Albums of the Year 2017

It's that time of year again, and I reckon 2017 has been pretty good for music releases. It's been tricky to put these in any sort of order, but here's my selection of the best records of the year.

1. SOULWAX - FROM DEEWEE

I'll admit it was hard to pick between this and the LCD album, but this eventually won through, possibly by virtue of the fact it had been around longer and so I'd listened to it more. This is am amazing record though, and once that takes electronic music in a direction nobody had really thought of before. Recorded live in the space of just 2 days, and with 3 (!) live drummers, it shows that the Dewaele brothers are so much more than just DJs and remixers. These are, whisper it, proper songs, songs that you can both sing along to and dance to. The vinyl version is brilliant too, with special announcements at the start of each side, and a concentric groove at the end of each one.

2. LCD SOUNDSYSTEM - AMERICAN DREAM

I was completely ready to dislike this record - after the whole deal of the band calling it a day and then getting back together I thought things just wouldn't be the same again. And in some ways they aren't, because although this sounds like LCD Soundsystem, it also manages to sound like pretty much every band who influenced James Murphy in his formative years. As such there's a wider diversity of musical styles on here than on previous LCD albums, which are matched with Murphy's usual caustic lyrics. It's hard to say that it's the sound of a band maturing, given that Murphy was no spring chicken when they started, but it's definitely a step in a slightly different direction.

3. LOYLE CARNER - YESTERDAY'S GONE

In third place it's three cheers for a proper British hip-hop record - there's nothing wrong with grime of course, but this is something different, a record that takes 80s rap influences and transports them to the UK, where they're met with heart and soul from Ben Coyle-Larner. This is a really personal record that talks about (and has contributions from) his family, mentions his struggles with OCD and ADHD, and is full of life and vibrancy. Having tipped this guy for a few years now it's great to see him getting recognition from the Mercury Prize, BBC Radio 6 and even Yves Saint-Lauren, who've made him the face of their new fragrance 'Y'. Yesterday may have gone but tomorrow is full of promise for him.

4. FOREST SWORDS - COMPASSION

It's hard to make instrumental electronic music that sounds both emotional and intelligent, but that's what Matthew Barnes has done with this record. It's percussive, it's atmospheric, and its use of sampled and transformed vocals communicates in a new and unheard language. In an album that's very much born out of today's troubled world - with immigration, Brexit and Trump woes - you sense that's perhaps the key theme of this record, that it doesn't matter what language a person speaks, if you empathise with them and show some compassion you can grow to understand them. A triumph, both sonically and emotionally, this has been my late night listening of choice in 2017

5. UNKLE - THE ROAD, PT. 1

Despite the fact that it was recorded over a number of year, this is the most cohesive UNKLE album for years, perhaps ever. In the main eschewing starry collaborators for a regular stable of vocalists, James Lavelle has crafted a brilliant record that easily mixes dance tracks with more ethereal songs. The artwork is great, the videos a re great, and the double vinyl package even won a design award. I can only hope that there's a 'Pt. 2' and it follows close behind.

6. JOE GODDARD - ELECTRIC LINES

On this record Goddard steps out from the Hot Chip gang, leave behind his partner in The 2 Bears, and crafts a huge, upbeat house-party of a record which will make you smile and dance at the same time. Featuring his usual vocalist Valentina, this is proper good time house music that works equally well in a small club or live in front of thousands at Glastonbury (I know, I was there). The title track features Hot Chip front man Alexis Taylor, reminds me of Halo by Beyonce, and features the unexpected line "I don't know a real ale from a fake one' - these three facts alone should make you want to listen to this record.

7. THE XX - I SEE YOU

The album on which Jamie xx finally takes his band mates out on a night clubbing. Featuring 'On Hold', one of the stand-out tracks of the year, this is the perfect combination of the previous XX albums and Jamie's brilliant 'In Colour' record. As their triumphant sets at festivals throughout the summer showed, the songs are even better live. One for the both the heart and the feet.

8. SAMPHA - PROCESS

A worthy winner of this year's Mercury Prize, Sampha's debut album wore its heart on its sleeve and unashamedly revelled in the quality of its songwriting. From ballads like '(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano' to the strangely upbeat tale of mugging 'Blood On Me', it's clear the this guy is chock-full of talent, something that the likes of Kanye West have already recognised. The UK's John Legend? Quite possibly.

