Reviews / Album

The album takes a few listens to grasp the music’s nuances, drama and depth. But an album that demands to be played more than once is a rarity and is worth an exchange of dollars.

Totale Nite sees Merchandise rise above the hefty handful of Joy Division copy-cats and proudly exemplify themselves as being their own brilliant creation.

An Ear To The Earth is exactly what you want from an artist – a record that shows they’re stretching themselves, expanding their art and reverentially experimenting with the great art of songwriting.

Diplo, now the only ‘real’ Lazer left after Switch’s departure in 2011, has come up with a masterpiece here. Let’s hope the third is not so delayed.

If you’re partial to a bit of global mobilisation, then Strength To Survive is the only soundtrack you’ll need to stay strong.

If they’d stop trying to be everything to everybody and leave that job to Maroon 5, this could have had the longevity to put them amongst the elite, with Black Stones being tagged as one of the best albums of 2013.

There are a number of fine examples of Marr’s guitar greatness, but none more so than on Say Demesne.