Juno Recommends Rock / Indie / Folk / Metal / Punk / 50s / 60s: July 2024

Review: Monochrome dream pop band Cigarettes After Sex release their third studio album X's, following up the pre-release 'Tejano Blue'. As romantic and wistful as ever, the album is an avowed haunt-jaunt through a series of 'slow-dance pop ballads' - no change there - albeit this time concerning the brutal reckoning with relationship breakdown and loss, personally borne by lead musician Greg Gonzalez during the recording of their prior self-titled album. Also a lover letter to Gonzalez' hometown of El Paso, Texas, the album draws on themes of the music scene and atmosphere of the city, in dialogue with a subsequent move to New York and the culture shock that followed.

Review: Cigarettes After Sex's X's is the dreamy indie pop band's third album, following 2019's Cry, and hears a wistful array of new songs drawing on the same palette as ever, but with nonetheless a newfound personal bent drawing on the breakdown of a relationship and a move between cities undergone by lead singer Greg Gonzales. With every influence from Texan blues and Tejano music - the likes of Selena, Los Angeles Azules and La Mafia - to esteemd dream poppers Cocteau Twins, this is a fresh new fusion from the hypnagogic hopeless-romantics, sure to sate existing fans and draw in new ones alike.

Review: Morrissey's Beethoven Was Deaf gets a 30th-anniversary reissue, remastered at Abbey Road Studios and available on various formats, including orange vinyl version. Originally released in 1993, this live album captures Morrissey's performance at the Paris Zenith on December 22, 1992, during the Your Arsenal tour. eethoven Was Deaf includes a robust tracklisting of 16 songs, blending hits and fan favourites, with highlights including a searing rendition of 'November Spawned a Monster,' Your Arsenal album cuts like 'You're the One for Me, Fatty' and 'The National Front Disco', and the enduring 'Suedehead', his debut solo single. The remastered edition features updated artwork by Morrissey himself.

Review: First released in 1983, Khartomb's 'Swahili Lullaby' first surfaced on the underground punk and reggae label Whaam! before fading back again into obscurity. In fact their only release, originally a 7", it came backed by the 12/8 wonderwork 'Teekon Warriors' on the B; both tracks established their sound as straddling both a restlessness and a laconism, channelling influences from the Slits to the Raincoats. Legend speaks of an original Peel Session and support from Melody Maker - the holy one-track difecta for breaking artists back then - yet this initial support sadly, madly waned. Now, however, the release comes miraculously back to the fore, rendered concscious again by way of a new-to-vinyl track - 'Daisy High' - as well as two versions of the A1 by Synkro and Talking Drums. 'Daisy High' is a lissome one, its layered contraltos overdubbed to perfection against endless Balearic guitar-swirls amid an overarching 'bossa feel' (in Peel's words). Synkro's dub could just as easily have come from '83 as it did from '24, swelling away into a sweet kickless reverie that happily, barely resembles the original; Talking Drums' version is more loyal to the genesis, yet amps up the dub pressure.

Review: Souvlaki is not just an essential shoegaze album but a crucial piece of 90s music, offering an otherworldly, cinematic experience that resonates deeply. It's a timeless classic, places Slowdive's album in indie music history. The band's 1993 sophomore album, is a pinnacle in the shoegaze genre, earning its legendary status with ethereal soundscapes and profound emotional depth. Initially met with skepticism, it reveals itself as a transcendent experience, blending dreamy textures with heartfelt melancholia. The album's production is immaculate, creating a lush, atmospheric sound filled with spacy basslines, synths and fuzzy guitars that envelop the listener in a warm, comforting embrace. Rachel Goswell and Neil Halstead's vocals are otherworldly, their harmonies flowing seamlessly within the dense yet airy mix. Thematically, Souvlaki explores themes of falling, drowning, and the sorrow of a breakup, capturing raw emotions with both abstract and straightforward songwriting. Tracks like 'Alison' and 'Machine Gun' showcase abstract lyrics, while songs like '40 Days' and 'Here She Comes' offer simplicity and heartfelt expression and it's all reissued here on translucent red and blue marbled vinyl.

