The Anchoress – Confessions Of A Romance Novelist
Garnering comparisons to John Grant and Lana Del Rey, The Anchoress's concept-driven compositions have been the talk of the music press in 2016. PROG magazine – who've nominated her for best newcomer at their awards – went as far as proclaiming her debut album as "... Kate Bush's 'Hounds Of Love' updated for the 21st century."
Catherine Anne Davies, aka The Anchoress, sums up her album's overall concept as: "Partly a concept album narrated by the titular potboiler author, partly a series of imaginary character pieces, and partly a deeply personal outpouring from someone who's been through a fair amount of personal hell." Her work has been likened to Kate Bush. Lana Del Rey and John Grant but can she live up to the hype?
The Anchoress – Doesn't Kill You
Dr John Cooper Clarke & Hugh Cornwell – This Time It's Personal
An album in which our two intrepid punk and poet heroes grapple with a selection of American and British pop songs they grew up listening to. Songs from Richie Valens, Conway Twitty, Ricky Nelson, Jimmy Webb, Lieber & Stoller, plus more ... are covered here, with all singing duties by Cooper Clarke (yes you read that right and with the aid of buckets of reverb it sort of works - check out the hasty key changes!) with Cornwell playing lead guitar.
Dr John Cooper Clarke & Hugh Cornwell – McArthur Park
Jagwar Ma – Every Now & Then
Jono Ma and Gabriel Winterfield return with their second album full of the melody soaked nods to club culture and instantaneous vocal hooks they’ve become well known for, but has also seen them employ their passion for the Beastie Boys, citing this eclectic album as their "Paul’s Boutique". Expect a wig out session powered by oscillating acid bassline, ricocheting dub-fused guitars and heady pop psychedelia bathed in strobe-lit sonics.
Jagwar Ma – Give Me A Reason
The Orb – Cow/Chill Out World
Alex Paterson and Thomas Fehlmann leave the beats behind and embark on an ambient album, the result of just a few recording sessions and a sharp contrast to last year's Moonbuilding 2703 AD.
The Orb - 5th Dimensions
Other releases this week include:
Kings of Leon – Walls
Door Two Cinema Club – Gameshow
This week's selection is by Michael Moloney, aka llamalpaca from the vinyl-only record and design store, Chameleon.
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This is only a selection, not a catalogue of releases. Feel free to recommend more and comment below.