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Carrying on the long tradition of sentimental jangle pop songwriters, Lightheaded distil decades of lovelorn tunes into sounds for modern softies. They have the sunshine sparkle of The Left Banke and Margo Guryan, the C86 charm of Dolly Mixture and Would-Be-Goods, and the cinematic swell of Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura. Formed on the shore of New Jersey in 2017 by Cynthia Rittenbach and Stephen Stec, Lightheaded took time to hone their sound with a rotating crew of drummers, guitarists and backup vocalists. They found a community of like-minded bands in a vast but tight-knit international indie pop scene, which eventually led them to the iconic California label Slumberland Records. Their debut cassette EP Good Good Great!, a collection of five perfect pop songs, landed in 2023, followed by the full-length Combustible Gems in 2024. A European tour and gigs opening for bands like Heavenly, The Softies and The Ladybug Transistor rounded out their breakout year. Thinking, Dreaming, Scheming is their most collaborative and earnest release to date. A side of five brand new songs is combined with the five tracks from Good Good Great!, now available on vinyl for the first time. Recorded bi-coastally with Gary Olson (The Ladybug Transistor) and Alicia Vanden Heuvel (The Aislers Set, Poundsign) and drenched in lush reverb on tape by Fred Thomas (Saturday Looks Good to Me), the new songs are rendered in a dreamy soft focus that perfectly suits their starry-eyed themes. Adding to all the fun are the cameos and contributions from the new generation of New York indie pop goodness, featuring members of Starcleaner Reunion and Trinket, pushing the songs on this record to a high point in the young band's discography. There is something unusual about this band - something truly special.

Over the course of nearly a decade making music, Alicia Jeanine and Jed Smith have charted a distinctive course through the history of pop, evoking influences as varied as the 60s folk of early Fairport Convention and Vashti Bunyan, the sunshine pop of Margo Guryan and Laura Nyro, and indiepop touchstones like Dear Nora, Marine Girls and Dolly Mixture. The new album finds Jeanines grappling with themes of personal upheaval and self-excavation, adding weight to their finest set of songs yet. With Alicia's lyrics incisively interrogating connections, ruptures, and time and its reverberations, songs like "Coaxed a Storm," "What's Done Is Done," and "On and On" combine rich melody with co-composer Jed's crisp arrangements (along with contributions from longtime live show bassist Maggie Gaster) to stellar effect. Where How Long Can It Last really shines is, as always, in the songs. While the themes are sometimes heavy, the melodies and harmonies are simply heavenly, elevating these economical songs to give each the feeling of a lost classic. From the first notes of opener "To Fail" to jaunty closer "Wrong Direction," this album announces itself as the work of a band in full command of their art (and craft).

When the hypnotic groove of Berlin band Onom Agemo & The Disco Jumpers meets the pulsating riffs of Malian guitarist and singer Ahmed Ag Kaedy, new horizons open up.


At the centre of 'Common Stars' is Ahmed Ag Kaedy's distinctive vocals - always with poetic urgency. His lyrics, deeply rooted in the political and cultural realities of his homeland, deal with freedom, home and the search for identity. They deal with the ongoing conflict of the Tuareg in Mali, who are caught between the desire for cultural self-determination and political tensions with the central government. They also address the threat posed by Islamist groups, which have controlled parts of northern Mali and banned music since 2012. Ahmed Ag Kaedy had to flee his home country due to this repression. With his band Amanar, he shaped modern Tuareg rock and toured internationally. The collaboration with Onom Agemo began after he came to Berlin for the premiere of the film 'Mali Blues', in which he is one of the protagonists, and led to joint concerts throughout Europe.

'Common Stars' is a musical meeting of cultures that unites sounds from the Sahara to Berlin. Music that creates connections and makes different perspectives audible. The tracks are characterised by trance-like rhythms, hypnotic bass lines and shimmering saxophone and flute sounds. Pulsating synthesizers, dry-as-dust guitar riffs and improvisational outbursts interweave to create a soundscape that is sometimes driving, sometimes floating and creates a very unique, captivating atmosphere. Ahmed Ag Kaedy describes it aptly: 'Space jazz meets the rhythm of the camel.'

Am 14. Juni 2023 ist DJ Patex nach langer Krankheit gegangen. Wohin, das wissen wir nicht genau. Darüber werden wir uns heute auch nicht einig. Der Autor dieses Textes will jedoch ahnen, dass sie dort – frisch angekommen – erstmal von ihren vorausgegangenen Lieblingshundis überrannt und abgeschleckt wurde. Der Autor mag dieses Bild. Auch weil Patex sich zeitlebens mit Hundis leichter getan hat als mit Menschen. Hunde durften bei ihr alles, was sie vom Menschen getrennt hat: Parolen kläffen, Eigentum heranzerren, egoistisch und unterkomplex sein. Nie hat sie auch nur einem Hund jemals etwas krumm genommen. Der Menschheit begegnete Patex eher mit pessimistischen Sätzen: „An Allem ist zu zweifeln“ ist so eine Feststellung. Oder: „Nur Weil Du Mir Deine Wunden Zeigst Bist Du Noch Lange Nicht Mein Heiland“.
Damit wären wir auch bei der A-Seite der vorliegenden Single. Sie berührt. Ihr Text zeigt in viele Richtungen. Die Coverversion von Mitpudeln enstammt ihrem finalen School-Of-Zuversicht-Album und dokumentiert eine Patex, die an ihrer schweren Krankheit gewachsen ist, statt zu brechen. Auch weil sie sich erlaubt hat, ihre typische Skepsis mit einer Art Camu’schen Akzeptanz zu tauschen. Denn Ablehnung hat in ihrer Situation nicht gegriffen, sie hätte alles viel schlimmer gemacht. Nicht das Nicht-leiden oder gar das Nicht-leiden-wollen besiegt das Leid, sondern dessen voll umfängliche Akzeptanz. Das hat sie einfach genial hingekriegt. Und damit vielleicht das Leben und den Tod gleichzeitig besiegt. Noch besser: Für diese Erkenntnis musste sie nicht einmal ihren Pessimismus über Bord werfen. Denn auf einer Ebene, viel weiter im Vordergrund, handelt das Lied natürlich vom Mitleid, oder besser Mitleiden. Mitleid gerät in Schieflage, wenn wir vergessen, worum es wirklich geht. Empathie verbindet uns mit der Welt, sie erfüllt uns. Sie eignet uns aber allzu schnell das Leid anderer an, ohne dass wir selbst wirklich leiden müssen. Und wenn wir nicht aufpassen, dann macht sie uns selbstgewiss.
An Allem ist zu zweifeln, merkt Euch das. Außer daran, dass uns Patex fehlt. Uns fehlt was sie umtreibt und die Fragen, die sie uns schenkt. Und dass die umwerfende B-Seite, die uns über Hans Nieswandt aus Südkorea erreichte, nur ekstatisch tanzend erklärt werden will — und daran, dass Ihr Euch jetzt diese Single kauft. Text: Sebastian Reier

