Out Today

DAMON ALBARN's Iceland-inspired 'Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows' was originally conceived as an orchestral work before being retooled into a more familiar style by the Blur/Gorillaz man, which perhaps explains its strong musical and lyrical throughlines. There's an indies white vinyl which is also available in a deluxe hardbook set.

'CRAWLER' is the fourth full-length is as many years from IDLES and sees them team up with producer Kenny Beats, exploring different facets of their sound, from ambient atmospherics to grime-infused post-punk.

W.H. LUNG's debut 'Incidental Music' was an SK Album of the Year back here in 2019, its follow-up 'Vanities' sees the Manchester group pushing things in a more electronic, dance-driven direction, though the insistent motorik rhythms are back and Joe Evans remains a compellingly slippery and elusive vocal presence. You might be able to grab a last Dinked Edition over the counter, or else we still have the indies exclusive vinyl in stock.

COURTNEY BARNETT's 'Things Take Time, Take Time' is her first since 2018 and, perhaps as a result of a break-up, raging bushfires and lockdown, finds her wry gaze turned inward somewhat. Co-produced by Warpaint's Stella Mozgawa, it's Barnett's warmest and most sincere album yet.

The week's other Dinked Edition, American psych rocker NOLAN POTTER's Zappa-esque 'Music Is Dead' on John Dwyer's Castle Face Records, is sold out but standard formats are available.

ERIC CLAPTON is the latest to issue the fruits of his lockdown with 'The Lady In The Balcony: Lockdown Sessions', there's a new album from ROD STEWART 'The Tears of Hercules', there's a third collaboration between Depeche Mode vocalist DAVE GAHAN and downtempo instrumental duo Soulsavers, this time a covers record 'Imposter', Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak team up as SILK SONIC for the delightfully smooth 'An Evening with Silk Sonic' featuring Bootsy Collins. ENDLESS BOOGIE once again live up to their name on 'Admonitions', a set of trancelike heavy jams several of which push the twenty-minute mark. And speaking of heavy jams, there are new albums from GOV'T MULE and HOWLIN RAIN, plus new JON HOPKINS (on CD) and PORTICO QUARTET.

Reissues

There's a 30th anniversary reissue of NIRVANA's classic 'Nevermind', reissued on double-CD, LP+7" and 5CD+Blu-ray sets (with an 8LP box to come next year). There's a retrospective from LITTLE MIX 'Between Us' on a plethora of formats, the second instalment in the Joni Mitchell Archive Series (as 5CD set 'The Reprise Years 1968-1971' or the vinyl standalone 'Live at Carnegie Hall') and a reissue from THE WOMBATS.

Pre-orders

JACK WHITE announced the first of two new albums due next year, 'Fear of the Dawn', available on a super limited "astronomical blue" vinyl.

PLACEBO resurfaced with their first new music in five years. Brand new album 'Never Let Me Go' is due next March and there's an indies red vinyl to be had.

The debut self-titled album from buzz London 8-piece CAROLINE was announced this week. The Dinked Edition was an overnight sellout but standard formats are still available and we'd urge you to check out their pastoral post-rock vistas.

'Two Ribbons' is the first album in three years from LET'S EAT GRANDMA, voice-of-a-generation MITSKI returns in February with 'Laurel Hell', there's a surprise double-album comeback from BEACH HOUSE, whose 'Once Twice Melody' features a live string ensemble in a first for the duo and a BBC 6Music live session from SUNN O))) 'Metta, Benevolence' is getting a release with vinyl due in January.