new music reviews, news & interviews
Ellie Roberts |
Johnny Franck’s energy is palpable with the latest Bilmuri instalment, his signature comedic country metalcore style is as honed as ever and Kinda Hard really just sounds like it was a lot of fun to make. Even with the genre blending, this album falls very much under the pop punk umbrella, with humour through emotion being at the forefront of its style.
Kieron Tyler |
The opening track is Hoyt Axton’s “Evangelina.” After first appearing on the 1976 album Fearless it was re-recorded and issued as a flop UK single in July 1980. The new version had also been an OK-selling US single in 1980.
Sebastian Scotney
Mountain Call from ECM – it consists of recordings made in Prague in very different contexts and settings between 2003 and 2010 – is a timely…
Jonathan Geddes
There was something incongruous about seeing Basement Jaxx in a venue best known for regularly playing host to the likes of Scotland’s national…
Guy Oddy
About a dacade ago and then again last year, Seattle’s proto-grungers, Melvins and Birmingham’s grindcore originators, Napalm Death hit the road with…
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Joe Muggs
The quietly poetic singer-songwriter finds an impressive way to get louder
Thomas H. Green
The last great bastion of regular international vinyl record reviewing
Tim Cumming
Third album from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and friends is propelled by cosmic as well as worldly themes
Thomas H. Green
With a line-up that includes Exodus and Carcass, a top-notch night of the heaviest metal
Mark Kidel
Leading Kurdish vocalist takes tradition on an adventure
Tom Carr
Gloomy yet brooding and compelling human
Ibi Keita
A well-crafted sound that plays it a little too safe
Jonathan Geddes
Damon Albarn's animated outfit featured dazzling visuals and constant guests
Tom Carr
A meaningful reiteration and next step of their sonic journey
Joe Muggs
While some synth pop queens fade, the Swede seems to burn ever brighter
Sebastian Scotney
Raye’s moment has definitely arrived, and this is an inspirational album
Guy Oddy
Red Hot Chilli Pepper’s solo album is a great success that strays far from the day job
Kieron Tyler
A one-stop showcase for the fabulous
Joe Muggs
The youthful grandaddies of K-pop are as cyborg-slick as ever
Mark Kidel
Risk-taking flights of musical imagination
Katie Colombus
Life after burnout and bad decisions for the Buenos Aires duo
Liz Thomson
Sing out, sisters
Kieron Tyler
Former member of múm musically reclaims herself
Thomas H. Green
In memory of the legendary band's riffing heartbeat for more than 30 years, we revisit this 2013 interview in which he talks Johnny Cash, Hawkwind and, of course, Lemmy
Jonathan Geddes
The trio have recently returned after a hiatus of more than a decade
Guy Oddy
A love letter from Portland’s favourites to the songs and bands that inspire them
Thomas H. Green
Much-talked-about divorce album is better as theatre
Kieron Tyler
First-ever collection dedicated to the musical polymath’s latterly defined golden years
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