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Review: American industrial kings Swans' latest offering unfurls across a sprawling 19-minute journey, building a tension that is as much about space as it is about sound. The first half, marked by 'The Healers' and 'I Am A Tower,' feels like an unyielding force, as if the music itself is evolving into something beyond human comprehension. Gira's voice, thick with grit, clashes with the deep rumble of guitars, creating a rhythm that seems to pulse from a primal core. The journey picks up momentum through 'Red Yellow' and 'Guardian Spirit,' where the sound bends and twists, its drone-like qualities alternately lulling and unsettling. By the time 'Away' takes hold, the track feels less like a song and more like an emotional release, with each successive wave stripping something away, leaving raw, exposed moments in their wake. A visceral experience that demands patience and reflection, with each track revealing layers of complexity.

Review: To mark a decade since its original release, Carrie & Lowell returns in expanded double vinyl edition through Asthmatic Kitty, curated and designed by Sufjan Stevens himself. The anniversary release addends 7 unreleased tracks, as well as a full 40-page art book, and a newly unearthed Polaroid cover revealing the album's namesake, handwritten by Sufjan's sister Djamilah. The booklet contains family photos over four generations, as well as Sufjan's own landscape photography taken throughout the American West, all reflecting themes of loss, memory, and place. The second LP compiles forty minutes of bonus material, including demos of 'Death With Dignity' and 'Eugene', atmospheric outtakes of 'Fourth of July' and 'Wallowa Lake Monster', and the original version of 'Mystery of Love', recorded during the album's sessions before its reworking for the infamous Timothee Chalamet actor-debut Call Me By Your Name.

Review: Originally formed in 1980 in Reno, Nevada, 7 Seconds are often credited as one of the most vital and criminally overlooked pioneering hardcore punk acts. Following on from their much-adored 1985 EP-cum-LP Walk Together, Rock Together, their 1986 follow up New Wind featured slower tempos and a notable imbuing of melody, with the project going on to be credited as an integral blueprint for the hardcore scene's eventual embracing and transition into pop-punk and indie rock. This long overdue reissue from Trust Records arrives complete with the complimentary Change In My Head, which is a totally new take on the classic album featuring tracks remixed in their entirety by Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi) alongside Inner Ear Studios' Don Zientara. Restoring and reimagining unreleased cuts from the original LP such as 'Change In My Head' and 'Compro', these bonus tracks offer a fresh snapshot of 7 Seconds in transition, but still very much firmly rooted in their hardcore ethos (before literal U2 comparisons would arise with later output). This limited double LP also comes with a 24-page oral history featuring unseen photographs, flyers, and memorabilia.

Review: Producer and guitarist Yutaka Hirasaka enjoyed a peaceful career pitstop with Breath, one of many to top up the beatsmith and cassette artist's now towering discography, and which now comes released on vinyl for the first time. Hirasaka's approach to music covers ambient, beat-driven landscapes, a format which has led him both to immersive live performance work and commercial ends. The homely aesthetic of Hirasaka's sound is heard once more on the wordless, texturally unperturbed Breath, which clears our airways far better than any shop-bought nostrum ever could, be it via the deconstructed guitar pan-plays of 'Orion' or the marzipan piano maunders of 'Amaretto'.

Review: When she started her career just over a decade ago, Cleopatra Nikolic AKA Cleo Sol was considered a singer-for-hire within the international deep house community. Now, with the assistance of beat-maker Inflo, she's decided to strike out on her own via a quietly impressive solo debut that re-casts her as a genuinely fresh and exciting soul talent. Beginning with the layered acapella vocals and deep, jazzy grooves of stunning opener "One Love", the album sees her brilliantly deliver heartfelt and thoughtful lyrics over hazy backing tracks that brilliantly join the dots between jazz, neo-soul and R&B. While she's undoubtedly the star of the show, Inflo's stripped-back, partially acoustic and largely soft-focus production is also worthy of high praise.

Notes: ADSR (Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release) is a module designed to generate a voltage, which acts as the envelope with the adjustable stages. This envelope, generated in response to the incoming gate signal or manually pushed button, can then be used to shape the sound amplitude via VCA, modulate filter's cutoff frequency or any other parameters expecting CV control.
It features exponential Attack, Decay and Release stages, switch to select fast/slow operation mode, push button with led indicator to manually activate the envelope.

