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Not long after Strong Persuader became an unexpected crossover hit in 1986 - which was hard to imagine then and seems like a near impossibility now - Cray decided that he would rather pursue the sound of Stax and Hi soul than be a full-fledged bluesman. He punctuated his songs with stinging licks not dissimilar to Albert King, but the sound was closer to O.V. Wright. But what really separated Cray from his forefathers is that instead of getting dirty and gritty, he stayed classy and tasteful. After 25 years and 14 albums, Robert Cray has been mining the same low-key, mellow Memphis soul-blues groove for well over two-thirds of his career. He's found his sound and he's sticking to it. Now for the first time ever available on vinyl Twenty, his 14th album; a thoroughly pleasant listen indeed, it pack's a punch, and has just all the right ingredients. Twenty is available as a limited numbered edition of 750 copies on crystal clear 180 gram vinyl and includes an insert.

Carlos Dafé (born October 25, 1947) is a singer and songwriter from Rio de Janeiro, recognised as one of the iconic voices of the Brazilian samba-soul era. Born into a family of musicians and trained at the conservatory, he rose to prominence in the 1970s alongside Tim Maia, Cassiano, and Hyldon, shaping the sound of Rio Noir with his warm baritone voice and soulful phrasing. His 1977 album, Pra Que Vou Recordar, became a cult classic among collectors and DJs worldwide, earning him the title of "Prince of Brazilian Soul." Still active today, Carlos Dafé remains an essential reference for artists exploring the boundaries between samba, soul, and MPB (Brazilian Popular Music). Released in 1977, Pra Que Vou Recordar reveals Carlos Dafé at the peak of his art, blending samba-soul, MPB, and the warm groove of the 1970s Rio de Janeiro scene. Surrounded by some of the city's finest musicians, Dafé showcases his baritone voice in deeply melodic arrangements and a series of songs that have become fan favourites. An album imbued with soul and elegance. The sound of BrazilianBlack music at its most sincere and timeless.

From dreamy indie pop to melancholic ambient fragments to crazy distortion pedals, The Me In You has never sounded more adventurous without losing sight of cohesion.

Press:
Humo: “The Me in You simply offers more colour and dimension than most other Belgian pop groups”
OOR: ‘A wonderfully addictive album for connoisseurs.’
Het Nieuwsblad: ‘Duyster music that gets under your skin.’
Le Soir: ‘Every song, every melody manages to surprise us.’
Stu Bru: Catch of The Day – De Afrekening list
Radio 1: Top 10 Vox list – A Rotation

long content, you may need to expand row to see all... Mutant freut sich, in Zusammenarbeit mit Milan Records das offizielle Soundtrack-Album zu Edgar Wrights Sci-Fi-Action-Thriller The Running Man zu veröffentlichen.Das Album enthält die Original-Filmmusik des Oscar-Preisträgers Steven Price (Gravity, Last Night in Soho, Baby Driver). The Running Man, bei dem Wright als Co-Autor und Regisseur fungierte, handelt von einem Vater aus der Arbeiterklasse, der alles daran setzt, seine kranke Tochter zu retten. Er nimmt an einer tödlichen TV-Gameshow teil, in der die Kandidaten 30 Tage lang überleben müssen, während sie von Profikillern gejagt werden. Durch seinen Instinkt, seinen Widerstand und seine Entschlossenheit wird er zum unerwarteten Publikumsliebling – und zu einer Bedrohung für das gesamte System.Wir sind große Fans von Edgar und Steven und freuen uns sehr, dass sie uns erneut ein fantastisches Kinoerlebnis bescheren. Steven Prices Score für The Running Man ist eine schillernde Mischung aus treibenden Beats, brodelnden Synthesizern und traditionellen orchestralen Elementen, die vor Einfallsreichtum und Stil nur so sprühen. Das Hauptthema besitzt eine elegante, zeitlose Qualität mit üppigen, beruhigenden Streichern, die eine hypnotische Melodie weben. Im Gegensatz dazu stehen die Titel der Gameshow-Sequenzen, die wirklich unterhaltsam, bombastisch und im Retro-Stil gehalten sind – was wiederum einen Kontrast zu den düstereren, dystopischen Stücken bildet, die im gesamten Werk verteilt sind. Im Film wirkt die Musik wie ein weiterer Charakter, der die Geschichte vorantreibt. Als eigenständiges Hörerlebnis ist sie fesselnd, dynamisch, macht großen Spaß und fängt die vielen Facetten und Stimmungen des Films perfekt ein.Die Vinyl-Edition mit dem Artwork von Luke Preece ist auf zwei farbige 140g-LPs gepresst. Sie enthält ein „The Truth“-Zine als Replika aus dem Film mit exklusiven Liner Notes von Edgar Wright und Komponist Steven Price.Ebenfalls auf CD erhältlich.

