Neko Case - The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You

Four years on from Middle Cyclone, Neko Case is back, with an album written during a time of personal loss, chaos and depression, but one that is far from the bleak drakness that might suggest. A review is on its way (it’s her birthday on Sunday, so it’s the least I could do, really, even with such a reviewer-unfriendly album title); in the meantime the album is available on Spotify:

Okkervil River - The Silver Gymnasium

Their seventh album is conceptually set in lead singer Will Sheff’s hometown. Pitchfork have given it a middling review, but I’ll be making my own mind up as soon as I have a copy to review.

You can listen to the album at NPR: https://www.npr.org/2013/08/25/214471289/first-listen-okkervil-river-the-silver-gymnasium

Brilliantly, you can also play an 8-bit game inspired by the album at https://www.thesilvergymnasium.com/

Albums to look out for next week, some of which you can listen to in advance.

Arctic Monkeys - AM

Preceded by a trio of songs that all sound great and groovy but at the same time cluster together quite closely on the melodic map, the rest of the album needs to broaden out if Alex Turner’s lyrics and wry delivery are to get the backdrop they deserve. Out next week, and currently streaming on iTunes.

Emiliana Torrini - Tookah

The Quietus are streaming the album in advance of its release next week: https://thequietus.com/articles/13263-emiliana-torrini-tookah-album-stream

Pre-order the album from Rough Trade: https://www.roughtrade.com/albums/75635

Delorean - APAR

Currently streaming on Pitchfork advance, will the follow up to Subiza find new directions? A very quick early listen didn’t reveal anything out of the ordinary, but I’m assured its a big production album, and knowing Delorean it will be the perfect soundtrack to all our coming summers. Oh.

Listen to it here

Factory Floor - Factory Floor

Described as drones you can dance to. Long awaited, lots of buzz, so expect equal parts rave reviews and cynical dismissal. Currently streamable, and out next week:

Check out the stream at The Guardian

Arcade Fire - TBC

Something is happening next Monday, September 9th, at 9pm. That’s about all I know except that an album, Reflektor, is due on October 29.