News
Album Review: The Institutes deliver a magnificent indie pop debut in ‘Colosseum’: an edifice of pure gold.
It’s hard not to resort to hyperbole when you come across a debut like ‘Colosseum’ from Coventry band The Institutes. You cannot help but hear in the DNA of this album the freakish brilliance of outrageous debuts from giants in the past: The Las, Stone Roses and The Smiths to name a few outstanding examples. …
PREMIERE: Nolan Potter shares the strange and compelling video for his new album’s title track, ‘Music is Dead’
If what you’re looking for in your Thursday evening is a multi-movement prog-psych odyssey – and accompanying visuals that are equally as fascinating – and you’ve got nine minutes to take in said multi-movement prog-psych odyssey, then do we have a treat for you; in the form of the new video for Austin, TX-based Nolan …
News: The Professionals (including Sex Pistols’ Paul Cook) embark on UK Tour
The Professionals, featuring Paul Cook from Sex Pistols, are heading out on tour across the UK for several weeks throughout October 2021. The dates follow the emancipation of their new record SNAFU, which was released on October 8. The release and tour see the beloved punk band, consisting of Paul Cook, Tom Spencer and Toshi …
News: The magnificent Bambara announce new EP ‘Love On My Mind’, new dates for US/EU tour and release the dramatic and gothic ‘Mythic Love’
Bambara‘s album ‘Stray’, released before the before the world went mad early last year was described by me as being an epic release – deeply satisfying, cathartic to audiences who can embed themselves in the wild stories being told – a stark evocation of a time and place – wrapped in twanging guitars and rumbling …
Track: The dreamy and ethereal Barrie returns with more sublime synth pop in track ‘Frankie’ and announces US and European tour
I really shouldn’t dwell on the past so much but Barrie‘s single ‘Tal Uno’, reviewed by me here back in 2018 remains one of the most outstanding and perfect slices of pure pop heaven I’ve heard over my years of writing for Backseat Mafia. Subsequent releases displayed the same acute ear for melody, laden with …
See: The Kundalini Genie unveil explosive video for the thunderous shoegaze track ‘Half In, Half Out’, title track for the new album due out in November.
Glaswegian band The Kundalini Genie‘s new single ‘Half In, Half Out’, title track off their forthcoming album out via Little Cloud Records (US) and Space Ranch Records (Europe) , is an explosive dose of shoegaze trippy excess: utterly satisfying and thoroughly cathartic. Ride’s Mark Gardener mastering the mix through his OX4 Studio provides a gold …
News: Legendary artist Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) announced new solo EP ‘Mockingbird Love’ and unveils deliciously shimmering instrumental single ‘My Courtesan’
For aficionados of shoegaze and dream pop and indeed any serious lover of music, Robin Guthrie needs no introduction. Driving force behind the iconic Cocteau Twins of course, Guthrie has continued to make a significant contribution to the industry, having formed Violet Indiana with Siobhan de Maré (formerly of Mono) and has since focused on …
News: Perth dream pop duo The Money War announce new EP ‘Blood’ and unveil shimmering new title track in anticipation.
Earlier this year Perth dream pop duo The Money War caught my attention with their gorgeous single ‘Miles Away’, and members Carmen and Dylan Ollivierre have just announced the release of a new EP entitled ‘Blood’, due to be set free on 5 November 2021. To whet our appetites, the title track has just been …
Premiere: Sydney’s coolest gang Golden Fang are back with the scything, incisive single ‘Breathe’ and welcome news of new album ‘Man With Telltale Scars’
We are extremely pleased to be able to premiere the first new single from Sydney band Golden Fang since the release of their album last year ‘Here. Now Here’ (reviewed by me here). I summed this album up as being the epitome of the inner west of Sydney – the Marrickville Sound – raw, visceral …
Album Review: Australian punk legends The Hard Ons release thunderous new album ‘I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken’ and announce national tour.
The Hard-Ons have remained one of the most influential Australian punk bands for decades on end. Following the recruitment of beloved rock ‘n’ roll singer Tim Rogers the group have just released their thirteenth studio album, ‘I’m Sorry Sir, That Riff’s Been Taken’. The record kickstarts with ‘Hold Tight’, an exultant number that seems to …