Hudson Mohawke – Lantern (Warp)
Why you should listen: Since releasing his debut album in 2009, the Glaswegian producer has appeared as one half of speaker-blowing trap act TNGHT and collaborated with the likes of Kanye West, Azealia Banks and Drake. Here, he opts for what may be Warp’s poppiest release of the year, enlisting various guest vocalists to add lyrical weight to his manipulated and disorienting beats.
It might not be for you if… You think the guest vocalist-for-hire move sounds tacky – why not let the production speak for itself?
What we said: “There’s not even much in the way of bass: the album’s sound is mostly trebly and rasping, with virtually every sound Birchard uses deep-fried with distortion,” wrote Alexis Petridis, in the Guardian. Kitty Empire handed the album three stars, in the Observer.
Score: 4/5
Gengahr – A Dream Outside (Transgressive)
Why you should listen: The London four-piece roll elements of psych-rock, jangly indie and lo-fi guitar pop into one deftly melodic and sprightly debut album.
It might not be for you if… You’re on psych-ish overload, and are barely halfway through your foray into the new Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Django Django and Stealing Sheep albums.
What we said: “This is psychpop with heavy emphasis on the pop, its frazzled melodies feeling both unsettling and festival-ready, and noodling kept to a respectable minimum,” wrote Gwilym Mumford, in the Guardian. Phil Mongredien handed out three stars to the album, in the Observer.
Score: 4/5
Sarah Cracknell – Red Kite (Cherry Red)
Why you should listen: The Saint Etienne singer collaborates with past Edwyn Collins producers Seb Lewsley and Carwyn Ellis of Colorama, on this lush and filmic second solo album.
It might not be for you if… You frankly prefer the thumping, electronic work from her Saint Etienne career.
What we said: “At its core is Cracknell’s airy, elegant voice; a weightless mystique that carries a heavy heart,” wrote Harriet Gibsone, in the Guardian. Paul Mardles also gave the album four stars, in the Observer.
Score: 4/5
Sarah Cracknell’s album isn’t streaming on Spotify, but you can listen to track On the Swings below and buy the album on CD or vinyl via label Cherry Red.
Flo Morrissey – Tomorrow Will Be Beautiful (Glassnote)
Why you should listen: Twenty-year-old Flo Morrissey, signed to Glassnote last year and fresh off respective US and European tours with Ibeyi and Tobias Jesso Jr, conjures up clear-eyed songwriting of decades past with her spun-gold voice and delicately plucked guitar lines.
It might not be for you if… You don’t harbour much of a soft spot for female singer-songwriters who stick to misty-eyed acoustic guitar and piano musings.
What we said: “[Tomorrow Will Be Beautiful] is a beautiful confection burgeoning with musical ideas, modulations and textures”, wrote Molloy Woodcraft, in the Observer. Read Jon Dennis’ three-star review of Morrissey’s debut, in the Guardian, here.
Score: 4/5
Giorgio Moroder – Deja Vu (Sony/RCA)
Why you should listen: One of electronic music’s pioneers returns with a glossy, pop star-packed solo effort that somehow tries to straddle his 1970s disco heyday and 2015’s chart-topping sounds.
It might not be for you if… Ha, this is the best he could do? Charli XCX and Britney Spears covering covering Tom’s Diner? You’ll be returning to his work with Donna Summer, thanks.
What we said: “For every decent chorus, there is a moment where Moroder falls victim to his own vast influence”, wrote Tim Jonze, in the Guardian. “It sounds like all the other pop music out there, give or take the odd disco slant or transitional string flurry,” according to Kitty Empire’s less favourable two-star lead review for the Observer.
Score: 3/5
This week also sees new releases from Kiwi synth-pop act Princess Chelsea, UK folk talent Emily Portman and Jaakko Eino Kalevi, returning with a beautifully produced second album of modern pop. What are you looking forward to hearing?
