your Eyes,' and 'Save Your Tears' topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and went platinum making the album another hugely successful one. After Hours explores the themes of promiscuity, overindulgence and self-loathing which help to make it one of his finest to date.