new music reviews, news & interviews
Mark Kidel |
In that wide field commonly known as world music, ancient traditions co-exist with cutting edge experiment.
Tom Carr |
After a long break, a new album can be a delicate act to balance for an artist, as well as something of a daunting task. This year has already seen other long-awaited returns from the UK's Marmozets and Basement. This time, it is the return of critical darlings, blues rock group Alabama Shakes.
Jonathan Geddes
Geese may be the most buzz-worthy band in the world these days, but even they cannot get away with teasing a Glasgow crowd too much. After something…
Guy Oddy
Pete Fij’s debut solo album, Up’s the New Down is a sharp set of songs that sees the former Adorable front man back in the ring for the first time in…
Nick Manasseh
So the tune we'll discuss today in the imaginary seminar that occupies a certain part of my brain is…."When Jah Come" by Devon Irons (pictured below…
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Thomas H. Green
Fourth album from singer-guitarist contains old-fashioned rock songs and ire-fuelled vim
Ellie Roberts
A compilation made up of new tracks, fan favourites and remasters
Peter Culshaw
No alcohol, but music, fun and transformation in leafy Berkshire
Adam Sweeting
Ron runs riot through his back pages
Guy Oddy
US prog metalheads regroup after the departure of Brent Hinds
Kieron Tyler
Exhaustive box set dedicated to the North London band which briefly featured David Bowie
Thomas H. Green
Snappy guitar four-piece are ready for bigger things
Sebastian Scotney
Glorious soundpainting from Ambrose Akinmusire and arrangements by Miho Hazama
Joe Muggs
The deep blues of Black British soundsystem music explored in elegant ways
Thomas H. Green
Enlivened analogue synth-centred set that has its moments
Kieron Tyler
When a new album is an adjunct of an old one
Peter Culshaw
On the origins of WOMAD, music documentaries and Tarot
Thomas H. Green
Super-pummelling metal that's been assembled with a refreshing sense of imagination
Jonathan Geddes
30 years into their career, Idlewild were on snappy form in Glasgow
Kieron Tyler
Hitherto unknown tracks from the totemic British punks' earliest days with Stiff Records
Katie Colombus
A father mourned and a lover found, all in one extraordinary breath
Joe Muggs
A subtle, potent raging against the dying of the light from a low key great
Kieron Tyler
The US singer-songwriter offsets glacial shimmer with a dive into electric-guitar freakiness
Tim Cumming
The genre-crossing musician brings a New Age sheen to his solo piano tribute
Kieron Tyler
New York band’s blend of folk rock and psychedelia grabs attention
Joe Muggs
The London trio add toilet bowls and ugly crying to the hedonistic glamour
Thomas H. Green
Northern indie four-piece offer a vim-laden snapshot of disenfranchised Britain
Sebastian Scotney
Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Laura Mvula shine
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Chris Cantrill is one half of the delightfully mad sketch duo The Delightful Sausage alongside Amy Gledhill, who have rather set up camp in…
In that wide field commonly known as world music, ancient traditions co-exist with cutting edge experiment. At Bristol’s intimate city…
CPE Bach: Cello Concertos Elinor Frey (cello), Accademia de’ Dissonanti (Channel Classics/Outhere Music)
Image…
After a long break, a new album can be a delicate act to balance for an artist, as well as something of a daunting task. This year has…
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At this year’s Aldeburgh Festival, I watched Lise Davidsen take a young singer through Mahler’s “Liebst du um Schönheit” in a riveting…
Theatrical trickster extraordinaire, purveyor of bewilderingly lavish stage illusions to unsuspecting and often jaw-dropped spectators, New…
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A Masked Ball – note the English title given by the EIF, even though this is sung in Italian, an indication, I expect, of moves…
CPE Bach: Cello Concertos Elinor Frey (cello), Accademia de’ Dissonanti (Channel Classics/Outhere Music)
Image…