here & now

There are, of course, less roundabout ways to announce a new album than quietly dropping a few vinyls on Record Day with obscure messages that create a laboriously coded puzzle saying in the end: June 10 2013. But then again, if you are called Boards of Canada, chances are you might have the sort of [...]

The mighty Shabazz Palaces have announced their follow-up to the glorious Black Up very soon indeed, and judging on their latest offering Ode to Octavia part 12: (Sparkles)… Recollections of the Wraith they seem to have lost neither their musical sparkle nor their knack for long titles. While you wait, you can also indulge in [...]

I’m sometimes surprised to find that London-based label 4AD – once home to the likes of The Pixies and Cocteau Twins – should still be around, and signing new bands and all that. Such as Sohn, their latest offering, which is kind of 4AD-ish in a 21st century kind of way.

US hip hippie combo Sonnymoon sound at best like Anja Gabarek, at worst like Edie Brickell (who, amazingly, is still around), proving once again that versatility can be a mixed blessing, but anyway, Just Before Dawn is a true treat, as is the video – eight minutes of audiovisual magic.