9. BLAENAVON - THAT'S YOUR LOT / THE BEDROOM TAPES

Another act that I've been championing on this blog for years (originally back in January 2013), Blaenavon brought chiming melodies, occasionally strident guitars, and out of the ordinary lyrics to their debut album 'That's Your Lot'. And then, just when you thought it couldn't get any better, they released 'The Bedroom Tapes', a full acoustic version of the album which brought a fragility to some of the rowdier tracks, and showed just what good songwriters they are.

10. DIRTY PROJECTORS - DIRTY PROJECTORS

I'll confess that this is the first album I've ever bought by Dirty Projectors, and I know it's not necessarily to the taste of their existing fans. It's an album about heartbreak and loss, which is all the more noticeable given that Amber Coffman was not only David Longstreth's partner but also an integral part of the group for 6 years. So their separation was bound to have an impact on the record, but he seems to have embraced it. The songs are about them, occasionally bitter but often celebratory, and his use of vocal and electronic effects to physically replace her in the music is, for me, a huge success and a big step forward.


Honourable mentions:

On another day any of these five might have made it into the Top 10:

• Run The Jewels - RTJ3
• James Holden & The Animal Spirits - The Animal Spirits
• Four Tet - New Energy
• Sinkane - Life & Livin' It
• Blanck Mass - World Eater 

Reissue of the Year: Radiohead - OK Computer

20 years after its release, one of the most important and era-defining albums of all time got the full reissue treatment. The boxset is a truly wondrous thing - triple vinyl, hardcover artbook, 104 pages of Thom Yorke's private notes, a 48 page sketchbook, and a C90 cassette full of demos and session archives.

2017 - the best new EPs

In a great year for new music there have been some outstanding EPs, which deserve to be recognised but which, for obvious reasons, won't be in any 'Album of the Year' lists. Here are my choices:

1. Floating Points - Reflections: Mojave Desert

Sam Shepherd's Floating Points are more and more turning into the new Pink Floyd. As if to prove this he's made this EP, in which he took the band out to the desert and filmed them recording. The result is something akin to Floyd's 'Live at Pompeii' in which the remains of the ancient Roman city are replaced by mountains and cacti. As I understand it there are more 'Reflections' EPs to come from more equally unusual settings, which can only be a good thing.

2. Kamasi Washington - Harmony of Difference

A great 6 track EP from the jazz maestro, one which brings out the different colours in his jazz palette. You only have to look at the track titles - Humility, Perspective, Integrity, Truth - to know the message he's getting across with this release.

3. Swet Shop Boys - Sufi La

One of my favourite releases from Record Store Day 2017 was this EP from Riz MZ (aka the actor Riz Ahmed), Heems and Redinho - banging bhangra hip-hop from London.

4. The Wave Pictures - Canvey Island Baby

Another 6 track EP, this one featured 5 Dr. Feelgood covers and the title track, an original song about the band. Garage rock doesn't get any better than this.

5. Ghost Culture - Nucleus

Featuring Coma, one of my favourite dance tracks of the year, this EP saw Ghost Culture dialling up the club vibes after spending months DJing and trying out new tracks.

Recommended music: 'The Road: Part 1' by UNKLE

It's no secret that I'm a massive fan of UNKLE, but that doesn't mean that I think everything they've put out has been an unqualified success. In particular the last album 'Where Does The Night Fall' suffered from having too many guest vocalists and a lack of a single vision or theme - to me it didn't really know what it wanted to be which meant in reality it really wasn't much at all.

I'm pleased to say that's not the case with 'The Road: Part 1' though.With the exception of Mark Lanegan there are no real 'starry' guests - instead Lavelle chooses to work here with a pool of singers he's been using for some years now, to much greater effect. On a number of tracks they - Elliott Power, Eska, Mink - share the vocals which adds to the ensemble feel of the record. And while there are number of different types of UNKLE on display here - instrumental soundtrack UNKLE, deep beats UNKLE, rock band UNKLE - there's a cohesiveness to this album that's been lacking in the past. It's a cliche but 'The Road' does feel like something of a journey, and it least on here all of the participants are travelling in the same direction.



Mostly Lavelle's desire to front a rock band is kept in check, in favour of strings, some dark electronics and more sombre, more atmospheric tunes (although the Elliott Power-led songs do now make it sound like he wants to front Massive Attack instead). We can forgive him his moment on the mic on 'Nowhere To Run / Bandits', even if it does prove he's a better producer than lyricist. The tracks that have been around for a while - 'Cowboys or Indians' for example - fit well with the ones we've not heard before, and show that he's been thinking about this release as a whole items rather than just a collection of tracks he's gathered over the past 5 years.