Notes: Module A-119-2 is a Dual external input amplifiers with only 4HP module width. The module contains two amplifiers with separately adjustable amplification levels. Each channel is equipped with an overload display. The module can also be used for stereo signals, e.g. the stereo output of a smartphone.

Controls and displays:

Level 1/2: manual control of the amplification in the range 0 - about 45.
Overload 1/2: overload LED, begins to light up for output levels beyond about 10Vpp (+/-5V)
In 1: audio input 1 (monophonic or stereophonic, see technical details)
In 2: audio input 2 (monophonic)
Out 1/2: audio output (monophonic)

Technical Details:

For higher amplifications the two amplifiers can be daisy-chained
Different normallling options are available via the rear of the modules with jumpers.
All inputs and outputs are DC coupled. Thus the module can be used also for the amplifications of control voltages.

Power consumption: 20mA at +12V and 20mA at -12V
Depth: 30mm
4 HP

Notes: ADSR (Attack-Decay-Sustain-Release) is a module designed to generate a voltage, which acts as the envelope with the adjustable stages. This envelope, generated in response to the incoming gate signal or manually pushed button, can then be used to shape the sound amplitude via VCA, modulate filter's cutoff frequency or any other parameters expecting CV control.
It features exponential Attack, Decay and Release stages, switch to select fast/slow operation mode, push button with led indicator to manually activate the envelope.

Notes: ***B-STOCK: Box opened, product in perfect working order***


Ideal for house parties, the tiny Party Mix II is the second generation of Numark's compact DJ controller. It's a tiny little device with a built-in LED light show to set the mood. Check out the Party Mix Live for a similar unit with built-in speakers.

Supplier's Notes:
The Party Continues

The original Party Mix quickly became one of the best-selling DJ controllers of all time. The Party Mix II takes the legacy to the next level with even more pro-level features added to the mix! The Party Mix II is always ready for a good time. Simply plug in your laptop or mobile device and start mixing your ultimate party playlist. With the flick of a switch, the built-in light show takes things to the next level with a colorful light show that dances to the beat.

Numark Party Mix DJ controller with light show

The Latest Music is Always on Deck

You no longer need a huge music library to start DJing. The Party Mix II DJ controller works with Serato Lite DJ software, giving you access to streaming services like TIDAL, Beatport LINK, Beatsource LINK, and SoundCloud GO. A streaming DJ controller means that the hottest tracks are available at your fingertips for you to create your custom party playlist.

If you'd rather bring a phone or tablet to the party, the Party Mix II is also compatible with popular DJ mobile apps like djay PRO AI by Algorriddim. Just connect your mobile device to the Party Mix II by using a USB camera connection kit (sold separately) to get the party started.

Party Mix streaming DJ controller partners

Instant Light Show

Set the party atmosphere with a DJ controller with lights! The Party Mix II features three multi-colored LEDs with special wide-coverage lenses for a room-filling, beat-synchronized light show. The switch on the side of the controller allows you to turn the light show on and off whenever you like.

Numark Party Mix DJ controller with built-in light show

Pro DJ Features

The Party Mix II has enough pro-grade features to handle virtually any party. The 1/8-inch main audio output allows you to hook up external speakers to bring your music to life while still monitoring the mix with the 1/8-inch headphone output connection.

DJ performance pads on Party Mix controller

Four performance pads on each deck allow quick access to cue points, loops, effects or samples. In addition to Play and Cue buttons on each deck, Sync buttons allow for the automatic tempo matching of two tracks for perfectly aligned mixes. Dedicated Filter knobs on each deck help add a pro-grade sound to your mixes, and the software-adjustable crossfader allows for sharp cuts for scratches or long, smooth fades for mixes.

DJ scratching on Party Mix controller

The Party Mix II also features two large, high-quality jog wheels that respond to your touch and allow you to manipulate your music with style. Backspin, pause, and even scratch your tracks as you work your way through your party playlist. The outer rings of the wheels function as a pitch-bend so that you can nudge tracks into alignment for the perfect mix.

With the Numark Party Mix II DJ controller, the party never stops!

