SOUND NT JUDGEME

THE LATEST ALBUM RELEASES RATED AND REVIEWED

A BATH FULL OF ECSTASY HOT CHIP ★★★★ ★

FESTIVAL season is upon us, and stage favourites Hot Chip are back with their melancholy yet joyous pop synth.

There is plenty of influence here from the 70s and 80s, hints of Depeche Mode, Prince and even a run reminiscent of mixtape favourite Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now in the form of Spell (a jerky, rhythmic and foot tapping piece of magnificence).

Overall this album creates a deep breath sigh of relaxation, and delivers involuntary shoulder dancing and head bobbing as you lose yourself to the tempo and the heady euphoric Hungry Child is ready and waiting for your presence on the dance floor.

LATE NIGHT FEELINGS

MARK RONSON ★★★★ ★

MARK RONSON shrugs off the upbeat in Late Night Feelings.

Aptly called a collection of “sad bangers” by the musician himself, the new album sidesteps late night euphoria to tell the story of early morning melancholy instead. An allfemale cast of vocalists – from megastars Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys to queer icon King Princess – sing lyrics tinged with heartbreak, born out of Ronson’s recent divorce.

Late Night Feelings gives you the combination of strong female vocals and a blend of funk and soul to create a powerful album.

FALSE ALARM

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB ★★★ ★★

THE Northern Irish indie trio’s fourth album leans further into the electronic stylings of its 2016 predecessor Gameshow, landing squarely in The 1975’s wheelhouse. Singles Talk and Satellite, respectively early and late in the piece, are two of the stronger offerings, while the rangy centrepiece Nice To See You shows every trick up the band’s sleeve.

The album’s theme is focused on technological anxieties, and latest single Dirty Air cranks up the unease to its highest level, resembling The The with a rockier edge.

The album may not blow away the uninitiated, but it is sure to please existing fans and has earned the band some prime spots in the summer’s festival rotation.