It's clear that this record means a lot to Lavelle, particularly in the way he's packaged it and tried to present it almost as an art project rather than just a record - and as a result of this care and attention he's given us a record that's up there with UNKLE's finest output. I can only hope that there's a 'Part 2' and we don't have to wait as long for it as we did for 'Part 1'.

Track of the Day: 'War Is Coming (If You Want It)' by Car Seat Headrest

"This is a song about not murdering people"

It's great to have a new Car Seat Headrest track to listen to, especially one as pertinent to our times as this one.Will Toledo's lyrics are bang on - "Last night I dreamed you'd murdered some kids" he sings, "If it has been on TV I would've changed the channel".

The world needs more songs like this and more bands like Car Seat Headrest, and less fuckwits like Donald Trump and Theresa May. That's just my opinion of course, but you and I both know it's true.

Listen and buy the track below.

Recommended music: 'Midnight Versions' by Roosevelt

Having seen Roosevelt as a support band (I can't remember who for) I was keen to give this EP a try when I saw it. It really hits the spot, sounding like a long-lost collection of remixes from the 80s (which I'm all for). Each track is allowed to extend and get its groove on, and I particularly like all the percussion sounds which sound exactly like a lot of my favourite 80s tracks. From the starting funky bass of 'Close' (a track which reminds me of a slowed-down version of George Benson's 'Gimme The Night') through the electro-pop of 'Night Moves' and the congas and house-piano of 'Colours' and finishing with synth and guitar-led 'Wait Up', it's a glorious ride through the sunshine of the past.

You can stream the whole EP and get it on a 'pay what you want' deal below.

Video of the Day: 'Visa Vulture' by Shame

I'm a few months late to the party with this, but having stumbled across it while searching for acts to watch at Visions Festival this Saturday I wanted to share it with you. It's great to find a band making political protest songs these days, we need more of it the state we're in. I'll definitely be watching them at Mangle on Saturday evening.

Track of the Day: 'Say What You Want' by Andrew Hung

Andrew Hung is increasingly branching out from his role as half of electronic duo Fuck Buttons. Lately he's co-written and produced the excellent 'Kidsticks' by Beth Orton, released a couple of EPs and also recorded the soundtrack to the polarising movie 'The Greasy Strangler'. Next up in October will be his own solo album, which you might be surprised to find features vocals from Andrew himself. Even Andrew is not entirely sure what to make of the vocals, having said "Yes, it's me, but it's not me. I see an oscillation between myself and the character of the album".

The first track from 'Realisationship' is 'Say What You Want', which contains some Talking Heads rhythms and a mantra-like vocal that will get stuck in your head for weeks. The album is out on October 6th through Lex Records.

Record Store Day 2017

It's hard to believe that today is the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day. I think I might've missed the first one or two, then spent a number of years making unfeasibly early train trips to Rough Trade East, before South Records opened in Southend and became my local 'go-to' store.

This morning I arrived at around 6.20 a.m. and took the coveted 10th spot in the queue, with my purchase list in one hand and flask of coffee in the other. My good spot led to a few phone calls with friends to see if there was anything I could grab for them, which helped to pass the time and to distract from the fact that it had started to rain.

8 o'clock rolled round soon enough, and the entry to the shop was a much more civilized affair this year, with numbers in and out controlled to avoid a mad scramble of arms and legs at the record racks. So thanks to Richard and the team for doing a great job of looking after their customers.

My records were bagged in one of the special edition Fred Perry tote bags and I was soon back on my way home to start spinning the vinyl. Here's what I bought this year:

1. Polica - 'Lipstick Stains'; white vinyl 7"
2. British Sea Power - 'Keep On Trying / Bad Bohemian'; pink vinyl 7"
3. The The - 'We Can't Stop What's Coming'; etched 7"
4. Elbow - 'August & September (The The cover)'; etched 7"
5. Swet Shop Boys - 'Sufi La'; white vinyl 12"
6. Prince - 'Pop Life'; 12"
7. Prince - 'Sign O' The Times'; 12"
8. Follakzoid feat. J. Spaceman - 'London Sessions'; 12"
9. Primal Scream - 'Mixomatosis'; 12"
10. BP Fallon & David Holmes - 'Henry McCullough (Andrew Weatherall mix); white & brown splatter 12"
11. David Bowie - 'No Plan EP'; blue vinyl etched 12"
12. The Atomic Bomb Band - 'Plays The Music of William Onyeabor'; 12" album
13. Maximo Park - 'Risk To Exist'; red & yellow splatter vinyl 12" album
14. David Bowie - 'Cracked Actor'; triple vinyl 12" album
15. Various Artists: Oxfam Presents - 'Stand As One - Live at Glastonbury 2016'; one red & one green 12" vinyl album

I know some people are a bit snobby about Record Store Day and yes, it is commercialised to a degree, and people should support their local shops all year round, but if this gets new people into those shops I'm all for it. Long may it continue!

