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Becoming Forest is the fifth full-length record by Amuleto. It comes from an encounter between the group’s core duo, Francesco Dillon and Riccardo Wanke, and multi-instrumentalist performer and composer Stefano Pilia (Mike Watt, Rokia Traoré, 3/4HadBeenElminated, Massimo Volume, Afterhours, Zaire).

This meeting — developed from long-term parallel collaborations and converging musical paths — produced a set of tracks that combine acoustic and traditional instruments (cello, guitar, harmonium, voice) with electronics, natural sounds and unconventional sound manipulations.

Drawing on literature, travels, drawings, poetry and little-known traditions from around the world, the tracks of Becoming Forest sit in a subtle equilibrium between contemporary composition, folk themes and electronic music.

This is a journey through memories of the past and echoes of the future — intimate and aggressive; music that combines minimal textures with distorted progressions, with delicate vocal lines inhabiting post-digital, noisy environments — a reminder that individual voices form part of a larger, living forest.

Michel Houellebecq is, of course, well-known for his novels, translated into more than 40 languages, and his Goncourt Prize (The Map and the Territory, 2010), but perhaps less so for his debut album, released exactly a quarter of a century ago on Tricatel label. One can sense the influence of Serge Gainsbourg's L'Homme à la Tête de Chou, a disillusioned Procol Harum and a world-weary Burt Bacharach hovering over Houellebecq's poems in Présence Humaine, a now cult classic album orchestrated by Bertrand Burgalat and the musicians of Eiffel. Twelve thousand copies sold and a few concerts later, the writer decided (or so we thought) to bid farewell to the stage, only to generate more media attention though his literary success. Frédéric Lo is, of course, known as an exceptional lyricist, composer, arranger, and producer, author of a sublime fourth solo album (L'Outrebleu, released last March) and a master of collaborative work, notably with Bill Pritchard, Peter Doherty and Daniel Darc. Initially, Michel Houellebecq and Frédéric Lo met for the tribute album that the latter was planning for the tenth anniversary of Daniel Darc's death, but their recording of "Psalm XXIII" was, to their great disappointment, rejected by the label and therefore did not appear on the final version of Cœur Sacré (2023). Fortunately, every cloud has a silver lining, and the two men decided to take their collaboration a step further. Lo decided to set the writer's words to music, in his studio in Pantin. Raw, stripped-down music draped in electronica, adorned with piano and antediluvian drum machines, often minimalist, sometimes repetitive, provides the perfect backdrop for twelve tracks that question and reflect on humanity's past and future (if indeed there is one). Reflections on the human condition, 21st-century style, a work of speculative fiction conceived by two eternally modern "young lads," Souvenez-Vous de l'Homme (Remember Man) is an album that might occasionally evoke The Stranglers' La Folie, and, given the title, that's probably no coincidence. But above all, it's a hypnotic and melancholic album, uncompromising and captivating. Most importantly, it's an album like no other.

The next chapter in this series, 'Second Thoughts (Expanded Edition)', marks 50 years since Split Enz ventured to London to record with Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera in the producer's chair. This definitive 2LP set pairs the original 1976 mix, remastered from the original tapes, with a companion LP 'Wide Angle Enz' - a treasure trove of live recordings and alternate mixes, including a previously unreleased archival rough mix of '129 (Matinee Idyll)' which is exclusive to this release. Presented in the distinctive Australia/New Zealand sleeve featuring John Prew's band portrait, the album concludes with the hypnotic locked- groove of 'Mental Notes', mirroring the international version's striking finale. Pressed on two 140g vinyl, housed in a wide- spine sleeve with printed inner bags. Remastered from the original tapes by Phil Kinrade and overseen by Eddie Rayner, with lacquers cut by Harry Rudkins at AIR Studios.

Macclesfield 3-piece Cassia make their extremely welcome return with the announcement of their most ambitious release yet in new studio album everyone, outside - out April 11th.

