SOUND JUDGEMENT

The latest album releases reviewed

WHAT’S IT GONNA TAKE?

Van Morrison

HHIII

Having served-up a dense slab of antilockdown sentiment during last year’s 28-track double album, Van Morrison fans might have been hoping he had exorcised all his feelings on Covid restrictions, but the Brown Eyed Girl singer swaps his trademark whimsical lyrics for snipes at “the government” for infringing on personal freedoms during the pandemic.

On Can’t Go On This Way, the 76-year-old sings how people “can’t go out dancing, can’t find no joy, can’t go on holiday” while on Absolutely Positively The Most he preaches that “restriction is a sin, we cannot win if we’re not free”.

The shame for this LP is there is much to like in the music. The Hammond organ adds a retro vibe, the mood is often funky, but the one-track protest lyrics jar during a record that trudges instead of inspiring revolution.

WATERSLIDE,

DIVING BOARD, LADDER TO THE SKY Porridge Radio HHHHI

The unstoppable rise of the UK’s best young indie band continues with this irresistible third studio album from the Brighton quartet.

The band have come a long way since their lo-fi DIY beginnings, and widescreen single The Rip sounds huge, while opener Back To The Radio is rousing alt-rock, perfect for the bigger venues sure to sell out on their autumn tour.

From their low-key start, Porridge Radio are now making a bigger splash and as the album title suggests, from here the sky’s the limit.

A LIGHT FOR ATTRACTING ATTENTION THE SMILE HHIII

The latest side project from the Radiohead camp sees Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood joining with drummer Tom Skinner of jazz upstarts Sons Of Kemet.

It opens with The Same, a haunting track that contains ambient sounds reminiscent of Kid A. Despite Skinner’s excellent technical chops, what follows is essentially a regurgitation of these themes with more of a focus on groove.