Out Today

IRON MAIDEN return with the mammoth, samurai-themed 'Senjutsu' (loosely translated as "tactics and strategy"). Clocking in at 80-odd minutes, it's available on double-CD, deluxe double-CD bookpack, 3LP and indies-exclusive red 3LP.

LITTLE SIMZ follows her Mercury-nominated 'Grey Area' with the brand new album 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert'. It's a febrile and unflinching portrait of what it's like to be black, British and female in 2021. Produced by Inflo, the Sault mastermind behind Michael Kiwanuka's recent run of albums, it shares those records' spirit of protest and features appearances from Cleo Sol, Obongjayar and Emma Corrin.

We've still got a couple of copies of the amazing Dinked Edition of violinist/composer ANNA PHOEBE's 'Sea Souls' on green vinyl with unique sleeve art. 

NILS FRAHM teams with a fellow stalwart of the German underground scene F.S. Blumm for '2X1=4', the maiden release on Frahm's new LEITER label. Plus there are new albums from IMAGINE DRAGONS, RUDIMENTAL and Icelandic pianist VIKINGUR OLAFSSON, plus there's a posthumous release from GERRY RAFFERTY.

Reissues

RORY GALLAGHER's eponymous debut album receives a 50th anniversary deluxe reissue, GRIZZLY BEAR's 'Yellow House' celebrates its 15th anniversary with a clear vinyl pressing and a previously unissued 1990 date from EMMYLOU HARRIS & The Nash Ramblers is released as 'Ramble In Music City'.

Last Week's Highlights

No blog last week, so you might have missed new great new cosmic Americana from STEVE GUNN and MARISA ANDERSON & WILLIAM TYLER, an impressive sophomore outing for Aarson Dessner (The National) and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) project BIG RED MACHINE featuring appearances from Taylor Swift, Anais Mitchell, Lisa Hannigan and more, plus new albums from pub rockers CHUBBY AND THE GANG,  CHVRCHES, HALSEY and THE BRONX, and a rarities collection from Swedish psych collective GOAT. 

Pre-Orders

Again we've got two weeks of listings to cover, so strap in.

Remember when we sensed the first flushings of Q4 on the horizon a couple of weeks ago? Well it's well and truly kicked in this week as several titans of pop announced new albums- not least, 'Voyage' a first studio album in 40 years from ABBA. ELTON JOHN's 'The Lockdown Sessions' meanwhile collects collaborative remote recordings with the likes of Dua Lipa, Gorillaz, Lil Nas X and Stevies Wonder and Nicks. STING reteams with trusted collaborators like Dominic Miller, Manu Katche and Branford Marsalis for 'The Bridge'.

Elsewhere, ELBOW announced their ninth studio album 'Flying Dream 1', MY MORNING JACKET's self-titled album will be their first new music in six years, MAKAYA MCCRAVEN is let loose on the Blue Note vaults with a band featuring top Chicago jazzers like Junius Paul and Jeff Parker for 'Deciphering The Message'.

'Charmed Life' will a career-spanning collection from THE DIVINE COMEDY and a couple of PAUL WELLER albums get limited vinyl reissues: 'Days of Speed' 'Illumination'.