Review: Stop Making Sense by Talking Heads captures the iconic band's live energy and artistic innovation impeccably. Recorded during their 1983 tour, the seminal record blends art rock with new wave and funk influences, delivering a dynamic performance that escalates with each track. Frontman David Byrne's charismatic vocals and eccentric stage presence shine on hits like 'Burning Down the House' and 'Psycho Killer', while the band's tight instrumentation and funky rhythms drive the album's infectious groove. With its seamless flow and inventive arrangements, Stop Making Sense cemented Talking Heads' legacy as pioneers of avant-garde rock.

Review: Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Stop Making Sense, this deluxe set of the iconic concert film, directed by Jonathan Demme, captures Talking Heads at their peak, weaving together songs from their six studio albums. The show starts with David Byrne's iconic solo 'Psycho Killer' and gradually expands, adding band members and stellar touring musicians like Bernie Worrell and Lynn Mabry. The re-release features a Dolby Atmos mix and a 12-page booklet with liner notes from the band. Highlights include the energetic 'Burning Down the House' and the classic 'Girlfriend Is Better' - famously, with Byrne's oversized suit. The concert's infectious energy and timeless staging continue to captivate audiences, with band members praising Demme's visionary collaboration. Stop Making Sense remains a quintessential live album, celebrated for its artistic and commercial success, and its recent inclusion in the National Film Registry. This edition revitalises this landmark performance, offering a fresh perpective on Talking Heads' transcendent joy and innovative spirit.

Review: Arriving only one year after their seminal sophomore effort A Weekend In The City, 2008 saw London post-punk auteurs Bloc Party pursue the more electronic-leaning aspects of their preceding work with utter abandon and disregard for those bemoaning a return to the guitar-based indie rock of Silent Alarm. Utilising a plethora of synths, loop stations and programmed drum machines, the subdued dance-punk of Intimacy is easily the band's most debatable album from their original run, with some praising their new sonic path while naysayers accused the members of overzealously rushing into their third full-length. Lyrically sequenced as a concept album based around the demise of a relationship in the city of London, complete with allusions to "Sitting in Soho trying to stay drunk", or the sobering, "When we started this it was paradise, not just Bethnal Green"; primary songwriter Kele Okereke continued to favour specificity and narrative clarity over the vague metaphors of his earlier writing, crafting an earnest, delicate, bombastic, seething and sincere collection of glitching trip-hop, angular post-punk and euphoric yet stoic synthwave. Long out of print, this overdue reissue comes complete with the two original deluxe edition bonus tracks 'Letter To My Son', and, 'Your Visits Are Getting Shorter', as well as the 2009 stand-alone single 'One More Chance'.

Review: Joy Division's iconic track Love Will Tear Us Apart' gets a special treatment with this limited edition 12" LP on glow-in-the-dark vinyl. The 12" remix of the song offers a new perspective on the classic, allowing listeners to experience its haunting beauty in a fresh light. This release is idea for fans and collectors alike, offering a unique and memorable way to enjoy one of post-punk's most enduring and influential songs. What else us there to say? Get a beautiful looking copy of one of alternative music's most important song ever.

Review: Slowdive's 1991 debut Just For A Day, out again via Music On Vinyl. Less famous than their name-making lucky strike Souvlaki, Just For A Day is still a nonetheless sublime full-length shoegaze record. Nine sabresque songs opine the nostalgic feeling of a short-lived tryst, beginning with a recollection of the 'Spanish Air' and ending on a deeper musing on the 'Primal'. A must-have for any completist hooverhead, Slowdive's debut surely set the tone for a career that was yet to burgeon (and continues to flourish) and yet still retains a purity that no other record in their discography shares.

Review: Washed-out gothic dream-popstars Cigarettes After Sex deliver their latest album, X's, building on the now prolific body of work that has so far propelled the band's lead brain Greg Gonzalez to fame. Whereas prior projects under the CAS ambit have revolved around only isolated vignettes of a hazy and monochrome - but decidedly sexual - nature, X's is the band's first record concerning a single relationship: the pain of losing an LTR, in stark contrast the string of sonic flings that came before. Led by the careful straddling of romantic fantasy and grimmer, nicotine-stained realities on 'Dark Vacay', such is the overarching mood; of sex amounting to a futile attempt to overcome the end of loving communication, and cigarettes plugging the hole that arises from this.

