Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Rush: Flying by Night in the Light of Day
High-fidelity audio specialist Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MoFi) this summer launches a multi-year reissue series that gives the Rush catalog its first major audiophile treatment. The set spans the band’s first decade (1974–1985).
It includes all the albums from the period as Hybrid SACDs, and most as UltraDisc One-Step sets. I don’t even know what that second one is, except it’s some kind of vinyl. But if it impresses you and you love Rush, this is probably the series for you.
We’re told that starting with the most pristine available analog sources, the series delivers “the clinical accuracy and sonic transparency that Rush devotees deserve.” The first reissue, Fly by Night, arrives this summer.
Pre-order vinyl here and SACD here.
Heated Rivalry
Speaking of vinyl, there’s a limited-edition translucent vinyl pressing of the Heated Rivalry soundtrack, which features artists including Feist, Dumas, Satine, t.A.T.u., Cailin Russo and more. Pre-order here. Check the Milan Records website for details on the full soundtrack itself.
Matt B: Back from Africa
Grammy winner Matt B has a new studio album coming out. Alkebulan III features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and guest appearances from a bunch of African stars, including Skales, Goya Menor, The Cavemen, Martial T. Batchamen, plus not one but two choirs, the Kabusa Oriental Choir and Joy-Chords Children Choir.
Matt B also has a TV series in the works that includes a documentary film and a three-part docuseries. The videos recount his trip to Nigeria in June 2026 to trace his Igbo heritage, and recording at Abbey Road Studios with the Royal Philharmonic.
Rockin’ Robyn
There’s a rocking new single out from the upcoming album from Robyn Hitchcock. “Would anybody miss the human race? I don’t think so,” he sings on “Yesterday’s Rain.” The song itself is a little bit psychedelic and actually reminds me a teensy bit of the Velvet Underground if they’d been more high-fidelity.
Pre-save the album Confuser (out July 24, 2026) here.
Vas Ist Das? Das Ist Daddy
Berlin producer/DJ Marlon Hoffstadt (aka DJ Daddy Trance) comes out with his new album Das Ist Daddy August 7 on Capitol Records. The first single is a banger:
And you ain’t nobody in 2026 if you don’t got your own documentary!
String Trios from Stanley Grill
Need to cool down a little after that? Composer (and FoBC) Stanley Grill of Against War renown just released a new album of string trios – some of them Bach-inspired – that are pretty chill.
Mekons Is Forever
And finally: I missed this last month, but I wanted to note that mekons put out a new dub remix album, HORRORble (mekons Vs. Tony Maimone In Dub Conference) by Pere Ubu’s Tony Maimone via Fire Records. Confusing? Then it wouldn’t be mekons.
Actually it’s not that weird. As they explain it, “While mixing and editing the batch of tunes that became HORROR (2025), mekons had a feeling [the songs] might have some sort of secret double life…so many split decisions that could’ve gone either way. Tony Maimone was the man to get his tools out and see what lurked beneath the hood and make it truly HORRORble.”
Look under the hood here. And be sure to catch the Mekonville Festival in October. It’s in Wales. You should go. Wales is cool. Lotta sheep. Nice people. English-speaking. Might hear some Welsh too. And some mekons of course.
As our Bill Sherman once wrote about them, “The band of Brit post-punkers has been producing smart, passionate prog statements in music for decades now.” He wrote that all the way back in 2002. Mekons is forever.
