New music: Seal, The Legal Matters, Mumford & Sons, Gorillaz, Johnny Blue Skies

In this column I review fantastic new titles featuring British soul icon Seal, as well as new studio albums from power pop greats The Legal Matters, British Americana troupe Mumford & Sons, groundbreaking collective Gorillaz and genre-defying Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds; all the releases are available now.

Artist: Seal
Title: Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II (Mercury Studios)
You might like if you enjoy: Seal, Trevor Horn
Tell me more: Fans of top-tier artists, immersive concert films and timeless music will all have find plenty to love about Mercury Studios' "Purpose: Celebrating 30 Years of the Classic Albums Seal I and Seal II." The fabulous new concert film featuring four-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Seal was filmed at The Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas in 2024 and features stunning live versions of the artist's most beloved material. The 10-track concert film also features some insightful thoughts from Seal interspersed along the way: "I think a song can change peoples lives...in a way that is so profound." That is especially true after seeing Seal and his six-piece band soar through stellar hits including "Crazy," "Future Love Paradise," "Prayer For The Dying" and "Kiss From A Rose." Seal's signature vocals come in the service of a timeless sound that blends soul, R&B, pop and dance. In addition to Seal's incredible vocals, his band features the artist's longtime producer, Grammy Award-winning producer/artist Trevor Horn. Highlights abound on the title, including the sumptuous opener "Crazy," dance-fueled "The Beginning" and "Bring It On," bewitching "Prayer For The Dying," and moving "Kiss From A Rose" and "Love's Divine," the latter two selections finding Seal going into the crowd to sing. Released on Feb. 13, the title is available via multiple formats including a 4K UHD+Blu-ray combo pack, Blu-ray+CD combo, and digital audio and video (the 4K UHD+Blu-ray format is reviewed here). Information: mercurystudio.co.

Artist: The Legal Matters
Title: Lost At Sea (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, ELO, Fountains Of Wayne, Crowded House, Dada
Tell me more: Michigan-based The Legal Matters have returned with a spectacular new album, the 10-track Lost At Sea. The talented trio comprised of Keith Klingensmith, Andy Reed and Chris Richards have collaborated on their first new batch of ambitious, harmony-filled songs since 2021's Chapter Three. The Legal Matters' fourth album includes the sumptuous opener "Everybody Knows" (which delightfully recalls the magic of classic Badfinger), propulsive "The Message," melodic gem "Temporary Thing," driving psychedelic-tinged "It Doesn't Matter,"  Beatlesque "Let Me Explain," and Baroque ballad "Slow Down." Not only does the album sound fantastic, but the songs are literate and tap into modern-day themes at every turn. Information: bigstirrecords.com.

Artist: Mumford & Sons
Title: Prizefighter (Glassnote Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Mumford & Sons, Chris Stapleton, Hozier
Tell me more: English band Mumford & Sons is back with Prizefighter, another batch of infectious originals bolstered by winning songcraft, shining harmonies, dynamic musicianship and artful arrangements crafted from folk and Americana essentials. Additionally, the group's music making is enhanced by several high-profile names who join along the way on the band's sixth studio LP. The anthemic opener "Here" features country music great Chris Stapleton adding his vocals to the track. On the introspective "Rubber Band Man," Hozier brings his distinctive voice to the cut as he trades verses with Marcus Mumford. There are so many great songs on the disc with the sweeping "Banjo Song," ambitious "Run Together" with its burgeoning arc, the confessional "Shadow Of A Man," soaring "Begin Again" that explores the courage to start over and the gentle closer "Clover" are among this writer's favorites. Information: mumfordandsons.com.

Artist: Gorillaz
Title: The Mountain (Kong Studios Essex Limited)
You might like if you enjoy: Gorillaz, Blur, Damon Albarn
Tell me more: Singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Damon Albarn has returned with the latest Gorillaz full-length masterwork, The Mountain. The album includes a parade of 15 compelling originals featuring a slew of high-profile guests. Highlights include the instrumental-heavy opener "The Mountain," luxurious trip hop meets hip-hop romp "The Moon Cave," the New Wave-flavored "The Happy Dictator" featuring the iconic duo Sparks, the mesmeric "Orange County," dreamy "The Empty Dream Machine" (the latter featuring guitar great Johnny Marr), electronica sortie "The Plastic Guru," immersive "Delirium" featuring English singer Mark E. Smith, evocative "Casablanca" (featuring Marr and Clash bassist Paul Simonon) and India-minded foray "The Sweet Prince." The album's closing track, "The Sad God," is a wonderful showcase for Albarn's signature vocals and alluring melodic instincts as well as his ability to collaborate with other artists artfully. Information: gorillaz.com.

