Swamp Eyes – Something’s In The Hall (Album Review)
Norwegian painter Edvard Munch once said, “Art comes from joy and pain, but mostly pain.” And while the cliched tortured artist trying to realise their vision has been heavily romanticised in our culture, art has a more utilitarian function as a salve. Perhaps the greatest pain is that of a parent whoContinue Reading
Single Reviews – 19 December 2022 – Drew Charron, Piper Cole, Georges Granville, Samuel Powell, Glass Mansions
Photo by Kadri Karmo Drew Charron – Anoetic progressive electronic “Anoetic” is the first single from Kentuckian sonic sorcerer Drew Charron’s sophomore album Archives. The track effortlessly mesmerizes the listener with its sustained synth leads and bouncing rhythm, marked by Charron’s ability as a drummer. Where similar artists rely onContinue Reading
Salt Money – Love of my life (Album Review)
In the days of the Roman Empire, salt was a much sought-after luxury. The now-ubiquitous seasoning was once so valuable that “salt money” was the name given to soldiers’ pay, a term which eventually evolved into the modern-day word “salary”. In our current epoch, Salt Money are a Brisbane-based hardcoreContinue Reading
Hank Tree – The Big North (Album Review)
We all want somewhere to belong. Feeling like a valued part of a family, community, or the larger world, is necessary for good mental health. Yet, security is scarce in a world in constant flux. The cultural, socio-political, and environmental aspects of our environment greatly influence the running dialogue ofContinue Reading
Yelmur – How We Hide (Album Review)
Berlin has long been a hotbed of cultural activity, particularly electronic music. Artists from all over Europe and the world flock to the artistically vibrant capital to stake their claim in the healthy experimental scene. One such artist, Dutch composer and producer, Yelmur (Jelmer de Haan on his birth certificate),Continue Reading
Single Reviews – 10 December 2022 – Hania Rani, West Wickhams, LOMNOUVO, Wieke Garcia, Christof Keller
Photo by Mike van den Berg Hania Rani – Spring neoclassical Polish pianist and composer Hania Rani has been asserting her presence as a leading figure in the neoclassical scene for the past few years. With her delicate playing style and compositions built around powerfully emotive themes, her music isContinue Reading
Sisyphes – Deviant Pop (Album Review)
The word ‘Sisyphean’ means to continue doing something even though it is futile and is derived from the Greek legend of Sisyphus, who had to fruitlessly push a boulder up a hill for eternity. Sisyphes, a musical group from the coastal town of Margate, UK, have no such trouble andContinue Reading
The Night Agent – Stars Above Us (Album Review)
Swedish guitar virtuoso Janne Schaffer has been a fixture of the Swedish music scene since the ’60s. Having worked with luminaries such as ABBA and Bob Marley, he has contributed to various projects, including the Electric Banana Band and, most recently, The Night Agent. The Night Agent are a synth-popContinue Reading
Single Reviews – 6 December 2022 – The Ocelots, Sophie Bernice, Nasti, spaceseer
Photo by Barthelemy de Mazenod The Ocelots – Addlepated indie folk Wexford twins The Ocelots make indie folk music with impressions of cabaret and art pop on their recent single “Addlepated”. This amorous song of longing has a bittersweet chord progression, sincerely delicate vocal harmonies, wandering harmonica lines,Continue Reading
Ralph Kinsella – In The Lives That Surround You (Album Review)
Johann Sebastian Bach once quipped: “It’s easy to play any musical instrument: all you have to do is touch the right key at the right time, and the instrument will play itself.” While this tongue-in-cheek statement is technically true, instruments can be utilised creatively, and even an instrument as ubiquitous as theContinue Reading