The album marks a bold new chapter, and recently served up a tropical-tinged first offering in ‘heat’ - with today serving a superb Round Two with the stomping, insatiable, hook-laden new single ‘friends’.

everyone, outside takes Cassia’s sound to new heights. Written fresh off the back of two years of relentless touring, the band channelled every ounce of their renowned live energy into the album, returning to a studio they built themselves in Macclesfield, after creating their previous album in Berlin. The journey provided an added twist, recording the majority of tracks live on TikTok, giving fans a unique, inclusive experience to be part of the process.

The album’s title is a metaphor for embracing your truest self and reflection of a band who are at their happiest outside. It’s a message that speaks to the idea of reconnecting with nature and Britain’s finest summers. As frontman Rob explains, “That title, ‘everyone, outside’ started as a song about how weird it is that we stay inside all the time when being out in nature always makes us feel better. Over time, it came to mean more than that - like a metaphor for being your truest, most natural self, unburdened, like when no one’s watching.”

Drawing influences from a host of genres and cultures, everyone, outside reveals Cassia’s venn diagram of global sounds and intimate storytelling. A trip to Mexico during the writing process injected the record with a new energy, while their time spent in their new space back home gave the band a freedom to try new instruments, new sounds, acquire new tools to hone their production skills - and to simply have fun and explore. “The time we spent in Berlin taught us so much, but coming back home to Macclesfield allowed us to really focus on making something that felt like it came from us. No distractions, just pure creativity,” says drummer Jacob Leff.

Cassia’s rise has been impressive. From their early days busking the streets of Cornwall to playing major festivals, touring the world and receiving critical acclaim from BBC Radio 1, Radio X, The Independent, Rolling Stone UK, Clash & many more, the band has carved out a unique niche. Their sound, influenced by the African music Rob’s father introduced him to, combined with the indie heritage of nearby Manchester, combines the positivity of bands like Foals and Vampire Weekend, with the jazz-tinged afrobeats of Fela Kuti and Ebo Taylor.

After signing to Distiller Records in 2018, the band gave up their full-time jobs and ventured to Bath to record their debut album, Replica. Tracks such as ‘Right There’, ‘Drifting’ & ‘100 Times Over’ have amassed millions of streams, seeing the band sell out multiple headline Tours both in the UK and Europe. Playing to a homecoming capacity crowd at Manchester’s O2 Ritz, as well as sold out headline shows at London’s KOKO & The Garage, the band have accrued a huge, loyal following and their live shows earned them a nomination for Best Live Act at the AIM Awards alongside Idles and DMA’s, as well as making them the winners of Reeperbahn’s Anchor Award in 2022.

Cassia will tour the UK in May 2025, playing songs from the new album and some of their biggest tracks - headlining Leeds, Bristol, a newly added night in Southampton, a special Manchester homecoming, Glasgow, Birmingham, & a huge show at London’s HERE @ Outernet - dates below & Tickets Here. The band will also take things Stateside this year for their first ever run of headline shows in the US & Mexico.

Juegos Nocturnos is the new project from two essential musicians of the '80s Spanish scene, coming from iconic bands like Décima Víctima and P.V.P. In this new musical venture, they deliver nine guitar-centered, refined pop-rock songs that reflect influences developed over 40+ years, recorded between 2020 and 2022. Jesús Amodia (guitar, vocals, programming, and keyboards) was a founding member of the punk-rock group P.V.P., a band often compared to The Clash and other British acts of the era thanks to their blend of punk energy with Jamaican influenced sounds. The project also features Per Mertanen (bass), member of cult band Décima Víctima, known for crafting a very distinctive sound with echoes of Joy Division, The Cure, and other British post-punk groups. Now united in this new musical adventure called Juegos Nocturnos, they present nine guitar-driven, sophisticated pop rock tracks that showcase influences shaped over more than four decades of musical career, recorded between 2020 and 2022.

