new music reviews, news & interviews
Sebastian Scotney |
I just don’t get it. Jon Batiste, deservedly, has a huge career as pianist, composer, inspirer. The prospect of his forthcoming extended residency in various formations at KOKO in London is an exciting one.
Thomas H. Green |
“Enola Gay” is perfect pop, the ultimate party-uplift banger. It’s that rare song which only seems to grow better as the years, then decades pass. This is tricky to reconcile with the fact it’s about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (albeit opaquely).
Thomas H. Green
As I started to write this review, I found that Tucker Zimmerman died in January this year. This was news to me, sad news, made worse by the fact he…
Liz Thomson
Judy Garland's Carnegie Hall comeback concert on Sunday, 23 April 1961 has often been lauded as "the greatest night in show business history", though…
Guy Oddy
While it’s four years since the Bobby Lees’ excellent Bellevue album was released, they haven’t been stumbling around in the slow lane since then.…
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Joe Muggs
World-bestriding Australian house DJ hits all the right notes, albeit maybe too consistently
Miranda Heggie
A sensational send off for one of the city's last industrial spaces
Mark Kidel
The master of the Arabic-tinged quarter-tone trumpet in party mode
Guy Oddy
Independent Country’s shindig takes on a grey Saturday and wins out
Jonathan Geddes
Yorkshire sextet were exciting at times, but not consistently so
Kieron Tyler
Overdue - albeit digital-only - return of the former Servants lynchpin’s 2002 solo album
Bedouine
On her new album, the musician follows her Armenian heritage to its roots
Thomas H. Green
Fourth album channels passion through low-flavour soft rock
Thomas H. Green
L.A.-based Welsh singer delivers a sweaty maximalist pop love-in
Erin Lewis
An undeniable talent seems determined to go over old ground on album no. 3
Joe Muggs
A brilliant new sound, and some rabble rousing, from a mercurial hip hop talent
Sebastian Scotney
A jazz supergroup on hallowed ground in Burgundy
Tom Carr
Anticipated sixth album is serene and melodic, but fresh and heavy
Guy Oddy
Robin Dallaway’s crew return to the stage after a 40-year break
Jonathan Geddes
The Manchester foursome's post-punk and garage rock remains danceable and rousing.
Tim Cumming
The Gloaming's Martin Hayes, and others join the Scottish fiddler on this stellar collaboration
Kieron Tyler
Firm candidate for one of the year’s most notable archive releases
Mark Kidel
To mark the centenary of a jazz great, we explore a soundtrack that eclipsed the film
Tim Cumming
Tenderness abounds on this intimate, reflective set
Ibi Keita
Scottish duo turn up the creepy on new album
Thomas H. Green
Guitars a-go-go with hungry performances by bands from around the world
Joe Muggs
A total deconstruction of pop-alternative dichotomies, and a 360° immersive overload
Ellie Roberts
The band flirt with a return to their past but the spark never catches fire
Kieron Tyler
Enviably consistent box set dedicated to female-sung British pop from 1962 to 1970
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