Search dance music

Review: Prepare for a transcendent auditory odyssey with The Sevens, a series of four 7" vinyl records unveiling a treasure trove of previously unreleased tracks from the sessions that bore A Place To Bury Strangers' acclaimed album, See Through You. Known for their visceral sonic assault and immersive live performances, the series offers fans a deeper dive into their sonic universe. 'Don't Turn The Radio'/'This Is All For You', the third release in the series, delivers a raw and personal glimpse into the band's creative process during the See Through You era. APTBS founder Oliver Ackermann explains the decision to return to their roots with this release format, allowing each track to speak for itself without album context. These tracks offer a stark contrast to the band's current sound, providing a snapshot of a moment in time.

Review: Manchester mavericks A Certain Ratio have been on a rare run of form of late, with 2023's 1982 counting as one of their most vibrant and endlessly entertaining albums for decades. Of course, all their albums are of a consistent quality, but It All Comes Down To This genuinely crackles with energy. From the word go, the veteran band's inherent funkiness is present, but this time it comes cloaked in fuzzy funk-rock guitar riffs, acid-fried effects, and vocals that are amongst the most forthright they've committed to wax (or, in this case, CD). In many ways, it is - as the band and producer/Sopeedy Wunderground boss Dan Carey intended - a 'back to basics' sound that focuses on the key aspects of ACR's sound. When those 'basics' are so strong, it's no surprise that the results are this impressive.

Review: Claire Rousay's Sentiment album is a captivating exploration of poignant emotional landscapes, encompassing themes of loneliness, nostalgia, sentimentality, guilt, and sensuality. Through a blend of experimental and ambient music, Rousay deftly incorporates textural found sounds, sumptuous drones, and candid field recordings to create music that celebrates life's banalities with granular detail. Rousay's vocals and guitar take centre stage, conveying a powerful desire for connection amidst a backdrop of resignation. The album that balances vulnerability with innovation, delivering anthemic yet deeply personal songs that resonate with listeners on an emotional level. Sentiment is a blissfully melancholic and undeniably sensual listening experience.

Review: Mansun's The Dead Flowers Reject, originally conceived as an insurance policy against label rejection of their experimental album Six, emerges as a hidden gem in the band's discography. Recorded concurrently with Six, this album offers a slightly less eccentric selection of songs, showcasing a more conventional sequencing approach. Frontman Paul Draper describes it as possibly his favorite Mansun album, capturing the band's live essence. Fans will relish the opportunity to experience this essential piece of Mansun's legacy in its full glory. Mansun's influence on the late 90s British music scene is undeniable, and The Dead Flowers Reject adds another layer to their iconic status. With its newfound availability on vinyl, this album solidifies its place as a crucial component of Mansun's innovative journey.

Review: Mute's reissue of These Immortal Souls' sophomore album, I'm Never Gonna Die Again, has been long awaited by fans of the band's dark and brooding sound. Remastered from the original tapes by Lindsay Gravina, along with original members Harry Howard and Genevieve McGuckin at Birdland Studio, this edition breathes new sonic life into the haunting melodies and gritty textures of the album. Originally released in June 1992 after a hiatus due to Rowland S. Howard's writer's block, the album marked a triumphant return for These Immortal Souls. Lead single 'King of Kalifornia' set the tone with its gritty intensity, showcasing the band's evolution since their debut. Joined by Anthony Thistlethwaite on saxophone and slide mandolin, the band's lineup remained formidable, with Rowland S. Howard's distinctive vocals and guitar work leading the charge. Alongside Harry Howard, Epic Soundtracks, and Genevieve McGuckin, they craft a sonic landscape that was both haunting and hypnotic. For fans of post-punk and dark wave, I'm Never Gonna Die Again remains a standout in These Immortal Souls' discography. With this reissue, Mute pays homage to the band's enduring legacy, ensuring that their music continues to gain new fans for years to come.

Review: Mute's re-release of These Immortal Souls' debut album, Get Lost (Don't Lie!), marks a long-awaited moment for fans of post-punk excellence. Remastered from the original tapes by Lindsay Gravina, along with original band members Harry Howard and Genevieve McGuckin at Birdland Studio, this edition breathes new life into the iconic record. Originally unleashed in 1987 on the heels of their debut EP, Marry Me, the album encapsulates the band's raw energy and uncompromising vision. Led by the unmistakable vocals of Rowland S. Howard, renowned for his work with the Birthday Party, the band's lineup, including Harry Howard, Epic Soundtracks, and Genevieve McGuckin, solidifies their place in the annals of post-punk history. Clocking in at a concise 30 minutes, Get Lost (Don't Lie!) remains a potent sonic statement, capturing the essence of These Immortal Souls' dark and brooding sound. From the haunting atmospheres to the frenetic rhythms, each track is a testament to the band's collective talent and creative chemistry. For both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to the These Immortal Souls saga, this reissue serves as a fitting tribute to a band whose influence reverberates through the underground music scene.

Review: The latest offering from serial collaborator and cross-genre tastemaker Stephen O'Malley's Ideologic Organ imprint is a tender filigree bureau of acid folk sketches from Tokyo's Ai Aiso. Across seven tracks, she patiently meanders through broken and phased chord progressions, her simultaneously pure and wavering vocal lines forming elegant arcs over sparse beds of instrumentation and washes of room tone. Some tracks are bookended by applause, and it is this ostensibly 'indoorsy' atmosphere which lends the mini LP a great deal of charm; the delicate atmospherics seem to issue from an intimate and isolated space. Indeed, Bandcamp user Everyvillianislemons317 describes it as "The perfect album for a lonely night in the city." We're more than inclined to agree.

Review: It's been seven years since the tragic passing of Chester Bennington and the abrupt end of nu-metal legends Linkin Park, while their legacy remains praised and intact by avid fans. Papercuts offers up a career-spanning greatest hits collection, yet rather than sequencing each bundle of tracks chronologically in terms of specific album release, the cuts are mixed with the design of flowing as naturally as possible, with the anthemic 'Faint' from 2003's Meteora rubbing shoulders with their iconic Jay-Z Collision Course collab 'Numb/Encore'. Elsewhere, 'One Step Closer'; the breakout single from 2000's genre-defining debut LP Hybrid Theory is followed directly by 'New Divide', which served as the lead single from the Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen soundtrack. From their rap-metal beginnings to their signature style of nu/alt-metal to the their calmer accessible later era, this compilation delivers a succinct yet sprawling distillation of Linkin Park's most vital contributions to the several dynamic scenes they helped to elevate.