Rough Trade

The new Counter Culture 13 compilation collects many of our favourite releases of the last twelve months. Killer tracks that were big hits with our customers alongside staff recommendations and, of course, selections from our Top 10 Albums of the Year.This year, Rough Trade Shops celebrates the opening of its New York store in Brooklyn, our Williamsburg neighbourhood gracing the cover of the new Counter Culture 13.

The third of rough trade shops' streamlined genre comps, synth wave 10 is a selection of 20 contemporary artists who are developing electronic and new wave pop. comprising 20 tracks with full sleevenotes on colour fold-out, and in exclusive ltd edition varnished sleeve available only from rough trade shops.

Sleaford Mods - English Tapas (2017) {Japan Edition Rough Trade - RTRADCDJ925}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 240 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 97 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 26 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2017 Rough Trade / Beat Records Japan | RTRADCDJ925
Post-Punk / Minimal / Thug Rap / Indie

Sleaford Mods were ahead of the curve when it came to reintroducing politics to music, and if English Tapas is anything to go by, they're also on the cutting edge of post-Brexit weariness. As on Key Markets, Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn serve up more character-driven songs that express their constant – and always timely – frustrations, whether they're skewering machismo on "Army Nights" or 21st century solipsism on songs like the attention-seeking "Snout" or "Just Like We Do," which calls out "pretentious little bastards on social medias." The duo's state of mind on English Tapas was foreshadowed not only on Key Markets but the T.C.R. EP, whose title track used a toy race car set as a nostalgic metaphor for spinning one's wheels.

Emiliana Torrini - Tookah (2013) {Rough Trade RTRADCD685}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 228 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 92 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 194 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2013 Rough Trade Records | RTRADCD685
Indie Pop / Indie Folk / Adult Alternative Pop

The fourth long-player from mercurial Icelandic singer/songwriter Emiliana Torrini, arrives five years after 2008's well-received Me and Armini. The extended break afforded Torrini the time to tour, write, and become a parent, the latter of which casts a warm and wistful patina over the nine-track Tookah (a made up word that, according to its author, means "the inner good and bad balanced"). Collaborating once again with producer Dan Carey, who brought along a significant arsenal of vintage synths and analog equipment, Torrini follows no clear musical path on Tookah, yet it all feels effortless, nuanced, and connected.

Antony And The Johnsons - Thank You For Your Love (2010) {Rough Trade RTRADSCD588}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 94 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 43 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 28 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2010 Rough Trade | RTRADSCD588
Rock / Chamber Pop / Alternative Pop / Art Rock

Issued as a precursor to Antony and the Johnsons' Swanlights, Thank You for Your Love contains five tracks – the title cut is taken from the album; "My Lord, My Love," was issued as a bonus on The Crying Light; and there are a pair of surprising covers. The title is the thematic track the EP hinges on. Antony Hegarty's longing has always been at the heart of his arresting, courageous, yet vulnerable voice. On this track, however, in a relaxed, easy, flowing manner, backed by a host of downtown NY jazz musicians, Hegarty makes a direct declaration of gratitude for the kind of love that provides rescue.

Rough Trade Exclusive Version. CD one is the album. On the second CD is The Shacks Self-Titled EP, Selections Previously Issued Only On 7" Vinyl And Complete Instrumentals From Haze. And on CD three is the Rough Trade exclusive bonus 9 track CD - The Shacks EP Instrumentals.