Repress

Escola Records is very proud to present a refreshing reinterpretation of Uptown Funk Empire’s 2009 cover of Pharoah Sanders’ You’ve Got to Have Freedom. The release features four dancefloor-oriented versions crafted by legendary French DJ and producer Greg Gauthier, alongside talented musician, DJ, and producer Lucas Moinet (half of Groove Boys Project and Keraw). The A-side delivers the smooth and mellow “937” Vocal and Dub versions, where Greg and Lucas offer two uplifting, soul-infused reworks in a groove- heavy ride full of organic grooves and a beautiful xylophone solo, creating the perfect space/beat for some of the most hopeful vocals we could ever dream of. The B-side completes the package with the “Dance Culture” remixes, paying tribute to the legendary party Greg launched over 20 years ago at Paris’ iconic house music mecca, the Djoon club.

Paper Crown release their third album Letters - an ambitious and playful record that marks a clear new chapter for the duo, brimming with confidence, nostalgia and new horizons. Letters is the result of a long and meticulous creative process, with guitarist, producer and songwriter Ornulv Snortheim and vocalist and lyricist Johanne Kippersund (MEER) working closely, patiently and with great attention to detail. The album was recorded and produced at Snortheim's own Dakkota Studio in Hamar, Norway. Drummer Borre Flyen contributes throughout the record, and violinist Aud Ingebjorg Barstad adds beautiful string textures on selected tracks. Musically, Letters draws inspiration from the organic warmth of 1970s recordings - featuring spacious arrangements and live, breathing instrumentation - while also clearly nodding to alternative 1990s pop- rock, with strong melodies, distinctive guitar lines, raw energy and a spirit of exploration. The result is a sound that feels both nostalgic and contemporary, making Letters the duo's most complete release to date.

"Nachpressung als limitiertes gelbes Vinyl! Das in Australien gegründete und in LA ansässige Duo VOWWS meldet sich mit „I'll Fill Your House With an Army“ zurück, ihrem bisher ehrgeizigsten und am besten umgesetzten Album.

„I'll Fill Your House With an Army“ (2025) ist der Höhepunkt der kühnsten Ideen der Band und zeigt, wie VOWWS, bestehend aus Rizz und Matt James, ihre charakteristische „Death-Pop“-Ästhetik vertiefen: eine genreübergreifende Mischung aus industrieller Elektronik, alternativem Rock, cineastischer Nostalgie und melancholischer Pop-Sensibilität. Co-produziert von Billy Howerdel (A Perfect Circle) und mit Gastauftritten von Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, NIN, Devo) und James „Munky“ Shaffer (KORN), ist das Album eine Reise durch Sehnsucht, Entfremdung und die surreale Schönheit des Chaos.

Dieses Album zeigt perfekt die dynamische Bandbreite des Duos: von verzerrter Intimität bis hin zu gewaltigen Klangattacken reflektieren VOWWS ein zerbrochenes Spiegelbild des modernen Zustands - romantisch, aber desillusioniert, viszeral und doch seltsam erhebend.

Nachdem sie sich durch Touren mit den Deftones, Twin Temple und Poppy bereits eine kultige Fangemeinde erspielt haben und gerade einen bahnbrechenden Live-Auftritt im Golden Gate Park neben System of a Down und The Mars Volta absolviert haben, sind VOWWS bereit, ihr Vermächtnis mit dieser Veröffentlichung zu zementieren. Ihr künstlerisches Ethos, unbeugsam in einer Ära der Wegwerfbarkeit, hat sie auch in die Welt der High Fashion geführt, wo sie mit Comme des Garçons, Givenchy und Byredo zusammenarbeiten.