‘Idealism’ is an album about navigating life in the 2020s as millennial adults, and all the difficulties and uncertainties that come with that - knowing you’ll probably never be able to afford to buy a house, and that a simple grocery shop costs way more than ever before. But it’s also about all the joys and positives of modern life too - being kind to yourself, being kind to other people, and overcoming difficulties.
The band tries to capture that dichotomy on this album, hence the title ‘Idealism’, which the dictionary says is “the unrealistic belief in or pursuit of perfection”.
The album has been a long time in the making, diligently demoed before tracking across studios in London & Essex. Taking a more pop production approach, layering parts and additional keyboards, synthesisers and percussion to add a richer and fuller sound to their traditional indie rock set up.
Nostalgia has always been a running theme for Don’t Worry, as displayed on 2022’s ‘Remorseless Swing’ and 2018 debut album ‘Who Cares Anyway?’. There’s a decent dose of it on this new album still, including on the cover, with a photograph taken in their home of Harlow New Town in 2001 by Jim Brown. And in their musical influences, Pavement, Pixies, Smashing Pumpkins, The Streets, Fleetwood Mac, UK Grime and The GTA Vice City Soundtrack (alongside contemporary influences such as Fontaines D.C., MJ Lenderman, Andy Shauf).
But perhaps for the first time on this album, they push through the comfort of the past, embrace the present and look forward to the future with hope.

Portland Town is as effervescent a pop song as any of Heavenly’s past recordings, with duelling vocals from Amelia and Cathy; looping, twanging, ‘how-did-he-do-that’ guitar escapades from Peter, and a super-catchy melody. As so often with Heavenly, though, the lyrics have real bite.
The song embraces those who find themselves on the margins of a hostile world where maleness, straightness and conformity are in the ascendant. So why Portland? It has always been a sanctuary – one of those places where difference is celebrated, a place where, as the song puts it, anyone can fit in.
The B side is a cover version of a much-loved Only Ones song, ‘Someone Who Cares’.
Heavenly celebrate the release of Portland Town with a show at Islington Assembly Hall, London on 19th July, as part of the Skep Wax Weekender.
Heavenly are: Amelia Fletcher (guitar, vocals), Cathy Rogers (guitar, vocals), Rob Pursey (bass), Peter Momtchiloff (guitar), Ian Button (drums)

The highly anticipated 3rd full-length by this Finnish band. Morbific is a rotten-to-the-core Death Metal trio deformed in the filthy and profaned boneyard of Kitee in early 2020, featuring Olli (guitar), Jusa (vocals / bass) and Onni (drums). The band’s Pestilent Hordes demo was unleashed in the summer of 2020, and it rapidly gained them some following amongst the finest gourmets of the variety of festering, moldering and disgusting Death Metal that’s malignantly influenced by Autopsy, Rottrevore, Deteriorot, Mortician, Grave, Maimed, Undergang, Impetigo and ancient Finnish masters of death and decay, such as Funebre and Disgrace. Shortly after, in the spring of 2021, the debut full-length Ominous Seep of Putridity saw the odious light of day to unanimous praise by both the fans and the media. Just a year later, and now aligned with Memento Mori, Morbific released their second full-length, Squirm Beyond the Mortal Realm. Aptly titled, the album quickly became a cult favorite of utterly uncomfortable, slimy Death Metal. Now, Morbific are prepared to eclipse such a sewer-dwelling “highwater” mark with Bloom of the Abnormal Flesh. Whereas its not-inconsiderable predecessor confronted the listener with a blown-out, almost demo-level feel, the Finns’ third full-length proves that they can move and mesmerize and maim no matter what the soundfield is. And on Bloom of the Abnormal Flesh, it’s a raw-yet-robust show of strength, “classic” Death Metal production in a most late 80’s fashion; just witness that gurgling, fuzz-tinged bass and feel its radioactive waves envelope you. But production is one thing and songwriting is another, and with the latter, Morbific are truly hitting their stride here. Lumbering and stomping, with well-timed bouts of disgusting gallop or even ragged blasts, their songwriting twists and indeed squirms with off-kilter insanity; some would call it chaos, if not for the exceptionally tight musicianship on display here, with the sum result being an uncomfortableness that bubbles up from a deeper gutter. Thankfully, Bloom of the Abnormal Flesh conveys its dark, disgusting and unconventional aura across every element -said chops simply heighten these sensations- and is, thus far, Morbific’s best melding of form and content. Cro-Magnon as ever but somehow enlightened in the creepiest sense possible, Morbific continue their reputation as Finland’s filthiest and Death Metal’s untrendiest weirdoes. Vividly captured by Chase Slaker’s cover artwork, Bloom of the Abnormal Flesh is the foulest stench only for the brave!

