Album releases

YO LA TENGO There’s A Riot Going On ★★★★

The cult trio from New Jersey reference Sly Stone’s 1971 album in the title, but the introspective sound is their own. The downcast mood hints at unease with the world but the songwriting action concentrates on the wild romantic yearnings of Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley, the couple at YLT’S centre. From arch funk in She May, She Might through the tropical Polynesia#1 to lonesome harmony in Shades of Blue and Forever, this is a teeming selection of swirling influences. Get ready to rumble.

THE FRATELLIS In Your Own Sweet Time ★★

The fifth album from the Glaswegian trio shows their usual knack for bright and peppy pop (Starcrossed Losers) and down-the-line stompers (Laughing Gas). With producer Tony Hoffer (The Kooks and Beck) in control, many of Jon Fratelli’s eclectic impulses get an airing. If you like psychedelia (I Am That) or bargain basement Americana (I’ve

Been Blind), this is the place to be. Others may find that beneath the crafted surface, the Fratelli songbook’s cheesy lack of depth is a turn-off.

HOLGER CZUKAY Cinema ★★★★

This beautifully packaged 5-CD box set marks what would have been the 80th birthday of krautrock pioneer Holger and the 50th anniversary of the formation of his group Can. The collection is a chronological sweep through Czukay’s adventures in collaged soundscapes with additional unreleased material, including collaborations with Brian Eno and fellow bass playing maestro Jah Wobble. Czukay’s collaging anticipated hip-hop and so much modern music. A frontiersman in action.