Video of the Day: 'Silurian Blue' by Floating Points

Floating Points have a new video / album project on the way entitled 'Reflections - Mojave Desert'. Filmed by Anna Diaz Ortuno, it was recorded last August while the band were rehearsing for the US tour, when the desert became a unique recording environment for them.

The album is due for release on 30th June, and from it comes 'Silurian Blue', a fantastic journey through instrumental jazz and prog-rock themes. I'm imagining the whole project might turn out to be a like a modern day version of Pink Floyd's 'Live at Pompeii' film - which is no bad thing.

Video of the Day: 'Aaja (feat. Ali Sethi)' by Swet Shop Boys

The new video from Swet Shop Boys tells the age-old tale of love from different sides of the tracks - in this case Flushing, Queens and Coney Island, Brooklyn. This song has an insanely catchy hook which will stick in your brain for days.

Coincidentally this video has been released on the day that Riz Ahmed gave a lecture on diversity to the UK Parliament.

Remix of the Day: 'Your Maker (Daddy G Remix)' by Gonjasufi

Having called Massive Attack 'one of the most influential groups of all time'. Gonjasufi was honoured to have Daddy G remix the opening track from his recent album 'Callus'. It's a great job too, making the track both more tuneful and more insistent, amping up the threat. You can listen to it below or click here for a free download.

Remix of the Day: 'Give Me A Reason (Weatherall Meets Jonnie Two Heaters Uptown Part 1)' by Jagwar Ma

As much as I love Jagwar Ma's albums, I love their live shows and remixes even more. Both seem to take on a dancier, darker, trippier vibe that I love. This new mix is a good case in point. As far as I can gather it's a collaboration between the legendary Andrew Weatherall and Jono Ma and it very much picks up the baton from Richard Norris' dub mixes of 'Howlin''. Suffice to say there are acid squelches, distorted vocals, a persistent loop of rhythm, and the whole thing is about twice as long as the original, which is exactly what you need from a remix like this. Have a listen below.

Recommended music: 'Life & Livin' It' by Sinkane

The new album from Sinkane is here, and it's by far their best yet. Informed by an extensive touring schedule, both as themselves and as part of the Atomic Bomb! William Onyeabor project, it successfully mixes the African rhythms of 'Mars' with the more mature lyrics and r'n'b grooves on 'Mean Love' to deliver a satisfying journey through the human experience.

Most of the record was recorded live by the band playing together, and you can feel the warmth and unity that provides to the tracks. the lyrics meanwhile encourage positivity and togetherness, as message that is sorely needed in these troubled times. "If we illuminate ourselves we'll overcome" Ahmed sings on 'U'Huh', "Kulu shi tamaam", which is an Arabic phrase meaning 'everything is ok'.



Possibly my favourite song on the record is, ironically, 'Favorite Song', a song inspired by Ahmed's dj sets and that moment where you put a record on that everyone knows and loves.

Elsewhere there are disco grooves on 'Telephone' and some heavier afro-caribbean vibes on 'Theme from Life & Livin' It', while the whole album is underpinned by an infectious feeling of friendship and goodness.



If you haven't seen Sinkane live then do your best to catch them on this tour - I've seen them 4 times now and each time I've left the venue with a smile on my face, their enthusiasm and joy is infectious.

'Life & Livin' It' is out on February 10th on City Slang.

Track of the Day: 'Coma' by Ghost Culture

This hypnotic dance groove is the lead track from Ghost Culture's new EP 'Nucleus, which will be out on 24th February through Phantasy Records. It's a proper head-nodder, with a really positive feel and also a particular sound every now and then that reminds me of 'Blue Monday'. Have a listen below, and pre-order the vinyl here.

Recommended music: 'Yesterday's Gone' by Loyle Carner

It's been more than 2 years since I first wrote about Loyle Carner in this blog. In that time he's gradually built up a solid following, playing bigger and bigger shows, been mentioned in the BBC 'Sound of' list, opened a cooking school for kids with ADHD (from which he himself suffers) and has now released his debut album, the brilliant 'Yesterday's Gone'.

