Plenty of new things, couple of old things and news of exciting things coming soon.

 

Hello friends, welcome to 2014.

We took our annual ‘Christmas hiatus’ from weekly newsletters back in late November (we announced albums of the year and all sorts of wild stuff though over here if you missed it) but this week is a proper full schedule so we’re delighted to be back and full of news.

January’s record of the month is the superb ‘Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son’ from Damien Jurado. It’s picking up killer reviews all across the board. It’s kinda dusty sounding like a travelogue... but with tropical pop and psychedelic production (Richard Swift). We’re stocking deluxe versions with a second disc of songs from the album as performed by Damien and female choir Sisters Of The Eternal Son. That one is out on Monday 20th so you have the remainder of this week to pre-order it.

We did have a record of the week last week (6th) and it’s a real beauty from Stephen Malkmus. He’s a total hero in these parts and 'Wig Out at Jagbags’ is a fine addition to his discography; funny as hell, killer hooks through out. It’s a joy.

Record of the week for this week (13th) is East India Youth's 'Total Strife Forever’ on Stolen Recordings. It successfully moves from ambient and experimental compositions through to house and Detroit techno. Crazy to go proclaiming things this early, but he’s surely got Mercury Awards written all over him. We have bonus discs featuring an original score written for the 1916 silent film 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, based on the Jules Verne novel, first performed at Bestival 2013.

Also highly recommended this week is Sharon Jones latest opus on Daptone. The first track ‘Retreat!’ is just perfect… proper hall of fame, Motown 'proper'. She’s the real deal… she even wired the electrical outlets at the Word famous Daptone studio! Cool right!? Whilst stocks last we have some 7” singles to give away and posters (instore unless you want them all folded up)

Have you heard of Jackson C. Frank? Don’t worry, he’s been lurking in the shadows for fifty years but his self titled (Paul Simon produced) album has just been re-issued and we all should be super thankful. It’s a really bleak story of missed opportunities and he’s sadly no longer about to see people getting off on his music. Come take a listen.

Samantha Crain’s 'Kid Face’ is a brilliant contemporary Country record. Her voice is amazing and this collection of songs is going to win over loads of admirers.

Pitchfork are losing their mind (rightfully so) over the Mutual Benefit album right now. It’s swoony like Mercury Rev, early Sufjan Stevens… even Sparklehorse!! It’s just a real humbling listen.

The Boss is back with a collection of songs and outtakes form the last few years. "I felt they were among the best of my writing and deserved a proper studio recording.” - He aint wrong.

Light In The Attic start the year with a bang and a seminal Mark Lanegan compilation, charting songs as far back as 1989. The LP set us just the stuff dreams are made of.


Lastly…

Menace Beach, wonky shoegazy pop (produced by MJ of Hookworms) on Memphis Industries, a physical release of the AMAZING Run The Jewels mix tape, NYC grizzly, post-hardcore band Big Ups on Tough Love, Lee Bannon's debut album, Alternate/Endings, on Ninja Tune (the Guardian proclaimed him "the man to sell jungle to America”)

Well this is nice, back to the business of telling you about things. Coming soon, Warpaint, I Break Horses, Doug Paisley and Mogwai next week, Actress, Hospitality and Pontiak the week following… January 2014 is massive.