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Review: Anyone familiar with Tokyo, Japan's predominantly instrumental math-rock prodigies Toe, should already be clued into the fact that the member's prolific nature prevents them from resting on their creative laurels for long, with each full-length they drop bookended by an EP. 2005's debut LP The Book About My Idle Plot On A Vague Anxiety was followed by the 2006 EP New Sentimentality, while after 2009's outstanding For Long Tomorrow came The Future Is Now in 2012. At the time of writing, 2018's aptly titled Our Latest Number currently sits as the group's most recent EP; sandwiched in between 2015's sonically transformative Hear You and 2021's latest output DOKU-EN-KAI. Furthering the experimentation of its preceding full-length, the EP strays from their signature twinkling, mathy noodles and emotive shoegazing, and instead embraces elements of minimalism and trip-hop, whilst expanding their acoustic-driven nu-jazz flourishes, and even sprinkling some ethereal vocals into the mix.

Review: Japanese math/post-rock outfit Toe have become renowned for their virtuosic blend of jazzy, hyper-technical math-rock blended with emo shoegazing and tropical Balearic vibes. Originally released in 2006 as follow up to the band's 2005 debut full-length The Book About My Idle Plot On A Vague Anxiety, and beginning their trend of intersplicing each album cycle with an EP, New Sentimentality offers up four lengthy cuts running the sonic gamut of almost every water they wade within. Trading off noodling twinkles with acoustic pluckings, while abrasive jazz drum-fills clatter over the weaving gentle cacophonies, this is what happens when the emo kids become the new prog nerds.

Review: For their latest deep dive into Italo-disco history, ZYX Records have enlisted the help of Guiseppe "Joey" Mauro - an Italian producer, songwriter and keyboardist whose career stretches right back to 1984. His "Italo-disco legends" selection is heavy on his own work - no bad thing given his credentials - and contains a wealth of material that has never appeared on CD before. Highlights are plentiful, with our picks including Mauro and Ventura's sparkling and uplifting 'You & I', Italowarriors' throbbing and colourful crew cut, 'The Warrior (120 Italo Version)', the bubbly cheeriness of 'Crazy (Classic Mix Version)' by Malcolm & The Bad Girls, and the effortless Italo funkiness of Raf Coney's 'Horsepower'.

Review: This Best Of The Morwells album originally landed back in 1981 but has not degraded in any way over the ensuring 40+ years. It is a superb collection of vocal roots that first came on the American label Nighthawk Records and might be best known for standout hits like 'In God We Trust' and 'Africa' as well as 'Educate Your Mind.' The lyrics muse on plenty of still relevant socio-political topics while riding on nice deep rhythms with earthy drums and meandering leads. The band went on to become well-regarded and prolific session musicians in Jamaica and you might well have heard of them... none other than The Roots Radics.

Notes: The Yamaha Seqtrak, a pioneering instrument in the realm of music composition and performance, has swiftly become an almost indispensable resource for artists and producers worldwide.

Acknowledging its pivotal role and the strong demand for reliable protection, Decksaver are delighted to present this cover, specially tailored for the Yamaha Seqtrak. This cover is meticulously fashioned from superior materials, offering precision-engineered defence against dust, spills, and unexpected impacts, thus ensuring the longevity of your device and preserving its pristine condition.

This Decksaver cover is custom-made to match the unique shape of the Seqtrak perfectly, ensuring a tight fit that encompasses all critical parts, including buttons, sliders, screens, and ports. Its robust design provides substantial protection while still permitting unobstructed access to all the device's functions and connections.

This feature is vital for seamless integration into your workflow, whether you're in the studio, on stage, or storing the device. This cover serves as a dependable guardian, keeping your Seqtrak ready for any creative endeavour you embark on.

Opting for this Decksaver cover for your Yamaha Seqtrak is more than just choosing protection; it represents a commitment to preserving the instrument's longevity and operational integrity. Held in high regard by musicians and producers, this cover is an essential ally for anyone committed to protecting the integrity and efficiency of their Seqtrak. It enables users to pursue their artistic ambitions with increased confidence and peace of mind, assured that their equipment is thoroughly safeguarded.

