Transgressive Records are celebrating their 10th birthday this year, with celebrations climaxing with a show at London’s Barbican on Tuesday (30 September) featuring Dry the River, Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit, Mystery Jets and more. Providing us with their birthday soundtrack, the label’s founders Toby L and Tim Dellow have made us a Playlist featuring some of their personal favourites from their back catalogue. “This list literally changes by the day though,” the pair declare by way of a disclaimer. “We are blessed to work with such a broad range of music and incredible artists. This just happened to make sense as a selection at time of writing.”
Regina Spektor – Us
“This was taken from the first album we ever released, and it still remains my favourite Regina song. I was thrilled to be in the room the very moment the strings were recorded; it elevated the whole thing into something utterly enchanting.”
The Shins – Sleeping Lessons
“This hypnotic opus opened Wincing The Night Away, the record we worked on with The Shins in conjunction with the wonderful Sub Pop. It’s an album standout, maybe even a career highlight.”
Iron & Wine – Flightless Bird, American Mouth
“This song closed The Shepherd’s Dog album, and was also featured – intriguingly – in a key scene in the first Twilight movie.”
Graham Coxon – In The Morning
“This is less a song, more an album in a song. Taken from The Spinning Top, and stirring the spirit of Drake, I think that this is one of the best things Graham has ever sung, played or composed.”
The Antlers – Putting The Dog To Sleep
“45 trippy minutes into The Antlers’ Burst Apart LP arrives this closing masterpiece. Half-space rock, half-vintage soul epic, this is an absolute classic that will keep reappearing for years to come.”
At The Drive-In – One Armed Scissor
“And at the other end of the spectrum… At The Drive-In, who kindly awarded us the honour to reissue their debut album Acrobatic Tenement, as well as their seminal Relationship Of Command LP – from which this vital single is taken.”
Flume – Insane
“The best song Harley Streten – AKA world-conquering electronic producer/writer, Flume – has written (so far) is a deeply beautiful, intoxicating slab of sad dancefloor beauty that I once put on repeat for 17 straight listens in a row.”
Dry The River – Gethsemane
“Few can sing like Dry the River frontman, Peter Liddle. And fewer can write like him either – this massive, emotive song a fine case in point.”
Alvvays – Archie, Marry Me
“Sometimes a good chorus can change everything. When we first heard Alvvays, it was instant love. Their album really does contain about 7 potential singles, and it’s only nine tracks long.”
Gengahr – Powder
“‘You’re only as good as your last hit,’ is a saying in this game. Well, if that’s true, then we’re in rude health. Powder, the debut single by our brand-new signing Gengahr, is possibly the most exciting first single by a new band this year. The future’s bright.”
For more head to Transgressiverecords.com.