Pariah’s cult album re-issued! “Blaze of Obscurity” brings you pure Thrash Metal fury! Satan changed their name to Pariah in 1988-1989. There’s Heavy Metal, Power Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal, the list seems almost endless. Sub-genres are important in metal and bands are quickly classified and labeled. Pariah (the last re-incarnation of Satan) is one of few bands that are difficult if not impossible to classify. Is it Heavy metal? NWOBHM? Thrash Metal? Pariah did not make it easy to describe their sound. It might be too sophisticated to simply label it Heavy Metal, which in its infancy was a rather simple affair.

They don’t sound like any Metal band out there, perhaps discounting some of the more aggressive and technical ones, and then the signature NWOBHM sound is added. The guitar playing by Russ Tippins and Steve Ramsey is undeniably what defines Pariah as well as Satan in the past. Undeniably, Satan has gone a long way; from humble NWOBHM beginnings, to Experimental/Melodic Mettal (in Blind Fury) and something that could be described as a NWOBHM/Thrash Metal hybrid (“The Kindred”). It’s as if they’ve been experimenting trying to find their identity, and theyfinally found it. Stylistically, “Blaze of Obscurity” could be seen a step back to “Suspended Sentence”, but this time around they got everything right, down to the last note. Those who have heard Satan know what to expect: great guitar playing.

And sure enough, “Blaze of Obscurity” is a demonstration of guitar mastery and is overall a very guitar-driven album, with plenty of mind-boggling riffs and solos are all over the place, but more importantly, it’s a demonstration of some amazing songwriting as well. This is easily Pariah/Satan’s creative peak and one of the most consistent albums I’ve ever heard, featuring eight great and conceptually perfect songs with lyrics that come across as sophisticated and thought-provoking. It is not fair to put the entire spotlight on Tippins and Ramsey though since the drumming and bass work from Sean Taylor and Graham English really shines. The rhythm is fast and tight, keeping it focused, aggressive and intense till the end. Vocalist Michael Jackson (yes, that’s his name) has to be commended too as this is easily his careers best performance.

The verdict: “Blaze of Obscurity”: the level of musical genius expressed here, along with near flawless songwriting, is more than enough to skyrocket it to heights reserved only for classics. Probably not your choice for some light listening those quiet Sunday evenings, but those who take a more serious, intellectual approach when selecting their music will find very much to appreciate here.
Tracklisting

Boutique-pressed 7" vinyls A-side: "Wonderin'" / B-side: "Dream"

Drawing influence from the likes of CAN, Faust, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and David Vorkhaus, Shakti Soundsystem traverses the borderlands of psychedelic rock, Krautrock, jazz fusion, and ritual improvisation. But this isn't a retro trip—this is future folklore.

Each track is a trance in motion, built on hypnotic basslines, spiraling melodies, and moments of ecstatic dissonance. The instrumentation is as unconventional as the process: Bulbul Tarang, modular synths, guitars, drums, and vocals that oscillate between invocation and surrender.



Their first singles have already made waves across tastemaker blogs and listener-curated Spotify playlists, includingNeo-Psychedelia, Psych Rock Melting Pot, Rock for when 26 King Gizzard albums aren't enoug and Psychedelic & Space Rock.

"Wonderin',"described by Analogue Trash (UK) as "an absorbing, psychedelic jam that thrives on hypnotic repetition and a raw, live energy,"introduced their trance-infused sound to a wider audience.
"Silver," hailed by RMAS (Mexico) as"a hypnotic journey between Krautrock and spoken word... a sonic delirium that recalls CAN and the free spirit of the European underground," cements their place in the modern psych scene.

WILDFIRE is the long-awaited new studio album from Loreen, set for release on 27th March. Marking her first full studio album in nearly a decade, WILDFIRE is a powerful and intimate body of work that explores emotion, perception and inner transformation, a record that allows the full emotional spectrum to exist, from vulnerability and pain to freedom, love and truth.

