Neil Young – Hitchhiker
A dig into Young's 1976 archive yields studio album number 38. Recorded in a single weed- and beer-fuelled session, some of these songs have appeared on earlier studio releases but there's a few that are fresh material.
Neil Young - Hitchhiker
Sparks - Hippopotamus
The Mael brothers seem to have been around for almost as long as the aforementioned Young but there's still no end to their joy and inventiveness, and Hippopotamus carries on the weight of creativity and charm.
Sparks- Hippopotamus
The Waterboys – Out Of All This Blue
Recorded in Dublin and Tokyo, Out Of All This Blue's 23 songs combine Mike Scott's trademark lyricism and sound pop with echoes of classic R&B, country, soul and funk and – get this – modern hip-hop production values and rhythms.
The Waterboys – If The Answer Is Yeah
Tori Amos – Native Invader
The 15th studio album from the pianist=singer-songwriter is another sustained mixture of sensuality, but also of swirling anger stirred up by the US election and the rise of the alt-right. It’s also inspired by a trip to, with maternal connections, the backdrop of North Carolina’s Smokey Mountains, and climate change concerns. A grower.
Tori Amos - Reindeer King
Alvvays – Antisocialites
Melancholic second album from the Toronto band spans the pop spectrum from wonky power pop to distinctly Beach House influenced dream pop, all carried off with aplomb.
Alvvays – Dreams Tonite
The National - Sleep Well Best
Another very accomplished record from The National with in-house production job by the Dessners with Matt Berninger. All the signature sounds are there but this time they're enhanced by subtle electronica and a more melancholic line in songwriting (fear not, there's a few rockers in there too).
The National - The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness
This week's selection is by Michael Moloney, aka llamalpaca from the vinyl-only record and design store, Chameleon, with additions by The Landlord.
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This is only a selection, not a catalogue of releases. Feel free to recommend more and comment below.