Author: Admin
Meditations on the unglamorous, but with melodic hooks, from Scottish folk-award winnerAnyone coming to this album for their first experience of Kris Drever may well be expecting something fairly traditional in light of his many BBC folk awards but they will discover a collection of songs drawing upon the stresses and strains of modern living, all set to arrangements and instrumentation that are firmly rooted in the present day. The ten songs on Doing This For Love are described by Drever as “meditations on the unglamorous, 4am alarm clocks, ungrateful shifts, the quiet sacrifices made for love.”The title track tells…
Aldous Harding at The Barbican. Photo: Iris FlyntThere’s always a question over whether a gig review should spend too much time on setting the scene before the gig; the travail of travel, the pleasure (or otherwise) of the weather, the detail of the venue: how much before we feel like we’re in a travelogue rather than a gig review? Well, whether this should be here or not, suffice to say that it was a bare miracle of fortunate spontaneity that allowed this review to happen at all. Were it not for the idea to head into Central London a few…
Photo: Cover art for Jesse Colin Young album “Light Shine” (1974)Jesse Colin Young passed away just over a year ago, on the 16th of March, at the age of eighty-three. Born Perry Miller and raised in Queens, New York, to musical parents, Young initially found fame as a founding member of the seminal 1960s group the Youngbloods, who first achieved international success when their cover of Chet Powers’ Get Together, originally from their eponymous debut album, was re-released in 1969. Though he would go on to be recognised as the band’s main songwriter, few of the Youngbloods’ earlier material was…
With all of its overlapping loops, interlocking cycles, crafty algorithms and escalating intensity, Horse Lords’ music may cast back to an era when bands playing similarly complex music attracted a peculiar adjective. At some point in the mists of the 1990s, “math” became a handy descriptor for alt.rock, hardcore and metal acts that took an unconventional approach to matters of structure and rhythm, one more rooted in experimental music, free jazz and non-western musical modes. You could usually find a copy of King Crimson’s Red in the members’ collections, too. Like most of the bands themselves – Drive Like Jehu…
If a title’s purpose is to illuminate an album’s themes, then The Ground Above, Beth Orton’s ninth, suggests she’s been buried alive. Listening, too, for the first time, one fears that’s exactly what’s happened. Once that gentle, languid voice ached with a mere crack on “She Cries Your Name”, and that crack, furthermore, let light in. Three decades later, it trembles and breaks on her new record’s earliest notes. Indeed, this title track initially appears so privately visceral one worries about intruding. Her moans and groans are singular, guttural, even primal, as though they’ve discovered a life of their own.…
Father’s Day will be with us on Sunday, June 21 so if you’ve been struggling for ideas, I’ve picked out 15 products that should cover your music-loving, pop-culture-obsessed dad – and if you’re quick, everything here should be delivered before the day itself.I’ve covered a range of budgets: from £12.99 – £199.99 and included a Slayer vinyl box set, a brilliant portable turntable from the experts at Audio-Technica, a Sleep Token colouring book, a pair of SHOKZ headphones, a brilliant JBL portable speaker, a Metallica t-shirt and whole lot more.So dive in and hopefully I’ve given you some inspiration for…
As you prepare to consume (or avoid) FIFA’s latest overcooked feast of football, why not spend a little time with our latest smorgasbord of new music? Just like the World Cup, we kick off in Mexico – and we also have artists representing England, Scotland, USA, Belgium/Ghana, Norway, Australia, Brazil, Japan and Ecuador/Switzerland. This dedicated “Three Lions”-free zone includes scorching new tunes from Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Jack White, Ty Segall, The Afghan Whigs, Interpol and Seun Kuti with Tom Morello; some genuinely lovely stuff from Lambchop, Elanor Moss, Juni Habel and Robyn Hitchcock; a whole new album from the tireless…
Akrobat’s “Dirty Gathering” is a striking new release from Dublin, Ireland. It’s got a moody bass line from the start of the track, and as soon as those vocals come in, I was personally reminded of the late ’90s rock scene. This one is reminding me of those early afternoon rides in the car listening to some alternative music with my dad…. amoody Dublin alt-rock slow-burner blending Radiohead-like textures, ’90s nostalgia, and genre-fusing brilliance.It’s quite a genre-bending blend of alt-rock, arty rock, and indie textures. It’s got that kind of slow-burner feel to it, which will lure you in and…
The track is incredibly cinematic from the very start, with soaring synths leading into a rather ’80s and new wave sounding tune. With direct vocals, this is going to be a track you are going to be deep into well before the first minute…. a cinematic London synth-pop track blending 80s nostalgia, emotive vocals, and spoken-word charm.The mixture of those organic piano tones and the shimmering synths, for me, worked a treat and was all offset by his emotive vocal tones. It is one I really enjoyed from the first play. Even in my initial notes, I put down how…
Temper Lake’s “How to Write a Lovesong” is an intimate dream-pop release from Tallinn, Estonia. The tender new song is lifted off their latest EP titled “Private Little Cravings” and is the standout track of the release too…. acinematic dream-pop ballad from Estonia blending piano, emotion, and a soaring final crescendo.It is very piano-driven, with some incredibly emotive vocals. If you will, think of the band Embrace from the early 2000s. It reminded me a lot of their work. It’s powerful, captivating, and simplistic in nature, but is cinematically stunning too.Be sure to keep an ear out for those stunning…
Grace Ferguson’s “Haunted” is a deeply reflective indie-pop release from New York City, United States. The track has this blend of alt-pop with some nostalgic synth sounds that creates a warm energy…. a dreamy, emotionally rich indie-pop track blending nostalgic synths, soft vocals, and rising-star energy.It’s also dreamy in all the right ways, with her vocals almost caressing your ears throughout the runtime. If you like the emotional sounds related to the likes of Phoebe Bridgers and the stunning highs of Kacey Musgraves, then this release is going to win your heart (and ears). It’s a bold statement that is…
London based sibling act Okay The Duo continue their upward trajectory with the release of their latest single, SUPER VILLAIN. Following the success of their boundary pushing track What Do You Reckon, the pair once again blend UK rap influences with their distinctive Australian perspective.Built around booming 808s and a dark, cinematic atmosphere, SUPER VILLAIN sees the duo trading sharp, witty verses packed with confidence and personality. Their trademark mix of relatable storytelling and playful wordplay remains front and centre, delivering a track that feels both energetic and unapologetically bold.The release is accompanied by a striking new music video that…