Album of the Week – 24/04/26

Some interesting new work this week, with the return of Angelo De Augustine (Angel in Plainclothes) and White Denim (13).

If you’re a fan of Foo Fighters, then you’ll no doubt be excited about Your Favorite Toy. Christmas Eve favourite Glen Hansard returns with a live album called “Don’t Settle – Transmissions East & West”.

Our favourite of the week is from Eugene McGuinness, which is called “Eugene McGuinness Versus the Universe”. He’s taking on quite a battle! We wish him well.

Album of the Week — Eugene McGuinness – Eugene McGuinness Versus the Universe

Eugene McGuinness had accepted his career in music was over. The end of his deal with Domino Records, followed by a difficult self-released album, fatherhood, and just life generally, saw his personal dreams and ambitions slowly slip towards the horizon. A period of great change, McGuinness had embraced his new work and family life, happy to leave the ugliness of the ‘music biz’ behind him. However, the absence of making music – and the joy the process brings – left a noticeable hole.

A decade on from Domino, an evolved McGuinness is back. His brand-new album, ‘Eugene McGuinness Versus the Universe’, will be released in April 2026, following the release of his affecting comeback single ‘Seascape’ and follow up track, the beautiful widescreen romance of ‘London’.

The album was recorded at Liverpool’s Docklands Speed Shop with friend and producer Gajo Paco. Encouraging spontaneity, Eugene, Gajo and a host of old friends and acquaintances were ‘feeling it out’ along the way, trusting the process and welcoming a series of ‘happy accidents’ to contribute to the record’s warm and organic sound.

Of Irish heritage, the idiosyncratic McGuinness began crafting songs in his teens and gained recognition with debut EP ‘The Early Learnings of Eugene McGuinness’ – released in 2007. His self-titled debut album was released in 2008 on Domino Records followed by ‘Glue’ (2009, as ‘Eugene and The Lizards’), ‘The Invitation to the Voyage’ in 2012 and ‘Chroma’ (2014). ‘Suburban Gothic’ (2018) was released independently and marked his departure from Domino Records.

Albums of Note: 

— Angelo De Augustine – Angel in Plainclothes

— Foo Fighters – Your Favorite Toy

— Glen Hansard – Don’t Settle – Transmissions East & West

— White Denim – 13

April 24th:

— The Amity Affliction – HOUSE OF CARDS

— Angélique Kidjo – HOPE!!

— Angelo De Augustine – Angel in Plainclothes

— At the Gates – The Ghost of a Future Dead

— Atreyu – The End is Not the End

— Blood Sucking Maniacs – Blood Sucking Maniacs

— The Cab – Chasing Crowns

— Carla dal Forno – Confession

— CAVS (Michael Cavanagh of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard) – Sojourn

— Death Lens – What’s Left Now?

— Demi Lovato – It’s Not That Deep (Unless You Want It To Be)

— Doug Gillard (of Guided By Voices) – Parallel Stride

— Étienne de Crécy – Warm Up Remixes

— Eugene McGuinness – Eugene McGuinness Versus the Universe

— EVOLFO – Of Love

— Failure – Location Lost

— Foo Fighters – Your Favorite Toy

— Françoise Hardy – Françoise Hardy Blues: Complete Vogue Recordings 1962-1967

— Friko – Something Worth Waiting For

— Gay Meat – Blue Water

— Gia Margaret – Singing

— Glen Hansard – Don+t Settle – Transmissions East & West

— Hrishikesh Hirway – In the Last Hour of Light

— Irmin Schmidt – Requiem

— Jackson Dean – Magnolia Stage

— Jason Aldean – Songs About Us

— Jesus Christ Taxi Driver – Taxi the Rich

— John Corabi – New Day

— Jordan Rakei – Between Us EP

— Julia Cumming (of Sunflower Bean) – Julia

— Kehlani – Kehlani

— Krooked Tongue – Drugstore Cowboy

— Las Cruxes – Las Cruxes

— The Leaving (feat. Martin Doherty of CHVRCHES) – Ultimate Buzz

— Lolo Zouaï – Reverie

— Meghan Trainor – Toy With Me

— Metric – Romanticize

— Michael Bublé – Live! Caught In The Act

— Michael Jackson – Michael: Songs from the Motion Picture

— Mildred – Fenceline

— The Milk Carton Kids – Lost Cause Lover Fool

— Miss Grit – Under My Umbrella

— Noah Kahan – The Great Divide

— Oliver Tree – Love You Madly, Hate You Badly

— OOIOO and Lightning Bolt – THE HORIZON SPIRALS / THE HORIZON VIRAL

— Paul Weller – Live At The BBC (Vol.2)

— Pearl – Love and Grief

— Pleasure Pill – ALIVE EP

— Portrayal of Guilt – …Beginning of the End

— Quiet Light – Blue Angel Sparkling Silver 2

— The Reds, Pinks & Purples – Acknowledge Kindness

— Ringo Starr – Long Long Road

— Sepultura – The Cloud of Unknowing EP

— Six Feet Under – Next to Die

— Tempers – Delusion

— Terror – STILL SUFFER

— Urq – The Dismal Village

— VINSON – RAW HONEY

— White Denim – 13

— White Fence – Orange

— YARN – Saturday Night Sermon

— ZHU – BLACK MIDAS