Track Listings
Side: 1
1 : In The Absence Of Light
2 : Saturn 9
Side: 2
1 : Shadows
2 : Looking for a God

An escape into the cosmos, out of this world of the grey and the shallow into deep space, light and legend. ‘Absence of Light’ is the new EP from Polly Scattergood, a writing and production collaboration with Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Grinderman) and producer Glenn Kerrigan.

Releasing online on 17th August is the exuberantly upbeat 2nd single taken from the EP, ‘Saturn 9’. A pun on the word “saturnine” — meaning “gloomy, moody or mysterious” -- the literal meaning is “born under the influence of the planet Saturn.” ‘Saturn 9’ is about emerging from the gloom of lockdown into a radiant Summer of hope. Polly Scattergood has put together a video that sees a retro-colourful, smiley-faced and Lycra-clad gang of friends dancing through the streets, beat box in hand: a video that is all about movement, energy, and sharing positive feelings with each other.

Written during last year’s lockdowns in ‘virtual’ writing sessions with Jim Sclavunos (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds / Sonic Youth / Grinderman) and long-time collaborator Glenn Kerrigan, the EP evokes sounds from outer edges of the universe, celebrating the scientific wonder and mythological splendour of worlds and realms beyond our own. The EP characterised by a delight in science’s answers to the infinite questions of space, and the ancient Roman and Greek attempts to know the unknowable, and explain the inexplicable, is released on digital and physical formats in September.

“Whilst locked down we looked up. Dreaming of faraway landscapes and spaces in the distance.” explains Polly of a project that began with stargazing escapism and evolved into a study in the science and mythology of outer space. “We researched planets and solar systems, and found inspiration in a dreamlike journey. A shimmering darkness twisting around mythology and science but shrouded in a vast unknown. These journeys were then reflected upon from our more grounded space, mid-pandemic, trapped between four walls. All writing sessions via video link. Time delays and interference all added to the energy within this project.”

“I have known Jim for many years, and we had previously worked together in my studio in Camden.” Polly recalls, “When lockdown came in we decided to do some virtual writing sessions, the new-found time that we both had on our hands. We would get together on a video call at midday and just keep the session running until we had a song. Glenn Kerrigan, my long-time collaborator, was on hand to help us conjure up a sound from the outer edge of the universe.”

Track Listings
1 : Shoot
2 : Feel
3 : Now
4 : Cold
5 : Narcissus
6 : Ways
7 : Misty
8 : Just You and Me

'Ways' is Xyla's Leaving Records debut. Echoes of sweaty rave anthems and classic IDM head trips can be heard strewn throughout the album's eight compositions, awash in deep ambient swirls and intriguingly twisted samples. San Francisco's Xyla is a queer BPoC classical musician-turned producer heavily influenced by footwork, R&B, club and orchestral music. Two vinyl-exclusive bonus tracks included.

Track Listings
1 : Nothing's Free
2 : Forever Means
3 : Time Bandits
4 : Holding on

Last year's Big Time brought Angel Olsen to a deeper, truer sense of self than ever before. Borne from the twin stars of grief and love, the album delivered beautiful sense of certainty, the sure-footed sound of an artist fully, finally at home with herself. But within that wisdom comes the realization that there is no finish line, no destination or static end point to life while you're living it, and Forever Means collects songs from the Big Time sessions that hold this common theme. They are, in Olsen's words, "in search of something else.""I was somewhere traveling," says Olsen, "stopped for a few days and wandering the city, and I was thinking 'what does 'forever' really mean? What are the things I'm seeking in friendship or love, and how can 'forever' be attainable if we're always changing?'" Sitting with the reality of that entropy, Olsen realized "maybe the secret to ongoing love is to embrace change as part of love itself, that forever must have something to do with playing, looking, constantly searching things out for yourself, never letting yourself think you're finished learning or exploring."'Forever'", says Olsen, "remains curious while trying also to be kind and honest."All this packs into the four precious songs that comprise Forever Means, songs from Olsen's roads traveled and the ones ahead. "Nothing's free / like breaking free" Olsen sings, comfortable with the costs of her clarity, her heart and voice fixed on the present, the future, the not-yet-known and the beautifully unknowable.

Billy Bragg releases his first new studio album in five years Tooth & Nail on March 18 2013. Available formats are CD, LP and a limited special edition CD+DVD Bookpack. The limited special edition Bookpack includes the CD, a 36 page booklet containing exclusive photos and a collection of columns written by Billy originally published in Q magazine between 2008 and 2011, plus a DVD of 10 promotional videos that Billy made for his singles between 1986 - 2002. Tooth & Nail was recorded over a whirlwind five-day session with Grammy Award winning producer Joe Henry (whose impeccable production credits include Solomon Burke, Aimee Mann, Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint) in his South Pasadena studio. Working with a small band of musicians whose talents had recently appeared on records by the likes of Bon Iver, Lana del Rey and Regina Spektor, the performances have a wonderfully spontaneous feel. The results are, according to Billy, a return to the rootsy sound of 1998's Mermaid Avenue sessions he recorded with Wilco - drawing on soul, country and folk music influences to explore the ups and downs of relationships that have stood the test of time. 'In 2011, I took a long, hard look at who I am and what I do. This album is the result.' Billy Bragg January 2013

With equal bursts of yelpy noise and stop-start dynamics, Los Angeles-based indie quartet the Mae Shi ably tread the line between the post-hardcore and math-rock genres. LOCK THE SKULL, LOAD THE GUN presents a collection of 33 music videos and an hour-long documentary chronicling the band's 2004 U.S. tour through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and live performance clips.

The Newport Jazz Festival date features Ella Fitzgeralds sizzling vocal talents showcased in a small band setting that boasts the participation of pianist Don Abney, bassist Wendell Marshall and drummer Jo Jones. Nearly a year after the Newport Jazz Festival date Ella performed one of her most celebrated concerts in Rome on April 25, 1958. The vocalist is backed here by her regular piano trio of the period, which includes pianist Lou Levy, bassist Max Bennett and drummer Gus Johnson. Gambi. 2005.