You find yourself two thousand meters below the earth’s surface surrounded by overwhelming darkness. Cold and wet, the path has collapsed behind you. You have nowhere to go, but still you scream. You scream, and scream, echoing into the darkness, dissolving your throat like acid. It’s no use. There’s no way out. You die here. OSSUARY have made this cave for you.
“Abhorrent Worship” is a relentless, pummeling assault: 6 tracks in 37 minutes of cacophonous, suffocating evil punctuated with distorted, droning atmospheres. Hissing and dripping wet with bile, vocals incant beneath monstrous searing, chugging guitars and thunderous, pounding drums & bass at a primordial pace executed with precision and finesse.
Ossuary take their time between releases, which shows, and once again “Abhorrent Worship” is worth the wait. Once you press play there’s no going back, accept your fate happily or not. You die here. (KD)

Quebecois Death Metallers Sedimentum formed back in 2018, giving us a magnificent debut album and several equally formidable shorter releases alongside it. Now they return with an even more doomy, eldritch mini-album for your listening displeasures…
Following some otherworldly ambience, those charnel guitars bring in a truly crushing spectacle of doomed extremity. Grotesque vocals and strong drums permeate the thick, tarry stringed arrangements. Their sinister and inhuman music has sunken even further into the pits of putrefying grave matter to conjure spectral apparitions of the dead. Those of you who already know this superb band will definitely recognise their unique sound while appreciating that the more low-register, slower tempo rumble of this cacophonous rot is even more intense than ever. Never afraid to blast out viscerally gripping savagery, the old school way, there is plenty of those more traditional moments tied into the abhorrent affair. However you like it, Sedimentum master Death Metal…
At a mere three songs, one could foolishly assume this record is lacking. But listen for yourself to discover three majestic pieces of masterful musical torment. In little over twenty minutes, Sedimentum grasp your soul with their ghoulish atmospherics and sepulchral hammering force. Exhuming the ancient spirits, this mini-LP is a must-listen for all true die-hards of the Death Metal underground who value both atmosphere and brutality in equal measure. There is no denying this band has a perfect grapple of both as these new constructions of contorting morbidity prove beyond doubt. Enter the ossuaries of Quebec with one of the finest bands of the underground as its lumbering corpse staggers toward you with only malicious intentions…

2025 is a special Britpop anniversary year, and Swansea Sound are keen to celebrate this summer’s coming together of every single music-lover in the UK with the release of their new single Oasis v Blur.
The song probably sounds more like The Fall getting into bed with The Sweet, but that’s just the way it turned out.
The B side, Pacio’r Fan, is about a journey back to a remembered teenage time, when idealism still burned and the world was full of potential. It is a wistful song, but it’s hopeful too: the idealistic flame is still there if you seek it out.
The release date of Oasis v Blur coincides with Swansea Sound’s live performance at the reasonably-priced Skep Wax Weekender, alongside label-mates including Sassyhiya, The Gentle Spring, Jeanines and Heavenly.
Swansea Sound have released two albums, several singles and have recorded live radio sessions for BBC6Music and WFMU (New York). They are Hue Williams and Amelia Fletcher (who both sang in The Pooh Sticks), Rob Pursey (in Heavenly with Amelia), Bob Collins (of The Dentists), Ian Button (The Night Mail, Papernut Cambridge, Death In Vegas ) and artist Catrin James (The Loves).

Vice Squad are 100% DIY and record everything in their home studio with guitarist/riffmaster Paul Rooney engineering and mixing. There is nothing sloppy here; the whole album is concise and intelligent with lightning-speed diction, passion, and intent. The glorious ‘If I Knew What I Know Now’ and ‘The World Is Wrong’ are examples of Vice Squad’s ability to write instantly catchy, witty songs, and the more gut-wrenching material from their last album, ‘Battle of Britain’, showcases some enormous riffs and a voice that is a million decibels from Beki's untried teen vocals. The album opens with the deliciously effervescent ‘If I Knew What I Know Now’, followed by the sparkling old-school tongue-twister ‘Out of Reach’. Next up is the visceral ‘Get A Life’, an angry anti-suicide note to the desperate, originally the title track from their 1998 comeback album. This is followed by a shimmering version of Vice Squad's old-school classic ‘Resurrection’. While the treatment of the old songs remains true to the original teenage renditions, the upgraded versions pack more of a punch with detuned guitars and growling bass. The tribal tom-toms of ‘Allergy’ underpin just over two minutes of punk protest about the delights of pollution and asthma. Then comes the sublime ‘Sniffing Glue’, a near-perfect punk love song that would be a huge hit if not for its subject matter. ‘Ordinary Girl’ is punk-pop perfection brimming with hook lines and harmonies, warmly mocking the life that could have been chosen instead of the grindstone at the sharp end of the music industry. ‘The World Is Wrong’ is anthemic, joyous, and wonderfully contrary, and one would expect nothing less from a band that has soldiered on and grown through the decades. It’s always great when bands lead by example. In these increasingly tough times where our survival is threatened by the gargantuan greed of a few individuals, it's important to continuously stick two fingers up to the grabbers and spoilers. 'The World Is Wrong' does just that in an impassioned, melodic, and optimistic style. 'Hold your head up, stand your ground, and don't let the bastards grind you down.' Then we roar into the final single Beki wrote with original and now sadly deceased guitarist Dave Bateman, ‘Citizen’, and continue with another teenage opus, the quite brutal ‘Scarred For Life’. ‘Voice of the People’ is a bulldozer of a song, all swagger and ballsy riffs, and the chorus, ‘Freedom of speech is against the law; now we’re all criminals,’ snarls its derision at red-handed red tape. ‘Punk Police’ sneers over a catchy-as-COVID guitar riff, and the lyrics, ‘Regulation cut, you must measure up, down on the street, PR companies, monied families, running the scene,’ call out the hierarchies that now permeate Punk. Baritone guitars add extra darkness to one of the first-ever animal rights songs, ‘Humane’, and I’m struck by how relevant the older songs are. Chocks away, and the awesome ’Spitfire’ takes flight like Motörhead on extra amphetamines. Merlin engines fade into ‘Born In A War’, the second in the triumvirate of conflict-themed songs, an absolute stonker with huge muscular riffs and lyrics that roar pure outrage. Then comes the ominous Last Rockers, with all the angst of the original plus added depth and resonance. Beki: ' "Last Rockers" is a typically depressive adolescent song about nuclear war and being too young to die but too late to live. I believed Punks were the ‘Last Rockers’, the final youth cult before the Apocalypse. I was obsessed with punk, and all I wanted to do was sing in a band and be part of the movement, so I would often romanticise the idea of punk in my lyrics.' The four bonus CD tracks kick off with ‘Coward’, another teen Bateman/Bond composition. ‘No You Don’t’ is just over two minutes of vocal acrobatics over a Dexedrine-driven Devo-esque chord sequence, and the frantically brilliant ‘I Dare To Breathe’ from ‘Battle of Britain’ continues the aural assault. Then the final sombre entreaty of ‘You Can’t Buy Back The Dead’ warns us that ‘Enough’s never enough; absolute power will corrupt; the war machine still rumbles on’ before fading into the future.

