Our favourite vinyl releases of the week

Essential weekend listening.

‍This week’s rundown is by VF’s Kelly Doherty and contributors Annabelle Van Dort, Emily Hill and James Hammond.

Steven Julien

DJ-Kicks: Steven Julien

(!K7 Records)

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Steven Julien is known to many on the London circuit and beyond, whether by his moniker FunkinEven or his exceptional label Apron Records. We are now blessed with a compilation and mix for the iconic !K7 DJ Kicks series which traverses the seas of slinky house jams to synthy funk from artists such as Hudson Mohawke, Kyle Hall, Ash Lauryn right through to contemporary classics from the late great Ryuichi Sakamoto. Also including some exclusive fresh tunes from the man himself, it's one to not miss. – EH

Bibio

Phantom Brickworks (LP II)

(Warp)Buy

Warp mainstay Bibio releases the follow-up to his 2017 ambient outing PHANTOM BRICKWORKS with its second part. An apt collection of soundscapes for this time of the year, PHANTOM BRICKWORKS (LP II) is a meditative journey that balances pure beauty with whispers of haunted emotion. Beautifully paced ambient for the winter months. – KD

Harry Bertoia

Mechanization

(Important Records)

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Interconnected with the design process of his metallic furniture, Harry Bertoia’s sound sculptures have long been a source of intrigue. With Bertoia having performed and recorded numerous extended journeys into the musical and extra-musical capabilities of these resonant structures, the resurrected Sonambient imprint continues its mission here and brings forth another key recording from the Bertoia vaults. Heading back to a recording session in Bertoia’s Pennsylvanian barn in 1971, Mechanization I and II offers up overt emulations of machinery and the factory floor – a point in case for Bertoia stating that his sound work was “a collaboration with industry”. – JH

The Other People Place

Sunday Night Live at the Laptop Cafe

(Clone Aqualung Series)

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Clones Aqualung Series represses the highly sought-after The Other People Place release Sunday Night live at the Laptop Cafe. Originally released in 2017, this special 12-inch follows the Detroit project's dynamic and alluring first and only album, continuing the melancholic depth of their slowed-down minimalist electro experiments. The A-side "Sorrow & A Cup of Joe" has a fervent kick layered with simply ascending chords and still carries an exceptional amount of weight. On the flip side, we have an ethereal melody balanced with weighty and interesting patterned percussion. A stellar release all around. – EH

Jeff Parker ETA IVtet

The Way Out of Easy

(International Anthem)

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Jeff Parker’s latest outing on International Anthem pays homage to LA’s now-closed ETA—a cornerstone venue of the LA music scene where Parker held down a residency with his ensemble since 2016. Recorded at the Monday night jam at the ETA in January, 2023, The Way Out of Easy captures the boundary-blending grooves and improvisational splendour of the group that features saxophonist Josh Johnson, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Jay Bellerose alongside Parker on guitar. Taking notes from Parker’s math-rock roots and his technicolour ambient-jazz ventures on his recent International Anthem releases, The Way Out of Easy traverses unexpected paths through dub and more traditional jazz standards to produce an utterly unique document. – AVD

Labyrinthine

II-V

(Utter)

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Utter returns with its thirteenth release, II-V, from electro producer Labyrinthine. A demonic, dark electro collection, II-V blends headsy dancefloor cuts with twisted industrial soundscapes for an all-around spooky offering. Perfect for late-night shenanigans. – KD