Mbongwana Star – From Kinshasa (World Circuit)
Why you should listen: The Congolese band, formed from the tangled wreckage of group Staff Benda Bilili, join forces with producer Liam Farrell on this textured, compelling and stereotype-defying debut.
It might not be for you if… You prefer so-called world music when it’s of the smiley, dinner-party-accompaniment variety – this feels a bit too morose.
What we said: “It doesn’t sound like a European producer twisting Congolese music to his own ends; it sounds like the work of a band, albeit one intent on doing something not many bands in 2015 seem that interested in doing – jolting the listener with the shock of the new,” wrote Alexis Petridis, in his lead review for the Guardian.
Score: 5/5
Hot Chip – Why Make Sense? (Domino)
Why you should listen: The dance music five-piece have made a sixth album imbued with funk sensibilities, the odd disco flourish and their signature richly produced electropop edge.
It might not be for you if… You stopped paying attention to Hot Chip when you stopped attending indie discos where Over and Over would come on at midnight.
What we said: “They nod to Kraftwerk, Orbital, funky 80s pop and the golden age of disco, while Roxy Music-like dancefloor ennui nestles comfortably against a masterful juggling of ecstasy and melancholy that recalls peak-era New Order,” wrote Dave Simpson, in the Guardian. Read Kitty Empire’s four-star lead review from the Observer.
Score: 4/5
Holly Herndon – Platform (4AD)
Why you should listen: Herndon, a tech-obsessed academic and producer, puts together a stunning and heavily cerebral collection of skittering electronic music. It’s a challenging listen, but worth a try (though I’m biased, as you’ll see in the link below).
It might not be for you if… What is this? Is this music? There are no #tunes, and this just feels a bit like hard work.
What we said: “Platform takes a futuristic step beyond your average Eurotrance rave – imagine a robot-party playlist peppered with warped, processed vocals and jittery cascades of sub-bass frequencies and you’re not far off”, ran the Guardian’s review.
Score: 4/5
Paul Weller – Saturns Pattern (Parlophone)
Why you should listen: On his 11th solo studio album outing, Weller cherry-picks from a variety of genres and style – hear him swing from Tame Impala-esque psych-rock to handclaps and scuzzy guitar on Long Time.
It might not be for you if… You’re just not that bothered about listening to rock music, in its various forms, played by a slickly dressed father of seven.
What we said: “Saturns Pattern continues the purple patch Weller hit in 2008 with 22 Dreams, when he suddenly began to experiment with new ways of writing and recording,” wrote Jon Dennis, in the Guardian.
Score: 5/5
Torres – Sprinter (Partisan)
Why you should listen: Nashville singer-songwriter Torres, born Mackenzie Scott, coats her autobiographical and personal storytelling in PJ Harvey producer Rob Ellis’s 90s-style, scuzzy guitar effects on this second album. Read Kate Hutchinson’s recent interview with Torres here, for a bit more on her story.
It might not be for you if… You lived through the 90s and don’t feel like experiencing musical deja vu today.
What we said: “From the grungy guitars of Strange Hellos to the bouncy, electronic brilliance of Cowboy Guilt, Mackenzie Scott’s second album under her moniker Torres is an astonishing, unpredictable record,” wrote Corinne Jones, in the Observer. Click here for Tim Jonze’s three-star Guardian review.
Score: 4/5
This week also sees new releases from alt-pop artist Shamir, Killers frontman Brandon Flowers and synthpop duo Tanlines (on an analog journey, this time round). What are you keen to hear?
