new music reviews, news & interviews
Liz Thomson |

In this most challenging of times, we need music to lift our spirits and relieve the gloom. Step forward, in all their retro-chic, cabaret-burlesque splendour The Puppini Sisters, with their perfect harmonies and songs that cheer and distract.

Kieron Tyler |

Mother Pearl is not direct.

Thomas H. Green
Phil Campbell, guitarist for Motörhead from 1984 onwards, died on Friday 13th March after a "long and courageous battle in intensive care following a…
Jonathan Geddes
Juanita Stein had a simple request for her bandmates. “Don’t fuck this up”, she joked, before the Australian group played a song from their new album…
Guy Oddy
Once upon a time, albums of cover versions were something of a “go to” (along with hastily assembled live records or compilations with one or two new…

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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
Kieron Tyler
Significant box-set examination of an important strand of America’s pre-grunge musical landscape
Ellie Roberts
A muted approach that will likely age well
Joe Muggs
A serial and prolific collaborator finally steps into the spotlight, full of life lessons
Jonathan Geddes
The 'Dunboyne Diana' mixed great songs with star power and cheeky humour
Kathryn Reilly
After a six-year hiatus, Morrissey's still at odds with the world
Kieron Tyler
London-based goth-rockers seek solace from concerns about where the world is heading
Rachel Halliburton
From Sunderland to the Bahamas: one of the great rock chameleons of our time speaks
Thomas H. Green
Difford and Tilbrook reanimate songs they wrote as teenagers, with mixed results
Kieron Tyler
Thought-provoking primer in US pop’s varied pre-psychedelic musical landscape
peter.quinn
A love letter to the women who changed music forever
Tim Cumming
Interior musical meditations on life and art pulls on the harp strings
Thomas H. Green
Despite a limited audience, an evening of whole-hearted sing-alongs
Ibi Keita
World music meets every other genre in this new project
Kieron Tyler
When guitar solos are as important as the meaning of the song

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