indie album
Album Review: Ex Hex – It’s Real
Ex Hex defeat the curse of second album disappointment by bringing us more ripping power pop on It’s Real. I’m not going to lie: I’m a few days late to the review party for Ex Hex’s new album It’s Real (out now on Merge). So, following my initial write-up, I read some other reviews from …
Album Review: Tracyanne & Danny – Tracyanne & Danny
Tracyanne & Danny’s eponymous debut album couples unblinking reflections on moments in life – and love – with a wonderfully timeless sound. Tracyanne & Danny brings together Tracyanne Campbell and Danny Coughlan. Campbell is the singer and songwriter from the much loved Glaswegian band Camera Obscura. Bristol-based Coughlan is known for his work as Crybaby …
Album Review: Sunflower Bean – Twentytwo in Blue
Sunflower Bean come of age on their honest – and hopeful – second album ‘Twentytwo in Blue’. We all celebrate the passing of the years in different ways. Some of us have a party, some of us eat too much cake and some of us sob quietly into a glass of wine. Sunflower Bean made …
Album Review: Martha Ffion – Sunday Best
‘Sunday Best’ is a first-rate first album from Martha Ffion. It’s been cold and wintry for what now feels like weeks. If you’re also feeling frozen to your core, I have the ultimate winter warmer for you in the shape of Martha Ffion’s eagerly awaited debut album ‘Sunday Best’ (released on 9th March via Turnstile …
Album Review: Gengahr – Where Wildness Grows
After planting the seeds of greatness with their debut, Gengahr show just how much they’ve bloomed with second album ‘Where Wildness Grows’. Gengahr didn’t have a label or management when they began recording their beguiling debut ‘A Dream Outside’. The North London four-piece – Felix Bushe (vocals/guitar), John Victor (guitar), Danny Ward (drums) and Hugh …
Album Review: Dream Wife – Dream Wife
Dream Wife go from “power trio” to empowering trio with the release of their eponymous debut album. The London-based, British/Icelandic trio of Rakel Mjöll (lead vocals), Alice Go (guitar and vocals) and Bella Podpadec (bass and vocals) formed Dream Wife in 2015 as a college art school project. Since then they have released two EPs, …
Album Review: Alvvays – Antisocialites
Alvvays may have to contend with unreasonably high expectations of their second album, but – trust me – ‘Antisocialites’ is that good. The first time I heard the Toronto-based group was in Rough Trade East on a balmy August evening in 2014. I’d read a brief write-up on one of their singles that same day, …
Album Review: Bell X1 – ARMS
Intelligent and inventive Irish band Bell X1 return with their new studio album “ARMS”, released in the UK via Belly Up Records. This is the band’s seventh studio album and is a fantastically assured and consistent follow-up to 2013’s acclaimed “Chop Chop”, which became their third #1 album on the Irish Album Charts and their …
Album Review: Justin Currie – This Is My Kingdom Now
Justin Currie’s new album – ‘This Is My Kingdom Now’ – is the polished jewel in the crown of the Del Amitri frontman’s solo career. Currie’s fourth solo album (out now via Endless Shipwreck Records) follows the inappropriately titled ‘Lower Reaches’ in 2013, a Del Amitri reunion tour in 2014 and recent performances including the …
Album Review: Desperate Journalist – Grow Up
Desperate Journalist come of age with their most powerful and refined music to date on new album ‘Grow Up’. We, at Backseat Mafia, have often professed our love for Desperate Journalist. I thought I’d better state that straight away. You may think this means that this review will be biased – based on a history …