new music reviews, news & interviews
Thomas H. Green |
For many years Paul Weller had a conflicted relationship with the oldest parts of his back catalogue. It was rare to hear more than one of his pre-1990 songs in concert. Then he started slipping them in, but only a couple.
Erin Lewis |
It’s tempting to focus on the peripheral aspects of Olivia Rodrigo’s career, dissecting who a particular song is about in relation to her personal life. However where Taylor Swift, an early source of inspiration for Rodrigo, overtly ties her music to her feuds and relationships, causing them to bleed into each other, Rodrigo has seemed keen to maintain a degree of separation between art and life.
Kieron Tyler
“John Coltrane, he’s a major influence on this record. The instrumental on the A-side is an abstraction of the jazz musician named John Coltrane.…
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…
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.…
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Thomas H. Green
Genial strummings and spaciness as an underheard master drifts off
Liz Thomson
Rufus Wainwright's final tribute to Judy Garland
Guy Oddy
US garage rockers climb back in the ring with gusto
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
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For many years Paul Weller had a conflicted relationship with the oldest parts of his back catalogue. It was rare to hear more than one of…
Reader, I confess that I entered the dark space of Pélleas et Mélisande at Snape Maltings with a prior conviction: that, although musicians…
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