It was in about 2003 that Jazzman Gerald came on The OST Show and played this album. He played the track "Scherzi Pesanti" (translates roughly as Heavy Jokes) and I had no idea what was going on. This was jazz but taken to a non-jazz place, and it was a place I really really wanted to go to.

I realised the only way of getting there was to try and find a copy of the LP. It took about 12 months and one came up on eBay. And I bought it for about 20€. But this was back in 2004. This kind of thing doesn't happen any more. Copies of "Tempo Di Naja" do not appear for sale. And if they do, few can afford them. Maybe only a handful of originals actually exist, such was the nature of tiny Italian library companies back in the 1960s and 1970s.

Thankfully now you can visit that strange jazz place dreamed up and brilliantly composed by Remigio Ducros. You might like it there, especially if you like heavy jokes.

Jonny Trunk

Kacem Wapalek ist seit über einem Jahrzehnt in der französischen Hip-Hop-Szene aktiv. Aber Kacem ist nicht nur Hip-Hop. Ein Künstler, der nicht zögert, sich in einem Universum zu bewegen, das auch vom Jazz und französischen Chansons geprägt ist.

Minority Records is releasing a unique boxset Politique du silence with three early albums from Sylvain Chauveau, French composer of minimalist neoclassical music.
“When I made my first albums as a composer, I was obsessed with minimalism, and this quote from the film director Robert Bresson summed up my state of mind. I set myself three principles: 1) Use silence as a starting point, 2) Only add sound when it's absolutely essential, 3) Don't imitate the Anglo-Saxon musicians I admired, but draw on the musical culture of my country, France which lead me to listen intensively to Satie, Debussy and Ravel.” Chauveau explains the background to his work.

The collection Politique du silence contains the recordings of Des plumes dans la tête (2004), Un autre Décembre (2003) and Nocturne impalpable (2001) on coloured 180 gram vinyls. The cover features artwork by French photographer Valéry Lorenzo.

“When I discovered the simple and powerful black and white pictures by Valéry Lorenzo, in the 90s, I immediately fell in love with them. We became good friends and since then I ask him to let me use one of his photos for most of my album covers, or to make my portrait for press shots. It has become a real collaboration, music and images, for more than 25 years. It was then logical to ask him again for the cover of this boxset, like a gentle reflection on my piano and strings era. It's a true honour for me to see my early music recollected, repackaged, remastered after all this time. Which gives me hope that this music, in which I've put all my soul and heart during the years 2001 to 2003, is maybe not forgotten yet.” Chauveau himself adds of his collaboration with Valéry Lorenzo.
Nocturne impalpable and Un autre Décembre were re-issued by Minority Records in 2014 and 2015 and both titles completely sold out. This year’s release also includes the album Des plumes dans la tête in its world premiere on vinyl.

Nocturne Impalpable is a world of minimalism, abstraction, and contemporary rendition of classical music with variations for the piano, clarinet, strings, and accordion which are often compared to the compositions of composers Harold Budd and Claude Debussy. Here, Chauveau partially reveals his versatility as a composer by connecting electronic elements, noises, and ambient planes with monumental strings and piano preludes. The
album of piano variations Un autre Décembre is interspersed with field recordings and electronic noises. The inspiration for the recording of the album and for its name was the song Jaurès by the Belgian singer and composer Jacques Brel. This song tells the story of the grandparents’ generation who toiled in the mines. “Comfort and health won’t protect our generation from sadness and discontent. We also live through winter times, even if these are slightly warmer due to the current climate.” An album of 20 short instrumental sketches with several delicate intermezzos for the piano, string quartet, and the clarinet, Des plumes dans la tête, was composed for the eponymous film by director Thomas de Thier.
Sylvain Chauveau was born in 1971 in the French town of Bayonne and currently lives in Barcelona. His extensive discography of mainly meditative neo-classical recordings for the music labels FatCat, Sub Rosa, Sonic Pieces, and Flau is enriched by several collaborations and his participation in the Ensemble 0, Arca, and On projects. Chauveau has also composed many film soundtracks as well as music for the theatre. He has presented his works in Prague several times, most recently in the spring of 2024 at the Spectaculare festival. His compositions get tens of millions of streams on streaming services, and he’s been called the French king of minimalism.