The band has shared bills with Billy Strings, Sierra Hull, Sarah Jaroz, Della Mae, Tony
Trischka, Michael Daves, earned spotlights from The Bluegrass Situation, Bluegrass
Today, Folk Alley, WFUV, American Songwriter, and spent fve weeks atop the Roots
Music Report Traditional Bluegrass Song Chart. Their frst album in four years,
Homegrown features three Woody Guthrie songs (including Woody's iconic "Pastures
of Plenty"), a Woody Guthrie/ Arlo Guthrie cowrite, and songs by Peter Rowan and
John Hartford."

Man @ Work Volume 2 is the sequel to his 2002 best seller, Man @ Work, and offers
fans an impeccable set of favorites from across Hay's rich catalog, including Men at
Work classics, solo album highlights, and new material. The album opens with "Into
My Life," featuring Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band) and Cecilia
Noel. The song originally appeared on Hay's 1990 debut solo album, Wayfaring Sons,
and exploded in Brazil in the 90s as the theme song of a popular soap opera, growing
to rival the anthemic "Down Under" as Hay's most popular song in South America. Hay
reaches back to Men At Work's 1983 release, Cargo, for a new recording of the reggae
infected "Blue for You," which segues into a stripped-down version of the infectious
"Come Tumblin' Down" from his 2017 release Fierce Mercy. Other standout tracks on
the album include "We the People" featuring rapper Derrick "Solpowa" Rice, which Hay
was inspired to write in the midst of the polarizing US presidential election in 2024,
and with a haunting performance of "Next Year People" from the 2015 album of the
same name. This version of the song features Hay on acoustic guitar and vocals,
augmented by a string quartet.

Final Error is a death- thrash metal band from Lippstadt, North Rhine- Westphalia
(Germany), founded in 2014. The original lineup included Jens "Hammer"
Schillhammer (bass), Chris Krause (guitar), Achim Kietz (vocals), and Michael "Mieke"
Joachimsmeier (drums).
In 2016, they released their frst EP, "Sick of Your Lies". After several lineup changes -
Krause and Kietz both left - the band evolved further toward a pure metal sound,
moving away from their early hardcore punk infuences. New members like Fabian
Sendfeld, Juan Manuel Fuentes, Nico Paiva, and Andreas Kramer shaped this new
direction.
Their debut album "The Blind Lead the Blind" was released in 2019 via Dedication
Records, followed by the EP "Dead Man Walking" (2021) on KKR Records, both
accompanied by professional music videos directed by Matthias Kollek. In 2022, they
released their second full- length album, "Necromantic Rituals". After Kramer's
departure in 2023, the band welcomed seasoned drummer Burkhard "Borgy" Fabian

It was in such a dense and impenetrable darkness that Lake of Tears must have been
born.
And their debut album is immersed in this darkness. It was baptized "Greater Art" and
indeed the title sets the tone for what was to follow. Yes, it is a higher art, it was and is
something different. Although there are infuences from other Swedish bands of the
time, such as Tiamat, or even death metal elements, what is certain is that their doom
metal brought to the fore something new, fresh and completely innovative.
We won't go into the process of choosing any songs, as we've said it before, Lake of
Tears never included indifferent compositions on any album. However, we can't help
but make a small exception when talking about the magnifcent epic " Upon The
Highest Mountain ", which in itself would be an excellent reason to purchase the
album.
We are proud to release Lake of Tears ' debut on vinyl after 31 years. For the older
generation to remember and the younger generation to discover. Because what these
Swedes made here, three decades ago, stands as an immortal monument. Is it doom
metal? Does it have death metal infuences? Is it gothic metal? Yes, but it sounds a bit
different...Who really cares?
It was then that the magnifcent prologue was written, becoming the beginning of
everything that was to follow. And hold on... the epilogue hasn't been written yet...

Rooted in acoustic instrumentation, their music features intricate melodies and
soulful vocals that resonate deeply with listeners. The band has toured the US and
Europe and contributed music to the Vikings series on Netfix, further cementing their
connection to Norse mythology.
Larvatus marks a return to the band's earlier, more mystical sound, evoking the
haunting qualities of albums like Uthuling Hyl and Nordlige Runaskog. This album,
which began taking shape during the uncertain years of 2020 and 2021, refects the
emotional turbulence of the pandemic. Despite the chaos surrounding its creation,
Larvatus is a demonstration of resilience and its introspective and contemplative
nature offering a sense of refuge amid a world in fux.
Over the past two years, Larvatus has been carefully revisited, refned, and expanded.
The album has taken on new layers of complexity, enriched with the addition of
Kakophonix's stunning cello work, which adds an ethereal depth to the intimate
soundscapes. The fnal mix, done by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios,
brings out the full emotional resonance of the music, ensuring the band's earthy,
organic style is preserved while allowing every instrument and vocal to shine with
clarity.
At its core, Larvatus explores the passage of time, the fragility of existence, and the
quiet power of nature. It invites listeners to refect on their place in the world and fnd
solace in the timeless tradition of folk music. The fusion of Nordic folk melodies and
Americana storytelling creates a rich listening experience, staying true to the band's
signature blend of ancient sounds and modern sensibilities.
With Larvatus, Osi and the Jupiter offers a soundtrack for those seeking comfort in
difcult times, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, music can provide
solace, connection, and a sense of healing. It is a celebration of the enduring power of
music to unite and inspire, inviting listeners on a deeply personal journey into the
heart of both nature and self.

