NIGHT SHOP - The Beloved Returns LP

Highly recommended.

We first introduced you to Night Shop in 2018 with the release of 'In The Break' featured in a newsletter. Over the next 7 years we've sold many a copy of that cracking slice of Jonathan Richman-inflected breezy indie-pop.

In addition to Whitney K - and to be clear, Night Shop should appeal to every listener of Whitney K - we'd suggest Night Shop are among the finest finds we've unearthed in our almost 10-year existence!

"Justin Sullivan is best known as the drummer in Flat Worms, Kevin Morby, and The Babies, and The Beloved Returns is an affirmed look at his own musical vision, highlighting his creative artistry and evolution beyond the aforementioned bands. In his new album, Sullivan confidently belts out catchy new hooks and choruses that stay with you long after the first listen. The music paints a picture on its own, mirroring the intensity of the album’s themes of desire and obsession.

“Ode to Joy II” starts the album with a large dose of energy, yet it doesn’t lose its emotional depth. After a few listens, it takes on the role of a singalong tune while keeping its message. “Let Me Be The Lamb” builds on this momentum, with a chorus that grows in emotional intensity: “Let me be the lamb, and that’s how I’ll go out.” The agency Sullivan belts out in accepting the fate of being a sacrifice is both haunting and resolute, painting an emotional journey that intertwines vulnerability with strength.

“Too Late Too Late” slowly grows in its sound, as Sullivan makes the realization of his fate in the chorus, “too late, too late, I must let go.” It’s a surrender to the inevitability of letting go, as sings of grappling with the emotional toll of disillusionment and unfulfilled relationships. Next comes “Once Bitten, Twice Bored,” with a subtle new-wave sound that fits seamlessly within the album’s context." - Radio Trails