Armand Hammer: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Thank God it’s only an album.

Stickers proclaiming ‘We Buy Test Strips’, accompanied by a phone number, are emblazoned across the lampposts, shop fronts and electrical boxes of the streets of New York – the home of rappers billy woods and Elucid. They advertise the practice … Continue reading Armand Hammer: We Buy Diabetic Test Strips Thank God it’s only an album.

Lana Del Rey – Chemtrails Over the Country Club // REVIEW Lana Del Rey continues to impress as she explores a new, country-infused soundscape on Chemtrails Over the Country Club.

●●●●● It’s been an eventful twelve months for Lana Del Rey. Following the backlash to her now-infamous ‘question for the culture’ statement last summer, the American songstress has found herself caught up in one scandal after another. Controversy is nothing … Continue reading Lana Del Rey – Chemtrails Over the Country Club // REVIEW Lana Del Rey continues to impress as she explores a new, country-infused soundscape on Chemtrails Over the Country Club.

Black Honey – Written & Directed // REVIEW Written & Directed is another superb release from Black Honey, with earworms aplenty and more diverse production for the listener to enjoy

British indie rock band Black Honey are soon preparing to deliver their sophomore album, Written & Directed, the follow-up to 2018 debut, Black Honey. Their first record was a memorable introduction to the band, incorporating a wide range of genres … Continue reading Black Honey – Written & Directed // REVIEW Written & Directed is another superb release from Black Honey, with earworms aplenty and more diverse production for the listener to enjoy

IDESTROY – We Are Girls // Review While almost living up to their riot grrrl inspiration, some tracks drag IDESTROY’s debut down to Girl Boss pop-punk

We Are Girls, the debut album from Bristol trio IDESTROY shows the band’s instrumental prowess and fun reimagining of riot grrrl even if not all tracks live up to this aspiration. The album is at its best when utilising the … Continue reading IDESTROY – We Are Girls // Review While almost living up to their riot grrrl inspiration, some tracks drag IDESTROY’s debut down to Girl Boss pop-punk

What’s the humane way to release posthumous albums? Originally published in print March 2020.

Soon after Smiley Smile (1967) was released, the principal songwriter of the Beach Boys, Brian Wilson, was admitted into psychiatric care. With his talent for composition, Wilson held almost sole responsibility for the Beach Boy’s success in the early ‘60s. … Continue reading What’s the humane way to release posthumous albums? Originally published in print March 2020.

Bloodhound – Fragile Skeleton // REVIEW The Hull band take a different direction to their rock and grunge predecessors

●●●○○ Coming onto the rock and grunge scene can be intimidating. You’re following in the footsteps of grunge gods like Nirvana and Alice in Chains whilst competing with bands like Royal Blood who come at you all guitars blazing. Bloodhound’s … Continue reading Bloodhound – Fragile Skeleton // REVIEW The Hull band take a different direction to their rock and grunge predecessors

Foals: Part 2 Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost //REVIEW Foals’ 6th studio album boasts fervent delivery of weighty themes, but ultimately doesn’t stray far from familiar territory.

●●●○○ Part 1 of Foals’ ambitious dual album project was always going to be hard to follow. But with Part 2 Everything Not Saved Will be Lost, the propulsive Oxford band delivers a solid –but all too familiar – release … Continue reading Foals: Part 2 Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost //REVIEW Foals’ 6th studio album boasts fervent delivery of weighty themes, but ultimately doesn’t stray far from familiar territory.