2020s 149 Items

Japan based indie rock band Emptei will be release latest 2nd album on vinyl.
Sounds dreamy, psychedelic and evergreen.Clear green vinyl.

In March 2024, the legendary techno unit Oriental Magnetic Yellow, a group of game music composers at Namco at the time, re-released six albums to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Commemorating the band's restart, the 2-in-1 6th album "nancy Boys / Nervous", which leads from "nancy Boys", a rapid approach to J-pop, to "Nervous", the last commemorative album before the band's hiatus, is available as a limited Clear Vinyl edition!

2LP black, 180g, printed jackets w/ printed inner sleeves,
40 page booklet,
folded 24”x 36” poster,
in a slipcase

Every so often an album comes along that, from the very first seconds, fills one with a state of overwhelm and wonder, knowing that one has stumbled upon something truly special. Swedish musician Petter Herbertsson has been steadily recording and releasing albums for over two decades with his group Testbild! (not to mention many other projects under various aliases), but he recorded his so-far career defining statement with Ulrika, an album of almost imperceptible beauty.

Quietly released at the tail end of 2023 by Sweden’s Dilettante Productions in an edition of 199 copies, Ulrika unfolds like a flower in the morning sun, slowly opening and unveiling itself to the world. It’s hard to believe that Herbertsson plays all of the instruments on the album, as it is an especially sumptuous affair, with guitar, vibraphone, all manner of keys (including some especially lovely harpsichord), melodica, vocals and more all intertwining with each other. In someone else’s hands it could easily have come across as stiff and crowded, but here every instrument is given its proper amount of space to breathe, with an organic feeling of warmth that one just wants to sink into.

Although some analogs can be made to ’70s era Robert Wyatt, Brian Wilson’s lush arrangements or Slapp Happy’s charming avant–pop, Herbertsson has done an impeccable job of distilling these influences into his own defined sound. From the production to the compositions, nothing about Ulrika feels modern, the entire affair sounding like it could have been released in 1972 (in the best way possible). Rarely does 21st century music reach the levels of artistic maturity found on Ulrika.

Naoko Gushima's third album released in 1999, which has expanded its musical range more gorgeously while maintaining the stylish and urban atmosphere, will be re-released for a limited time on clear vinyl!

Following on from the previous work, Naoko Gushima's second album, released in 1997, which is almost entirely composed of her own songs and is equally popular in Japan and abroad, will be re-released for a limited time on Clear Green Vinyl!

Naoko Gushima's 1996 debut and urban mellow masterpiece, which has been attracting attention in recent years in the reevaluation of city pop, has been re-released for a limited time on clear purple vinyl!

Seira Kariya's first album "Always Fresh", released in 2022, is now available on long-awaited LP! This is their first full-length album after 7 years since her debut. The album tells a story of trying to hold on to the future while living through a difficult time with urban and danceable music, and is filled with heartbreaking melancholy and pop brilliance. Also includes a cover of tofubeats' "Suisei", a song with which she has a close relationship.

Tokyo based indie pop / psychedelic pop band, xiexie finally releases their long-awaited debut album called “wellwell” on June 12. They have played in Fuji Rock Festival, and opened for many international artists. They also did their first headline show overseas in Taiwan and it was very successful.Their music is a bridge between Asian indie music scene and US indie music scene.

Kite 'vii' - Seven 7" singles, remastered, with original full-length mixes appearing on vinyl for the first time.