The album features the global phenomenon “Tattoo”, alongside fan-favourite “Is It Love” and the transcendent new single “Feels Like Heaven”, co-written with Sia. Together, the tracks reflect Loreen’s unique ability to fuse raw emotional honesty with cinematic pop, creating music that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Loreen is the only female artist to have won the Eurovision Song Contest twice and has amassed over 9 billion streams worldwide. “Tattoo” topped radio airplay and singles charts in five countries, further cementing her status as one of the most distinctive and influential voices in modern pop.

With WILDFIRE, Loreen returns with an album that is fearless, expansive and profoundly human

April Records proudly presents the new album from Stockholm Stockholm-based bassist and composer Jon Henriksson - a confident and flexible statement that deepens his place within contemporary Scandinavian jazz. Following the success of his 2023 debut Harmonia which placed second in Orkesterjournalen s Golden Album " readers " poll, Henriksson returns with music that foregrounds collective interplay, shifting forms, and a strong compositional voice. Born in Gothenburg and now active across Sweden and Europe, Henriksson has collaborated and toured with artists including Lars Jansson, Hakan Broström, Erik Söderlind, Klas Lindquist, Jonas Kullhammar and Christina von Bülow. Alongside leading his own ensembles, he remains a soughtsought-after bassist in a wide range of projects, balancing a deep connection to the jazz tradition with a modern, exploratory approach. Shapeshifter is built around a core quartet of tenor saxophone, piano, double bass and drums, expanded with guitar on three tracks and trombone on two. The album moves fluidly between contrasting moods, from forceful and driving to reflective and restrained, with each piece shaped by the musicians " intuition and responsiveness. The title reflects Henriksson s compositional philosophy: allowing roles, textures, and forms to evolve as the music unfolds.The ensemble brings together long long-standing musical relationships. Pianist Rasmus Sorensen and Henriksson have collaborated since their studies at Skurups Folkhögskola (Henriksson is a longstanding member of Sorensen s own trio), while drummer Jonas Bäckman forms part of a well well-established rhythm section partnership with the bassist across numerous projects including the Britta Virves Trio. Saxophonist Karl Karl-Martin Almqvist, a member of the Danish Radio Big Band, completes the quartet, with guitarist Pelle von Bülow and trombonist Rasmus Holm joining the session shortly before recording to expand the album s sonic palette where the music called for it. Originally conceived as a quartet album, Shapeshifter took its final shape in the lead lead-up to recording as additional instrumental colours were introduced organically. The piece Toninho , a tribute to Brazilian guitarist and composer Toninho Horta, features acoustic guitar and subtle wordless vocals, reflecting melodic influences that sit naturally within the album s contemporary jazz framework. Across the record, space, pacing, and interaction remain central. Rather than forcing constant motion, the music allows ideas to develop with clarity and intent, resulting in an album that highlights Henriksson s growing assurance as a composer and bandleader, while keeping the collective at its core.

A collection of tense and melancholic post-punk gems calling for rebellion. "Blurred Visions" sees the Parisian trio Bleakness deliver an unstoppable album filled with bursts of energy. For fans of The Damned, Killing Joke, Wipers, Poison Ruïn.

Ltd red marbled vinyl. A collection of tense and melancholic post-punk gems calling for rebellion. "Blurred Visions" sees the Parisian trio Bleakness deliver an unstoppable album filled with bursts of energy. For fans of The Damned, Killing Joke, Wipers, Poison Ruïn.

It’s 5 AM, the world is still quiet as dawn begins to rise. While most are asleep, a few of us are in the final stretch, finishing last edits or easing into the day, surrounded by scattered notes in the living room with a sleepy cat nearby.

5 AM Study Session is a tribute to the early risers and the night owls. This collection of 34 tracks carries early-morning focus and momentum, guiding you through the quiet and setting the tone for the day ahead. Sunlight slowly peeks in as the melodies play, creating a soundtrack for productivity and peace.

The physical edition captures the warmth of a fresh cup of coffee: pressed on double "Morning Latte" marble vinyl, the swirling beige and brown tones mirror the cozy, studious atmosphere of the artwork. A tangible reminder that the best work often happens when the world is still.

Slip on your headphones, pour a hot drink, and let the sunrise guide your workflow.

Dudley Perkins, aka Declaime, is a visionary wordsmith and sonic architect who has been a pivotal figure in the underground hip-hop scene since the mid-90s. Renowned for his introspective lyricism, intricate rhyme patterns, and innovative production techniques, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of the genre. Declaime's music is a fusion of soulful samples, jazzy undertones, and raw, unfiltered emotion.