Review: Morrissey's live album, Beethoven Was Deaf, originally released in 1993, has been remastered at Abbey Road Studios and is set for reissue. Recorded during the Your Arsenal tour in Paris in 1993, the album captures Morrissey at his best, performing large chunks from that album - the likes of 'Glamorous Glue' and 'Certain People I Know' noticeably inspired by glam rock - alongside favourites like 'Suedehead' and 'Everyday is Like Sunday' and other classics from the earliest phase of what turned out to be a lengthy solo career. The remastering promises to enhance the listening experience, offering fans a chance to rediscover one of his more vibrant and expressive live performances.

Review: Life has been a bit of a slow burner for Oxford-born Glass Animals. The four-piece first began to garner 'real' attention in the run up to their 2014 debut album, Saba, with the single 'Gooey' doing them no disservice in the popularity stakes. Follow up How To Be A Human Being found itself on the Mercury Music Prize shortlist, but it was only really when LP three then hit number two in the UK albums chart and seven in the Billboard 200 that we can say they really reached the heights of fame, almost a decade into their story. That was then, though, and this is now. Four years, and one pandemic later, Glass Animals drop I Love You So F***ing Much, a record that fully commits to mainstream pop discourse, moving the outfit away from their psyche and electronic indie roots. The formula certainly suits, with the record a rich and largely joyful trip into a world of arena tours and anthems.

Review: Living up to her establishing name as a bedroom pop artist, Clairo self-releases her third full-length album Charm. Even so, following up 2021's Sling, Charm pares back Clairo's debut and sophomore records' successive pop sounds for a liver, perhaps more earnest exploration of indie rock and chamber pop proper, building on the themes of Sling, which also dealt in themes of of maturation and impending motherhood. Notably, producer Leon Michels of the cinematic soul moniker El Michels Affair claims production credits across the bulk of the album, suggesting new collaborative horizons for the singer. A collection of warm, psychedelic songs, echoing Joni Mitchell or Joan Baez, we hear an expansion in Clairo's sound and a move towards earnest and stoic grace.

Review: Liana Flores' debut album Flower of the soul is a stunning exploration of transformation and impermanence, weaving dream-like vignettes with wistful guitar melodies. Written over three years, the album spans 11 tracks, each offering a meditation on the changing seasons of life and love. Drawing from influences like classic jazz, 60s Brazilian pop and British folk, Flores crafts an ambitious sonic landscape that feels both nostalgic and fresh. Standout tracks like 'Nightvisions' and 'I wish for the rain' showcase Flores' ability to paint vivid pictures of nature, fantasy, and emotion with her clear, evocative vocals. With its transportive quality, Flower of the soul invites listeners into Flores' inner sanctum, where they can get lost in the beauty of her soundscapes. Overall, the album marks a confident and compelling debut for this British-Brazilian artist, promising a journey of introspection and discovery for listeners.

Review: Slowdive's Pygmalion stands as a profound yet overlooked gem in the band's discography. Released amidst the Britpop and grunge dominance of 1995, it was unfairly dismissed, leading to the band's quiet dissolution. However, if you revisit Pygmalion, it reveals a hauntingly beautiful departure from their earlier shoegaze roots. Now, pressed on vinyl, you can enjoy all the ways this release has stood against time and trends. The album is a minimalist masterpiece, stripping away their trademark wall of noise to reveal ethereal, ambient landscapes. Tracks like the opening epic 'Rutti' set the tone with its subdued guitar work and Neil Halstead's introspective vocals, evoking a sense of contemplative solitude. Throughout the album, space is pivotal - an expansive, cathedral-like atmosphere crafted through restrained instrumentation and atmospheric production. While critics of its time failed to appreciate its subtleties, Pygmalion now stands as a visionary work ahead of its time. Its influence can be heard in subsequent bands like Mogwai and Low, who embraced its meditative qualities and minimalist approach. In today's context, the album's tranquil melodies offer a refuge, resonating with listeners seeking solace amidst chaos. Slowdive's Pygmalion remains a shinning example to their artistic integrity and the enduring power of quiet introspection in music.

