Brian Eno – Reflection
Eno returns to the ambient, meditative sphere with a single 54-minute composition, alongside his popular call for political positivity in 2017 on Facebook (could this have been inspired by this week's Song Bar topic?). The oblique statement from Eno is explanatory: "When I make a piece like this most of my time is spent listening to it for long periods – sometimes several whole days – observing what it does to different situations, seeing how it makes me feel. I make my observations and then tweak the rules.” Makes you think, doesn't it?
You Me At Six – Night People
Night People sees the band continue to hone a very successful pop metal sound. The album was recorded in Nashville at Black Bird Studios with producer Jacquire King (Kings Of Leon, James Bay) and mixed by Andrew Scheps (Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chilli Peppers) so expect some stadium-friendly choruses.
You Me At Six – Night People
Sundara Karma – Youth Is Only Ever Fun In...
Debut album on the Chess Club label (via RCA Records), from Reading's indie/pop quartet. Having their album playlisted by both R1 and R2 suggests some crossover appeal.
Sundara Karma – Flame
C Duncan – Other Side
New 7-inch single from the Glaswegian whose Midnight Sun album featured in many of 2016's best-of lists. Baroque edge to an appropriately wintery tune.
C Duncan – Other Side
The Moonlandingz – Black Hanz (EP)
An EP precursor to what is planned as their debut album Interplanetary Class Classics, released in March, the "fictional" band composed of The Eccentronic Research Council, and fronted Fat White Family's Lias Saoudi and Saul Adamczewski, not forgetting the occasional appearance of actor supreme Maxine Peake on stage, conjures up a psych pop chaos that is bewilderingly brilliant.
The Moonlandingz – Black Hanz
Vinyl arrival:
Finally, a couple of vinyl releases out this week have wheezed out months after their digital counterparts: David Bowie's Legacy compilation and the well received We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service from A Tribe Called Quest.
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.
Missed many new albums in 2016? Check out the Song Bar selection of 50 favourites in two parts:
Bowie to the Beach: favourite and fitting albums of 2016 – part 1
Blonder, stranger, lighter, darker: favourite and fitting albums of 2016 – part 2