Album Reviews
Album Review: 45ACIDBABIES – ‘Paint The World Pink’
Words by: Philip Efthimiou The album opens with a high-energy, matter-of-fact, low-spoken initiation into the world 45ACIDBABIES invite us into. A thumping bassline leads the way, and there’s nothing like the strained shout of “everything is fine!” to convince you that, right from the opener, everything in the playfully chaotic Paint The World Pink universe …
Album Reivew: Neev – How Things Tie in Knots; Indie-folk storytelling with heart.
Glaswegian singer-songwriter Neev returns with How Things Tie in Knots, a stunning collection of folk-inflected indie-pop songs that explore the tension of growing into adulthood. Building on the intricate storytelling of her debut Katherine, this album expands her sound with sweeping arrangements, raw emotion, and melodies that linger long after the music fades. From the …
Album Review: Ebba Åsman – When You Know; Soulful jazz with a modern edge.
Swedish jazz virtuoso Ebba Åsman returns with When You Know, her third full-length album and arguably her most personal statement to date. Known for her remarkable skills as a trombonist, Åsman takes a bold step forward by putting her voice front and center for the first time. The result is a smoky, melancholic blend of …
Album Review: Gyedu-Blay Ambolley – Simigwa (Strut Records Reissue)
Strut Records continues its celebration of Ghana’s legendary Essiebons label with the official reissue of Simigwa, the groundbreaking 1975 album by Gyedu-Blay Ambolley. Recognized as a cornerstone of Ghanaian highlife and Afro-funk, Simigwa is a bold, genre-blending record that captures Ambolley’s unique fusion of traditional Ghanaian rhythms, American funk, and soul. This reissue not only …
EP Review: Ellis D – Spill
For those new to Ellis D, you will find a familiar warmth within the chaotic madness on display here. His music is well crafted and very much unique to the character and talent of Ellis D (real name Ellis Dickson). Written and recorded entirely by Dickson himself at Hackney Road studios with Shuta Shinoda (Hot Chip, Jenny …
Album Review: Brisbane’s Tape/Off unveil a magnum opus in the epic new album ‘Fort Sensible’ ahead of national tour.
Listening to the new album by Tape/Off is like journeying across the wide open landscapes of Australia where the scenery dramatically changes and yet remains breathtaking and stunning throughout. And threaded through every note is a larrikin sense of humour (the album title itself is an obscure Homer Simpson reference). The result veers from unhinged …
EP Review: Husk – Inner Perception
North East hard rockers Husk may sound like they have been around for a while, but ‘Inner Perception’ just so happens to be their debut EP, and what an EP. Mind you it’s not down to the musical and signwriting talent that gives them a been around the block vibe but its the huge slabs …
Album Review: ‘After The Flood’ is a magnificent collaboration between legends Ed Kuepper and Jim White that glows with a passion.
Following a thrilling tour last year between the two icons of Australian indie music, Ed Kuepper and Jim White have released ‘After The Flood’ on 21 March through Remote Control Records. Kuepper has also announced an extensive solo tour across Australia – his first solo gigs in five years following a series of gigs with a full band and with …
Album Review: Shelagh McDonald –‘Stargazer’: A long lost folk rock treasure returns to the shelves.
Vinyl reissues over the past few years have seemed to have been seized upon by majors gagging to maximise the current appetite for buying black (but now probably re-coloured) plastic. But beyond chasing the transient market, there are others who see their dedication to re-issuing very differently. For labels like Be With, Cherry Red and …
Album Review: The Horrors – Night Life: Breaking Boundaries, Embracing Change
The Horrors have never been a band that stands still, but their approach has always been to evolve their sound rather then outright revolutionise it. New album ‘Night Life’ embraces the latter approach, ripping up many of the boundaries, or perhaps constraints, of old. With a revamped lineup composed of the ‘core duo’ of singer …