Smashing Pumpkins: Oceania (EMI
CD &
iTunes
★★★★
With driving guitars, Billy Corgan's pitch-perfect vocals and tunes a plenty, the Pumpkins' seventh long player will be greeted with relief from fans, who, over the past half-decade, have seen changes to the line-up.
The devoted know that Oceania is really the work of one man who writes all the songs, plays many of the instruments and is responsible for the hiring and the firing of those with whom he chooses to share a stage.
The tunes here sound fresh — not least Quasar, Panopticon, The Celestials and Pale Horses.
Glen Hansard: Rhythm and Repose (Plateau
CD &
iTunes
★★★★
Having won an Oscar for the plaintive song Falling Slowly in the movie Once, Glen Hansard reunites briefly with its co-vocalist Marketa Iglova on an assured solo debut that blends sparse and anxious acoustic songs with slow-burning rockier workouts.
Peaking Lights: Lucifer (Weird World
CD &
iTunes
★★★★
Wisconsin hippies Aaron Coyes and Indra Dunis deliver a joyous album drenched in sunshine and happy vibes. The third collection from the pair expands upon previous album 936 with great songs, gloriously chilled synths, loads of reverb and bin-bashing bass.
Duke Special: Oh Pioneer (Duke Special)
CD &
iTunes
★★★
The Lisburn native returns with his first album proper since 2008's Never Thought This Day Would Come. The interim period has seen five concept abums bear his name; the benefit is evident in the strength of these melodious and quirky pop gems.
Foreign Slippers: Farewell to the Old Ghosts (Izumi)
iTunes
★★★
Duke Special is one of the notable fans of Swedish-born, London-based songstress Gabi Froden. It is easy to see why he warmed to her on this slow-burning debut of complex but infectious folk-pop songs.
Various Artists: The Shortest Night (Sound Training)
iTunes
★★★★
Worthy collection of soul classics covered by some of Ireland's most talented artists to raise funds for Dublin Simon Community. The likes of Jape, Villagers and Ollie Cole do great work, while Pugwash and Neil Hannon unite on the standout, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.
Various Artists: Cream Ibiza (New State Music)
CD &
iTunes
★★★★
Replacing Halliwell on this summer’s Cream album are Above & Beyond, the one-thirds Irish trance trio responsible for some of the most forward-thinking progressive trance of the past decade. Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamaki will headline six dates at Cream in Ibiza this summer, and this showcase set – featuring Depeche Mode, Cosmic Gate and Jerome Isma-Ae – reveals that fans are in for a treat.
Antonio Trinchera: Spirits Write Letters (Psychonavigation)
CD
★★★
The heavely voice of Nikaelo graces Yes Or Not, the ethereal single that preceded Italian composer Trinchera's second album for Irish label Psychonavigation, and it typifies the colourful, looping soundscapes on this jazz-infused electronica affair.
Cheryl: A Million Lights (Polydor)
CD &
iTunes
★★★
Cheryl Cole's third solo album opens with Under The Sun - a burst of sunny pop with its singalong chant - before chart-topping single Call My Name, the feisty Screw You and Sexy Den A Mutha, which are 'Cheryl in da club'. But there are also strong ballads such as the title track and Mechanics Of The Heart to show Cheryl's reflective side. The first two solo albums were massive successes, although seemed like patchy affairs to some fans, but A Million Lights is a more cohesive collection, and showcases Cheryl's ability to the best.
For a complete guide to all of the coming week's gigs, movies and albums, see The Scene every Friday in the Irish Daily Star