Rooted in acoustic instrumentation, their music features intricate melodies and
soulful vocals that resonate deeply with listeners. The band has toured the US and
Europe and contributed music to the Vikings series on Netfix, further cementing their
connection to Norse mythology.
Larvatus marks a return to the band's earlier, more mystical sound, evoking the
haunting qualities of albums like Uthuling Hyl and Nordlige Runaskog. This album,
which began taking shape during the uncertain years of 2020 and 2021, refects the
emotional turbulence of the pandemic. Despite the chaos surrounding its creation,
Larvatus is a demonstration of resilience and its introspective and contemplative
nature offering a sense of refuge amid a world in fux.
Over the past two years, Larvatus has been carefully revisited, refned, and expanded.
The album has taken on new layers of complexity, enriched with the addition of
Kakophonix's stunning cello work, which adds an ethereal depth to the intimate
soundscapes. The fnal mix, done by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios,
brings out the full emotional resonance of the music, ensuring the band's earthy,
organic style is preserved while allowing every instrument and vocal to shine with
clarity.
At its core, Larvatus explores the passage of time, the fragility of existence, and the
quiet power of nature. It invites listeners to refect on their place in the world and fnd
solace in the timeless tradition of folk music. The fusion of Nordic folk melodies and
Americana storytelling creates a rich listening experience, staying true to the band's
signature blend of ancient sounds and modern sensibilities.
With Larvatus, Osi and the Jupiter offers a soundtrack for those seeking comfort in
difcult times, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, music can provide
solace, connection, and a sense of healing. It is a celebration of the enduring power of
music to unite and inspire, inviting listeners on a deeply personal journey into the
heart of both nature and self.

The album, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025, features legendary singles like
"Blind in Texas" & "Wild Child", as well as fan favourites like "Ballcrusher", "Jack
Action" & "Widowmaker." Known for their over-the-top theatrics & electrifying stage
presence, W.A.S.P. & their anarchic frontman Blackie Lawless took the world by
storm--but it was their music that won them a legion of devoted fans.
This new black vinyl edition of 'The Last Command' features audio that has been
remastered at half-speed for a superior & impeccable listening experience, breathing
new life into an album that helped defne 1980's heavy metal.
"One thing is for certain, in the annals of metal there are very few bands like W.A.S.P."
Metal Hammer
In 2024, W.A.S.P. celebrated the 40th anniversary of their explosive, eponymous debut
'W.A.S.P.' With a relentless schedule of shows planned throughout 2025 as well as
appearances at numerous festivals, the band remain as ferce & vital as ever &
continue to dominate stages worldwide.
Madfsh previously issued 'The Last Command' on black-&-yellow vinyl as an exclusive
for UK RSD. This new edition, featuring the same remastered audio, is now presented
on classic black vinyl & made widely available, ensuring that fans everywhere can
experience this landmark album in its fnest form.

THE FIRST LADY OF SONG With her extraordinary voice, Ella Fitzgerald be- came a legend during her lifetime. She is considered one of the best singers of all time. Yet Ella actually wanted to become a dancer. However, she was too nervous to dance at a dance competition and sang instead. She won the first prize. The rest is history. With her Christmas album „Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas,“ Fitzgerald pioneered and paved the way for modern Christmas music. Everything that came af- ter would have been unthinkable without her. Rolling Stone lists the album first on its „40 Essential Christ- mas Albums“ list. This version also includes two bonus tracks: „Christmas Island“ and a medley.

UNIQUE CHRISTMAS It is something very special when the legends of jazz put their (Christmas) robe over well-known Christmas carols and then let them shine in new splendor. This is true for the virtuoso instrumentalists on saxophone, trumpet, piano, clarinet and vibraphone as well as for the great voices of jazz. The intelligent arrangements exude the magic of Christmas without any kitsch, but still with a lot of feeling, charm and extraordinary skill. For all those who like to do without the classical Christmas singing and are bored by the pop monotony, Jazz On Christmas is the alternative to create a very unique Christmas atmosphere.

CHRISTMAS & NEW ORLEANS Louis Armstrong set standards in jazz with both the trumpet and his extraordinary voice, influencing all generations to come. Armstrong loved the Christmas season, the festive spirit and Santa Claus. This joy is reflected in his Christmas recordings. With his dazzling trumpet solos and distinctive, raspy and unique voice, Armstrong‘s Christmas songs continue to enrich music selections for the holiday to this day. Complemented by outstanding Christmas songs by his companions Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, Les Brown, Dean Martin, Louis Jordan, Peggy Lee and The Dukes of Dixieland, Christmas becomes COOL YULE!

MR. CHRISTMAS In the beginning there was White Christmas and the Christmas albums of Bing Crosby. Everything else came after and can hardly compete with that success. Bing Crosby‘s sig- nature song White Christmas is still the best-selling single of all time, with 50 million units sold. The song, composed by Irving Berlin, first appeared in Crosby‘s film Holiday Inn. The composition won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 15th Academy Awards. The song was so successful that it topped the charts again year after year, 16 times in the USA alone. The same goes for Crosby‘s Christmas albums. The records, which have been repeated over the past 70 years, have accompanied many generations and have become an integral part of Christmas. Christmas without Bing Crosby, without White Christmas would be something like doing without a Christmas tree, mulled wine or presents. So let‘s rather not try it!

GOSPEL CHRISTMAS Mahalia Jackson is considered the greatest gospel singer of all time. Her goal was to proclaim God‘s word through song. She ushered in the Golden Age of Gospel between 1945 and 1965. Jackson was the first gospel artist to tour Europe. She appeared regularly on tele- vision and radio programs and sang for many presidents and heads of state, including the national anthem at John F. Kennedy‘s inauguration in 1961. At a time when segregation was pervasive in American society, she had great success. She sold an estimated 22 million records, but still had trouble hailing a cab or sim- ply being able to buy something in stores. Her gospel interpretation of Silent Night is still one of the most soulful and impressive versions of the famous Christmas song. The album of the same name is still a classic today and remains unsurpassed.

