new music reviews, news & interviews
Thomas H. Green |

Stagefront are two silhouetted figures, heads at a strange angle. Like hanged men. Beside each is a robed demon sentinel with a burning torch. Overseeing all is a gigantic, trompe l’oeil devil, gnarly-fanged, eyes a glazed pink blaze. The demons touch their torches to the doomed mannikins who go up in flames. Kreator, amid the enkindled carnage, plough into the utter pummelling of “Endless Pain”, the title track of their 1985 debut album.

Mark Kidel |

The Kurdish singer Aynur opened her current European tour in Bristol, presenting music that's rooted in ancient tradition but explores contempoary sonorities and styles while keeping the music of her people vibrant and alive.

Tom Carr
José González is one of those musicians who is well known without many recognising it. Until that is, someone plays his most known track “Heartbeats…
Kieron Tyler
Blackpool Cool is the third and last album by Glasgow’s Head. Issued in 1977 on the band’s own Head Records label, it was preceded by 1973’s GTF…
Ibi Keita
Tom Misch’s Full Circle is an easy, pleasant listen, but it tends to drift by without leaving much of a lasting impression. He leans into a softer,…

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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
Thomas H. Green
Now a trio, the synth-poppers' sound takes a trip to Ibiza, long ago, with mixed results
Kieron Tyler
Sell-out show suggests embracing difficult music won’t impede an upwards trajectory
Thomas H. Green
Heavy riffin', punk rock, food poisoning, snark and moshpit mayhem
Guy Oddy
The brothers Robinson pay tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Rolling Stones again
Joe Muggs
The godmother of punk takes a leap into the unknown but doesn't quite stick the landing
Guy Oddy
Beautiful chaos that blends hardcore punk and spacious dub sounds
Jonathan Geddes
The former Talking Heads singer mixed old and new alike in a compelling show.
Tim Cumming
An assured third album from the acclaimed singer songwriter

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