Weight: 0.14 kg
Length: 35 cm
Width: 10 cm
Height: 2.9 cm

Material: Smoked clear polycarbonate.

Notes: Enhance the resilience and sophistication of your Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O.II with our tailor-made Decksaver protective cover. Recognising that your K.O.II is more than merely a device, but an integral part of your musical voyage, it warrants the utmost in care and protection. The Decksaver cover is poised to provide precisely that, serving as a formidable protector against external hazards.

This bespoke-engineered cover is designed specifically to match the contours of your EP-133, preserving its stylish, slender profile whilst offering unparalleled protection. Crafted from high-grade polycarbonate, it establishes a strong defence against dust, liquid spills, and unexpected impacts. With this cover, you're free to delve into your musical explorations, devoid of concerns over the common perils that might harm your valued instrument.

The Decksaver cover delivers total protection for every control and feature of your EP-133. Whether you're producing beats in the studio, performing live, or concocting sounds on the go, this cover is your indispensable shield against abrasions, bumps, and contamination. Embrace the liberty of creativity, reassured by the knowledge that your instrument is securely guarded by the Decksaver armour.

Beyond its protective qualities, the Decksaver cover also shines in terms of convenience. Its transparent design allows you to showcase your K.O.II's unique aesthetic while keeping it protected. The cover supports efficient cable management, enabling you to apply or remove it with ease as needed. This obviates the need for frequent setups and disassemblies, offering immediate access to your instrument whenever inspiration strikes.

Transporting your EP-133 becomes effortless with the lightweight and compact Decksaver cover. Its slender profile means it easily slips into your backpack, gig bag, or carrying case, ensuring your instrument remains shielded from knocks, scratches, spills, and impacts during transit. With the Decksaver cover, you can confidently bring your EP-133 K.O.II to any location, secure in the knowledge that it is well-protected wherever you venture.

The Decksaver lid for the EP-133 K.O.II is more than a mere protective accessory; it signifies your dedication to your music. It offers the reassurance that your instrument is consistently safeguarded, allowing you to concentrate on broadening your musical boundaries. Let the Decksaver cover be a companion on your musical journeys, ensuring your K.O.II is always primed for the next auditory adventure.

Dimensions

Weight: 0.16 kg
Length: 18.1 cm
Width: 24.5 cm
Height: 3.3 cm

Material: Smoked clear polycarbonate.

WARNING: When your Decksaver cover is in place, please ensure that your equipment is kept away from direct and high heat sources, such as radiators, fires and sunlight.

Review: The Mars Volta's debut album remains one of the band's creative high-points. After the post-hardcore rush of At The Drive-In burst into flames, few could have dreamed something as ambitious and progressive as De Loused In The Comatorium could have emerged. The clue's in the word progressive, as Cedric Bixler-Zavala, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Jeremy Ward pooled their resources (with some bass assistance from Flea) to create long, spiralling narratives around the concept of Cerpin Taxt, the comatose hero of this nebulous story. Still sounding visionary 20 years later, it was the start of an exciting new chapter for a band truly unlike any other.

Review: The EP is called House of Prince and the Purple One's face is peering back at us from the centre of this new 12" on Tech-Nology which means only one thing - it's tech house music inspired by the legendary funkster. And it is well executed tracker too with vocal samples, trumpet sounds and much more all chuckle into the mix over a range of betas that are playful and party starting but also effective and never kitsch. 'Grindhouz' is our favourite for just how warped and weird it sounds.

Review: Dominick Martin is best known as stone-cold drum & bass don Calibre, a prolific producer with a masterfully deep and smoky sound. He has also made tech house under his own name, but lesser known is this album
Valentia which was originally released in 2013 and has now been remastered and repressed on 180 gram vinyl with a sleeve containing the lyrics. It was written on the amazing Valentia Island, joined to the west coast of Co Kerry in Ireland by a bridge t and battered by strong winds. Says Martin, "I took my computer and mic with me not knowing what to expect when I got there. In one of the rooms sat a piano, and as my fingers touched the keys I knew there was a story there waiting to be told."

