tue 19/08/2025

New releases on CD & DVD

Blu-ray: Who Wants to Kill Jessie?

Graham Rickson

"Crazy comedy" was a recognised subgenre in post-war Czech cinema. Turn to this disc’s bonus features first and watch Michael Brooke’s video essay Those Crazy Czechs, an entertaining whistle-stop guide which piqued my curiosity about films such as You Are a Widow, Sir!, I Killed Einstein, Gentlemen! and How About a Plate of Spinach?

Album: Adrian Sherwood - The Collapse of Everything

Guy Oddy

UK dub maestro and producer, Adrian Sherwood is hardly what anyone might call a slacker, but it’s 13 years since the release of his last solo album, Survival and Resistance. Those who have been eagerly anticipating more of his particular take on one of Jamaica’s greatest musical exports, however, need wait no longer.

Album: Dinosaur Pile-Up - I've Felt Better

Thomas H Green

The history of popular music is littered with bands who fulfilled everything needed to make it. Then fate kicked them in the teeth. Goofin’ good time...

Album: Tom Grennan - Everywhere I Went Led Me To...

Thomas H Green

Who’d have guessed that a dude who first came to attention a decade ago guesting on a cheesy Chase & Status drum & bass track would likely...

Album: Emma Smith - Bitter Orange

Tim Cumming

Emma Smith, one time Puppini Sister, has established herself over the past decade or so as one of the UK’s most compelling jazz singers, now signed...

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Album: Marissa Nadler - New Radiations

Kieron Tyler

The Nashville-based singer-songwriter explores disconnection

Album: Rise Against - Ricochet

Guy Oddy

Have the US punk veterans finally run out of road?

Album: Alison Goldfrapp - Flux

Joe Muggs

The synth diva in her comfort zone - maybe getting a little too comfortable, though

Album: The Black Keys - No Rain, No Flowers

Tom Carr

Ohio rockers' 13th album improves on recent material, but still below mainstream peak

Album: Ethel Cain - Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You

Joe Muggs

Relatively straightforward songs from the Southern Gothic star - with the emphasis on 'relatively'

Album: Black Honey - Soak

Thomas H Green

South Coast band return with another set of catchy, confident indie-rockin'

Blu-ray: Two Way Stretch / Heavens Above!

Graham Rickson

'Peak Sellers': two gems from a great comic actor in his prime

Album: Molly Tuttle - So Long Little Miss Sunshine

Thomas H Green

The US bluegrass queen makes a sally into Swift-tinted pop-country stylings

Album: Mansur Brown - Rihla

Joe Muggs

Jazz-prog scifi mind movies and personal discipline provide a... complex experience

Album: Reneé Rapp - Bite Me

Thomas H Green

Second album from a rising US star is a feast of varied, fruity, forthright pop

Album: Cian Ducrot - Little Dreaming

James Mellen

Second album for the Irish singer aims for mega mainstream, ends up confused

Album: Bonniesongs - Strangest Feeling

Kieron Tyler

Intriguing blend of the abstract, folkiness, grunge and shoegazing from Sydney

Album: Debby Friday - The Starrr of the Queen of Life

Thomas H Green

Second from Canadian electronic artist and singer offers likeable, varied EDM

Album: Indigo de Souza - Precipice

Thomas H Green

US singer's fourth ups the pop ante but doesn't sacrifice lyrical substance

Album: Mádé Kuti - Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?

Thomas H Green

Lively new album from the third generation of Nigeria's first musical family

Album: Alice Cooper - The Revenge of Alice Cooper

Guy Oddy

The original Alice Cooper band are back to fly the flag for all the weirdos

Album: Paul Weller - Find El Dorado

Joe Muggs

Inspiring curation of some pretty great covers, and hints of majesty

Blu-ray: The Rebel / The Punch and Judy Man

Graham Rickson

Tony Hancock's two film outings, newly remastered

Album: Spafford Campbell - Tomorrow Held

Tim Cumming

The young duo extend folk’s boundaries into an expansive contemporary chamber music

Album: Bonnie Dobson & The Hanging Stars - Dreams

Liz Thomson

A remarkable collaboration across the ages

Album: Alex Warren - You'll Be Alright, Kid

Thomas H Green

Plastic-bombastic TikTok pop euphoria for the emotionally incontinent

Album: Slikback - Attrition

Joe Muggs

Decades-deep electronic darkness from Kenyan sculptor of dystopias

Album: The Near Jazz Experience - Tritone

Guy Oddy

Veteran heads lay down a hypnotic gumbo of cool funkiness

Blu-ray: Heart of Stone

Graham Rickson

Deliciously dark fairy tale from post-war Eastern Europe

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