Outputs:
1 1/8" (3.5 mm) TRS Main output
1 1/8" (3.5 mm) TRS Headphone output

Power: via USB
Dimensions (width x depth x height): 12.8" x 7.8" x 2" 325.5 x 199 x 51 mm
Weight: 2.1 lb 0.95 kg

Minimum system requirements:

Computers/Laptops:

Operating System
macOS Catalina 10.15
macOS Mojave 10.14
macOS High Sierra 10.13
Windows 10

Processor Minimum Requirement: i3: 1.07GHz i5: 1.07GHz i7: 1.07GHz i9: 1.07GHz
Screen Resolution: 1280 x 720
Memory: 4 GB

Mobile Devices:

iPhone: Requires iOS 12.2 or later.
iPad: Requires iPadOS 12.2 or later.
iPod touch: Requires iOS 12.2 or later.

Review: Vick Lavander is a name that has always been a byword for deep house quality. His sound is couched in a classic template but comes with subtle tweaks and plenty of its own musical character. BEYOND is a bumper collection of beats which proves just that. There are silky and cosmically minded sounds like 'Time & Time Again' next to subtly jazzy dancers like 'Sunset BLVD' and dubby, elegant grooves like the life-affirming 'Grace'. The pace picks up with joints like 'Knights' but never at the expense of atmosphere and slows right down with swab-tinged downbeat delights like 'Good Timing'. A magnificently rich work.

Review: Last year, the Hartnoll brothers gave their debut album, 1991's 'Green Album' (officially simply titled Orbital) the deluxe reissue treatment, offering an expanded quadruple CD edition backed with a detail-packed hardback book. They've now moved on to its similarly superb sequel (the 'Brown Album') from 1993. It gets a similar treatment, with a freshly remastered version of the original album (CD1) being joined by two discs of single versions, B-sides, remixes and 'Peel Session' cuts (including legendary Underworld and Psychik Warriors Ov Gaia takes on 'Lush 3', and the duo's own originally US-only extension of 'Impact'), and a fourth CD containing a previously unreleased live recording from the Limelight in New York in 1992. Oh, and a fine hardback book telling the story of the album. An early Christmas present for Orbital fans!

Review: Status Quo's iconic 1977 album Live! sets sail once again with a special 8xCD super deluxe reissue on May 16, 2025, celebrating two of the band's most electrifying performances in Glasgow. Recorded over three nights at the Apollo Theatre in October 1976, the album first captured a selection of tracks from said shows; for their boogie-rock sound and high-energy stage presence, these Glasgow performances were pivotal in cementing Status Quo's reputation on the world stage, in their prime. The reissue offers the gigs again in full, remastering them from newly discovered 24-track tapes, guaranteeing superior sound quality. The set includes a 24-page illustrated booklet with new sleeve notes, rare photographs and memorabilia, shedding light on the impact of the shows and the making of the album.

Review: American country star Morgan Wallen returns with his fourth full-length project: a sprawling, near two-hour showcase of pop, rock and acoustic balladry. While his sound remains rooted in Nashville tradition, the Tennessee-born singer taps into broader palettes hereidrawing on slow-burn storytelling ('Just in Case'), radio-friendly duets (like his Tate McRae collab), and swaggering pop-rock hybrids that veer into crossover territory ('I Ain't Comin' Back', with Post Malone). Wallen's lyrical themes stick to familiar territoryiheartache, small-town nights, self-reflectionibut the production, led by longtime collaborators Joey Moi and Charlie Handsome, often elevates the material. Despite its length, the album keeps a steady rhythm, with highlights like 'Superman' offering a rare moment of emotional clarity. For fans, it's an unfiltered look at a man embracing vulnerability while doubling down on chart power. For everyone else, it's proof of Wallen's status as one of the most commercially magnetic voices in contemporary countryiand one who continues to expand his reach.

Review: If you at first mistakenly read the title of the new Pye Corner Audio box set as "Where Things Are Now: No Tomorrow", you're not alone - Martin Jenkins' effortless blend of retro-nostalgia and forward-facing production is a keen match for reflexive cynicisms like this. His use of sizzling vintage audio-tropes could only have been achieved in the 21st Century and helps foster a reinstated optimism. The name of the full series is actually Where Things Are Hollow; and while two volumes have been released already, a third original one now comes added here, on top of a full remix roundoff featuring Alessandro Cortini, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and John Talabot, producing this rather banging four-volume set.

