This week: spectacular choruses, Balearic heaters and Aphex Twin

Essential weekend listening.

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

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Beverly Glenn-Copeland

The Ones Ahead

(Transgressive)

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On his first collection of original music in over two decades, Beverly Glenn-Copeland crafts soaring electroacoustic songs invigorated with visions of interconnectedness and light. Glenn-Copeland’s voice is majestic throughout; these jubilant compositions showcase the richness of his range, shifting between anthemic, spectacular choruses (“Stand Anthem”) to delicate, piano-led ballads (“Harbour (Song For Elizabeth)”). Drawing from a diverse range of influences—from the uplifting, West African polyrhythms on opener “Africa Calling” to the theatrical, choral march of “People of the Loom”— Glenn-Copeland channels transmissions from past to present to future, connecting the cyclical dots of the universe.–AVD

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Aphex Twin

Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a room7 F760

(Warp Records)

Buy

Aphex Twin returns with his first release since 2018’s Collapse. Blackbox Life Recorder 21f / in a room7 F760 is a short burst, clocking in at under 15 minutes but it’s a worthy outing. From the moody, uneasy opener (“Blackbox Life Recorder 21F”) to the speedier groove of “in a room7 F760” it’s an EP that picks and chooses from elements of the producer’s career to date. Acid influences, thin breaks and ambient textures interplay throughout, brought together in a surprisingly melodic and accessible project. With echoes of post-punk reverberating throughout, this is more than enough to keep the faithful whet.–KD

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Jessy Lanza

Love Hallucination

(Hyperdub)

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The club and dance cuts on Jessy Lanza’s Love Hallucination started life as songs for other artists. In a new headspace from moving to LA and enjoying the freedom that came with experimentation, Lanza ultimately kept them for herself. Across its 11 tracks, Love Hallucination dives deep into sexual pleasure, battling anxieties and self-loathing, all backed by flawless production and glitching disco beats. From “Limbo”’s Ottawan-style “D.I.S.C.O.” chanting to R&B-fuelled glitz in “Drive”, Lanza has put all her heart into creating a record that bears personal tales alongside fully rounded club-ready hits.–BR

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Georgia

Euphoric

(Domino)

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On her third album–the follow-up to 2020’s breakout release Seeking Thrills–producer and songwriter Georgia swaps the club for daytime emotions. Euphoric takes a lead from the electro-pop of her former tourmates Carly Rae Jepsen and HAIM, serving up melodic pop anthems with an ’80s sheen. More of Georgia’s sense of self comes through on Euphoric, as she speaks of love, pleasure and heartache against flawless production. A soundtrack for the rush of summer.–KD

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Marina Herlop

Pripyat

(Pan)

Buy

Inspired by the vocal traditions of Southern India’s Carnatic music, Marina Herlop’s third album finds all manner of ways to stretch and contort her voice into intricate structures. With voice and piano as the foundations of her work, Pripyat adds experimental computer production to the mix, shifting Herlop’s work into adventurous zones and intuitive rhythms that make the most of her vast musical imagination. Great to have a vinyl edition of this one following its digital release back in May.–JH

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BFTT

THP

(Worldwide Unlimited)

Buy

BFTT has been bubbling in the UK’s northern scene for some years now, known as an exceptional producer and resident DJ of the Manchester party and NTS radio show Mutualism. Having released his debut album via TT last year, alongside major tracks on AD93, he has become known as a connoisseur of forward-thinking dance music and all the wonderful weird sounds from abstract corners of sound design. This debut on DJ Python’s Worldwide Unlimited features three tracks written specifically with the party in mind, bringing signs of early Pangea and Aya productions as a UK G meets donk package to get your feet moving.–EH

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7038634357

Neo Seven

(Blank Forms)

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An alias of Neo Gibson, this is 7038634357’s first release on vinyl following a series of CD and digital releases that shaped electronics, harsh noise, and voice into affecting and idiosyncratic song forms. These traits are in full bloom here, with a computerised/all in-the-box approach letting emotive software synths and augmented voice lead the way through ambient territories and the occasional maelstrom of digital noise.–JH

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Various Artists

Bill Brewster: Late Night Tales Presents After Dark: Vespertine

(Late Night Tales)

Buy

NTS radio host, acclaimed author and cult DJ, Bill Brewster, returns with his latest instalment of the After Dark mix series—out now on Late Night Tales. Full to the brim with bubbling, left-field groovers and sensual, Balearic heaters, Vespertine is a psychedelic trip across Brewster’s genre-blending universe. Featuring Brewster’s own reworked tracks from tropical-psych trio Khruangbin and blue-eyed soulster Jeb Loy Nichols, Vespertine is a testament to Brewster’s talent in the studio, as well as his renowned skills as a tastemaker.–AVD

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Shintaro Sakamoto

Like A Fable

(Zelone Records)

Buy

Shintaro Sakamoto presents his fourth studio album Like A Fable, six years after Love If Possible, and it’s arguably his best pop record yet. Written and recorded after the pandemic, it describes the life-changing effects of those difficult days, but with a sense of optimism. The cosmic warmth of his productions shows his ever-developing style, taking reference from classical pop productions and contemporary jazz-funk stylistic tendencies. Sakamoto, arguably a Japanese artistic living legend, continues to produce exceptional music, and this album is an ode to his ever-growing fan base from Yura Yura Teikoku through to his solo compositions.–EH

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Stevie Nicks

Complete Studio Albums & Rarities

(Rhino)

Buy

Stevie Nicks’ solo back catalogue is impressive. With nearly everyone in Fleetwood Mac being songwriters, her 1981 debut Bella Donna was a chance to show she could make it alone and put the spotlight on tracks that didn’t quite fit the band. Now, over 40 years on, with eight solo records under her belt, Nicks is a force to be reckoned with and is still one of the most influential people in music. This 16-LP boxset proves just that. Alongside her multi-award-winning records (with some making their vinyl debut), rifle through B-sides, soundtrack contributions, and even a cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” in three LPs of rarities. A worthy investment for the ultimate Stevie Nicks fan.–BR