With another sweltering day promised in the UK, here is a rather wonderful tone poem from the pen of underrated English composer Frank Bridge – one to revel in this Sunday!
Published post no.2,594 – Sunday 13 July 2025
by Ben Hogwood
What’s the story?
This is the first solo album from Ride bassist Steve Queralt, the result of fitful opportunities to record between the ‘day job’.
Yet the fact that Swallow has taken shape over five years is an illustration that it means a lot to him, as he joins his band mate Andy Bell with a solo record on the Sonic Cathedral label.
Queralt is joined by singers Emma Anderson (ex-Lush) and Electrelane’s Verity Susman, who guest on three of the album’s nine tracks.
What’s the music like?
Beguiling. Queralt writes in the shoegaze tradition, like his band, but there is some wonderfully dreamy music here that puts you under its spell with repeated success.
After an atmospheric introduction, Lonely Town – headed by Anderson – is an early highlight, a dream pop moment of excellence that reaches the heady heights. Anderson appears again on the moody Swiss Air, with exhilarating widescreen production, while Verity Susman’s contribution is also a thing of wonder, a bold vocal backed with big guitars and spacious production.
Elsewhere Queralt complements the vocal numbers from the heart with some impressive instrumentals. 1988 holds itself with poise, a slower number that Queralt paces to perfection until it breaks out into a massive, drum-fuelled epic. A Porsche Shaped Hole has the sort of grandeur you would associate with M83, reaching for the stars and then floating seamlessly.
Does it all work?
It does. Queralt gets just the right balance of soft and loud, vocal and instrumental, slow and fast – the result being that the nine-tracks fairly fly by.
Is it recommended?
This is an auspicious debut from Steve Queralt, a starry-eyed gem that frequently reaches the celestial bodies for which it aims. It is a shame he has started late on the solo trail, but hopefully this will encourage him to take the plunge again without delay. Highly recommended.
For fans of… Ride, M83, Trentemøller, Maps, Beach House
Listen / Buy
Published post no.2,593 – Saturday 12 July 2025
from the press release, edited by Ben Hogwood
Acclaimed composers and producers Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury, known collectively as DROKK, make a long-awaited return with a striking remix of Cruel Mother by ØXN—originally released on ØXN’s 2023 album CYRM. This marks DROKK’s first release since their self-titled debut album in 2012. The package is complemented by Ben Frost’s haunting, elegiac rework.
Barrow and Salisbury, whose work as DROKK began in 2011, have since focused on a range of scoring projects across film and television. Now, they revisit their DROKK identity with a new purpose: using music to support War Child UK.
“We love ØXN—not just their music, but who they are as people, and what they stand for politically,” says Barrow. “We’ve been huge fans of “Cruel Mother” since its release, and I reached out to see if we could remix it in support of War Child, a brilliant charity I’ve been involved with for many years.”
The remixes will be released alongside the ØXN original on limited edition vinyl, with 100% of profits donated directly to War Child, which supports children affected by conflict around the globe. Order the vinyl and download / stream the remixes here.
“I just hope we’ve done the song justice,” Barrow adds. “Like many people right now, we’re feeling helpless and heartbroken by the suffering of children in war zones. While we can’t fix broken infrastructure or end conflicts ourselves, we can use our music to raise money and awareness. This is our way of contributing.”
ØXN adds, “Nobody can escape the sickening and horrifying images being live streamed to our eyes every day of innocent civilians, those mostly helpless and defenceless children being murdered or maimed, orphaned and forever mentally scarred because of the choices made by political fascists and tyrants. The proceeds of this release will go to War Child.
“We stand with the children of Palestine. The children of Sudan. The children of The Democratic Republic of Congo. The children of Ukraine. The children of Yemen and all the children dragged into these man-made nightmares.”
Published post no.2,592 – Friday 11 July 2025
From the press release:
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) returns this summer with its acclaimed week-long musical takeover, CBSO in the City. Running from Wednesday 23 to Monday 28 July 2025, this much-anticipated second edition reaffirms the CBSO’s commitment to reach new audiences across the West Midlands and develop deeper connections with the city it calls home.
Building on the success of 2024’s inaugural CBSO in the City, which saw over 25 free performances in iconic and everyday locations across Birmingham, the 2025 programme blends rich musical experiences with moments of joyful spontaneity – taking the orchestra out of the concert hall and into the heart of the community.
This year’s festival offers an exciting series of free, un-ticketed performances right across the city, bringing CBSO musicians to some of Birmingham’s most recognisable venues. Highlights include:
New Street Station: pop-up performances for commuters
Library of Birmingham: including a space-themed family concert & string quintet with sitar in their wellbeing space
Ikon Gallery and RBSA Gallery: showcasing chamber groups in gallery settings
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery: featuring flute and harp duets
Birmingham Botanical Gardens: string quartets & wind quintets in serene garden surroundings
Black Country Living Museum: brass quintets adding musical flair to the historic setting
West Midlands Metro: a clarinet trio bringing music on the move
Each performance is designed to meet audiences where they are – whether in transit, at leisure, or exploring with family – while showcasing the full diversity of the orchestra. From Star Wars and Brahms in New Street Station, to strings & winds among the blooms at Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens, a string quartet at the Ikon Gallery, and even a clarinet trio riding the West Midlands Metro.
As part of the celebrations, the orchestra is calling on Birmingham residents to nominate their street for the chance to host an unforgettable pop-up performance later this year.
CBSO Music Director Kazuki Yamada (above) leads the spirit of this initiative. He says: “For me, music is about connection. Taking the orchestra outside the concert hall helps us meet people where they are – and share something powerful, beautiful and unexpected.”
CBSO Chief Executive Emma Stenning adds: “CBSO in the City promises to once again fill Birmingham with incredible music, reimagining the city’s spaces as stages for celebration and musical discovery. From familiar faces to new friends, we’re excited to delight audiences, share special moments, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of our city. We believe music is for everyone – and this is one of the most joyful ways we bring it to life.”
CBSO in the City is generously supported by John Osborn CBE and NBB Law.
While all events are free and unticketed, standard admission applies at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, RBSA Gallery, and Black Country Living Museum.
Full event listings and times can be found at the CBSO website
Published post no.2,591 – Thursday 10 July 2025
by Ben Hogwood
Today marks the anniversary of the birth of composer Ottorino Respighi in 1879.
Respighi’s most famous works are the orchestral pieces making up the ‘Roman trilogy’ – in order of composition the Fountains of Rome, Pines of Rome and Roman Festivals. Here they are in landmark performances from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fritz Reiner:
Published post no.2,590 – Wednesday 9 July 2025
Arcana.fm 