The genre-defying Welsh group define their vision with a breath-taking new album, Islet’s ‘Soft Fascination’ is an ecstatic experience in music, an explosion of emotion subsumed in sound. The album is filled with high energy cadence and meditations on collective joy, a balancing act underpinned with glorious melodies and Emma Daman Thomas’ evocative vocals that swirl in the symphonic surf. Self-produced, and with instruments recorded live with few overdubs, the effect is direct, it veers from the upfront and immediate to the spacious and challenging. The first half is intentionally fast, intense, almost relentless. The second half is more spacious, as the album unravels and becomes more hazy. There is excitement and fascination and a willingness to show a lack of restraint in realising it, traversing hailstorms, hedgerows, broken promises and poisoned prayers; constantly breathing real life all in. Featuring standout singles: the pulsating ‘Euphoria’, the liberating flow of energy on ‘River Body’ and the recurring conundrum of choice of ‘Hat Person’, ‘Soft Fascination’ is an album of rare beauty.
Release date:
September 29, 2023
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Vinyl Care - Top Picks
A selection of accesories to keep your turntable equipment & vinyl records in the best shape
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Hunx and His Punx Walk Out On This World
Get Better Records
August 22, 2025 -
Descendents Milo Goes to College
Org Music
September 19, 2025 -
Royel Otis Hickey (Charcoal)
Ourness/Capitol
August 22, 2025 -
Buckingham Nicks Buckingham Nicks
Rhino Records
September 19, 2025 -
Ada Lea when i paint my masterpiece (Ice Ice Baby Blue)
Saddle Creek
August 8, 2025 -
Thrice Horizons / West
Epitaph
October 3, 2025 -
Sabaton Legends (Amazon Exclusive Edition)
Better Noise Music
October 17, 2025 -
Weakened Friends Feels Like Hell (Nuclear Splatter)
Don Giovanni
October 10, 2025 -
Grateful Dead Blues For Allah (50th Anniversary)
Grateful Dead Production
September 12, 2025 -
El Michels Affair 24 Hr Sports
Big Crown
September 5, 2025 -
Steven Bamidele THE CRASH!
Tru Thoughts
September 5, 2025 -
Double Wish Double Wish (Blue)
Hit the North
August 21, 2025 -
Grizzly Bear Yellow House (Cream White) [2xLP]
Warp Records
October 17, 2025 -
Van Halen Balance (Expanded Edition) [2xLP]
Rhino/Warner Records
August 15, 2025