Since surfacing into the Scandinavian synth-pop scene 16 years ago, Nicklas Stenemo and Christian Hutchinson Berg aka Kite have steadily grown from local icons to a global phenomenon, yet until now they’ve never released a full-length studio album. 'vii' breaks the ice, collecting 14 of the duo’s deepest and most dynamic anthems into a stormy saga of immersive, apocalyptic emotion. Sourced from a series of seven 7-inch singles released over the past half-decade, the collection persuasively showcases Kite’s distinctly cinematic strain of Swedish darkwave in all its glory and desolation. Stenemo and Berg had both logged time in other bands before joining forces in the mid-aughts, although their unique chemistry became apparent immediately. After forming in Malmö, Sweden, they soon relocated to Stockholm, further refining their fusion of brooding synths, booming rhythm, and vocal theatrics over a string of celebrated, numbered EPs (named I through VI). Despite their rising profile, Kite then and now have largely refrained from publicity, allowing their music to speak for itself – which it clearly has, as Kite’s live performances have become the stuff of legend, prompting frequent festival invitations, international tours, and limited engagements on prestigious stages (recently at the Royal Swedish Opera, and Dalhalla, the former limestone quarry turned open air amphitheater, to name a few). VII offers a compendium of Kite’s potent recent discography, including collaborations with Blanck Mass, Anna von Hausswolff, and Henric de la Cour. From yearning dystopian pop ("Hand Out The Drugs," "Bowie ‘95"), to widescreen existential balladry ("Tranås/Stenslanda," "Glassy Eyes"), and sleek New Romantica ("Remember Me," "Teenage Bliss"), Kite’s wavelength is one of soaring heights and abysmal depths, anguish and ecstasy, pouring one’s burning, battered heart into the here and now. Their years of visceral commitment and artistic integrity have been hard fought and hard won; it bleeds between the words and melodies in one holy moment after another: "I switch my ways / To seize the day / To face my life / Not fade to gray."

Sacred Skin is back! Their sophomore album Born in Fire hits turntables everywhere September 2024. Pre-order now to reserve your copy! This latest effort builds off the band’s full-length debut (2022’s The Decline of Pleasure) and takes their sound to a completely new level. Painting a blackened, dystopian vision of life in modern-day Los Angeles, Born in Fire is a movie soundtrack inspired by a forgotten era. Anthemic pop music steeped in romanticism and melancholy and drenched in layers upon layers of new wave nostalgia. For fans of ’80s soundtracks, Tangerine Dream, INXS, Depeche Mode, and New Order.

Midnight Mannequin Records is proud to present this deluxe pressing of Born in Fire on 2xLP colored vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket, complete with OBI strip.

Manu Chao reist seit Jahren um die Welt, um seine Fans an ungewöhnlichen Orten, in Dörfern und auf kleinen Festivals zu treffen. Manu veröffentlicht nun sein neues Studioalbum „Viva Tu“, eine Sammlung von Liedern, die über das tägliche Leben mit seinen Kämpfen geschrieben wurden. Seine frische Sicht auf den Zustand der Welt besingt er in sonnigen, universellen Lieder auf Spanisch, Französisch, Englisch und Portugiesisch und zeichnet ein schonungsloses Bild sozialer Ungleichheiten. Der Titelsong „Viva Tu“, eine herzliche Rumba, die den Helden des Alltags gewidmet ist, hat bereits Spuren hinterlassen. Die zweite Single, „São Paulo Motoboy“, ist eine farbenfrohe, sonnige Ode an die zweirädrigen Lieferfahrer, die sich jeden Tag durch die lateinamerikanischen Metropolen wagen. Das Album enthält auch denkwürdige Kollaborationen mit der Country-Legende Willie Nelson und dem aufstrebenden französischen Rapper Laeti.

Lime Green Transparent vinyl. Cover with hype sticker on the front, close to NM

Kite 'vii' - Seven 7" singles, remastered, with original full-length mixes appearing on vinyl for the first time.