Review: You mightn't initially peg the Sunderland area of Northern England for being a hotbed of brutal, violent deathcore, but that's precisely what Osiah offer, with their own mission statement even declaring them to be the "UK's heaviest Northern offering". Following on from 2021's malevolent Loss, the band have somehow managed to drag their psychotic blend of frenetic riffage, octopus-like blast beat drumming, heaving hardcore breakdowns and despicable guttural vocals further down into chasms of otherworldly abyssal dread. Hideous, highly technical, and arriving courtesy of definitive deathcore label Unique Leader, although it arrived in December of 2023, many have slowly begun to retrospectively regard Kairos as the most intense, dynamic and powerful offering to the genre of last year.

Review: Released in 1993 and now reissued via its original label Demon, Belinda Carlisle's fifth solo album was notable for its standout singles 'Big Scary Animal' and 'Lay Down Your Arms', both of which showed off her raunchy, large, all-American style. At this stage in her career, we witnessed Carlisle deliberate on her femininity; re-form her agency under patriarchy; and subvert classic Westernized images of opulence, romance and wealth; all while keeping things instrumental energized and hey-ho. Now, once more, you can reexperience Carlisle's return to authentic source, with Real.

Review: Four years after his acclaimed Brame long player, Julien Chastagnol aka Ruby My Dear returns with his fourth album, A dada. It is another experimental sound world that is a joyous yet intricate fusion of drill 'n' bass and IDM, akin to what the artist himself says is "a breakcore lullaby." Across all four sides of wax, he goes in hard on the breakbeats and tightly programmed drums, with layers of scuzzy heavy metal sounds, looped and warped vocals and mind-melting synths that fizz and spin, explode and impulse on a constant basis to leave you feeling exhausted mentally and physically.

Review: Jinje is a solo project from Lee Malcolm, a founding member of the Leeds-based experimental band Vessels. His music in solo mode is just as singer and hard to categorise as with his band and here on Mesh he veers between electronic, synthetic and organic sound worlds with driving breakbeats topped with gorgeous string sounds, hype-real synths and a shimmering sense of sonic futurism that is awash with melody. These are hugely detailed tracks but the overall picture is never confused as his arrangements ebb and flow with great clarity and make both a physical and emotional impact.

Review: Amirtha Kidambi's New Monuments is a politically charged fusion of avant-jazz, Carnatic music, and rock that confronts colonialism and oppression. Its dark, psychedelic soundscapes express urgent determination through Kidambi's evocative vocals and the experimental instrumentation of her collective, the Elder Ones. Kidambi weaves personal experiences as an Asian American into her critique of global injustices, using her music as a platform for resistance. Through diverse vocal styles and instrumentation, she highlights the interconnectedness of struggles against oppression. Its grim determination underscores the resilience of the downtrodden, their march toward a future where their voices and rights are recognized.

Review: The Mean Girls"soundtrack encapsulates the vibrant energy of the iconic teen comedy with a diverse array of tracks. From anthems like Renee Rapp's 'Meet The Plastics' to Auli'i Cravalho, Jaquel Spivey, Angourie Rice, Tim Meadows & Cast Of Mean Girls's 'Revenge Party', the album mirrors the film's mix of humour and heart. Renee Rapp & Megan Thee Stallion 'Not My Fault' is another standout that complements the film's narrative and overall, the soundtrack serves as a nostalgic trip back to the early 2000s, capturing the essence of Mean Girls and its cultural impact in a catchy and fun compilation.

Review: Rush Plus's Apollo EP is a sonic journey into the depths of techno. The title track, with its eerie synths and cavernous soundscapes, sets an ominous tone. The Amor Satyr remix adds an aggressive rhythm and dub step elements, creating a more wicked and tribal atmosphere. Side 2 offers a different soundscape. 'Flexibility/ is a mesmerizing, mid-tempo techno track with soundtrack-like qualities. 'Orange Turbo,' featuring Bordon, combines techy grooves, sci-fi sounds, and a mysterious melody. Overall, Apollo showcases Rush Plus's versatility shows the producer reaching farther into interstellar space for inspiration.