mzk105

Boys for Pele from Wish.

Judging something by its cover is a risky affair, arguably even more so with music, where something of the fundamental, intangible 'essence' of the record can be difficult to portray. Any good cover should try though, and in this case Assortments II is very successful. The cover, an oversaturated photo of forget-me-nots, communicates that 'essence' before a second of it is heard; it conveys both the whimsical and psychedelic aspects which are the core of Assortments II. As ... read more

Coming long after their bright beginnings in 2009 and an off-putting return in 2012, feelings of trepidation mount as you approach their third offering, wondering where on the spectrum this one will fall. Put simply, it's somewhere in the middle. Opener 'How Far We've Come' showcases Matsuura's welcome return on drums, but after a strong start the quality of the album becomes uneven. The best tracks rekindle what was so great about their debut; of course, a band ... read more

Professional pianist Oliver Bayston flexes his muscles on his debut album. Happily, it's never too self-indulgent, but serves as the solid foundation for the LP's sound. Though a little dated in places, Boxed In is a solid offering from an already accomplished musician. Carving his own space in the indie dance scene through lively keys, groovy basslines and detached vocals likely to attract and repel in equal measure, there are enough solid tracks replete with earworms to keep ... read more