HO, HO, HOWDY! Cowboys also celebrate Christmas! The biggest country stars present the most beautiful Christmas songs in country style, of course. A treat for all country fans, as well as for lovers of cozy Christmas atmosphere in the style of American Nashville romance. With punch and turkey, banjo and harmonica, fiddle and mandolin, Santa Claus can set off in a good mood. If you‘ve always wan- ted to spend the most wonderful time of the year with Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Chet Atkins and many other country greats, The Country Christmas Album will fulfill your Christmas wish

Protector Edition: Amethyst Swirl Vinyl. Mit "Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory" präsentiert Sharon Van Etten eine aufregende neue Dimension ihres Sounds und Songwritings. Zum ersten Mal wurde das Album in völliger Zusammenarbeit mit ihrer Band - Jorge Balbi (Schlagzeug, Maschinen), Devra Hoff (Bass, Gesang) und Teeny Lieberson (Synthesizer, Klavier, Gitarre, Gesang) - geschrieben und aufgenommen, was Van Etten genau die Freiheit gab, die sich aus dem Loslassen ergeben hat. Die Themen sind zeitlos, klassisch Sharon, aber die Klänge sind neu, vollständig realisiert und scharf wie Glas. Diese neue Herangehensweise begann während der Proben in der Wüste für eine bevorstehende Tournee, als Van Etten ihre Band in den kreativen Prozess einbezog: "Zum ersten Mal in meinem Leben habe ich die Band gefragt, ob wir einfach jammen können. Worte, die nie aus meinem Mund kamen - niemals! Aber ich liebte alle Sounds, die wir bekamen. Ich war neugierig - was würde passieren?" Offenbar Magie. "In einer Stunde schrieben wir zwei Songs, aus denen schließlich "I Can't Imagine" und "Southern Life" wurden." Das Album wurde im ehemaligen Studio der Eurythmics, The Church, aufgenommen, das perfekt zu der mystischen Mischung aus Elektronik und analogen Texturen der Band passt. Die Produzentin Marta Salogni (Björk, Bon Iver, Animal Collective, Mica Levi) war sowohl als Bindeglied als auch als Produzentin unverzichtbar, da sie "die Synthesizer liebte und einen Sinn für Abenteuer hatte" und es verstand, "die Dunkelheit und die einzigartigen Klänge zu umarmen, die wir während des Schreibprozesses entwickelt hatten", so Van Etten. Über diese neue künstlerische Geisteshaltung und die Kunst des gemeinsamen Schreibens sinniert Van Etten: "Manchmal ist es aufregend, manchmal ist es beängstigend, manchmal fühlt man sich festgefahren. Jeder Tag fühlt sich ein wenig anders an - einfach in Frieden zu sein mit dem, was man fühlt und wer man ist und wie man in diesem Moment zu den Menschen steht. Wenn ich einfach offenbleiben kann und gleichzeitig weiß, dass sich meine Gefühle jeden Tag ändern, ist das alles, was ich im Moment tun kann. Das und versuchen, die beste Person zu sein, die ich sein kann, während ich andere Menschen so sein lasse, wie sie sind, und es nicht persönlich nehme und einfach nur bin. Ich bin noch nicht so weit, aber ich versuche, jeden Tag so weit zu sein." Mit "Sharon Van Etten & The Attachment Theory" vertieft Van Etten den Diskurs, der einen Großteil ihres Katalogs belebt, und erforscht, was es bedeutet, einfach nur ein Mensch zu sein. Das ist ihr Genie - schräg, aber auch relevant und persönlich.

Nach dem überwältigenden Erfolg seiner globalen Smash-Single "Ordinary", die auf Platz 1 der Global Charts landete, Platz 3 der Deutschen Single Charts erreichte und bislang über 650 Millionen Streams generierte, ist Alex Warren bereit, die Musikwelt erneut im Sturm zu erobern: Für den 18.07.24 kündigt er nun sein mit Spannung erwartetes Debütalbum "You'll Be Alright, Kid" an!
Neben den Titeln des ersten Album Parts, wie z.B. die Standout Tracks "Carry You Home" und "Before You Leave Me", enthält das neue Werk die Erfolgssingle "Ordinary" sowie seine neueste Single "Bloodline" mit Jelly Roll - und natürlich viele weitere brandneue Songs!

The Island Festival presents its first vinyl sampler — a celebration of groove and unity
Born from the spirit of one of northern France’s most beloved electronic gatherings, The Island Festival unveils its very first vinyl sampler on its freshly launched label, The Island.
Held annually on the stunning Île des Saules, The Island has become a beacon for house and electronic music lovers. This limited-edition record captures that magic with four carefully selected tracks, bridging international talent and local energy.

The sampler features:

• A standout cut by Italian duo The Deepshakerz (Great Stuff, Defected, Toolroom, Crosstown Rebels), bringing their trademark blend of funky, percussive house.
• A feel-good track from Etienne & Eddsax, offering sun-soaked grooves and uplifting vibes.
• A deep and dreamy voyage by The Sandman, blurring the lines between groove and introspection.
• And the iconic “Midnight in New York” by Michael Sanctorum.

This release is a sonic snapshot of the festival’s soul. From open-air euphoria to late-night intimacy, The Island Sampler EP 1 is both a collector’s item and a dancefloor weapon.


Français

The Island Festival dévoile son premier vinyle sampler — une célébration du groove et de l’unité
Né de l’esprit de l’un des festivals électroniques les plus emblématiques du nord de la France, The Island Festival présente son tout premier vinyle sampler, lancé sur son propre label : The Island.
Organisé chaque année sur la magnifique Île des Saules, The Island est devenu un rendez-vous incontournable pour les amoureux de house et de musique électronique. Cette édition limitée en vinyle capture l’essence du festival à travers quatre titres soigneusement sélectionnés, mêlant talents internationaux et énergie locale.

Ce sampler réunit :

• Un titre percutant du duo italien The Deepshakerz (Great Stuff, Defected, Toolroom, Crosstown Rebels), fidèles à leur style house percussif et groovy.
• Un morceau feel-good signé Etienne & Eddsax, aux accents ensoleillés et aux rythmes entraînants.
• Une plongée onirique et profonde avec The Sandman, à la frontière entre groove hypnotique et ambiance introspective.
• Et le classique intemporel “Midnight in New York” de Michael Sanctorum.

Cette sortie est un instantané sonore de l’âme du festival. De l’euphorie en plein air à l’intimité des sets nocturnes, The Island Sampler EP 1 s’impose comme un objet de collection autant qu’une arme pour le dancefloor.