It's clear from the opening bars of 'The Isle of Arran' that this is no ordinary rap album. A track about a remote Scottish island featuring a gospel choir, it's not exactly a track about gangs and bitches is it?



That's the wonder of this whole record - it manages to be the authentic sound of British rap without resorting to cliches and lowest common denominator lyrics. Who else would write lyrics about his imaginary sister? Or would write about his parents with such love and warmth, including a poem from his mum and a track by his step-dad who dies last year? Even on the more traditional kind of track 'No CD' he manages to enthuse about the emotional attachments to old records - "Pretty ancient plastic discs of greatness that your parents used to play with" and "The crackle of the vinyl, sweet onto repeat" in a way that belies his youth.



This is singularly the most truthful and honest rap record that I've ever heard. It's not afraid to deal with the most complex of human emotions and it doesn't feel the need to be full of swaggering bravado. It celebrates our frailties as well as our successes, and for that it will always have a place in my heart.



'Yesterday's Gone' is out now on AMF Records, and the tour to support the album starts tonight in Dublin - full details here.

DJ Cull presents January Jams

It's the last day of January so here's a mix of the tracks I've listened to most this month. Hopefully I'll do one every month and then it will make the selection of my 'Best Of 2017' tracks much easier at the end of the year! Here's the tracklisting:

1. Beyond The Wizards Sleeve - White Crow (Erol Alkan Rework)
2. sir Was - Falcon
3. Loyle Carner - The Isle of Arran
4. Thundercat - Drunk (feat. Michael McDonald & Kenny Loggins)
5. Sinkane - U'Huh
6. Romare - All Night
7. Matthew Dear - Wrong With Us
8. The xx - On Hold
9. Run The Jewels - Talk To Me

Recommended music: 'Occult Architecture Vol. 1' by Moon Duo

2017 will see the release of Moon Duo's fourth album 'Occult Architecture', split across two volumes, the first of which is out on February 3rd. Celebration the hidden patterns and connections embedded into life, having two separate volumes signifies the light/dark, day/night and yin/yang of everything.

So what do we get on Volume 1? You may already have heard the driving, pounding riffs on lead single 'Cold Fear', a track that gnaws at your bones like some psychedlic horror-trip soundtrack.


This album spreads its wings wider than that. There's the fast-paced, electro-riffing of 'Cross-Town Fade' which reminds me A LOT of 'Love Missile F1-11' by Sigue Sigue Sputnik - the video for that is below in case you've never heard it.



'Cult of Moloch' is a glam-rock stomp through child sacrifice, while 'Will of the Devil' is a much more open and straightforward 80s type of track. Closer 'White Rose' is the album's epic Krautrock moment, complete with motorik drum beat and phased guitars, and gives you a full ten and a half minutes to lose yourself in an alternative musicverse.

It will be interesting to see how 'Volume 2' differs when it's released later in the year, but for now this is a suitably dark and wintry half of the story.

Recommended music: 'I See You' by The xx

Having had this album on repeat for 7 days I'm already sure that it's gonna be a contender for album of the year. It's been a long time (5 years) since the last album by The xx, and is some ways this feels more like a follow up or companion piece to 2015's 'In Colour' by Jamie xx than 'Coexist'. It's certainly the most consistently upbeat album they've put out, with some great dance tracks, while even the slower songs sound deeper but somehow less sad than before.



The few samples on here are well chosen - I'm sure you've already enjoyed singing along to Hall & Oates in 'On Hold' - and really add to the warmth of the songs. In the middle there's an (almost) solo song each for Oliver and Romy, where the pace slows a bit before picking up again as the album moves on. I particularly like 'A Violent Noise', which is a bit like a brother to 'Stranger In A Room' and like that track doesn't have any drums on it. the 1-2 of 'On Hold' and 'I Dare You' are a brilliant pair of upbeat tunes and send you on your way, via the melodic 'Test Me', to the end of the album.


I can't really exaggerate how good this record is - from the production to the tunes to the silky vocals there's absolutely nothing wrong with it at all. I bought the vinyl boxset (see pic below) which has a few extra tracks, of which 'Naibe' is the best. But whatever format you prefer just go out and buy it!

