Album Reviews
Album Review: Nico van Wersch – Psychose
How do I explain something I don’t fully understand? How do I introduce a music theatre piece that overwhelms but continues to elude me? Van Wersch’s musical score is part of the miraculous, frightening machinery of this production at the Deutsches Theater Berlin. Like the treadmills themselves, the music is something the performers struggle against …
EP Review: The radiant Holly Hebe releases the gorgeous EP ‘Ruby’, cementing her place as one of the most exciting indie pop artists around.
We’ve long admired the output of Naarm/Melbourne chanteuse Holly Hebe ,who has produced some of the most brilliant shimmering pop delights over the past few years. Today she releases her second EP, entitled ‘Ruby’, and it is business as usual for this superlative talent. Hebe’s strength is her melodic mastery that puts pure pop treasures …
Album Review: Kenny Wayne Shepherd gives us Vol. 2 of Dirt On My Diamonds, his epic ‘virtual’ double album.
US blues-rock guitar wizard, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, along with his band, have unveiled the second half of the Dirt On My Diamonds project. Following on from Dirt On My Diamonds Vol. 1, which was released back in November of 2023, Vol. 2 sees Shepherd assemble a further 8 tracks, all of which were written at …
Album Review: WE ARE WINTER’S BLUE AND RADIANT CHILDREN –’No More Apocalypse Father’: A probing, poetic and profound alt-rock record of today.
While much contemporary music of today seems required to focus on the ‘me’ some artists continue to probe wider into the things that ‘we’ do collectively, the injustices, the inhumanities, the inequalities. Since co-founding the seminal Godspeed You! Black Emperor and the agit post rock assembly Thee Silver Mount Zion, Efrim Manuel Menuck has been …
EP Review: Rising Neo-Soul Artist TAMMIE Unveils Hotly Anticipated Debut EP ‘METAMORPHOSIS’
Rising neo-soul newcomer TAMMIE, releases her anticipated debut EP METAMORPHOSIS, a five-track collection that marks a significant step in her artistic journey. Following a wave of support across national radio and press, the EP showcases some brilliant artistry through both it’s radiant arrangements and silky smooth vocals. The EP reflects Tammie’s personal and artistic evolution, …
Album Review: Citron Citron – ‘Maréeternelle’ : more distinct and deceptive electronic pop from the Genevan duo.
What flavour of pop are Genevan duo Citron Citron, avant- arty- absurdist- alt, lo fi -leftfield- chamber- surreal, synth – electro – experimental – no-wave or bits of all these thrown in at random and rising to the top at different times? No matter, more important things about Citron Citron can be said: the musical …
Album Review: Michael Scott Dawson – ‘The Tinnitus Chorus’ : A poignant and moving ambient statement crafted through collaboration.
Saskatchewan sound artist and producer Michael Scott Dawson is someone who’s both artistically prolific and restless. A stalwart for the Torontonian We Are Busy Bodies label, he’s released three solo albums plus two other records as a lead member of post-rock minimalists Peace Flag Ensemble, and all since 2020. But Dawson’s momentum has been cruelly …
EP Review: Bigfatbig – Rippin’
Just when you think the world is about to go mad, Bigfatbig return with another EP full of sunny vibes, social observation and straight-talking commentary. The North East band is very much a collective, with bass player Ryan providing mixing, production, and visual support with the cameras, and Joe Cooper mops up everything else, allowing …
EP Review: Uncle Dave’s Biscuit Barrel – The Curse of Thirst
It’s not all chugging rhythms and hilarity. There is substance behind these songs and a drop of Egyptian menace weaved through too. With song titles like ‘Satan’s Evil Bed Sock’ and ‘Norman The Goat Boy Of Mykonos’ it may be easy to overlock the work gone in to this EP. The blackened opener ‘The Curse …
Album Review: Bleeker – Messed Up
Bleeker brothers Taylor and Cole Perkins have been grafting and writing songs since they were both teens. Bassist Mike Vandyk and Drummer Chris Dimas complete the lineup. Brian Moncarz, along with Dimas, produced and mixed the record. With no fancy openings, ‘Messed Up’ opens with the rock screamer ‘Walken’ noticeable for the singers below and …