Review: It could have all been so different when you think about it. One of the UK's most critically acclaimed, celebrated and mourned bands, Joy Division, were originally toying with the idea of calling themselves Stiff Kittens after first getting together. This then changed to Warsaw, after David Bowie's track, 'Warsawa', and it's under this guise they broke into the common conscious, supporting The Buzzcocks, Penetration and John Cooper Clarke at Electric Circus in 1977. Reviews from that show - by music journalist leg-ends Paul Morley and Ian Wood - would ignite the hype. A debut album was planned for RCA Records, 11 tracks that would go on to be known simply as The RCA Sessions. Here they are now, as originally intended, some of which eventually made it onto Joy Division records, others didn't, but all clearly showing musicians defining their sound and place in the scene.

Review: First released in 1992, Slowdive's 'Blue Day' compiles the best of the band's earliest outings in the shoegaze genre, bottling them under a singly brittle, blue banner. Just seven tracks adorn its two sides, with the notable self-titled track 'Slowdive' signalling some hint of the band's origins (its wayward drumming getting at an especially happy naivete). Later moments on the record, such as 'Morningrise', are comparatively icier verging on frostbitten, with an overdriven crunch clipping off the most amped edges of the transient hits, suggesting an imperfect medium. On the B, the best of the lot is the slow colic of 'Losing Today', a song palpably packed with a sense of loss, most notably achieved via its soaring, cuspate guitar ogees, albeit ones which just about peek their heads above the shrednoise.

Review: Joe Goddard's superb album Harmonics receives the deluxe treatment here on lovely double pink vinyl. Expanding upon the original release, this edition delves deeper into Goddard's musical universe. From infectious grooves to ethereal melodies, each track showcases his prowess as a producer and musician. The deluxe edition adds layers of complexity and richness, providing listeners with an even more immersive experience so whether you're drawn to the pulsating beats or the intricate harmonies, Harmonics in its deluxe form promises to please.

Review: Imagine Dragons' sixth studio album, LOOM, makes another great step in their artistic evolution and could well be their most accomplished work to date. Produced exclusively by Imagine Dragons and their longtime collaborators Mattman and Robin, the record, which comes on limited gatefold translucent curacao vinyl, strikes a harmonious balance between the signature sound that catapulted them to fame and a newly inspired creative spirit. Across nine fresh cuts including the standout single 'Eyes Closed,' LOOM bring notes of anticipation and optimism around new beginnings. There are singalongs specials like 'Nice To Meet You' next to raw vocal deliveries on 'Take Me To The Beach' and more sentimental sounds like 'God's Don't Pray'.

Review: Fried stands as a pivotal album in Julian Cope's career, capturing him at a crossroads between industry expectations and his own artistic vision. Released amid uncertainty about Cope's musical direction post-The Teardrop Explodes, the album defied conventional norms, both musically and visually. While the cover art raised eyebrows, the music within asserted Cope's refusal to conform. Three decades later, Fried remains a lost gem of the 80s, a testament to Cope's resilience and creativity. It straddles the line between commercial viability and artistic integrity, foreshadowing the experimental direction he would later explore. Tracks like 'Reynard The Fox' shows Cope's determination to chart his own course, even if it meant alienating industry tastemakers. The album's themes of unsettlement, introspection, and defiance reflect Cope's personal struggles at the time. Yet, amidst the chaos, there's a sense of liberation and authenticity that permeates each track. Cope's willingness to embrace vulnerability and sonic experimentation sets Fried apart as a bold and singular statement. From the unconventional recording process to the evocative cover imagery, Fried embodies Cope's unapologetic approach to music-making. Cope's evolution into a truly unique voice in the music landscape, laying the groundwork for his future sonic explorations and literary endeavors.

