This Week's Releases

Neil Young — Peace Trail (Warner)

A "new sense of purpose has taken hold" of Young as he releases his 37th studio album. There's "cautious optimism over some dry rattling drums" and evidence "he's still willing to take creative risks in the surreal, dismembered vocals of My Pledge". It's a "lucid, inspired" work and details his "indefeasible work ethic". We gave it four stars and Album Of The Week.

The Colorist & Emiliana Torrini — The Colorist & Emiliana Torrini (Rough Trade/Remote Control)

The "unmistakeable" voice of Torrini and The Colorist's "unique take" on instruments — traditional and self-made —  create a record that "seats the listener in the front row, watching in awe". Original songs are reinterpreted, including Torrini's Jungle Drum, "in a way never before heard". It's a "fascinating, captivating record, one that may challenge but that also comes with a huge pay-off". We gave it four stars.

Raf Rundell — The Adventures Of Selfie Boy, Pt. 1 (1965 Records/[PIAS] Australia)

Rundell has "migrated away from the dancefloor" in terms of focus but there are hints of "playful retro-rave'. There's "cut-and-paste sonic experimentation in the vein of early Pink Floyd" and "wonky piano grooves", making it a "rough-hewn, strange little record". We're constantly drawn back to "the odd collage of hypnotic rhythms, silliness and psychedelia". We gave it three-and-a-half stars.