Lonely in the future: This week at South Records

The wait is over for fans of The Strokes, who return with Reality Awaits, their seventh studio album and first new full-length since 2020's The New Abnormal. Produced once again by Rick Rubin, it builds on the sharp songwriting and distinctive sound that have defined the band for more than two decades, with new single Going Shopping offering the first taste of what's to come. David Bowie is back in the racks with three essential albums, from the surprise return of The Next Day, recorded in secret with longtime collaborator Tony Visconti, to the richly textured Heathen, featuring guests including Pete Townshend and Dave Grohl, and the extraordinary ★ (Blackstar), Bowie's final masterpiece, where art rock and modern jazz come together in one of the most celebrated farewell albums ever made. One of our favourite reissue campaigns of the year continues with all five Mojave 3 albums returning to vinyl, tracing the band's journey from the hushed, dreamlike beauty of Ask Me Tomorrow through the richer country and folk influences of Out of Tune and Excuses for Travellers, the adventurous pop of Spoon and Rafter, and the jangly optimism of Puzzles Like You. Formed by Slowdive's Neil Halstead, Rachel Goswell and Ian McCutcheon, Mojave 3 quietly created one of the most consistently beautiful catalogues of the 1990s and early 2000s, with these long-awaited reissues finally bringing every album back into print. Also arriving this week are The Smiths' classic Best… I and Best… II compilations, packed with timeless songs from one of Britain's greatest bands, while Peter Tosh's groundbreaking solo debut Legalize It celebrates its 50th anniversary with a striking gold vinyl edition. Also arriving this week is a new limited gold vinyl 12" from Primus, featuring brand new song "The Ol' Grizz", a new cover of Dio's "Holy Diver", plus "Little Lord Fentanyl" and a live version of "Duchess (and the Proverbial Mind Spread)" – a welcome return from one of rock's most singular bands. As always, you'll find all of this week's new releases in the shop and online now.

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A few favourites from the racks this week: all four Charles Bradley albums are back in stock. Discovered by Daptone after decades of obscurity, Bradley didn't release his debut until he was 62, but his raw, deeply emotional voice made him one of modern soul's most unforgettable singers. From the grit of No Time for Dreaming to the heartbreaking Changes and the posthumous Black Velvet, it's a catalogue full of warmth, humanity and some of the finest soul records of the last 20 years. Find them all here.