With her highly anticipated CiCi (Deluxe) album, Grammy Award-winning icon Ciara steps fully into her power; reclaiming her narrative with clarity, confidence, and the most dynamic soundscape of her career. A celebration of freedom, femininity, and evolution, CiCi is more than a return — it’s a full-on reinvention.

The Deluxe Edition expands her sonic universe even further — introducing four new songs that fuse sensuality, rhythm, and empowerment with global influences—featuring standout singles like the globally acclaimed “Low” (with Diamond Platnumz), “Ecstasy” (featuring Normani & Teyana Taylor), “How We Roll” (with Chris Brown), amongst other hits, the project seamlessly blends Ciara’s R&B and pop legacy with futuristic production, cross-continental energy, and unfiltered storytelling. Among them, “Low” stands as a defining moment — an electrifying fusion of Afrobeats and R&B that bridges Atlanta and East Africa in one hypnotic groove. The visual, rich with dance-floor heat and unapologetic sensuality, showcases Ciara’s signature choreography and global reach, earning millions of views and sparking an international dance challenge.

For over two decades, Ciara has defined what it means to be a cultural force — from trendsetting choreography to genre-shaping hits. With CiCi (Deluxe), she bridges generations, reignites her core, and welcomes a new wave of fans into her world. It’s bold. It’s intimate. It’s CiCi. Behind the scenes, CiCi also marks a powerful chapter in Ciara’s entrepreneurial journey. Through her self-founded, female-led Beauty Marks Entertainment, Ciara has created a home for her music, media, film, fashion, tech, and philanthropic ventures. BME empowers her to own her narrative, lead with vision, and build legacy — on her terms.

Fred Ventura & S-Tone Inc. presents seventeen years after its original CD release, the STATE OF ART collection is back in print, this time on vinyl. It features all the demos recorded by the first line-up of the band between 1981 and 1982. Funky flashes with pop touches, somewhere between A Certain Ratio, Talking Heads, early ABC and Spandau Ballet, all self-produced with limited resources yet filled with the band’s unmistakable energy.

Seventeen years after its original CD release, the ART BOULEVARD collection returns on vinyl. This edition brings together all the demos and the tracks from their EP, recorded between 1985 and 1987. Creators of a distinctly New-Wave sound with a soft, graceful touch of Psychedelic Pop, they delivered a dark, hypnotic atmosphere shaped by influences such as The Sound and The Teardrop Explodes. Compiled by Fred Ventura for REtroACTive.

Tears Before Bedtime is the sparkling new album by the Would-be-goods, Jessica Griffin’s band of pop adventurers. Since The Camera Loves Me, their cult classic 1988 debut for the legendary él Records, they have blazed a musical trail through indie guitar pop, with a garage band edge and forays into other territories - glam rock, tango, French chanson… The result is unique and timeless.
The songs on Tears Before Bedtime balance delicacy and power. Perfect pop melodies are delivered in Jessica’s gorgeous and idiosyncratic voice. Her lyrics are intelligent and wry, wistful and witty. Every song tells a story, taking us on a journey through space and time, from belle époque Paris to a 1960s London biker café, from a riverbank in ancient Greece to a 1970s teenage bedroom.
Listening to a Would-be-goods album is like wandering through a gallery of portraits. Innocence gives way to experience. Danger lurks amid the lights of the funfair in the 1950s carousel whirl of The Gallopers. The sinister Dr Love promises heaven but sends you down to hell, to the sound of a last dance in a smoky soul basement. A nymph meets a god in disguise in a garage-band take on a Greek myth (Tears for Leda). The Rose Tattoo is the tale of a doomed love in a sultry Southern state. Don't Come Crying To Me flames an ex-lover to the sound of Bollywood horns and shivery guitar. In Madame X a portrait painter vents his fury on a spoilt socialite beauty. The album closes with a sweetly jazzy lullaby (The Moon Doesn't Mind).
The Would-be-goods began playing as a full band in the 2000s and have been previewing some of these songs at recent shows in England, Scotland, France, and Spain. The album was recorded in London with Jessica on guitar and vocals, Peter Momtchiloff (Heavenly, Talulah Gosh) on guitar, Debbie Greensmith (Thee Headcoatees and many others) on drums, and Andy Warren (The Monochrome Set, Adam and the Ants) on bass. Guest musicians have contributed organ, piano, vibraphone, cello, trumpet, and flute to make this the richest-sounding Would-be-goods record yet.

