Live Review: Ryley Walker & Bobby Lee at Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield (Matinee Show) 2.2.2025
On a cold Sunday afternoon in Sheffield, Sidney & Matilda played host to a matinee show that transported the audience somewhere far warmer, both in sound and spirit. Curated and supported by Bobby Lee, this was a gig that felt intimate, immersive, and, at times, utterly transcendent. Bobby Lee and his trio – comprising himself …
Meet: We sit down with C Duncan and talk lush sounds, home studios and the beauty in imperfection
C Duncan has built a reputation for crafting intricate, dreamlike music that bridges classical composition with contemporary songwriting. With his latest album, It’s only a love song, he has embraced an even richer, more orchestral sound- a culmination of his work to date. We caught up with the Scottish musician ahead of his Independent venue …
Album Review: Circa Waves – Death and Love part 1; near death experience leads to a joyous celebration of life
Circa Waves return with their latest album, a collection of feel-good indie rock anthems that play to their strengths. While they don’t attempt to reinvent the wheel, they deliver exactly what fans have come to love – big choruses, infectious energy, and a warm, uplifting vibe. This record is a celebration, a reflection of frontman …
Track: Welsh indie pop veterans Melys return with the engaging Santa Cruz
Welsh indie/psych-pop veterans Melys have made a notable return with their latest single, Santa Cruz, now available on all streaming platforms. This track serves as a precursor to their forthcoming album, slated for release in the spring of 2025. Following their April 2024 release of BBC Radio Sessions (Vol 1)which highlighted sessions recorded for Huw …
Track: Femi Kuti returns with the driving Afrobeat and political comment of ‘After 24 years’.
Femi Kuti’s latest single, ‘After 24 Years’, is a brass-heavy, bouncing bundle of Afro-joy. Spidery guitars and repeating keyboard figures intertwine with propulsive drums, creating an infectious rhythm. Kuti’s vocals pull no punches, delivering a searing critique of political failure in Nigeria, while gorgeous vocal harmonies brighten the track further. The song underscores Femi’s enduring …
Live Review: C Duncan / Alwyn Jones – Hallamshire Hotel, Sheffield 1.02.2025
The Hallamshire Hotel in Sheffield, with its 1970s-inspired browns and oranges, provided an ideal setting for C Duncans autumnal yet lush indie pop as he arrived in the city as part of Independent Venue Week. The Mercury Prize-nominated singer-songwriter showcased tracks from his latest album, It’s Only a Love Song, released a week or so …
Track: Chaos In The CBD release the deep house sunshine of ‘Love Language’
Chaos In The CBD’s latest single, ‘Love Language’ is a beautifully laid-back instrumental that exudes a sunshine-infused deep house vibe. Gentle piano melodies gracefully intertwine with a gluey, stretchy bassline, while Nathan Haines’ soulful saxophone, alternating between scattergun bursts and melodic streams, spreads its persuasive jazz lines across the track. The result is a captivating …
Track: Black Country, New Road return with the staggering new single ‘Besties’
Black Country, New Road’s latest single, Besties, exudes a delightful sense of whimsy, characterised by their typically eclectic instrumentation. The track seems like ‘baroque indie’ (if such a thing exists), featuring a melody that is both memorable and uplifting, leaving you with a smile on your face at every twist and turn contained within. Intricate …
Track: Rosetta Stone give (Don’t Fear) The Reaper a gothic makeover
Goth survivors Rosetta Stone’s latest single, a cover of Blue Öyster Cult’s (Don’t Fear) The Reaper, reimagines the 1976 classic through a long black overcoat and dark eyeshadow. While the song has seen various renditions over the years, including notable versions by Heaven 17 and the Goo Goo Dolls, Rosetta Stone’s take stands out for …
Track: The Kooks return with new single Never Know, ahead of May album release
The Kooks’ latest single, Never Know, offers a knowing nod to their earlier sound, featuring sprawling guitars and splashes of organ that decorate something that feels fresh but familiar. The track captures the excitement of a newly discovered romance, as frontman Luke Pritchard explains: It’s a love song about a cute meet with someone unpredictable. …