Artist: Johnny Blue Skies & The Dark Clouds
Title: Mutiny After Midnight (High Top Mountain Records/Atlantic Music Group)
You might like if you enjoy: Sturgill Simpson
Tell me more: Following up the release of Johnny Blue Skies' 2024 debut Passage Du Desir, singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson (aka Johnny Blue Skies) and The Dark Clouds are back with the sophomore followup Mutiny After Midnight. The dance-minded disc is filled with left-leaning political-minded originals that simultaneously are aimed at getting everyone out on the dance floor. The rousing opener "Make America Fuk Again," rapid-fire rock-styled "Excited Delirium," Americana-rooted "Don't Let Go" (the latter featuring nuanced sax playing from Raw B), funky "Stay On That" and "Ain't That A Bitch," and country-tinged "Viridescent" all explode out of the speakers. The nine-track album is available on vinyl, as well as via audio CD and on cassette. Information: sturgillsimpson.com.

Robert Kinsler

Reviews: Justin Hayward, Kansas, The Heaters, The Legal Matters

Classic rock, prog rock, girl group and power pop styles are on tap thanks to four fabulous releases that celebrate timeless sounds with a 21st sensibility.

Artist: Justin Hayward
Title: Live in Concert at the Capitol Theatre (IM3 Global Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: The Moody Blues, Justin Hayward
Tell me more: Fresh on the heels of the release of Justin Hayward's All The Way album comes the DVD release of the concert film Live in Concert at the Capitol Theatre. The DVD features the singer-songwriter/lead guitarist performing 18 songs, including favorites from the Moody Blues, solo career highlights and newer material. An amazing look back at a his 50-year music career, highlights include an Renaissance flavored "Tuesday Afternoon" (where Hayward plays acoustic guitar while Julie Ragins plays keyboards), the breezy folk rock medley "It's Up To You"/"Lovely To See You," his wonderful new 12-string guitar anchored Americana original "The Western Sky," a solo performance of the holiday gem "December Snow," and potent versions of the Moody Blues' "Question" and "I Know You're Out There Somewhere." The official "The Wind of Heaven" music video and a solo acoustic performance of "Blue Guitar" and "Who Are You Now" are included as bonus features on the title. Audiophiles can choose between Dolby Stereo and Dolby Surround 5.1. Information: JustinHayward.com or IM3global.com.

Artist: Kansas
Title: The Prelude Implicit (InsideOutMusic)
You might like if you enjoy: Kansas, Asia, Triumph
Tell me more: Before the release of their new album The Prelude Implicit last month, it had been 16 years since progressive rockers Kansas had released an album of new material ("Somewhere to Elsewhere" was released in 2000). The good news is that the seven-member ensemble has returned with an epic album that builds on the legacy of the band's 1970s masterworks (Leftoverture and Point of No Return) via virtuoso musicianship, ornate songcraft and timely lyrics that explore love, sacrifice, faith, and mortality with poetic force that is palpable. The fusion of melodic choruses and prog rock has always worked well for the band, and that magical formula will transfix discerning listeners on "The Voyage of Eight Eighteen," "Summer," the potent "Crowded Isolation" and other cuts. Information: insideoutmusic.com.

Artist: The Heaters
Title: American Dream: The Portastudio Recordings (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Ronettes, the Shangri-Las, She & Him
Tell me more: The 1980s music world was about much more than New Wave, neo-rockabilly, metal hair bands and college rock. The release of The Heaters' American Dream: The Portastudio Recordings is a musical glimpse back at The Heaters, a group featuring Mercy Bermudez and sisters Maggie and Missy Connell. The 10-track disc features remastered and restored songs originally recorded more than 30 years ago on a multi-track cassette recorder, with the shimmering harmonies and propulsive songs blending the magic of the 1960s and '80s masterfully. The fast-moving disc is a joy start to finish, with the retro title track, lush "Just Around the Corner," aptly-titled "Rock This Place," and tuneful "Love Will Be Hurrying To You" capturing the exhuberence of the musicians' love of the golden era of girl groups that spanned from the mid-1950s to the late '60s. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.

Artist: The Legal Matters
Title: Conrad (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: Fountains of Wayne, Crowded House, Matthew Sweet
Tell me more: Detroit trio the Legal Matters' sophomore disc Conrad is a spirited and wonderful effort that is anchored by the sterling harmonies of band mates Andy Reed, Chris Richards and Keith Klingensmith. But the threesome's great vocals wouldn't mean anything without first-rate songs and commanding musicianship, and fortunately those key components are everywhere on the 11-song Conrad. The musically textured/lyrically sharp "I'm Sorry Love," luxuriant "Minor Key" (that would be at home on a Crowded House disc), scintillating "Pull My String" and yearning "Hip Hooray" are among this writer's favorites. Information: omnivorerecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler