NEW: Blur - 'My Terracotta Heart'

With the release of 'The Magic Whip' just over a week away, Blur have unveiled another new song song from the upcoming album. The stunning 'My Terracotta Heart' is perhaps the album's most brutally sincere and heartbreakingly fragile moment, especially when you hear the story behind the lyrics. Graham Coxon said: "I knew it was going to be an incredibly sad song, which is why I put the crying guitar on there. What I didn't know at the time was that the lyrics would turn out to be about Damon and I, our long-term friendship and the ups and downs we’ve had."

"Damon and I have an increased respect for each other because of this record, and we're not ashamed to let each other know about that increased respect. But what we also have a lot of history, and our friendship – like any friendship between two people in a band together – has had to go through a lot. It’s been put to the test, and we’ve often let each other down. This record was a way of saying, ‘Sorry for being such a pain in the arse for the last 20 years.'"

Meanwhile, fans in Los Angeles were able to hear 'The Magic Whip' in its entirety today (April 18) as an ice cream van rportedly travelled to various record stores in the city. People who have purchased a record (presumably meaning pre-ordered 'The Magic Whip') will be given free ice cream while anyone using the secret code 'THE MAGIC WHIP' will receive a flexi-disc featuring 'Lonesome Street' on it. 'The Magic Whip' is out on April 27, and is the first proper Blur album since 1999's '13'.

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NEW: The Charlatans - 'Let The Good Times Be Never Ending'

There aren't many bands who have been through as much turmoil as The Charlatans, and there are even fewer that have managed to survive. Yet after over 25 years after their formation, they recently returned with one of their strongest pieces of work to date. 

‘Modern Nature’ is their first album since 2010's 'Who We Touch' and the first to be released since the sad death of drummer Jon Brookes in 2012. 

Read the full album review HERE. Complete with a killer bassline and an urgent disco rhythm, album centrepiece 'Let The Good Times Be Never Ending' makes you realise that this record isn't about mourning, more about celebrating life. 

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NEW: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - 'Riverman'

21 years after setting British music alight, the legend that is Noel Gallagher continues to produce the goods, as his superb second solo album 'Chasing Yesterday' sits at the top of Amazon's best selling albums of 2015 list. It's also the fastest selling album of the year so far. The record's opening track 'Riverman' will be released as the next single on May 11th. There is a limited edition coloured 7" vinyl available to pre-order here: http://po.st/RVMAN7 featuring the B-Side 'Leave My Guitar Alone', alternatively get the download here: http://po.st/vSSRrv.

While the album title 'Chasing Yesterday' may suggest an exercise in nostalgia and returning to the sound of the glory days, the relaxed acoustic-driven 'Riverman' immediately reveals that (at times) a rather different path lies ahead, conjuring up images of smoky rooms, and even stepping into space-jazz territory with a wild saxophone solo near the end. Read the full album review HERE.

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NEW: Idlewild - '(Use It) If You Can Use It'

Scottish indie legends Idlewild returned in February after a six year hiatus, with a brilliant new album. The record's centrepiece '(Use It) If You Can Use It' is a bright grower that develops into a surprising, almost Krautrock-esque jam before breaking the volume levels towards its massive climax. Listeners will need a patient ear to fully appreciate this alluring piece of work which combines the wistful quality of Roddy Woomble's solo work with the power of vintage Idlewild, but such patience will be rewarded. Read the full album review HERE.

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NEW: The Charlatans - 'In The Tall Grass'

There aren't many bands who have been through as much turmoil as The Charlatans, and there are even fewer that have managed to survive. Yet after over 25 years after their formation, they recently returned with one of their strongest pieces of work to date. 

‘Modern Nature’ is their first album since 2010's 'Who We Touch' and the first to be released since the sad death of drummer Jon Brookes in 2012. 

Read the full album review HERE, and take a listen to the baggy vibes and haunting harmonies of the infectious 'In The Tall Grass'...

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NEW: Gaz Coombes - 'To The Wire'

Following on from 2012's 'Here Come The Bombs', the second LP from ex Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes sees him settling into life as a solo artist by breaking down the sort of boundaries that would have proved more difficult for a guitar trio. 

The progressive confidence of 'On The Wire' sees stellar melodies tied to a refreshing backdrop of panicked drum loops and superbly placed chords. 

Read the full album review HERE.

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NEW: Idlewild - 'On Another Planet'

Scottish indie legends Idlewild returned in February after a six year hiatus, with a brilliant new album. One of 'Everything Ever Written''s best tracks arrives with the excellent 'On Another Planet', an uptempo blast of much-needed energy that's more reminiscent of early Idlewild than anything else on the record. Listeners will need a patient ear to fully appreciate this alluring piece of work which combines the wistful quality of Roddy Woomble's solo work with the power of vintage Idlewild, but such patience will be rewarded. Read the full album review HERE.

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NEW: Paul Weller - 'Saturns Pattern'

This soulfully psychedelic offering is perhaps the most intriguing track of the three that Paul Weller has so far revealed from his upcoming 'Saturns Pattern' album. Released on May 11. It will be his 12th studio album and the first since 2012's 'Sonik Kicks'. 

"I think it's one of the best things I've done. And it's been a pleasure doing it. There's been no headaches," Weller said. "I can't compare it to any of my other albums. I think it's different not just for me, but different from what else is around. It's been pretty quick, really. We did a bit of work before the summer, then I took a break because I was out on the road. We started back in October. It's taken us a couple of months, maybe." Weller has said that the album is "certainly progressive in the literal sense of the word. It's defiantly 21st Century music." 

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NEW: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - 'Do The Damage'

This brilliant uptempo offering was originally on the B-side of Noel Gallagher's single 'In The Heat Of The Moment', and can also be found on the deluxe edition of Noel's new album 'Chasing Yesterday'.

Of 'Do The Damage' Noel said: "It might be the 23rd best song I ever wrote. It was - for about a year - gonna be the opening track on the album until the 22nd best song I ever wrote appeared..." Good to have you back, Chief.

Read a review of the superb 'Chasing Yesterday' HERE.

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NEW: The Charlatans - 'Keep Enough'

The eleven tracks that make up The Charlatans' 12th album mark something of a new chapter for this remarkable group. There aren't many bands who have been through as much turmoil and there are even fewer that have managed to survive. Yet after over 25 years after their formation, they are back with one of their strongest pieces of work to date. ‘Modern Nature’ is their first album since 2010's 'Who We Touch' and the first to be released since the sad death of drummer Jon Brookes in 2012. But rather than dwell on their bad luck, the band have once again triumphed over tragedy with a stellar set of tracks coloured with melancholic sunshine, soul vibes and subtle shades of funk. In their own words: “songs that made us happy.” Sumptuous guitar hook and swooning strings make for a stunning combination on the gorgeous Curtis Mayfield-esque 'Keep Enough', which is just one of many amazing tracks on this LP. Read the full album review HERE.

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NEW: Muse - 'Dead Inside'

Following on from the storming 'Psycho', Muse have unveiled another track from their upcoming new album 'Drones'. 

Matt Bellamy explains the new song 'Dead Inside', where alongside the guitars, something of a Visage-meets-Bowie feel creates a creeping sense of unease: "This is where the story of the album begins, where the protagonist loses hope and becomes 'Dead Inside', therefore vulnerable to the dark forces introduced in 'Psycho' and which ensue over the next few songs on the album, before eventually defecting, revolting and overcoming these dark forces later in the story." 

'Drones' will be released on June 8 and is co-produced by Muse and Robert John 'Mutt' Lange. 

NEW: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - 'Ballad Of The Mighty I'

New? Well new-ish. Thought I'd better feature it before it's "newness" expires too much. I'm still enjoying 'Chasing Yesterday' the excellent second solo album from Noel Gallagher, which features the most recent single, 'Ballad Of The Mighty I'. The song also features Smiths legend Johnny Marr. "He just arrived with two guitars and a bag of effects pedals" says Noel, "And I have to say, he’s unbelievable. He’s way up there, on another level to the rest of us. The result is a burst of energy that helped make 'Ballad Of The Mighty I' one of the best songs I've ever written." This fine helping of shadowy power-disco provides another example of the interesting twists and turns and unpredictable chord changes that Noel wouldn't have even attempted in the 90s. Featuring some effortlessly brilliant guitar from Johnny Marr, it's a fine ending to a stellar piece of work. Read the full album review HERE.

