Lorna Irvine reviews 'an uncompromising selection' of music from an iconic label.
For almost forty years, Rough Trade have been doing things their own way.
Born in the punk era, their remit has always been to break new music and stay fully independent. It's an attitude that has sustained them, through changing styles, the death of high street chains and into download culture.
This latest compilation is as esoteric as we've come to expect. Bookended by neo-classical artist Nils Frahm with the beautiful meditative 'Some' and Max Richter's 'Diffraction Sequence' from his lullaby project, it sets the scene for an uncompromising selection that takes the listener through many modern genres and sub-genres.
So, there are big hitters like Bjork, Jamie XX and Courtney Barnett, but also Floating Points' dance floor slow-burner 'Elaenia' and new Welsh dream pop icon GWENNO with her shimmering breakthrough track 'Y Dydd Olaf'.
It's not perfect, by any means. I could do without mediocre artists like Father John Misty, Sleaford Mods and John Grant, but sublime soulful tracks like Unknown Mortal Orchestra's 'Can't Keep Checking My Phone' and artists Ezra Furman, Holly Herndon and Ultimate Painting sum up the year better than the misery of Sam Smith, Foxes et al. Long live Rough Trade--here's to the next 40 years.
'Counter Culture 15' is out on November 27th on 2 CDs and download.
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