Happy Mondays, Clairo, Brandon Flowers, Lambchop, DMA's, Jorja Smith, The Cramps

'Originally released in 1990 by Happy Mondays, Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches captured the chaotic, euphoric spirit of the Madchester movement, blending indie rock, acid house rhythms and funk grooves into a sound that helped reshape British alternative music. Featuring era-defining tracks such as “Step On” and “Kinky Afro,” the record became both a commercial breakthrough and a cultural snapshot of a generation fuelled by dance culture and Northern nightlife.'

Re-issued this week - red vinyl, 5LP box set and Cd available

'Special re-pressing of the sophomore album from Clairo, Sling, on green vinyl, exclusively at record stores. Written and recorded in upstate New York, it reflects on the possibilities of parenthood, full of crushing, intimate details and themes. Co-produced by Jack Antonoff. '

Green vinyl and CD available

'Brandon Flowers releases THRASHER, his first solo album in over a decade, August 21, 2026 via Island Records.  Recorded in Nashville at Historic RCA Studio A with longtime producers Shawn Everett and Jonathan Rado, THRASHER features many of Music City’s most renowned players, including longtime Gillian Welch collaborator David Rawlings on guitar, prolific and influential pedal steel player Bruce Bouton, and Charlie McCoy, the legendary harmonica player whose signature playing graces all four of Bob Dylan’s iconic Nashville records. Rooted in his formative childhood years in the small town of Nephi, Utah, the timeless sonic approach proves to be the ideal home for Flowers’ most personal and vulnerable songwriting yet.'

Lambchop's seventeenth album Punching the Clown 'finds Kurt Wagner returning to first principles. Sparked by a late-night radio encounter with an unidentified gospel recording, Wagner fell deep into the world of "lined out singing" a centuries-old Scots-Appalachian call-and-response tradition in which a lone clerk leads a choir through hymns, word by unadorned word. That spirit of raw, communal voice shapes every moment of Punching the Clown: Wagner spent years studying great songwriters and relearning his craft from the ground up, whittling dozens of songs down to twelve. Recorded in three days with guitarist Andrew Broder, Justin Vernon on banjo, and a six-part choir assembled by Blake Morgan and engineered by Lambchop veteran Mark Nevers, the album is graceful, wry, and quietly devastating. Out this Friday August 21, 2026 on City Slang.'

Frosted clear vinyl or CD available now

DMA's

Australian trio DMA’S return with their expansive fifth studio album, DMA’S, a confident, self‑titled statement that captures the band at a defining moment in their career.
 
Written and recorded between the band’s own studio in Glebe, Sydney, and Los Angeles, the 11‑track album showcases the evolution of DMA’S’ unmistakable anthemic sound. While the melodies remain as immediate and emotionally charged as ever, the record introduces fresh sonic textures and favours authenticity over perfection in both delivery and presentation.
 Ltd red vinyl

Multi-award-winning singer and songwriter Jorja Smith releases her new album, What Are The Odds featuring sole production from P2J and collaborations with Afrobeat star Wizkid and Grime icon Devlin.  

 “This is music to make you move” says Jorja. “I want people to hear it on the dancefloor, where the sun is shining, in the car and in their headphones on the night bus home. This is a record for driving and vibing.”

Ltd Splatter LP and Poster or CD available

'In his sixth decade as a singer, songwriter, and musician, Robyn Hitchcock manages to still illuminate and mystify, bemuse and philosophize, unlike any other before or since. Hitchcock’s 25th solo studio album and first collection of all-new original songs in close to four years, The Confuser sees the legendary British art rocker operating at the peak of his substantial powers on a dazzlingly dynamic collection of typically perceptive new songs that traverse familiar signposts near and dear to his creative heart – the significance of love, the mysteries of the cosmos, and all the abstract accidents that happen between the luck of birth and the bitter end.'

Lime Green vinyl

'In 1997, Insane Clown Posse's The Great Milenko didn’t just drop – it detonated. Censorship battles. Industry backlash. Platinum-certified in spite of it all. Now, the Joker's Card that defined a generation of Juggalos and Juggalettes taunts the world in glorious black or cream soda clear vinyl with its full booklet for the first time, making it a must-have title for all core collectors and new fans of the twisted Dark Carnival alike. Contains “Hokus Pokus,” “Halls of Illusions,” and “What Is a Juggalo?” Often misunderstood but impossible to ignore, Insane Clown Posse built one of modern music’s most dedicated fan movements at a time when few artists could survive outside major-label orthodoxy. The Great Milenko became a lightning rod for cultural debate – and in the process, helped redefine what independent success could look like in hip hop. Whoop whoop!'