His ability to seamlessly blend intricate beats with thought-provoking verses has earned him a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Throughout his career, Declaime has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Madlib, Oh No, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Flying Lotus, knxwledge, Aloe Blacc, Kankick, Saul Williams, Latoya Williams, Hudson Mohawk, Casual and many other notable names. His solo projects and collaborative efforts have left an enduring impact on the hip-hop landscape, inspiring countless artists and shaping the sound of future generations.Dudley has unveiled his latest 9-track album titled "Flatulent," set to be released on the esteemed Urbnet label. The album, produced by German beat maker and producer Der Brxwnsxn, highlights Declaime's signature blend of intricate rhythms, haunting samples, and ethereal melodies.

Jeb Loy Nichols is at it again with a brand new 7” that pairs two sides of his soulful storytelling. On the A-side, the exclusive cut “Do The Get Together” makes its debut – a slow-burning southern soul dancer that gently calls people closer, both on the dancefloor and beyond it. With warmth, patience, and a steady groove, Nichols invites connection without force, offering a quiet reminder that togetherness can still feel natural and unpretentious.

Driven by Cold Diamond & Mink’s deep-pocket rhythm and understated analog textures, “Do The Get Together” unfolds with ease. The groove never rushes, allowing Jeb’s voice to guide the message with soft authority and lived-in wisdom. It’s a song that feels tailor-made for late-night spins, where movement and meaning find common ground.
On the flip, “First Night Away From Home” brings listeners back to the opening chapter of Nichols’ latest album This House is Empty Without You. Warm, melodic, and intimate, the track captures that mix of vulnerability and quiet resolve that defines Jeb’s songwriting. Together, these two sides form a perfect 7” pairing, pressed for those who value soul that speaks gently but stays with you

As collaborative projects often do, 33 has in time found a more fixed form, a kind of structure that turned it from a loose collection of collaborators gravitating around founders Bill John Bultheel and Alexander Iezzi into something resembling more of a traditional band. Not that there is anything conventional in their creative process tho, nor in the music itself… Nontheless Tripolar - their second album and first for Haunter - seems to take them closer to song territory than ever before.

The (progressive) graduation of multi-instrumentalist Cem Dukkha and vocalist/clarinet player Ivan Cheng from collaborators to full-time members has brought 33 to a more refined awareness of their possibilities as a creative unit, although their compositional process has retained a high level of spontaneity and musical madness. Tripolar was in fact assembled by editing hours of improvisation that Bultheel, Iezzi and Dukkah recorded with no specific endgame in mind. The sessions saw them exchange a variety of acoustic, electronic and electric musical instruments: percussions, guitars, strings, piano, hurdy gurdy, synthesizers and even CDJs as a tool of live sampling manipulation.

By molding the pieces into what they are now, the band managed to concoct some beautiful vignettes of contradictory mental and emotional states, as sonically playful as a renaissance fair happening within a broken timestream. Cheng’s lyrical and vocal contributions helped them coalesce even further into proper songs, adding a melodic presence that’s at once seductive and uncanny. But vocal duties are often ceded to guests, namely Danish pop-neoclassicist Astrid Sonne, Kenyan metal guru Lord Spikeheart, Irish goth raconteur Olan Monk and Japanese body-poet Golin.The amount of different sounds arranged into each of the tracks produces a unique sense of awe and bewilderment, a testament to the incredible talent and craft the musicians have employed into putting together such a broad range of influences and approaches into a coherent and extremely effective musical journey.

An equally erratic thematic thread seems to run through all the tracks, one ultimately preoccupied with mental health and its ramifications. Without turning the project into a concept album, 33 and their collaborators have sprinkled it with references to personality disorders and mental conditions that are all too relevant to the contemporary age, reflecting on the lineage of human inner life. A wide display of lyrical and musical tools is employed to explore these themes, ranging from Sonne’s expressionist depiction of ADHD in the opener, to Cheng’s queer-themed reinvention of an Irish murder ballad in closing track ‘Babymusicc’. Tracing lateral trajectories for introspection, Tripolar is not only highly captivating, but it ultimately sounds esoteric in the best possible way: progressively revealing layer after layer of incredible aural magic, its true meaning living in the form and in its manic scope of energies.