We are proud to introduce Trance Pearlz – the very first volume presented as “Flashback 01”. Following the massive success of the MEMORIEZ vinyl series, Trance Pearlz picks up the torch with a fresh selection of trance anthems. True to its name, this release brings together four carefully selected trance gems, presented in their full-length versions for maximum impact. Expect a perfect blend of commercial favorites and hidden treasures from the deeper side of the scene.
Each track was handpicked chosen to take you on a journey through the rich and emotional landscape of trance music. Let yourself be carried away by this first chapter and discover the magic of trance again.
Pressed in Belgium on high-quality vinyl and designed with collectors in mind, Trance Pearlz promises to be the start of a legendary new saga. This is just the beginning, the new journey starts now.

Ólafur Arnalds & Eoin French, known professionally as Talos, come together on A Dawning, a deeply immersive collaborative album set for release in July 2025 via OPIA Community and Mercury KX. Created before the untimely passing of Talos in 2024, the record blends their distinct musical voices—into something truly transportive. Adding a deeply personal touch, all artwork for the album and its singles were crafted by Talos himself, offering fans an additional insight into his beautiful creative vision. This release not only celebrates the musical partnership between Arnalds and Talos but also honours the enduring legacy of Talos, ensuring his artistic spirit continues to inspire and resonate.

When it comes to dark, mesmerizing electronic music steeped in EBM, house, industrial, and electro, few artists delve as deep — or as strangely — as Timothy J Fairplay. A long-time underground stalwart and collaborator with the late Andrew Weatherall, Fairplay has carved out a sound that’s as cinematic as it is menacing.

His Melt the Chains EP pulses with slow, chugging rhythms, warped synths, and a kind of psychedelic paranoia that feels tailor-made for shadowy dancefloors and late-night headphone sessions alike.

Adding an extra touch to the release is DC Salas, who delivers an extraordinary remix that pushes the EP even further. Injecting his signature blend of sleek groove and cosmic flair, Salas reimagines “Runs Every 15 Minutes” into something both dancefloor-ready and deeply hypnotic — a perfect complement to Fairplay’s noirish sonic world.

Black Vinyl LP. The world has changed, we shouldn't try and pretend otherwise. While we were shut away in isolation our routines shifted, social patterns evolved, and our hopes and dreams were twisted into cobwebs we're still trying to wipe from our fingers. Ziúr tentatively approached this on her last album Antifate, an ambitious and complex hybrid pop fever dream that looked back to a Medieval escapist fantasy as the scent of revolution seemed to hum in the air. But when restrictions were eased, she found herself staring down a discombobulated society that had trapped itself in a spiral of microwaved nostalgia and detached, narcotic repetition. Eyeroll then is Ziúr's musical panacea, a tincture to wake us from our creative slumber and prompt external connection and reflection. It's a polyphonous hex that demands human interaction, and Ziúr's hand-picked alliance of collaborators - Elvin Brandhi, Abdullah Miniawy, Iceboy Violet, Juliana Huxtable, Ledef, and James Ginzburg - each provide distinct voices that together herald a bewildering sonic epoch. Ziúr's palette had to evolve to match the scope of the project, but it was pure necessity that informed the album's defining tone. Recording mostly at night, Ziúr was conscious of the noise she was making so developed a unique way to record organic percussion. Using a set of rototoms - low profile tunable drums - she scratched, scraped and gently tapped the skins to build up the undulating and unstable rhythmic backdrop for each track. It's the first sound we hear on the opener 'Eyeroll', rattling like lost marbles against Elvin Brandhi's primal croaks and screams. And when Brandhi's twisted articulations form words, Ziúr matches the energy with chaotic thuds and serrated blasts of saturated electronics. "I roll the shittiest cigarette," she squeals like she's about to start a mosh pit at Paris's GRM Studios. Without pause, Abdullah Miniawy takes over on 'Malikan', building on the promise of material with Simo Cell, Carl Gari and HVAD with corrosive trumpet blasts and charged, politically incendiary Arabic vocals. Inspired by pre-Islamic poetry and the Qu'ranic chanters he heard growing up in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, he spins labyrinthine stories that cross between the worlds, breaking down physical and spiritual borders simultaneously. Miniawy's scope is expanded even further on his second collaboration, 'If The City Burns I Will Not Run'. "If it rains and the city drowns," he utters over gaseous electronics, "I will not run away, but I will be anxious for the heart of one close to me." After a supple vocal turn from Manchester's Iceboy Violet on 'Move On' and a surreal interlude from poet- DJ-artist-theorist Juliana Huxtable on '99 Favor Taste', Brandhi returns with two more hyperactive collaborations: ,'Nontrivial Differential' and 'Cut Cut Quote'. On the former she slices into Ziúr's skeletal jazz eruptions, screaming and crooning interchangeably, fluxing between the rap battle and the cabaret. The latter is completely different meanwhile, with Brandhi settling into her role as front-woman and groaning dizzying improvised passages that sound like grunge crossed with psychedelic no-wave. Brandhi's spiky musical history has prepared her well for this collaboration; she's a prolific producer and has been using her voice spontaneously since debuting with father-daughter improv duo Yeah You in the mid 2020s. She's found an ideal foil in Ziúr, a producer who matches her restless energy and willingness to bend formality, and leaves an indelible mark on Eyeroll. But the album's most tender moments are from Ziúr herself, who winds the album down on 'Hasty Revisionism', growling over collapsible beats and cascading strings, and comes to an unexpected conclusion with country coda 'Lacrymaturity'. Its feverish amalgamation of country music and euphoric, experimental electronics might seem incongruous at first, but in context with the rest of the album is the only possible conclusion. With Eyeroll Ziúr is making a firm statement about togetherness, humanity, and the renewal of hope when all seems lost. By bringing together such a wide but philosophically harmonic team of collaborators, she's conducted a body of work that speaks to the creative fringe in no uncertain terms. Now's the time to throw away what you think you know, and build bridges you didn't think you need. Now's the time for action. She may have spent her entire career avoiding the solipsistic trappings of "queer art", but by assembling a communal statement that questions so many normative assumptions about music, politics, and beyond, Ziúr has chanced upon her queerest album yet. Cringe? Eyeroll.

