Gareth Dickson – Orwell Court
Dickson is a frequent collaborator of Vashti Bunyan and while the latter features on one track here, the music has a particularly Scottish melancholy. There are also echoes of Nick Drake and the ambient experimentation of Brian Eno.
Gareth Dickson – The Big Lie
Black Lips – Satan’s Graffiti or God’s Art?
Atlanta punks Black Lips’ first album in three years is produced by Sean Lennon and is a subtle variation on their brand of fuzzy, dirty rock'n'roll.
Black Lips – Squatting in Heaven
Broken Social Scene – Hug Of Thunder
The Canadian indie collective’s first studio album in seven years is produced by Joe Chiccarelli and sees the return to the fold of Leslie Feist and Emily Haines. Its title reflects what the band wanted the listener to feel about their comeback, and how they sound playing together again: “It’s just such a wonderful sentiment about us, coming in like a hug of thunder.”
Broken Social Scene – Hug Of Thunder
Haim – Something To Tell You
Four years have passed since the West Coast pop of Days Are Gone but the three sisters appear to be a band unsure of where next, which may explain the hiatus. Their live shows feature a broad range of covers yet the studio efforts are honed to such an extent that their individuality is often polished away - yet this is hopefully a bit more quirky.
Haim – Right Now
Public Service Broadcasting – Every Valley
PSB's The Race For Space has been such a huge success and perfect fit for their music that one could be forgiven for assuming that they would struggle to find a new theme to develop their style. They have eschewed the panoramic scale and wisely gone micro with this trip to the mining communities of South Wales. The record reflects a much larger, global and social malaise, using the history of coal mining to shine a light on the disenfranchised, ably assisted by the likes of James Dean Bradfield and Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell.
Public Service Broadcasting – Progress
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, such as if you want to mention Jay-Z's 4:44, which is only available to Sprint and Tidal customers.