Record Store Day 2019: Our Picks

Record Store Day is an annual day where local and independent record stores get a selection of exclusive vinyls to encourage music lovers and listeners to support their nearest small record store rather than the big hitters or online retailers.

Obviously in a year when HMV has been struggling due to online music consumption and other sources of music, the divide between the chains and the independents is no longer so clear cut.

Taking place this year on Saturday 13th April you can discover the whole list online but we've picked our selection of what we have our eyes on.

If you've got your own picks, why not share them down in the comments?

Fatboy Slim Right Here Right Now
12″ yellow vinyl, die-cut sleeve

Norman Cook's classic 1999 song, the one with that history lesson in its music video, gets a 20-year reissue on yellow vinyl. Includes some fun remixes and a brand new track from Mr Slim himself. Click here to find out more.

iDKHOW - 1981 Extended Play EP
12''

Featuring the incredible 'Do It All The Time' as the closing track of this six-song EP, this rock duo from Salt Lake City fused electronic, indie and quirky pop on that single, and there's much to enjoy on the other songs as well. Click here to find out more.

Kaiser Chiefs Oh My God
vinyl EP 7" 45 rpm

The original version of the Kaiser Chiefs classic was release back in May 2004 on CD but has not seen the light of day since. Drag your passport before the EU borders close with this much sought after 7-inch. Click here to find out more.

Keane Disconnected / Sovereign Light Café
Green 7″ Single

Dave Fridmann has created new versions of these two songs from the band's fourth album 'Strangeland'. 'Sovereign Light Café' is one of our favourite songs from their canon, and we look forward to hearing these tweaked editions. The vinyl, on green, comes with exclusive artwork and a digital download card for those who want to keep the physical release perfect. Click here to find out more.

KT Tunstall - Extra Wax
7''

We are big fans of Tunstall's recent 'Wax' album and the chance to own more is great. Including an exclusive cover, and two tracks from the album's deluxe edition, we want to grab this one!

Queen Bohemian Rhapsody / I’m In Love With My Car
7” Single – Coloured Vinyl

A delightfully coloured vinyl, there are some strong extras on this recreation of the classic a-side and the, er, memorable b-side. Click here to find out more.

Queen Bohemian Rhapsody Picture Disc
2LP – Picture Discs

We're not going to hide the fact that we're a big fan of the movie from the end of 2018 and a chance to own the soundtrack on vinyl, including the Live Aid set, is not one to be missed. Click here to find out more.

New Music Review #018

Here are another ten tracks worth listening to!

Alex Da Kid feat. X Ambassadors, Elle King, Wiz Khalifa - Not Easy

A record that's not really as good as the sum of its parts, the emotional inputs from Alex Da Kid and Elle King give it its heart and Wiz Khalifa's rap adds a neat little urban flavour. Not bad but a tad generic in parts. (6.5/10)

Creeper - Hiding With Boys 

'Hiding with Boys' is a bouncy, rock number that stays on the right side of listenable compared to over the top rocking. (6/10)


DJ Fresh vs. Diplo - Bang Bang (Official Audio) feat. R. City, Selah Sue & Craig David

The 'Bang Bang' riff is actually better than much of the contributions from the extended song cast list but it holds together enough as a piece of club-dance even if it's a little bit too familiar (7/10).

Friends of Jo Cox feat. MP4, Steve Harley, Ricky Wilson, David Gray & KT Tunstall - You Can't Always Get What You Want

I'm not quite sure how the message of the song connects with the issues based around the sad murder of MP Jo Cox but this collaborative song is nicely done, though the mixture of voices is as messy as these records can become, but the cause is great. (6.5/10)

IDER - King Ruby

'King Ruby' is a funky little dream-pop track with more electronic ambitions. It makes for a solid chill-out track. (6/10)

Kelvin Jones - As You Wake Up

Kelvin Jones can usually be relied on for a listenable slice of indie, and this is no exception. It's perhaps not as noteworthy as some of his recent material but it's still worth a punt. (6/10)

KT Tunstall - It Took Me So Long To Get Here, But Here I Am

Taken from her latest album this is a catchy pop-indie track that matches up Tunstall's loveable vocals with a fast-paced indie riff and a happy, positive vibe. (7/10)