The Labor Days 20th Anniversary Edition 2xLP is pressed on metallic copper vinyl. Labor Days was Aesop Rock's fourth release and his third full-length studio album. The project was originally released in 2001 as his first album on Definitive Jux. The album includes popular songs "Daylight" and "9-5ers Anthem", and guest features from Illogic and C-Rayz Walz, as well as production from Aesop Rock, Blockhead, and Omega One.

Jugoton Funk is back with a second instalment gone funkier and crazier than before - now capturing even the early 80s disco and folk decadence occurring after Tito’s death. Jugoton, the Yugoslavian discography leader by all standards, still incites our inspiration and keeps our fingers dusty for more beats, soul and jazz presented here in equal proportion. From unreleased Jugoton associated numbers by Spektar and breakbeat bombshell classics like Zlatokosa to early Yugoslavian Soul Finger renditions and groovy jazz infusions from Josipa Lisac - this compilation rounds it all up. Enjoy it while we take another 5 years to get to Vol.3.

Yowzers is a new album by Chicago composer, improvisor, and musical folklorist Ben LaMar Gay. Yowzers features Gay"s working quartet with Tommaso Moretti (drums, percussion, voice), Matthew Davis (tuba, piano, bells, voice), and Will Faber (guitar, ngoni, bells, voice), as well as guest instrumentalist Rob Frye and a mini-choir. The album recalls the high-minded freedom of Liberation Music Orchestra, the glitched-out electronic webs of Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe, the unbridled rhythms and sandpaper bellows of Bukka White, and the harmolodic cartoon glory of Arthur Blythe"s Illusions. It"s all there, filtered through an improvisational approach and a lifetime of secrets embodied. For a man who has inhabited and traveled these continents so extensively, it"s safe to call this work true "Americana", despite what that word might mean to the average person in the United States.

After the release of their world debut Catch A Fire, Bob Marley & The Wailers would embark on a U.S. tour supporting the legendary Sly And The Family Stone.
Yet after five dates, they were fired from the tour, supposedly for upstaging the main acts! Left with no money and nowhere to go, they performed one legendary
show at San Francisco's The Matrix!

These recordings, taken from a studio session before their legendary performance, find Bob Marley and The Wailers at their best.
Featuring the classic lineup of Bob Marley (vo/gt.), Peter Tosh (vo/gt), Joe Higgs (per.), Earl Lindo (pf.), Family Man Barrett (b.), and Carlton Barrett (ds.),
the Wailers are imbued with the kind of Rock and Roll energy that could only come from outshining Sly Stone! Even sweet rocksteady ballads such as
“Stir It Up” take on the form of a rock and roll anthem in this session.

Discovered and released on CD by P-VINE in 2005, these mythical studio recordings are finally getting a long deserved analog release!

The double LP on black vinyl comes complete with an obi-strip! Don’t miss this reggae gem from Bob Marley and The Wailers!

Following their acclaimed debut Spirits, New Zealand"s boundary-pushing jazz collective The Circling Sun return with their sophomore LP Orbits - a deeply layered fusion of spiritual jazz, analog electronics, and percussive groove. Where Spirits explored 1960s influences, Orbits shifts into the mid-"70s, drawing inspiration from Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Yusef Lateef"s Atlantic era, and the Brazilian jazz of Azymuth and Airto Moreira. The ensemble blends arpeggiating Prophet synths and modular electronics with acoustic instrumentation: saxophone, upright piano, vintage drums, and hand-played percussion. Tracks move seamlessly between danceable Afro-Cubanrhythms and expansive, ambient jazz meditations - with layered vocals and choral textures guiding the listener through an interstellar sonic journey. Lush yet accessible, Orbits appeals to both deep jazz heads and fans of ambient, soulful instrumental music.

Im Sommer 1968 traf sich der 18-jährige Genesis P-Orridge (damals Neil Andrew Megson) mit Freunden in einem bescheidenen Dachgeschoss, um mit Klängen zu experimentieren. Das Ergebnis war "Early Worm", eine Sammlung von Aufnahmen, die die aufkeimende Kreativität eines Künstlers einfing, der später eine Schlüsselfigur der Avantgarde-Musik werden sollte. Diese Sessions, die 1969 auf ein einziges Acetat gepresst wurden, zeigen eine furchtlose Erforschung von Geräuschen, Improvisationen und Tonbandexperimenten, die Einflüsse von Psychedelia, Fluxus, John Cage und Beatnik Bohemia widerspiegeln. "Early Worm" ist ein Zeugnis für P-Orridges frühes Engagement, musikalische Grenzen zu überschreiten. Die rohen und ungefilterten Klanglandschaften des Albums bieten dem Hörer einen seltenen Einblick in die Gründungsmomente, die schließlich zur Gründung von COUM Transmissions, Throbbing Gristle und Psychic TV führen sollten. Remastered und in einer limitierten Vinyl-Pressung, mit Linernotes geschrieben von Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, die den Zeitgeist des UK Undergrounds der späten 60er Jahre in Erinnerung rufen. "If nothing else, (Early Worm) revealed that P-Orridge's approach to music was defiantly left-field from the start: noise, improvisations and tape experiments that sounded a little like a more chaotic version psychedelic folkies the Incredible String Band." . The Guardian

Mannequin Records presents Artificial Salvation, the long-awaited next chapter from Taiwan-born, Berlin-based artist Jing. A visceral journey into fragmented identity, post-human desire, and sonic disobedience, the album marks a bold evolution in Jing's unmistakable language—where rhythm is weapon, voice is distortion, and silence is political.

Known for her uncompromising DJ sets and past releases exploring industrial textures, field recordings, and haunting spoken word, Jing now delivers her most narrative-driven and confrontational work to date. Artificial Salvation lives at the intersection of club dystopia and spiritual unease: glitched-out techno structures collide with ghostly chants and collapsing machinery, echoing themes of surveillance, digital exile, and existential displacement.

Crafted between Taipei and Berlin, the album draws from a palette both hyper-modern and deeply ancestral—melding broken beats, noise, and vocal manipulation into an unflinching statement of intent. This is not music for escapism. This is a sonic exorcism.