Ryan McMurtry – Thoughts Like Birds (EP Review)
From Belfast via Bristol, the whispery folk balladeering of Ryan McMurtry makes a light-hearted but lasting impression on his joyous new EP “Thoughts Like Birds”. Strings, brass, and backing vocals help to accentuate the true spirit of McMurtry’s dryly performed songs. Sacrificing energy for clarity, the pieces are delivered inContinue Reading
Compltr – You Won’t Get A Gold Medal (EP Review)
Embracing who we are in a world that rewards cookie-cutter copies of the herd is one of the significant challenges of adulthood. However, accepting and coming to love our shortcomings is one of the greatest pleasures awaiting those brave enough to ignore the status quo. Someone aware of this factContinue Reading
The Waeve – The Waeve (Album Review)
Surely 2023 will see the tail end of lockdown albums. By now, artists have had ample time to give their quarantined expressions the right amount of reverb. However, The Waeve come washing in with a testament to the artistic possibilities that arise from a world in turmoil. A duo comprisingContinue Reading
Tuulikki Bartosik – Playscapes (Album Review)
While the accordion’s origins can be traced back to 19th century Berlin, their use by cultures throughout the globe is a testament to their unique lure and dynamic capabilities. While it is played in pubs from Czechia to Scotland, it also has an intrinsic cultural status in Brazil and Colombia.Continue Reading
Interview: The Fuchsias
The Fuchsias are an experimental instrumental duo from Brighton who recently released their debut EP, “Isles”. Full of complex and unique arrangements and performances, the duo’s mysterious music is highly stylized and atmospheric. We reached out to them with a few questions, and they were kind enough to oblige. Hello,Continue Reading
Pocket Fox – Birch Leaves (Album Review)
Australian indie collective Pocket Fox have been disseminating tightly-knit and cosy indie folk since their self-titled EP was released in 2011. The eight songs on their recent album “Birch Leaves” rotate between camp-fire sing-alongs and more downtempo adult contemporary. Most notably, the group operate on a theatrical form of folkContinue Reading
Thane – The Algorithm Isn’t Working (Album Review)
You are likely to have found this article based on an algorithm. Ubiquitous in our digital world, algorithms power everything from our entertainment to the administration of our lives and societies. But at what point does automation begin to dictate our choices or, even worse, freedom? Milwaukeean producer Thane exploresContinue Reading
Mac DeMarco – Five Easy Hot Dogs (Album Review)
Mac DeMarco is no longer in his salad days. Instead, the beatnik lover of vintage sounds and multi-interpretable songs, now in his thirties, has had time to reflect on a life lived at full speed. His new album, the ridiculously-titled “Five Easy Hot Dogs”, was recorded during a road tripContinue Reading
Single Reviews: 18 January 2023: Emma Tricca, RĂ©mi Fay, Vanessa Marcoux, David Smalt, Shmurk
Photo by melanie nobaru Emma Tricca – King Blixa folk rock London-based Italian artist Emma Tricca’s smooth vocals are spread evenly across her rousing new single “King Blixa”. Taken from the upcoming album Aspirin Sun, out April 7th on Bella Union, the song rises from arty country folk to high-intensity chamber popContinue Reading
The Loud Bangs – Salvation Memorial Hospital (EP Review)
For a band that released 6 5-song EPs in 2022 (!!), Angeleno shoegaze outfit The Loud Bangs don’t sound spent on the finale Salvation Memorial Hospital. Shoegaze is the de facto ‘in’ genre of alternative music. The explosion of shoegaze bands may send millennials shouting cultural appropriation, but shoegaze mayContinue Reading