Since surfacing into the Scandinavian synth-pop scene 16 years ago, Nicklas Stenemo and Christian Hutchinson Berg aka Kite have steadily grown from local icons to a global phenomenon, yet until now they’ve never released a full-length studio album. 'vii' breaks the ice, collecting 14 of the duo’s deepest and most dynamic anthems into a stormy saga of immersive, apocalyptic emotion. Sourced from a series of seven 7-inch singles released over the past half-decade, the collection persuasively showcases Kite’s distinctly cinematic strain of Swedish darkwave in all its glory and desolation. Stenemo and Berg had both logged time in other bands before joining forces in the mid-aughts, although their unique chemistry became apparent immediately. After forming in Malmö, Sweden, they soon relocated to Stockholm, further refining their fusion of brooding synths, booming rhythm, and vocal theatrics over a string of celebrated, numbered EPs (named I through VI). Despite their rising profile, Kite then and now have largely refrained from publicity, allowing their music to speak for itself – which it clearly has, as Kite’s live performances have become the stuff of legend, prompting frequent festival invitations, international tours, and limited engagements on prestigious stages (recently at the Royal Swedish Opera, and Dalhalla, the former limestone quarry turned open air amphitheater, to name a few). VII offers a compendium of Kite’s potent recent discography, including collaborations with Blanck Mass, Anna von Hausswolff, and Henric de la Cour. From yearning dystopian pop ("Hand Out The Drugs," "Bowie ‘95"), to widescreen existential balladry ("Tranås/Stenslanda," "Glassy Eyes"), and sleek New Romantica ("Remember Me," "Teenage Bliss"), Kite’s wavelength is one of soaring heights and abysmal depths, anguish and ecstasy, pouring one’s burning, battered heart into the here and now. Their years of visceral commitment and artistic integrity have been hard fought and hard won; it bleeds between the words and melodies in one holy moment after another: "I switch my ways / To seize the day / To face my life / Not fade to gray."

After years of reluctance, finally a new album from Dada Pogrom. The Icelandic musician Kenneth Walter Balys has created a masterpiece of elaborated synth passages with wonderful pop melodies. His performances are few and far between, but in March 2024 he had already played some of the new songs in front of a full sold out house at the Kernkrach Festival. The audience was thrilled and demanded encores.

Sophie is the eponymous follow-up to the artist’s groundbreaking 2018 debut album, OIL OF Every Pearl’s Un-insides and 2015 singles compilation, Product. It will be the final Sophie album release, adding new depth and meaning to an eternally progressive canon of artistry. Sophie, the self-titled second album from the visionary artist, producer and pop pioneer, will be released via Transgressive and Future Classic on 27 September 2024.

This album was created by Sophie and some of her most cherished collaborators. Close to completion when she tragically died, it has been lovingly finalised by those who hold her closest.

As Sophie’s studio manager and most trusted sounding board for over a decade, Benny Long was heavily involved in the release of Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-insides, with mastering, production and mixing credits to his name. The two then worked together over several years developing the concept and production of this follow-up album, which Benny has lovingly completed, honouring Sophie’s vision.

Sophie is the eponymous follow-up to the artist’s groundbreaking 2018 debut album, OIL OF Every Pearl’s Un-insides and 2015 singles compilation, Product. It will be the final Sophie album release, adding new depth and meaning to an eternally progressive canon of artistry. Sophie, the self-titled second album from the visionary artist, producer and pop pioneer, will be released via Transgressive and Future Classic on 27 September 2024.

This album was created by Sophie and some of her most cherished collaborators. Close to completion when she tragically died, it has been lovingly finalised by those who hold her closest.

As Sophie’s studio manager and most trusted sounding board for over a decade, Benny Long was heavily involved in the release of Oil Of Every Pearl’s Un-insides, with mastering, production and mixing credits to his name. The two then worked together over several years developing the concept and production of this follow-up album, which Benny has lovingly completed, honouring Sophie’s vision.

Manu Chao reist seit Jahren um die Welt, um seine Fans an ungewöhnlichen Orten, in Dörfern und auf kleinen Festivals zu treffen. Manu veröffentlicht nun sein neues Studioalbum „Viva Tu“, eine Sammlung von Liedern, die über das tägliche Leben mit seinen Kämpfen geschrieben wurden. Seine frische Sicht auf den Zustand der Welt besingt er in sonnigen, universellen Lieder auf Spanisch, Französisch, Englisch und Portugiesisch und zeichnet ein schonungsloses Bild sozialer Ungleichheiten. Der Titelsong „Viva Tu“, eine herzliche Rumba, die den Helden des Alltags gewidmet ist, hat bereits Spuren hinterlassen. Die zweite Single, „São Paulo Motoboy“, ist eine farbenfrohe, sonnige Ode an die zweirädrigen Lieferfahrer, die sich jeden Tag durch die lateinamerikanischen Metropolen wagen. Das Album enthält auch denkwürdige Kollaborationen mit der Country-Legende Willie Nelson und dem aufstrebenden französischen Rapper Laeti.