Medlar - Islands (2025)

Astonishingly, almost 12 years have now passed since Medlar delivered his first album, Sleep. This sophomore set, a notably ambitious collection of cuts featuring all manner of collaborators and guest performers, is therefore long overdue. Of course, his trademark sound and production skills have evolved a lot over the last decade, and you can hear it throughout Islands. It's a typically assured and imaginative affair, with the many highlights including - but in no way limited to - the deep, sun-soaked mid-tempo deepness of Dele Sosimi hook-up 'Take a Trip', the dub disco-goes-hip-house swing of 'Dot The T's' (featuring rising star MC DeeVoNay), the TB-303 powered acid jack of 'Luv Interlude', the hushed jazz-house sunshine of 'Sun Spots' (where Sam Virdie's relaxed trumpet solos catch the ear) and the nostalgic and colourful Andy Blake collaboration, 'Sun Spots'.