new music reviews, news & interviews
Ellie Roberts |
It was evident from Citizen’s debut album Youth that they had an edge. “The Night I Drove Alone” contributed to a thriving music scene predicated on the same raw emotion that it captured, but there was a timelessness to it that felt special.
Kieron Tyler |
“She said her life was like a motorway… dull, grey, and long.” The lyrics of “Like a Motorway,” from Saint Etienne’s February 1994 album Tiger Bay see the titular highway negatively, signifying a life defined by a prolonged drabness.
Kieron Tyler
The only break in the flow comes just before the last song, “Toppling.” There’s a need to tune the guitar, so what – until this point – is an…
Guy Oddy
These days, Alfie Agnew is a Maths professor at California State University Fullerton. Back in the 1980s, however, he was singer and guitarist with…
Thomas H. Green
Since the release of her last album, Eternal Sunshine, in 2024, Ariana Grande, already a multi-platform superstar, has exploded to even greater fame…
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Joe Muggs
A thrilling blast of deep rooted culture and devout belief
Katie Colombus
Two decades on from Patti Smith and the original pink sheep, the anniversary edition proved again that Latitude's real headliners are rarely at the top of the bill
Thomas H. Green
From Korean bluegrass to gigantic Ugandan xylophones, the global diversity of musical life is here
Sebastian Scotney
Tawadros plays with astonishing clarity, resolve and intent
Joe Muggs
A championing, but also perhaps a dilution, of South African innovation
Kieron Tyler
The return of a punk-era landmark of British art rock
Tom Carr
With a danceable rock feel she displays her burgeoning creativity
Liz Thomson
Leaves from a gilded songbook
Ibi Keita
The garage rockers don't do themselves justice on new album
Mark Kidel
Vibrant sounds from jazz and Indian masters
Kieron Tyler
Andy Dragazis’ musical alter-ego offers nods to legendary arranger and producer Charles Stepney
Thomas H. Green
The Canadian country superstar embraces her rhythm'n'blues side
Kieron Tyler
The welcome return of a foundational album of electronic minimalism
Liz Thomson
The Punch Brothers and a new sister: virtuosic
Joe Muggs
Surrealism, social observation and more muscular sound from the Leeds quartet
Kathryn Reilly
A powerful personal outpouring of joy and pain - with a great beat
Jonathan Geddes
The London quartet have taken to playing large venues with ease, as this career-spanning set showed
Ibrahim Maalouf
The Lebanese-French musician's father was behind a unique musical innovation
Ellie Roberts
The Philadelphia punk rockers continue to impress
Kieron Tyler
A partial account of how Brit-punk absorbed an aspect of reggae
Peter Culshaw
The Fez Festival Of World Sacred Music and the Fes Gathering bring the world together
Mark Kidel
Enchanted sounds from a haunted man
Thomas H. Green
Bristol band aren't happy but offer up the occasional sing-along
Guy Oddy
A new album is unveiled and old tunes are played for the last time
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