“Seduction is when the invitation is better than the party itself”, Annie Clark — otherwise known by her stage moniker St. Vincent — says, looking deadpan at her out-of-shot interviewer. Though to believe blithely that Clark said this is flawed; … Continue reading MASSEDUCTION – Album Review
●●●●○ No strangers to the Irish rock scene, Otherkin give us electrifying rock ‘n’ roll in their debut album OK. These raucous Dubliners have been impressing audiences since 2014, with their punchy songs and energetic live performances, but now we … Continue reading Otherkin is More Than “OK” Otherkin aren’t inventing anything new in terms of sound, but what they have created is an album full of catchy garage rock that will have you stamping your foot and yelling at the top of your lungs.
●●●●● “Aromanticism/aromantic – having no interest or desire for romantic relationships.” It seems to be an intentional irony, then, that Moses Sumney’s debut release celebrates the value of solitude with an album drenched in the traditional signifiers of love. From … Continue reading Moses Sumney’s “Aromanticism” – Review Moses Sumney’s debut release celebrates the value of solitude with an album drenched in the traditional signifiers of love.
Ibeyi’s sophomore record, Ash, retains the essential Afro-Cuban influences of their debut while foraying into experimental electronic territory. Overtly political and intensely personal lyrics allow the sisters to confront themes of race and womanhood, relying heavily on motifs and repetition. … Continue reading Coming Back Stronger: Ibeyi’s Sophomore Album Strong in its vulnerability and brazen in its declarations, “Ash” defies the boundaries of established genres, and proves that all of this can be done to the backdrop of commanding drum lines.
Cut Copy’s latest bleepy bloopy synth fusion represents a lack of progress for the band, who have seemed to settle for what is a largely unforgettable musical style. Haiku From Zero is an unadventurous collection of songs which maintains a certain … Continue reading Cut Copy’s “Haiku From Zero” bleepy bloopy synth / disappointing, generic / forgettable songs
The Killers, a band impossible not to love. I first saw The Killers headlining Tennents Vital Festival in Belfast in the summer of 2014. Originally going to see supporting act Bastille, I couldn’t help but describe The Killers set as … Continue reading The Killers – Wonderful Wonderful review A return to form?
●●●○○ The National’s most recent offering Sleep Well Beast follows after Trouble Will Find Me, which was a puzzling record. It continued their unbroken streak of critical acclaim, appearing on multiple “Albums of the Year” lists as well as earning … Continue reading The National: “Sleep Well Beast” – Review “Sleep Well Beast,” while garnering so far the same critical acclaim as any other The National record, continues what is a downward trajectory.
Visions of A Life is the sophomore album from London-based indie rock outfit Wolf Alice. The follow-up album to 2015’s critically acclaimed My Love Is Cool sees the band delve into a wider array of genres with mostly successful results. … Continue reading Wolf Alice: “Visions of a Life” – Review
●●●●○ Nick Mulvey’s first album, First Mind, was ripe with classical imagery and haunting lyrics. There’s something consistently poetic and chant-like, yet still musically masterful about Mulvey’s songs. I was eager to see how this sound would translate to a … Continue reading A First Look at Nick Mulvey’s “Wake Up Now” Mulvey presents in “Wake Up Now” an album charged with percussive sounds and scattered with more eclectic influences than previously.
Following a five year hiatus, James Murphy and LCD Soundsystem return with an powerfully poignant album of realisation and maturity. After returning with a number of festival performances last year, the band announced that their fourth LP American Dream would … Continue reading LCD Soundsystem – American Dream Review Can the acclaimed trio of albums become a quartet?
●●●○○ The National’s most recent offering Sleep Well Beast follows after Trouble Will Find Me, which was a puzzling record. It continued their unbroken streak of critical acclaim, appearing on multiple “Albums of the Year” lists as well … Continue reading The National, Sleep Well Beast – Album Review In the midst of their two sold-out shows at Vicar Street, Conall Monaghan takes a look at The National’s latest offering, and finds himself underwhelmed.
●●●●● Ever since the release of her major-label debut Born To Die in 2012, Lana Del Rey has commanded the attention of critics and fans alike from around the world. The singer’s latest album Lust For Life has been hotly … Continue reading TRACK BY TRACK: Lana Del Rey Delivers Hope for the Future with ‘Lust For Life’