RSD Essential Creme Soda Clear 2LP 

'Ask Paul Heaton how many songs he’s written and he’ll tell you he’s not really sure. Perhaps that’s unsurprising: this summer it’s 40 years since The Housemartins released their debut album, Hull: 0 London: 4, peaking at number 3 in Britain. Subsequently, he’s released, in various configurations – with The Housemartins and The Beautiful South, solo and with Jacqui Abbot, not to mention as Biscuit Boy  –another 21 studio albums, plenty going gold, some multi-platinum, as they’ve risen to the charts’ highest reaches. For each, moreover, he’ll have written many many more songs than he’ll ever include.

 Now, less than two years since The Mighty Several – itself his sixth album to go Top 5 in a dozen years – this prolific, poetic observer of human nature is back with another fifteen gems. Silly or serious, poignant or pointed, therein lies Paul Heaton’s Jenius.'

White 2LP and CD available

'Brand-new studio album from iconic Ohio rock band The Afghan Whigs. The album contains 10 new songs that feature the band’s soulful gritty rock, with frontman Greg Dulli’s vocals sounding as emotive and unique as ever. Soft Control features singles “House Of I” and “Duvateen,” and comes as the band celebrate their 40th year.'

Originally released in 2002 to commemorate their 40th anniversary as a band, Rolling Stones' Forty Licks was a huge commercial success selling over 7 million copies round the world. Widely regarded as their definitive career spanning best of compilation Forty Licks is released on limited Four LP set on 180 gram vinyl housed in a wide spined gatefold sleeve.

4LP yellow, red, blue, orange

Anderson .Paak returns with K-Pops! (Music from and Inspired by K-Pops! Motion Picture), a bold cross-cultural soundtrack accompanying his Netflix directorial debut. Featuring an all-star lineup including G-Dragon, aespa, Jid, Dean, NMIXX, and members of Seventeen, Ateez, and i-dle, the 17-track project blends K-pop, R&B, hip-hop, and soul into a vibrant celebration of music and storytelling. More than a soundtrack, K-Pops! captures the spirit of collaboration, connection, and global creativity at the heart of the film. 

Pink 2LP

We have fab reissues from American rock band The Cramps this week, 'Look Mum No Head', A Date With Elvis' and 'Big Beat From Badsville' all on coloured vinyl.

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Our top picks from our brilliant OTBT staff this week...

Nathan's pick is a rare self titles album from 1972 Captain Beyond who were a 1971 supergroup featuring Deep Purple's Rod Evans. 'perhaps the only challenger to Captain Beefheart', says Conor.

We have one copy in store in excellent/VG condition £70

Cameron has got the new Phoebe Bridgers album Lost weekend on repeat. The double LP is available in store on coloured vinyl as well as CD and cassette.

BROWSE ALL THESE NEW ARRIVALS AND MORE HERE

Cameron is also looking forward to the new Mike D album which is out on 28th August, 'marking the first full length offering of new music from a Beastie Boys alum since 2011. Tracing its origins back to a series of zero-pressure, experimental recording sessions at Mike’s home studio, the album features a dozen servings of sonically inventive post-electronic grooves and hypnotic hooks that find Mike D’s unmistakable voice leading the listener through an aural playground that defies categorization'

Available to pre order now - choose from purple vinyl, clear vinyl and CD

...and after the release of their gorgeous latest single Marianne we are looking forward to the new Fontaines D.C album Dopamine Chamber out on October 16th 

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Here's a small taster of great live music happening in and around Louth...

Friday 21st August at Cobbles Bar, Louth

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Check out Grungy Bill & the Hole in the Head Gang's EP launch party - original psychobilly surf punk fusion - at The Black Gull Cafe, 1 Auckland Rd, Grimsby DN31 3RP - doors at 6pm - Free entry - support from folk punk singer songwriter Brad Arliss and upcoming Hull band Pearlescene.

https://www.facebook.com/blackgull.community/?locale=en_GB

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Allegro Appasionato's programme for the autumn begins with The Katriane Duo playing flute and classical guitar on September 2nd at the Conoco Rooms, Louth - live music every Wednesday 12.45pm to 1.30pm - refreshments available - more info from the shop or here: 

https://www.facebook.com/Allegrolouth/

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St James's Church lunchtime recitals take place on Fridays at 1pm

21 August Naomi Sullivan and Jane O'Farrell - saxophone and piano

28 August Paul Young and Jeffrey Makinson - Tenor and piano

Free admisson, refreshments available. More info here:

https://stjamesrecitalslouth.co.uk/

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Louth's Masons Arms has a great programme of live music this autumn starting with The Janzen Boys from Winnipeg, Canada on Tuesday 22nd September - for more info and tickets pop in at the Masons or here at Off The Beaten Tracks

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Shannon Reilly and Peter Connor will be performing together for the first time as Marsh Gothic on 9th October at Queen St Studios (below Louth Jazz Club).

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On Saturday 10th October 2026 Louth Town Hall are hosting the Harlem Jazz Orchestra