Little Mix feat. Charlie Puth - Oops (feat. Charlie Puth) 

'Oops' with its whistle riff, retro throwback and Charlie Puth guest slot make this sound a little like his work with Meghan Trainor but that's not bad when it's as fun and poppy as this. (7/10)

Stevie Wonder feat. Ariana Grande - Faith

Taken from the upcoming 'Sing' film this a catchy, funky seventies throwback that, though not particularly revolutionary, is a fun number and the best thing Ariana Grande has done in a while. (6.5/10)


The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk - I Feel it Coming

Vastly better than 'Starboy', this slow and sensual collaboration with Daft Punk takes a few listens to enjoy but soon demonstrates its catchiness and sexiness. (6.5/10)

Top 100 of 2016 (Part 6)

It's time for the latest part of our countdown of the best songs of 2016, entering the top fifty!

50 Will Joseph Cook - Girls Like Me (Released: February)

49 Dave Hanson - Midday Sun (Released: June)

48 The Allergies - Rock Rock (feat. Andy Cooper) (Released: April)

47 Teddybears - Best You Ever Had [feat Gorilla Zoe] (Released: August)

46 Rick Astley - Dance (Released: October)

45 Kirsty Churchill - Who You Gonna Call (Released: March)

44 P!nk - Just Like Fire (Released: April)

43 KT Tunstall - Maybe Its A Good Thing (Released: August)

42 Blossoms - Charlemagne (Released: August)

41 Emeli Sandé - Hurts (Released: September)

Top 100 of 2016 (Part 3)

Let's continue our countdown of our favourite 100 songs of the 2016 with numbers 80 - 71! Don't forget to let us know your thoughts in the comments!

80 Sam Hunt - Take Your Time (Released: March)

79 Passenger - Anywhere (Released: August)

78 Josef Salvat - Paradise (Released: January)

77 Morrissey and Marshall - Cold November Sunrise (Released: January)

76 Jamie Porter - Sound of the Summer (Released: May)

 
75 Jack Savoretti - When We Were Lovers (Released: September)

74 Rebecca Ferguson - Bones (Released: October)

73 Cat Delphi - Fire (Released: January)

72 Holly Johnson - Ascension (Released: March)

71 Simple Minds feat. KT Tunstall - Promised You A Miracle (Released: November)

Review: KT Tunstall - Kin

Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall is back with her fifth studio album which sees her take a much poppier turn than her previous material. 'Kin' opens with her latest single, the catchy and positively-messaged 'Hard Girls' which is both great musically and lyrically and a really strong way to start the album. It's followed by the gentler 'Turned A Light On' which, again, is worth hearing for the lyrics alone even if it's less memorable than the opener.

Coming in third is the lead-single from the album, 'Maybe It's A Good Thing'. Sounding like classic KT Kunstall the mix of electronic bleep-bloops, progressive drum, vocal call-outs post-chorus and a singable chorus make this a good first single choice and it's very easy for this song to get stuck in your head.

The hits keep coming with the more indie stylings of 'Evil Eye' that matches a perky guitar riff and a fast-paced, singable chorus. Possibly my favourite song on the album there's something about the biting lyrics and delivery that works really well.

'It Took Me So Long to Get Here, But Here I Am', contender for the longest song title in a while, is a solid indie track that rumbles along nicely and works because of its focus on the hairbrush-karaoke chorus and the heartfelt lyrics.

'On My Star' is a slower piece giving the gentle and touching lyrics space to breathe. With its breezy backing and sad tone, it's pleasingly emotive.

James Bay makes a guest appearance on 'Two Way' adding some nice harmonies to the piece and has a P!nk vibe to it but isn't the most vibrant track on the album. 'Run on Home' is better, the simple chorus hooks into you and there's plenty of attitude and drum kicks to please you alongside the singable chorus.

The title track comes next and it's a gentle lilt of a number with, again, some strong, heartfelt, lyrics. 'Everything Has Its Shape' is another hooky pop-song and closer 'Love Is an Ocean' again hooks you in with some fun lyrics and overall style.

'Kin' by KT Tunstall is a great pop-album with some strong lyrics, catchy rhythms and some standout tracks. (7/10)