We’re here, Dear Reader. Dork’s first issue featured the date July 2016 on its mighty cover. We’ve made it to the same month of the following year. We’re a year old. We’re awaiting delivery of those cakes you’re sending.
So, given it’s a special occasion, we figured we should push the boat out and host someone special on our first-anniversary cover. Or someones – because there are three people in Alt-J. Not that they’re fussed with convention, grammatical or otherwise. Making their way to the top without sticking to the accepted templates, they’ve become one of the most interesting and exciting bands on the planet. Their new album ‘Relaxer’, out now, is no different. At times serene, at others scrappy garage punk, it’s a winding trip that’s nothing short of spellbinding. This month, we’re getting the story behind it.
Elsewhere in the new issue, we’ve got pop mastermind Jack Antonoff, who – aside from crafting some of the biggest bangers in the world alongside all manner of triple A-list pop stars – is bringing us another album from his own project, Bleachers. Royal Blood are back making a din, so make sure you’ve packed your ear plugs for that one as they get ready for their new album ‘How Did We Get So Dark?’ to drop, while Oh Wonder take an all together more brightly-tinged route. We talk to them about their new full-length ‘Ultralife’.
There’s also room for The Drums, LANY, Yak, Girli, Sløtface, INHEAVEN, All We Are, Public Service Broadcasting and loads more, as well as all the buzz from The Great Escape and Live at Leeds, reports from the road with The Cribs, Rat Boy, The Big Moon and Will Joseph Cook, and verdicts on new records from Phoenix, London Grammar, Paramore and many, many more. Add to that introductions to Geowulf, Fazerdaze and Honey Lung in our new bands section Hype, a day in the life with Mattie VANT, a run round Liverpool with Clean Cut Kid and Blaenavon answering our quick-fire Any Other Questions, and it’s another packed month.
The new issue of Dork will available to read in print and online next week. You can pick a copy up from record stores, venues and bars around the UK, or pre-order one direct below. You can also subscribe and get every issue direct to your door here, or download the Dork app on iOS and Android where you’ll be able to read every single issue so far. That should keep you busy.