The LP was produced by Noel himself: “I didn’t like it to be honest" said Noel regarding producing solo for the first time, "I’d taken it to my producer, Dave Sardy, who has worked with me for the last 10 years and for whatever reasons he couldn’t do it… I enjoyed the freedom with it but I didn’t enjoy managing the sessions. The end product is great but it was a pain in the arse,” he said. Noel described the album's sound as “very eclectic... You could take a pair of tracks and play them together and think, ‘fucking hell, he’s gone insane, what’s he done there’ but then you could take another pair of tracks and think ‘well it sounds like a rock ‘n’ roll album’” said Gallagher.

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NEW: Blur - 'Lonesome Street'

Blur have unveiled the third song to be taken from their upcoming eighth studio album 'The Magic Whip'. The album opener 'Lonesome Street' may have been conceived in Hong Kong, but it's as British as it gets. It's characterised by three different elements: a jaunty, insanely catchy verse that harks back to the days of 'Modern Life Is Rubbish', brief spells of melancholy that carry on from Damon's 'Everyday Robots' LP from last year, and a Graham-sung bit of cockney-psychedelica highly reminiscent of legendary loon Syd Barrett singing something written by Madness.

Considering the way these new songs were recorded, I had doubts about the new album and was worried that it wouldn't live up to my massively high expectations. You can read my thoughts on that HERE. But now, having heard a low-quality recording of the band playing the album in full at a secret gig on Friday night (March 20) I can already tell that 'The Magic Whip' is going to be a very special treat indeed. Bringing familiar elements from their past into the 21st century and often utilizing a greater sense of space, this may very well be the greatest comeback record of all time, and that is not an exaggeration. What can be more exciting that your favourite band returning with their first proper album in 16 years? 

'The Magic Whip' is released on April 27.

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NEW: Gaz Coombes - 'Detroit'

Following on from 2012's 'Here Come The Bombs', the second LP from ex Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes sees him settling into life as a solo artist by breaking down the sort of boundaries that would have proved more difficult for a guitar trio. From it, the spacious highlight 'Detroit' runs on an easy moving kinetic pace, countering dark lyrics with dazzling melodies and the anthemic power of its magnificent chorus.

Experimenting and moving forwards while never misplacing that gift for brilliant songwriting, 'Matador' is the most vital and consistent Coombes record has delivered in at least a decade. Aside from a few contributions from drummer Loz Colbert and keyboardist brother Charlie Coombes, all the instruments on the album were played by Gaz himself, and it looks like this new independence and increased creative control has paid off. Read my full album review HERE.

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NEW: Paul Weller - 'White Sky'

The Modfather himself Paul Weller returns with his brand new album 'Saturn's Pattern' on May 11. It will be his 12th studio album and the first since 2012's 'Sonik Kicks'. It will comprise of nine tracks, including this heaving blast of space-age blues-rock that Weller has unveiled as the first taste of the LP.

"I think it's one of the best things I've done. And it's been a pleasure doing it. There's been no headaches," Weller said. "I can't compare it to any of my other albums. I think it's different not just for me, but different from what else is around. It's been pretty quick, really. We did a bit of work before the summer, then I took a break because I was out on the road. We started back in October. It's taken us a couple of months, maybe." Excitingly, 'Saturn’s Pattern' features a “kazoo through a fuzzbox” and was recorded with his usual bandmates Steve Cradock and Andy Lewis, as well as members of psychedelic jazz group Syd Arthur. Weller has said that the album is "certainly progressive in the literal sense of the word. It's defiantly 21st Century music." 

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NEW: Blur - 'There Are Too Many Of Us'

As the release of Blur's long waited comeback album 'The Magic Whip' draws nearer, two things happened today. Firstly, the band played the whole album in full to a crowd of just a few hundred people at the Mode venue in London, with various Twitter users declaring the new songs to be brilliant. Secondly, the group premiered the second track to be taken from the album along with a rather lo-fi video. Unlike the previous 'Go Out', the dark, mournful grower 'There Are Too Many Of Us' proves that Blur aren't simply replicating their old sound'.

Kicking off with military snares and symphonic keyboards, it's an odd an unexpected intro which begins to grow as soon as the guitar enters along with Damon Albarn's enchantingly melancholic vocal and a well arranged musical backdrop. Moody and atmospherically cloudy, it suggests that the new LP will be a rather eclectic piece of work

Produced by Stephen Street, 'The Magic Whip' will be released on April 27 and is the first album Blur have recorded as a four piece in over 16 years. Listen to the refreshingly noisy 'Go Out' and read my thoughts about the upcoming release of 'The Magic Whip' HERE.

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NEW: The Charlatans - 'Emilie'

An absolute stunner taken from the new album 'Modern Nature'. There aren't many bands who have been through as much turmoil as The Charlatans, and there are even fewer that have managed to survive. Yet after over 25 years after their formation, they are back with one of their strongest pieces of work to date. ‘Modern Nature’ is their first album since 2010's 'Who We Touch' and the first to be released since the sad death of drummer Jon Brookes in 2012. But rather than dwell on their bad luck, the band have once again triumphed over tragedy with a stellar set of tracks coloured with melancholic sunshine, soul vibes and subtle shades of funk. In their own words: “songs that made us happy.” Read the full album review HERE. It's hard not to fall in love with the mysterious and beautiful 'Emilie', another helping of classic Charlatans that easily stands alongside any of their best loved songs. 

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NEW: Stephen Jones - 'No Cameras'

Although many people won't have any idea of what happened to Babybird since the chart hits of the 90s, Sheffield cult hero Stephen Jones has actually been releasing a huge amount of new music via his Bandcamp page over the last couple of years or so. In fact this most prolific musician seems to put something new out every week. But this new album entitled 'Meloncholy' is particularly notable for being the first album of "music and words" since the final Babybird album 'The Pleasures Of Self Destruction' from 2012. Apparently "a new name to replace "Babybird" would have been used" for this album but is "being kept secret for a future release". One of the album's highlights comes with the sparse, ambient wonder of the breathtaking 'No Cameras' where Jones's vocal, drops of piano and a splendid arrangement combine to work magic. It may very well be the most beautiful song he's ever made. Read the full album review HERE, where you can also stream and download 'Melancholy'.

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NEW: Ash - 'Cocoon'

After the 'A-Z Series' from a few years ago turned out to be a disappointment, I wasn't expecting much from the new single from Northern Irish indie rock heroes Ash. But it's turned out to be an impressive thing that suggests something of a return to form from the trio. Their last proper album was 2007's 'Twilight Of The Innocents', making it 8 years since their previous full-length. 'Kablammo!' will be the band's sixth album, and is released at some point over the next few months. Drummer Rick McMurray has described 'Cocoon' as "Ash at their frenetic best: a wall of guitars and a shot of adrenaline with a sweet melodic chaser... Having this much fun crammed into two and a half minutes is probably illegal." Rick also spoke about the album: "After a wait of eight years, and a long string of singles, we've gone on to do what we said we would never do again: we've only gone and recorded a brand new album! We set out to capture the live essence of Ash, the closest sonic predecessor would be 2004's 'Meltdown', with the songwriting of the Free All Angels singles."

"We've stripped away the electronic overtones of the A-Z Series and made a streamlined blazing guitar record. On every song you can hear what makes this band tick, our beating (atomic) heart. It's a visceral expression of what has driven us since 1992. Passion, melody and Ash."

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NEW: Idlewild - 'Nothing I Can Do About It'

Idlewild return after a six year hiatus with their seventh studio album, and it doesn't disappoint. From it, the brilliant 'Nothing I Can Do About It' mixes melancholy with infectious resonance to provide one of the highlights of not just this album, but the group's career. Listeners will need a patient ear to fully appreciate this alluring piece of work which combines the wistful quality of Woomble's solo work with the power of vintage Idlewild, but such patience will be rewarded. Read the full album review at RW/FF HERE.

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