JOE BONAMASSA

British Blues Explosion Live

J&R Adventures

THIS release sees the American guitarist pay (and play) homage to the music that inspired him to take up an axe in the first place. The first disc of the double CD edition shows exactly what is to follow by kicking off with Beck’s Bolero/Rice Pudding. Here, JB takes the original and gives it a tough but respectful workout, ably assisted by an excellent set of backing musicians. The keyboard player in particular emphasises the 1960s vibe throughout the set.

As this is a live album, the songs are frequently extended jams, in much the same way they would have been when performed back in the day.

The shades of Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page are much to the fore but, interestingly, the vocals also take on similarities to their original performers, such as Rod Stewart and Robert Plant.

This isn’t groundbreaking stuff but, then again, it’s not a clinical replaying of old songs either. It takes the originals and makes them fresh again while still having a blast. A clever trick. STEVE GRANTHAM

CHVRCHES Love is Dead

Glassnote

IT must be hard to make a record that’s resolutely pop yet speaks to 2018. Moving to New York from Glasgow and welcoming outside producers for the first time hasn’t changed Chvrches’ work substantially but has resulted in an album whose highlights are by turns vulnerable and militant.

Well-directed anger towards various heads of state (Graves) is notable amid dismissals of lovers – Miracle’s badass chorus is destined for soundtracks, Never Say Die boasts snares that sound like being beaten up by an end-of-level boss – but the outliers make this record treasurable.

My Enemy, a two-hander with The National’s Matt Berninger, is gracefully laced with ennui, and Deliverance scores Madonna points with its devotional language and 1980s chords – but affecting miniature Really Gone is stunning, declaring “I’m trying my best to toughen up for these days”.

Its tranquillity and emotional directness are a great gambit by Lauren Mayberry, and (frankly) show up the chart-bothering anthems around it. MICHAEL DORNAN