ALBUM REVIEWS
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – The Silver Cord
The ever-prolific Australian band are back with another release that has as many twists and turns as their name. The Silver Cord is the group’s 25th album, which sees them return to electronic influences like German outfit Kraftwerk. Synth galore is in full swing from the off, with the goddess of light in opening track Theia setting the scene for a mythological journey. The Silver Cord is available in two versions. The seven tracks on the first, with their hooks, choruses, and timings, somewhat respect usual album structures. The second takes a hammer to three-minute conventions, with Theia becoming a 20-minute ethereal experience. Whether or not you enjoy the glorious chaos this time round, fear not. The band will no doubt be back again soon for album 26.
Duran Duran – Danse Macabre Review by Duncan Seaman
It’s 28 years since Duran Duran put their singular stamp on Grandmaster and Melle Mel’s White Lines (Don’t Do It). Almost three decades on, they’ve ventured another cover version that may raise some eyebrows – this time of The Specials’ indelible Ghost Town – and again it takes some getting used to, with Simon Le Bon taking on both Terry Hall and Neville Staples’ vocal parts. Elsewhere on this Halloween theme album are respectful takes on Talking Heads’ Psycho Killer, Billie Eilish’s Bury a Friend, and Siouxsie and the Banshees’ Spellbound. But the best moments are revamps of their own songs Nightboat and Secret Oktober 31st, both of which feature the welcome return of guitarist Andy Taylor, plus the longtime live favourite mashup of Lonely in Your Nightmare and Rick James’ Super Freak.
Myrkvi – Early Warning Review by Matthew George
Here’s a welcome surprise, an album of sparkling indie guitar songs packed full of shimmering melodies from Iceland’s Myrkvi. Early Warning hits that sweet spot between jangling guitars and shoegaze, with a dash of 90s-style slacker vibes. The title track, the single Miserable People and Self Pity showcase their poppier side in a rush of irresistible choruses. The brooding Lunatic slows the pace with layers of psychedelic guitars, which recur at the end of the catchy Hallucinations. Draumabyrjun, apparently meaning the perfect start, and final track Postpone show a more melancholy side of Myrkvi, made up of Magnus Thorlacius and his regular collaborator Yngvi Holm. Lyrics on these 10 tracks reflect on the duo’s 90s roots, wasted years and the lunacy of choosing to spend your life chasing an elusive dream.
Hinako Omori – Stillness, Softness… Review by Tom White
Known to a very different audience as Kae Tempest’s regular live keyboardist, Japanese composer Omori is an accomplished and emerging solo artist in her own right with a previous full-length album, a journey, released last year as well as a 2019 EP, Auraelia. What is new this time around is the prominence of her vocals rather than her previous mostly instrumental approach, perhaps taking confidence from bringing delirious smiles to the faces of Tempest and their audience on last year’s The Line Is A Curve tour as she nailed the Lianne La Havas feature on No Prizes. Singles Ember and Foundation are some of her most accessible songs to date while Cyanotype Memories is the album’s stand-out track.