Music, Issue 613

Inner Space Music - Five Animal Dances

JAZZ The name most likely to catch the eye on this release is probably drummer Seb Rochford, although the disc was actually recorded back in 2004, and Tim Giles seems to have taken his place in the band’s more recent live dates. Nonetheless, he makes…

The Duplets - Tree of Strings

FOLK The harp is enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment, with new young players like Ailie Robertson, Rachel Hair and The Duplets pairing of Freya Thomsen and Gillian Fleetwood all focusing on the oldest of the Scottish folk instruments.

Manda Rin - My DNA

ELECTRO POP After 14 years in bands like Data Panik, The Kitchen and most famously Bis, this is the first time Amanda McKinnon has stepped away from the collaborations and released under her own (stage) name – although listening to the album, it…

Pumajaw - Curiosity Box

PSYCHEDELIC FOLK Is this thing on? That’s what you might be asking yourself as the first album for Fire by Fence Collective affiliates Pinkie Maclure and John Wills kicks in. Against the picking of a lone guitar, shimmering bells and whispered vocals…

Heartbreak - Lies

ITALO DISCO Heartbreak, where have you been all my life? It seems only fair to point out – before excessive scenester fawning turns the increasingly resurgent Italo disco sound into a mutated make-believe genre of new rave proportions – that this…

Brian Wilson - That Lucky Old Sun

POP There’s no disputing Brian Wilson’s genius – Beach Boy’s classic Pet Sounds is proof alone – and it’s wonderful to have him back from his self-imposed exile; performing live (particularly his joyous set at T in the Park in 2007) and releasing…

Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

POP Lewis is a sultry indie poster girl with Rilo Kiley and delivered a beautifully moving country record, backed by The Watson Twins, two years ago. This second solo album lacks the focus of those projects, but it’s still a cut above the average…

Mercury Rev - Snowflake Midnight

ROCK The Rev are like an indie version of Madonna, constantly reinventing themselves and their sound with each album, and this seventh studio outing is another successful reincarnation for these dreamy loons. Their early drone-rock weirdness and even…

Ruby Turner

R&B singer who’s career kicked off in the 80s with hits like ‘If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me)’ (a duet with Jonathan Butler), ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ and ‘It’s Gonna Be Alright’ (which went to the top of the US R&B charts). Specialising in Motown soul…

Approximately Infinite Universe

Subtitled ‘a caravan of raw sound magic from Finland and the US’ Approximately Infinite Universe is a showcase of innovative experimental acts from the underground. From acid folk to ‘steam punk’ and trance from the likes of Kemialliset Ystavat & Axolo…

Born Ruffians

First headline tour from Canada’s Born Ruffians as they promote their debut album Red, Yellow & Blue. A subtle mix of twinkling electronica and nu folk with an indie vibe that they modestly describe as ‘hootin’ and hollerin’ to create a sound we call…

Fujiya & Miyagi

Despite the name, Fujiya & Miyagi are from Brighton and formed after discovering a shared deep love and appreciation of the legendary masked wrestler Kendo Nagasaki and Krautrock. Each member taking on a pseudonym Steve Lewis (Fujiya), David Best…