Video of the Day: 'Hallelujah Money (feat. Benjamin Clematine)' by Gorillaz

They're back - and it's about time! Damon Albarn loves a political comment, so what better time to release this scathing attack on capitalism than on the eve of the inauguration of President Donald fucking Trump. Featuring the beautiful vocals of Clemantine as well as some input from Albarn himself, it's a more mature sounding Gorillaz (for all the Spongebob Squarepants featuring video in the background). Let's hope for much more like this from him as 2017 rolls on.

Track of the Day: 'Lit' by Gidge

Taken from the album 'LNLNN' which is out today on Atomnation, this is a beautifully Scandinavian slice of crisp and clean electronica. The tracks on the new album have evolved from their last album 'Lulin', but this time the ambient shapes have been defined into a more dancefloor-oriented style.

Remix of the Day: 'Utopia (Jana Hunter Remix)' by Austra

'Utopia' is the first track from 'Future Politics', the new Austra album which is released on January 20th. Here Jana Hunter (Lower Dens) remixes it, and in doing so she somehow make me thing of Eurythmics. It's definitely got an 80s vibe to it, have a listen and see what you think.

Track of the Day: 'Wrong With Us' by Matthew Dear

Created in collaboration with Simian Mobile Disco, this is Dear's state of the nation address over a deep and dark house groove. "As time marches on I don't know what else I can do" he sings, "maybe something's wrong with us". Unfortunately he's probably right.

This track is featured on Dear's forthcoming DJ-Kicks collection which is out on January 27th through !K7.

Recommended music: 'Says Hi' EP by sir Was

With his full length album debut due in a couple of months this is a good time for you to get to know the lush eccentricity of sir Was. Swedish multi-instrumentalist Joel Wastberg is the man behind the name - he's worked with the likes of Jose Gonzales in the past but has now found the courage to strike out on his own.

This introductory EP dropped last year and serves as an open door into his world. From the snatched of Gaelic fiddle at the start of 'A Minor Life' you're immediately taken into an indefinable genre. 'Falcon' is even better - beat driven, with spoken and sung vocals a bit like early Beck. Other things this EP reminds me of include Money Mark, Larry Gus, old trip-hop records, Ibizan sunsets and Scandinavian fjords. I can't wait for 'Digging A Tunnel' to escape in March, but in the meantime I'll have this on repeat.

Remix of the Day: 'Tiny Cities feat. Beck (Lindstrom & Prins Thomas Remix)' by Flume

Swooping in on the wings of 2017, this 10 minute, uplifting and extremely danceable remix is sure to banish the January blues. Flume's star is really in the ascendancy at the moment and this will definitely help keep up the momentum.


I can't help but be reminded of 'Wide Open', the track that Beck did a couple of years ago that was my favourite song of 2015. In case you missed it, here's the Joe Goddard mix of that track for you to listen to.

Mash-up of the Day: 'Shadow The Jewels' (DJ Shadow vs Run The Jewels) by DJ Skarface

DJ Shadow and Run The Jewels are two of my favourite acts in the world. So what could be better than a mash-up of 'Endtroducing', a snatch or two of 'The Private Press' and 'RTJ1'? Pretty much nothing, this is fucking perfect apart from the fact that it's only 20 minutes long - I could happily listen to this all day. To top it off you can download it for free so grab it while it's hot AF.

Track of the Day: 'Odd Fish' by KRTS

Taking from the forthcoming Project Mooncircle 15th Anniversary compilation this is a chiming, fluid track underpinned by some deep and dark bass. It's a bit like swimming over a reef which then drops away to reveal a bottomless chasm beneath you.

If you're a fan of vinyl releases you're going to love this compilation. Limited to 500 copies it contains 5 coloured LPs with over 35 tracks, in a box with a t-shirt, cd and download codes. I think I'll have to start saving up to get a copy! You can buy it here.

Recommended music: 'Golden Tongue' EP by Magana

 

This haunting 4-track EP was released towards the end of last year on the reliably independent Audio Antihero label. It's the debut release from Jeni Magana, currently based in Brooklyn as a musician and photographer, and over the space of four songs it slowly pulls you in and absorbs you.

My favourite track here is probably 'Inches Apart', a sparse track which is mostly  just guitar and vocal and which really gives her voice the space to captivate you.

This is a really promising debut, one that leaves you disappointed with its brevity as much as satisfied with its charm. Lyrically it's intriguing - this line from 'The World Doesn't Know' is one of my favourites: "Every cell in your body belongs to the thought in my brain" - while musically it hints at the sort of depth of career that St. Vincent or PJ Harvey have carved out.

I'm hoping we'll get to here more from Magana in 2017 but in the meantime you should really give this debut a listen.