Review: Techno is a misunderstood thing. Big stages and even bigger drums pounding out relentless and often unthoughtful loops really isn't where the genre is as a whole. One of the most varied sounds in the dance spectrum, defining the canon has always been pretty hard and zeitgeist counts for more than strict rules of arrangement, tempo and composition. Sixty is just the reassurance heads will need then. While some might argue we're closer to electro than anything, for the most part anyway, perhaps no more so than in the detailed and glitchy warmth of 'Micfrk' by Gherat, let's not get pedantic. Largely broken and off-centre beats of the deep, emotive and patient kind from innovators like Patricia and Fasme, frenetic and intense staccato snares via Oh Mr Jones, rave-y, hardcore infused emotive bombs via Novel 23 and James Shinra.

Review: Originally released in 1972, Dr John's fifth album is an upfront tribute to his inimitable hometown of New Orleans. A collection of covers, tracks chosen from the almost-endless archives of classic blues, jazz and creole tracks that have come out of the Big Easy over the preceding century or so. It also marked something of a character and stylistic sidestep for the legendary Louisiana player. Building a cult following and rather unique reputation for his eccentric stage performances and often pretty left-of-the-middle songwriting and arrangements, by comparison Dr John's Gumbo plays it much straighter, making this an authentic and respectful tribute to rhythm and blues as it has long been played. That's no criticism - the same masterful musicianship remains very much intact, while the personality still shines through. Simply put, the songs have been done again and again, but this album could only be Dr John.

Notes: MicroLab mk3 is designed for today's modern creatives. Its ultra-compact form factor, high-quality keybed, and intuitive controls make it the perfect MIDI controller for producers working in small studios, on the go, or just starting their music production journey.

With a durable, lightweight design and plug-and-play USB connectivity, MicroLab mk3 fits seamlessly into any workflow - empowering you to start making music instantly. Enjoy complete integration with leading software including Analog Lab Intro and Ableton Live Lite, and extend your creativity with features like chord mode and dual touch strips for expressive performance.

Small, lightweight, durable, and USB-powered - ideal for mobile music-making and compact studio setups.

With a high-quality slim keybed, MicroLab mk3 delivers a responsive and true playing experience that your music deserves.

MicroLab mk3 delivers big sound with 500 curated presets from Analog Lab Intro, intuitive control via four buttons and two touch strips, and instant music production with Ableton Live Lite.

Its plug-and-play USB connectivity and intuitive features ensures you can start creating music right away - no hassle, no setup.

Main Features

High quality keybed

25-note velocity-sensitive slim keyboard, responsive and expressive.

Controls

2 touch strips for pitch bend and modulation.
4 control buttons for octave shift and navigation.

Smart features

Chord Mode - Play full chords with a single key
Hold function
Octave up and down buttons
Semitone transpose

Software integration

Seamless compatibility with all major DAWs and soft synths.
Analog Lab & V Collection browsing - Explore 500 curated sounds instantly.

Included Software titles & services

Analog Lab Intro - 500 sounds from iconic synths and keyboards.
Ableton Live Lite - Essential tools for recording and producing music.

Connectivity

USB-C powered for instant plug-and-play operation.
MIDI class-compliant - Multiclient MIDI driver for Windows.
Compatible with iPads & Android devices (via adapter).
Sustain pedal input - Connect a sustain or expression pedal for enhanced performance.

Size & weight

Size (mm): 406 x 39 x 125 mm
Size (in): 15.98 x 1.54 x 4.92 in
Weight (kg): 0.62 kg
Weight (lb): 1.37 lb

Review: The Expanded Edition of Alan Howarth's They Live brings new life to the cult classic 1988 film's soundtrack. Howarth is well respected, not least for his collaborations with John Carpenter, and here captures the film's eerie tension and anti-consumerist themes with moody synths, bluesy motifs and minimalist sound design that is always hugely evocative. This expanded edition offers remastered audio and additional cues that heighten the mood and deepen the atmosphere. The music's hypnotic, slow-burning energy perfectly mirrors the paranoia and grit of the movie, so it's a landmark score in sci-fi and horror soundtracks.

