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Review: Has there ever been a more influential rap record than Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's 'The Message'? Widely considered the first 'conscious' hip-hop record thanks to lyrics that provide a searing commentary on inner-city life during the Reagan era (previously, most rap tracks had been unabashed party jams), the track's far-sighted musical backing and killer synth bassline (later the inspiration for the similarly memorable B-line in Pet Shop Boys' 'West End Girls') was also highly influential and remains seriously futurist in tone. If you don't own a copy already, we'd recommend snapping up this reissue, which also boasts (on the B-side) the lesser-celebrated, vocal-free instrumental mix.

Review: Here's something we didn't expect: an all-star collaboration between two of the 1980s most potent synth-pop duos, Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys. Long-term fans of both artists will love the original version of 'Purple Zone', a throbbing, arpeggio-driven synth-pop number boasting lead vocals from Mark Almond and chorus back-up from Neil Tennant. The latter and PSB partner Chris Lowe provide the various remixes scattered across the 12": a classic, Fairlight stab-sporting 'Extended Mix' that recalls Shep Pettibone's mid-80s mixes for PSB, a piano-sporting 'Club Mix' that gives the track a heavier Italo-disco-goes-house spin, and a pleasingly muscular 'Club Dub' that subtly pays tribute to David Morales' early '90s Red Zone dubs.

Review: Chet Faker is Nicholas James Murphy, a Melbourne born artist who has built up a small but well formed discography since 2012. It includes two albums, the latest of which was Hotel Surrendor on BMG in 2021. Tow of the jams format now get presser's dup to this fresh 7", one as a special Japanese version. 'Feel Good' is a balmy bit of broken beat, with funky bass riffs and aching vocals. 'Whatever Tomorrow' then places focus on a lone voice which conveys real pain until longing drums arrive next to big string chords.

Review: Also known as Angus Stone, also known as Lady of the Sunshine, Dope Lemon's second set of studio recordings under the moniker were unveiled in 2017 and rightly blew then minds of those who managed to track the release down back then. That lack of mainstream exposure indicative of true greatness, as is often the case in the 21st Century.

Laidback stoner beach rock with hints of psychedelia definitely audible, five tracks comprise this EP, which is remarkably easy to fall in love with. Like a summer holiday romance that captures heart and mind and has you head over heels before you realise, leaving you staring at the cliff edge of a return flight home alone once the inevitable conclusion arrives, this is infinitely listenable and achingly cool stuff we implore you to sample, and guarantee you'll savour.

Review: Well, the festive season is encroaching and so here comes a chance to nab another one of those perennial hits that sets the perfect jovial mood for one and all. Slade's 'Merry Xmas Everybody' might just be the definitive, ubiquitous Christmas anthem, and if you're partial to a bit of wax-based entertainment around yuletide, you can't say fairer than this singalong classic. Pressed up on a fetching marbled 12" with some other favourites for all the family such as 'Okey Cokey', this is your seasonal party soundtrack sorted.