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Inside this issue:

Van Der Graaf Generator: Ahead of a major retrospective box set and with a new tour on the horizon, Emily Bick speaks to the dark magi of UK progressive rock, led by the indefatigable Peter Hammill. Plus: The Primer: Mike Barnes essays a user’s guide to the recordings of the band and their offshoots.

Loraine James: A new album from the UK producer reflects the strain of isolation and the artistic benefits of an open mind. By Stephanie Phillips

Invisible Jukebox: Sarah Gail Brand × Mark Sanders: The trombonist and drummer duo test each other with a mystery record selection

Dalibor Cruz: The Honduran-American producer hits the hardware. By Joe Muggs

Mesías Maiguashca: The Ecuadorean concrètist recalls a life in sound and music. By Joshua Minsoo Kim

Chunyang Yao: Naxi composer unites word, sound and dance. By Josh Feola

Omar El Sadek: Vivid city collages from the Prague based Egyptian artist. By Miloš Hroch

Unlimited Editions: Glistening Examples

Unofficial Channels: Keygen music

Global Ear: Independence and experimentation in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. By James Gui

The Inner Sleeve: Squarepusher on The Mothers Of Invention’s Burnt Weeny Sandwich

Epiphanies: Han-earl Park gets amped up

Print Run: New music books: Cuban cover art, a little Licht reading, Pacific Northwest metal, gender ventriloquism, and more

On Screen: New films and DVDs: Qwest TV

On Site: Recent art shows: Remind Me Tomorrow, Cory Arcangel

On Location: Recent live events and streams: Borealis 2021, Brilliant Corners, Éliane Radigue, Steve Gunn, and more

Soundcheck: Chris Abrahams, Chris Abrahams & Mark Wastell, Alpha Maid, The Armed, Daniel Bachman, Basic Rhythm, Anat Ben-David, Beneath, Big | Brave, Michael Bisio/Kirk Knuffke/Fred Lonberg-Holm, François J Bonnet & Stephen O’Malley, Tony Buck, Leo Chadburn, The Chills, Faith Coloccia & Philip Jeck, Colorist Orchestra & Howe Gelb featuring Pieta Brown, Contours, Cowboy Flying Saucer, Pan Daijing, Vladislav Delay, Taylor Deupree, DijahSB, Dopolarians, Magda Drozd, East Axis, Fossilized Wilderness, Billy F Gibbons, Marcus H, Kate Halsall, Lauren Sarah Hayes, Anthony Joseph, Jap Kasai, Kasai Allstars, Douglas Kearney & Val Jeanty, Bobby Lee, Charmaine Lee, Damon Locks & The Black Monument Ensemble, Mdou Moctar, DJ Muggs The Black Goat, DJ Muggs & Flee Lord, Mythic Sunship, Nadja, Sana Nagano, Ochs-Robinson Duo, Opinion, Anthony Pateras, Phaedra Ensemble, Roger Robinson & The Black Space Quartet, Rokurokubi, Claire Rousay, Zach Rowden, Rudimentary Peni, Satanic Planet, Scotch Rolex, Richard Scott & Axel Dörner, Iain Sinclair & London Experimental Orchestra, Zoon van snooK, Tapes & Tubes, Taraamoon, Terminal 11, Teresa Winter, Territorial Gobbing Vs Derek Piotr, Simona Zamboli, Various Civil Disobedience 1–4, Various Make Noise Myanmar, Various Two Synths, A Guitar (And) A Drum Machine

The Boomerang: The Beaters, The Graham Bond Organization, Arthur Brown’s Kingdom Come, Clutch, Electric Party, Gang Of Four, Harari, Masabumi Kikuchi, Bheki Mseleku, Tiziano Popoli, Special Interest, Squarepusher, Sun Ra, Various Cuba: Music And Revolution – Culture Clash In Havana Cuba – Experiments In Latin Music 1975–85 Vol 1, Various La Ola Interior: Spanish Ambient & Acid Exoticism 1983–1990, Various Sound Storing Machines: The First 78 RPM Records From Japan 1903–1912