Mit Sexistential meldet sich Robyn mit ihrem bislang poppigsten Album zurück. Nach dem atmosphärischen Honey (2018) rückt sie wieder klar strukturierte Popsongs ins Zentrum - neun prägnante Tracks, entstanden an einem persönlichen Nullpunkt. Nach dem Ende einer langen Beziehung ordnete Robyn ihr Leben neu, entschied sich bewusst für eine alleinerziehende Mutterschaft und setzte sich intensiv mit Sexualität, Nähe, Unabhängigkeit und Identität auseinander. Die Arbeit am Album begann 2020 und wurde von der Pandemie geprägt. Aufgrund geschlossener Grenzen arbeitete Robyn ausschließlich mit schwedischen Weggefährten, allen voran Produzent Klas Âhlund. Ergänzt wird das Album durch Co-Writes mit Max Martin - die erste Zusammenarbeit seit Body Talk - sowie eine neu bearbeitete Version von Blow My Mind, ihrem Sohn gewidmet. Klanglich verbindet Sexistential klassische Popstrukturen mit einer hypermodernen Produktion. Thematisch kreist das Album um Lust, Verletzlichkeit und Kontrollverlust - und um das Spannungsfeld zwischen Emotion und Biologie. Die Single Dopamine beschreibt Verlangen zugleich als Gefühl und chemischen Prozess, geprägt von Robyns Erfahrungen mit IVF. Humor und Selbstironie durchziehen den Titeltrack, während Songs wie Sucker for Love romantische Liebe verteidigen, ohne naive Rollenbilder zu reproduzieren. Sexistential steht für künstlerische Integrität, bewusste Offenheit und einen selbstbestimmten Neubeginn - riskant, ehrlich und voller Hoffnung.

Special Friend have become the masters of weaving elegant and sophisticated pop musical webs while staying true to their low-fi indiepop roots. The French/American duo (Guillaume on guitar and vocals, Erica on drums and vocals) manage to create a sound like no other band. When they play live, audiences marvel at the huge, intricate structures the band construct, while falling in love with the crystal-clear vocal melodies that are threaded in between the shards of guitar and the rattle of the drums. How can a duo achieve so much? UK audiences will be able to ponder this question in March: Special Friend are coming over from France to do a substantial tour of the UK. These shows are highly recommended!
The new album is more diverse that the last, with the high-tempo indiepop of first single ‘Breakfast’, the majestic, Yo La Tengo-like dreampop of ‘Clipping’ and the country-ish, gentle, homesick melancholy of ‘Isolation’. Final track ‘OOO’ is a bold piece of Krautrock-inspired experimentation; ‘Mold’ is a beautiful slice of slowcore and opener ‘Paint A Picture’ is modern pop at its catchiest and most direct.

‘Clipping’, the album title, refers to the discipline of pruning growth back, removing dead wood to create a perfectly shaped tree with abundant blossoms: an accurate description of the album, and of the songs that hang from its elegant branches. The album artwork is by Erica: Special Friend are in control of every aspect of this elegant artefact.
‘Clipping’ was recorded in 2025 at Studio Claudio by Alexis Fugain and Margaux Bouchaudon. Set in an isolated rural environment conducive to immersion, the band had seven days in the studio—significantly more than for previous records—allowing for greater care in the recording process, particularly for vocals and arrangements. Several tracks feature synthesizers and organs, acoustic guitar, and even an electric bass on “Sanctuary,” a first for Special Friend. Overall, the record benefits from a more developed and detailed production while preserving the band’s direct approach and spontaneity.

The album was mixed by Syd Kemp, who has worked with artists such as Thurston Moore, Ulrika Spacek, Caroline, Crack Cloud, and Vanishing Twin.
Special Friend’s previous album on Skep Wax, ‘Wait Until The Flames Come Rushing In’ was an underground hit, with a significant amount of airplay in the UK and in the US.
‘Clipping’ is a co-release with Howlin Banana Records and Hidden Bay Records (both in France). Skep Wax is proud to present the album in the UK and in North America.