• Lisa Hannigan announces new album ‘At Swim’. Debuts ‘Prayer for the Dying’

    Today saw the unveiling of the first track to be heard from Lisa Hannigan’s forthcoming third LP At Swim. The new record, produced by Aaron Dessner of The National, follows on from Hannigan’s 2011 triumph Passenger. Struggling to write material for a new album while living sporadically divided between London and Dublin and being involved in myriad other projects, At Swim began to come to life once Dessner contacted her suggesting they collaborate. The album approaches ideas of homesickness and of being adrift in a sea of isolation but just as elegantly handles themes of love in ways that only Lisa Hannigan can. ‘Prayer for the Dying’…

  • Pixies release surprise EP

    Despite losing a founding member in Kim Deal a couple of months, Pixies have released a surprise EP titled EP-1 – their first multi-track release of original material in twenty-two years. Set to be the first in a series of EPs by the Frank Black-fronted (above) band over the next year or so, the four-track release is available to purchase digitally and on vinyl here. To accompany the release, the band have also unveiled the video to its lead single, the (actually pretty good) ‘Indie Cindy’. Check out the video and the tracklisting for the release below! 1. ‘Andro Queen’ 2.…

  • In Utero Reissue Tracklisting Unveiled

    Twenty years on from its original release, the tracklisting for the four-disc reissue of Nirvana’s seminal third studio album In Utero has been unveiled. Set for release via Universal on September 24 the 3 CD and 1 DVD release will contain 70 tracks of demos, rarities, live recordings and a remastered version of the original album, almost exclusively mixed by Steve Albini. Perhaps most exciting of all is the track ‘Forgotten Tune’, an unreleased, recently discovered instrumental rehearsal track that features on disco two. View the full tracklisting below. Disc 1: remastered album with b-sides and bonus tracks 1. Serve the…

  • The Answer unveil new LP, tour dates

    Downpatrick rockers The Answer have announced that they will release their fourth studio album, New Horizon, on September 30 via Napalm Records. The band’s first full-length release since 2011’s Revival, the late Storm Thorgerson worked with the band on the album’s artwork. The Answer will play Belfast’s Limelight 2 on Friday, October 11 and Dublin’s Whelan’s on Saturday, October 12. The band will also embark on a UK-wide tour to mark the release of the album: October Thursday 17: Manchester Academy 3 Friday 18: Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall Saturday 19: Leeds Cockpit Sunday 20: Sheffield Corporation Tuesday 22: Glasgow The Garage…

  • 4AD to release retrospective book

    Thirty-four years after being founded by Ivo Watts-Russell and Peter Kent, a new book entitled Facing The Other Way will document the colourful history of boundlessly influential record label, 4AD. Having released music from artists as diverse and pioneering the Pixies, Grimes to Cocteau Twin – to name but a few – the London-based independent label will sees its history penned by journalist Martin Aston and will feature several exclusive interviews. You can pre-order Facing The Other Way – set for release on September 19 – here. Watch a 4AD session from the Mark Lanegan Band below.  

  • Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies aged 49

    Jeff Hanneman, founding guitarist of American thrash metal legends Slayer has died, aged 49. As announced via the band’s official Facebook page last night, Hanneman died of liver failure in California on Thursday. The guitarist had been suffering from a flesh-eating disease since 2011 called necrotising fasciitis, believed to have been contracted from a spider bite. Slayer’s official statement said, “Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11am this morning near his Southern California home.” R.I.P. Jeff. Everyone else, get this into your lugs (so to speak).