Review: Blur's Live at Wembley Stadium captures the iconic Britpoppers at their monumental height, when the reformed foursome performed two nights in July 2023 in front of sold out crowds. On triple LP, this is the most robust of the two versions on vinyl that highlight the concert. The band effortlessly plays highlights from their entire 30 plus year career - everything from early singles 'There's No Other Way' and 'Popscene' to the much more recent 'The Narcissist' - as well as anthems like 'Girls and Boys', 'Song 2' and 'Parklife' that are synonymous with the Essex band. You also here one of their last singles in 'The Narcissist'. Not too many bands can fill a venue like Wembley Stadium on back to back nights - the electric performances captured here are the reason why they can.

Review: Red Hot Chili Peppers' Californication is undeniably a landmark album that has left a lasting impact on music history. As the album celebrates its 25th anniversary, fans are treated to a visually striking vinyl release. This anniversary reissue edition offers an opportunity to revisit and appreciate the album in a new light. Californication has stood the test of time as a commercial success, with its title track becoming a cultural phenomenon with over one billion views on YouTube. 'Scar Tissue' is also as memorable and instantly recognisable song the band has ever done. The album has many other great moments as well. One of the band's most complete and important releases with the new red and blue vinyl complimenting the artwork perfectly.

Review: British indie rock apostolic supper-eaters The Last Dinner Party present a new 7" to celebrate the release of their second ever single, 'Sinner'. The song makes thorough use of staccato, operatic vocal theatrics (courtesy of lead vocalists Abigail Morris and Lizzie Mayland) while thereafter breaking into an otherwise gritty post-punk joie-de-vivre. This limited-edition white vinyl release hears the studio version of 'Sinner' on the A come backed by an energetic live take of the same song on the B; the latter was performed in Melkweg, Amsterdam only recently, and marks a gothically stark contrast to the record version.

Review: Cigarettes After Sex returns with their third album, X's, via Partisan Records, marking a departure from their previous influences and embracing pop touchstones of the 70s and 80s. Bandleader Greg Gonzalez delves into the intricacies of a four-year relationship, delivering raw and imagistic vignettes set to slowburn pop melodies. With brutal intensity, Gonzalez purges his emotions, centering the album on this singular romantic arc, infusing their music with dark yet burgeoning melodies. While retaining classic pop song structures, Cigarettes After Sex subtly evolves their sound, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of disco ball-refracted tears on the dance floor. X's presents a mesmerizing and emotionally resonant journey through the complexities of love and loss, the band's continued growth and maturity is on full display.

Review: Originally released in 1986, this album showcases The Triffids' exceptional blend of folk, rock, and post-punk. Featuring David McComb's haunting vocals and lush instrumentals, In The Pines takes you on a journey through atmospheric soundscapes. This album, recorded in the Australian outback on a modest budget, highlights the band's raw talent and creativity. Tracks like 'Love and Affection' and the cover of Bill Anderson's 'Once a Day' exhibit their range, from sharp electric guitar riffs to country influences. In the Pines seemed an eccentric career move for The Triffids, who were poised for major success. Retreating to the outback, the band created an album of modest majesty. Haunted by desolation, tracks like the gothic folk waltz of the title track and the intense 'Kathy Knows' stand out. Yet, the album is also filled with camaraderie. Often compared to Bob Dylan and The Band's The Basement Tapes, In the Pines captures The Triffids' infectious joy in making music, solidifying its place as a timeless piece of artistry. In The Pines is perfect for lovers of sweeping, melancholic sounds.

Review: The 40th anniversary deluxe reissue of Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense is a brilliant and complete package that truly is a tribute to this monumental release. Encompassing a double CD + Blu-ray set, it celebrates the enduring impact of Jonathan Demme's iconic concert film soundtrack. David Byrne reflects on how the live energy and audience inspiration infused these performances with a dynamism that often surpasses the studio recordings. The reissue brings this excitement to the forefront with improved mixes and sound quality for a next-level experience. This edition stands out with its Dolby Atmos soundtrack, mixed by Jerry Harrison and E.T. Thorngren, enhancing the auditory experience. Tracks like 'Psycho Killer' and 'Once in a Lifetime' pulsate with renewed vigor, while the inclusion of bonus tracks 'Cities' and 'Big Business/I Zimbra' adds to the appeal. This reissue not only revitalises the original live album but also introduces it to a new generation with unparalleled sound clarity. It's a fitting tribute to Talking Heads' innovative and electrifying performances.