By Maxazine South Africa 
Dozens of new albums arrive at Maxazine’s editorial staff every week. There are too many to listen to, let alone review them. It ensures that too many albums are left behind. And that’s a shame. That is why we post an overview of albums that arrive at the editors in short reviews today.
Photo (c) Jorge Fakhouri Filho
Big Special – O’JOY!
Big Special consists of Joe Hicklin and Callum Moloney, a duo that has been making rapid progress in a short space of time. With the EP “O’JOY!”, listeners are served a tasty appetiser. Their previous two releases were well received by both critics and audiences, which means expectations for future work are high. The music of Big Special cannot easily be confined to a single genre. Their combination of post-punk, krautrock, hip-hop and other influences creates a distinctive and recognisable sound. Combined with Hicklin’s spoken-word and rap style, in which he delivers socially critical and clearly articulated observations with conviction, this results in a compelling listening experience. The duo regularly manages to surprise with unexpected angles and original ideas. Through their eclectic approach, Big Special also appeals to an increasingly broad audience. Fans of the atmosphere and energy of Arctic Monkeys will likely appreciate the vibe of “Only Free”, while the driving rhythm of “Lazarus” will also appeal to fans of Fontaines D.C. Yet above all, Big Special sounds like themselves. In particular, Hicklin’s free-flowing, reflective and declamatory delivery contributes to this. On “The Wake” he presents his observations with the sharpness and eye for detail of a true urban poet. O’JOY! indeed. (Bart van de Sande) (8/10) (SO Recordings)
Guilt Trip – Armour Of Angels
“Armour Of Angels” by Guilt Trip, released around 5 June 2026, is an intense metalcore album that focuses mainly on power, rhythm and direct energy. The band opts for a compact approach in which each track revolves around tight riffs, heavy breaks and a constant sense of tension. Tracks such as “Iron Benediction” and “Glass Halo” illustrate this approach well, with short build-ups and explosive release. The vocals alternate between screams and lower, more threatening passages, creating variation within the aggressive core structure. The production is dry and focused on the rhythm section, giving drums and bass a central role in the dynamics. This strengthens the physical impact of the album. There is little room for atmospheric digressions or experimentation, making the record straightforward but effective. Within contemporary metalcore, this is an album that prioritises execution over innovation. The result is tight, but deliberately limited in scope. (Anton Dupont) (7/10) (Rude Records)
Rainhard Fendrich – 45 Jahre Live
“45 Jahre Live” by Rainhard Fendrich, released around 5 June 2026, is a recording that summarises a long career through a series of live performances. The setlist includes both classics and more recent work, performed with a band that emphasises acoustic instrumentation and audience interaction. Well-known songs such as “Macho Macho” and “Es lebe der Sport” receive new live arrangements that remain faithful to the originals but leave just enough space for variation. The audience plays a clear role in the recording, making the atmosphere feel more documentary than polished. The production is focused on balancing room sound and clarity without losing the energy of the live setting. Short announcements and brief interactions provide context without disrupting the flow. The result is a retrospective work that primarily serves as a look back at a long career. (Tobias Braun) (8/10) (Ariola)
Francis Of Delirium – Run, Run Pure Beauty
Jana Bahrich, as the Luxembourg artist Francis of Delirium is actually called, impressed critics with her debut a few years ago. She draws inspiration from artists such as Pearl Jam and Sufjan Stevens. Fittingly, the album opens with horns, an instrument she learned in her youth. The album is a beautiful blend of dreamy and more solid alternative rock. This not only occurs between songs but also within them. A good example is the title track. The more the intensity increases, the more the need for running becomes audible and tangible. With this album, she further establishes her position. There is no urge to run away from it; instead, you should sit down and drift away. (Rik Moors) (8/10) (Dalliance Recordings)
Ibrahim Maalouf – Trumpets of Michel-Ange Volume 2.
Ibrahim Maalouf, the 45-year-old Franco-Lebanese trumpeter, arranger and composer, presents with “Trumpets of Michel-Ange Vol. 2” his fourteenth studio album. The album is a continuation of the successful and highly praised first part from 2024 and further develops the musical concept introduced at that time. The title again refers to his father, whose unique trumpet design and musical legacy remain a lasting source of inspiration for Maalouf’s artistic vision. From the first notes, the energetic and optimistic atmosphere stands out. The music radiates vitality and invites movement, while the compositions seem primarily designed to come fully to life in a live setting. Thanks to the decision to record everything live, the album sounds spontaneous, authentic and vivid. Although comparisons with the first part are inevitable, it quickly becomes clear that this is not a collection of leftover material. Maalouf presents new compositions that expand and enrich the original idea. As with its predecessor, he is supported by various guest musicians, adding extra colour and variety. Musically, the album may be slightly less cohesive than the first part, but this does little to diminish its quality. Like the abstract cover artwork, the music combines apparent simplicity with a thoughtful artistic approach, making “Trumpets of Michel-Ange Vol. 2” both convincing and inspiring. (Bart van de Sande) (8/10) (Mister I.B.E.)
