Back catalogue: Post Rock/Experimental

Review: Despite the style's influence and enduring legacy, shoegaze has not been celebrated with a raft of compilations and retrospectives. Waves of Distortion attempts to set the record straight via two discs of classic (and occasionally overlooked) shoegaze gems recorded and released at different points between 1990 and 2022. It offers a neat overview of the sound and some its greatest practitioners, flitting between the glistening, reverb-laden dream pop of Slowdive, the bowl cut-sporting loved-up swagger of Ride, the densely layered country-shoegaze haziness of Telescope, the jaunty jangly-ness of AR Kane and Spirea X, the psychedelic heaviness of Ringo Deathstarr, the tactile bliss of Beach House and the slow-burn, post-rock majesty of Mogwai.

Review: Krautrock is a long established genre whose name has recently been questioned. Whether or not it is a slur is an ongoing conversation. The music labelled as such has become iconic, with books like Julian Cope's Krautrocksampler and Alan and Stephen Freeman's Crack in the Cosmic Egg diving deep into its nuances. The debates over 'Krautrock' v 'Kosmische Musik' only add to its allure and Krautrock Eruption by Wolfgang Seidel explores some of these distinctions. The compilation presents tracks from twelve albums, focusing partly on Bureau B's catalogue, and entirely essential for fans of this sort of sound.

Review: Earlier this year, Bear Family set out to chronicle the formative years of Germany's heavy rock sound, offering up a killer compilation showcasing tracks released between 1970 and '76. This sequel focuses on the next chapter, as German heavy rock turned to heavy metal under the influence of global powerhouses such as AC/DC and Judas Priest. It's educational and entertaining in equal measure, with the two discs showcasing such delights as the bluesy fuzz of Bullfrog's 'Live', the heavy rhythm and blues of Prinzip, the elongated Black Sabbath riffs of Epitaph's 'On The Road', the organ-powered eccentricity of Requiem's 'Steven', the early metal headiness of Breslau ('Spinn') and the all-action excellence of 'Time Machine' by Beast.

Review: To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sonic Cathedral is releasing a limited-edition 4xCD box set titled Celebrate Yourself! The Sonic Cathedral Story 2004-2024, featuring 62 tracks, many of which are previously unreleased. This compilation includes rare remixes, standout live recordings, and a festive shoegaze collection. Notable contributions come from artists such as Slowdive, Andy Bell (Ride), Emma Anderson (Lush), bdrmm, Whitelands, and deary, along with remixes from renowned producers like Andrew Weatherall and Daniel Avery. The box set chronicles Sonic Cathedral's journey from its inception as a club night in 2004 to its pivotal role in the resurgence of shoegaze music today. This labor of love reflects the label's profound impact on the genre, showcasing classic singles alongside a collection of holiday-themed tracks. Nat Cramp, the driving force behind Sonic Cathedral, expressed pride in releasing this comprehensive anthology, which encapsulates the label's evolution and its central role in the shoegaze revival. The box set coinciding with a series of special live events and a unique exhibition in London, marking two decades of vibrant musical history.