It's a wild tribute to the chain- smoking Moto- Man from 1938 -- a character with so much hubris, he makes HAL 9000 look like a bundle of anxious circuits. On the A- side, "Elektro Returns" blasts off as a Clavioline- driven stomper with a bouncy beat and feverish chord changes. Think JEAN JACQUES PERREY on a bad LSD trip. On the other side, "I Am Elektro '25", reinvents their 2019 track of the same name. This fuzz- drenched pounder could have made THE VENTURES' Nokie Edwards wish he'd been built as a robot! Back from the future and outta space - LES ROBOTS return from their intergalactic journey! Moog on!

Lovski, alias Igor Sekulović, is redefining the Balkan musical landscape. A master guitarist and erstwhile “Projekt Rakjia” band member, he forges an uncanny blend of traditional folk melodies with dance, electronic and rock energy.
His debut solo album, Discoteka Jugoslavija—produced in collaboration with Napoli’s producer Raffaele “Whodamanny” Arcella—ventures through Italo-disco pulses, reggae grooves and psychedelic swirls, all anchored by the call-and-response warmth of Balkan traditional instruments. Each track feels like a borderless road trip: hypnotic rhythm sections give way to soaring guitar solos that nod to ancestral folk tunes, while propulsive synth arpeggios push listeners into tomorrow’s club.
Lovski’s signature lies in his seamless genre alchemy. He honors regional roots without succumbing to nostalgia, instead reframing folk elements as raw material for global dancefloors. As a performer, his live shows pulse with communal ecstasy—drawing dancing crowds around campfires of light, smoke and bass.
In a scene ripe for innovation, Lovski stands out as both torchbearer and trailblazer—proof that the Balkans still have surprises to offer, and that the old and new can coexist in brilliant harmony.

Emerging from the Ukrainian darkness in 2011, Kaosophia blend the raw energy of black metal with dissonant tones and emotionally resonant melodics. Their music is a sonic tapestry woven with intricate guitar riffs, powerful vocals, and haunting arrangements.
The band recorded their first demo “Towards The End” which was self-released by them in 2012 on a limited edition cassette.

2013 saw their first album “The Origins of Extinction” released on CD and cassette and the band followed up with many shows across Europe. 2017 saw Kaosophia expand and deepen their abyssal sounds even further with the monumental “Serpenti Vortex”, with lavish cover art produced by occult master artist Dávid Glomba, it rose Kaosophia to the upper echelons and forged their name as one the best and most formidable black metal acts in the scene at the time.

After a long period of silence, bloodletting and transformation, Kaosophia return with their darkest, most mature and powerful work to date. 2025 sees the return of Kaosophia with their new album “Beyond The Black Horizon”.
A dark and malevolent opus that explores themes of darkness, existentialism and the human condition. Delving deep into the complexities of the mind, the fragility of existence and Death itself.
Kaosophia preach orthodox ideas of Satanism in the most straightforward and ruthless form - total unconditional worship. Self-destruction as the overcoming of human essence and the cognition of pain to gain access to another level of reality's perception.
It is time to enter the end of days and venture beyond the Black Horizon…