Notes: MicroLab mk3 is designed for today's modern creatives. Its ultra-compact form factor, high-quality keybed, and intuitive controls make it the perfect MIDI controller for producers working in small studios, on the go, or just starting their music production journey.

With a durable, lightweight design and plug-and-play USB connectivity, MicroLab mk3 fits seamlessly into any workflow - empowering you to start making music instantly. Enjoy complete integration with leading software including Analog Lab Intro and Ableton Live Lite, and extend your creativity with features like chord mode and dual touch strips for expressive performance.

Small, lightweight, durable, and USB-powered - ideal for mobile music-making and compact studio setups.

With a high-quality slim keybed, MicroLab mk3 delivers a responsive and true playing experience that your music deserves.

MicroLab mk3 delivers big sound with 500 curated presets from Analog Lab Intro, intuitive control via four buttons and two touch strips, and instant music production with Ableton Live Lite.

Its plug-and-play USB connectivity and intuitive features ensures you can start creating music right away - no hassle, no setup.

Main Features

High quality keybed

25-note velocity-sensitive slim keyboard, responsive and expressive.

Controls

2 touch strips for pitch bend and modulation, 4 control buttons for octave shift and navigation

Smart features

Chord Mode - Play full chords with a single key
Hold function
Octave up and down buttons
Semitone transpose

Software integration

Seamless compatibility with all major DAWs and soft synths.
Analog Lab & V Collection browsing - Explore 500 curated sounds instantly.

Included Software titles & services

Analog Lab Intro - 500 sounds from iconic synths and keyboards.
Ableton Live Lite - Essential tools for recording and producing music.

Connectivity

USB-C powered for instant plug-and-play operation.
MIDI class-compliant - Multiclient MIDI driver for Windows.
Compatible with iPads & Android devices (via adapter).
Sustain pedal input - Connect a sustain or expression pedal for enhanced performance.

Size & weight

Size (mm): 406 x 39 x 125 mm
Size (in): 15.98 x 1.54 x 4.92 in
Weight (kg): 0.62 kg
Weight (lb): 1.37 lb

Review: A reissue on nice double vinyl for the sixth album from 'sophisti-pop' pioneer Jackson, fusing jazz, funk and soul elements with a post-punk spikiness and a very British outlook, pointing the way forward for the likes of the Style Council and a host of other 80s acts. It first surfaced in 1984 and although it's the first digitally recorded album he made, it's typified sonically by Jackson and producer David Kershenbaum's move to reject the sterile, dead acoustics of modern studios in favour of the Manhattan Masonic Hall, previously mainly used for classicx recording. The jazzy solos, sparkly sax and snazzy chorus of 'You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)' - with just a hint of Afrobeat groove to it too - are probably best known here, but all nine songs number among the Staffordshire-born musician's smartest output.

Review: You don't sell 5.27 million copies of anything without doing something right. Winner of the E3 Game Critics award for Best Platform Game in 1999, to name just one of countless nominations and awards, Donkey Kong 64 was one of the best loved titles on the iconic Nintendo 64, and represented two years of programming, coding and designing on the part of legendary software house, Rare. Amazingly, considering this was almost three decades ago and cartridge-based titles are usually regarded as the stronghold of chip music, Grant Kirkhope's score is anything but and still sounds fresh. From aptly titled opener, 'DK Rap', to the meandering jazz closer 'Candy Kong', featuring David Leo Kemp on sax, via 'Angry Aztec' and its Indiana Jones vibe, and the John Williams-esque 'Mine Cart', it's all so enjoyable.

Review: Clifford Jordan's dynamic live set At Condon's was originally recorded in 1990 and is now reissued on vinyl for the first time. The tenor saxophonist's deep, bluesy tone shines through in this 16-piece big band setting and it has been captured by Maple Shade Records' audiophile-grade production. The session features standout performances from jazz luminaries like Dizzy Reece, Benny Powell and Junior Cook with classics like Ellington's 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore,' Gillespie's 'I Waited for You' and Jordan's 'Third Avenue' all adding up to an album that is a thrilling document of late-era brilliance. Jordan was truly spiritual jazz innovator and one of the most expressive saxophonists of his time.