Our favourite vinyl releases this week

Essential weekend listening.

This week’s rundown is by VF’s Kelly Doherty, and contributors Annabelle Van Dort, Emily Hill and James Hammond.

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Four Tet

Three

(Text Records)

Buy

Four Tet is a pillar of the scene with a diverse musical output that entices fans across the electronic realm. Three is his long-awaited twelfth studio album and, despite more raucous musical rumblings, is a delightful return to his earliest forms. Across eight tracks he plays with hypnotic melodies imbued with a delightful sense of warmth. Working with a hybrid of instrumentations, the producer delivers warm pads, crisp strings and breaks on his very welcome return.–EH

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Tierra Whack

Worldwide Whack

(Interscope)

Buy

Much-hyped artist Tierra Whack finally drops her debut album, Worldwide Whack. Throughout her debut, the Philadelphia artist shows the breadth of her talents, offsetting heavier, sincere numbers with playful, pop-adjacent cuts (“Ms Behave”, “Shower Song”). There’s a refreshing honesty packed in, with Whack opening up about loss (“X”), the challenges of simply existing (“Difficult”) and much more. The production on here is imaginative and fresh, with Whack conjuring an ever-changing, unique overall package. Whack has been a steady presence in the ‘ones to watch’ category for some years now but Worldwide Whack makes good on the promise.–KD

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David Lee Jr

Evolution

(Soul Jazz Records)

Buy

Maverick drummer and composer David Lee’s epic spiritual jazz opus, Evolution, receives an essential reissue from London’s Soul Jazz Records. Originally released in 1974, Evolution is a certified ‘lost classic’ that follows in the steeped musical legacies of Lee Jr.’s New Orleans upbringing and the fearless experimentalism of his Afro-Futurist contemporaries.–AVD

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Marissa Nadler and Happy Rhodes

Where Do I Go

(Numero Group)

Buy

A one-two punch of ruptured lament, this 7” single presents Happy Rhodes’ 1984 track “Where Do I Go” alongside Marrisa Nadler’s 2018 reinterpretation. Where Rhodes’ version holds its confessional nature within an intricately layered, synth-heavy composition, Nadler’s reinterpretation finds an equally compelling vision by slowing the tempo and further distilling the tracks’ deep channel of melancholia. Two sublime voices and a firm reminder of Happy Rhodes’ mesmerising, self-styled visions of “ecto” pop.–JH

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crushed

Extra Life

(Ghostly)

Buy

Originally released in 2023 and now re-packaged for a wider physical release by Ghostly, crushed’s debut Extra Life is a blast that calls to ’90s influences but creates a very contemporary form of dream pop. Dreamy and immersive, poignant yet euphoric, this is a must-listen for anyone with reverb-drenched inclinations. Accompanying remixes from Real Lies and DJ Python add an extra dimension to the original release.–KD

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Rat Heart

U Can See Alex Park from Ere

(Modern Love)

Buy

The always on-point Modern Love Records keep their 7” series going here with a pair of vibrant tracks from Rat Heart. The work of Tom Boogizm, the A-side gets a heady dose of Ben Vince’s sax and some effervescent guitar work before the tone shifts up for the emotive and sparing touch of “Picky Eater”. All parts worthy of further investigation.–JH

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Gesloten Cirkel

I Live In The Midwest EP

(Selvamancer)

Buy

Underground producer Gesloten Cirkel has had many dancefloors chanting “Submit X” for the last 10 years, as their hybrid and visionary techno sound has permeated the imaginations of dancers across the world. Their latest offering, I Live In The Midwest, sees the German producer join the ranks of Barcelona-based imprint Selvamancer with a machine-driven EP. Testing the industrial wavelength across eight tracks, it is an electronic body-moving affair built with haunting melodies, acidic basslines and wonky rhythms whilst still delivering the crisp electro energies he is known for.–EH