Rock

Tori Amos
In Times Of Dragons
Fontana 8817864; LP: 8817865

Tori Amos’s 18th album is a conceptual work about the destruction of democracy in America by ‘Dictator-believing Lizard Demons’. It begins with the chilling ‘Shush’, which explores the misogynistic power of the patriarchy. Over her sombre piano chords Amos’s vocals evoke Kate Bush and the gravity of Nick Cave, and although metaphorical, it’s pretty clear who she has in mind. It’s an extraordinarily strong collection with not a single dud in these 17 allusive, image-rich songs. They are brilliantly played by Amos and her band, and range from the very serious to the playful: ‘Tempest’ builds dramatically with orchestral flourishes and ‘Strawberry Moon’, with daughter Natashya also on vocals, is disarmingly sweet. MB

Sound Quality: 90%

Jalen Ngonda
Doctrine Of Love
Daptone DAP084CD; LP: DAP084LP

UK-based American singer Jalen Ngonda’s second album is impeccably played and arranged soul, R&B and blues, that harks back to the sounds of late ’60s Motown, Stax and ’70s Philadelphia. Ngonda’s high vocal register reminds one of Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson but with some of James Brown’s funky grit on ‘Burning Temptation’. From the strings and brass to the drum sound it’s clearly a modern take on an earlier time. But there’s such a simultaneity of musical eras to pick from now that ‘retro’ is relatively meaningless; it’s more one’s choice of sound world. And with little compression and no auto-tune, this one’s very welcoming. MB

Sound Quality: 85%

Seefeel
Sol.Hz
Warp WARPCD398; LP: WARPLP398C

In 1994, Seefeel were the first guitar band signed to techno label Warp, although they sounded like they played phantasms of rock guitar. On their first album in 15 years it feels as if time has further eroded details from their hazy music. Rhythms are reduced to patterns of echoey thuds, which help give structure to shimmering electronic textures, and the guitars sound virtually atomised. Sarah Peacock is as enigmatic as ever, her singing disembodied and processed into shuddering patterns on ‘AM Flares’. It’s oddly beautiful, uncanny at times, and evocative of something beyond itself, as exemplified by both the title and music of ‘Beyond The Seen’. MB

Sound Quality: 80%

Skindred
You Got This
Earache MOSH729CD; LP: MOSH729LP

Rock and reggae have stylistically overlapped for decades, but Welsh trio Skindred’s mix of ragga and heavy metal puts them in a field of one. It feels like Shaggy backed by Gojira, a combination that works to invigorating effect. They also bring in elements of hip-hop, roots reggae and punk, even a hint of Bhangra. On ‘My People’, Benji Webbe toasts over boombastic dancehall-style drum beats boosted by massive guitar chords. But even when they are shaking the room, Skindred’s strength lies in their melodic hooks. They also excel on poppier tunes like the single, ‘Can I Get A’, and the sunny, celebratory skank, ‘Give Thanks’. MB

Sound Quality: 80%