Author: Ben Pantrey

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Was Mark Fisher right about pop music? The critical theorist claimed the 2000s would soon be recognised as a low point for popular music.

Originally published in print February 2021. Mark Fisher was a writer and teacher, whose books are often cited as some of the best introductions to critical theory. His brilliant Capitalist Realism explores how capitalism is commonly regarded as the only … Continue reading Was Mark Fisher right about pop music? The critical theorist claimed the 2000s would soon be recognised as a low point for popular music.

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Magic Oneohtrix Point Never by Oneohtrix Point Never‌//‌ ‌REVIEW‌ ‌

Oneohtrix Point Never, the alias of American musician Daniel Lopatin, has been a well regarded artist in electronic music for many years now. Fans of vaporwave will be familiar with the influential Eccojams vol. 1, released under the moniker Chuck … Continue reading Magic Oneohtrix Point Never by Oneohtrix Point Never‌//‌ ‌REVIEW‌ ‌

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An Interview with Silverbacks “My hope is that in years to come when people look back over the Silverbacks catalogue there’ll be loads to take in, but no matter what the style or album number, it will always clearly have a Silverbacks signature sound.”

https://open.spotify.com/album/5B6lwLLwsBZj7tZwSONgj7?si=wFE4noU-RIeAJIT_i_2pBA   Silverbacks are a five-piece Dublin-based band composed of brothers Daniel and Kilian O’Kelly (the principal songwriters), along with Peader Kearney, Emma Hanlon and Gary Wickham. Last month, the band released their first album, Fad. Angular and jagged guitar … Continue reading An Interview with Silverbacks “My hope is that in years to come when people look back over the Silverbacks catalogue there’ll be loads to take in, but no matter what the style or album number, it will always clearly have a Silverbacks signature sound.”

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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.

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AJJ: Good Luck Everybody // REVIEW AJJ attempt but fail at social commentary on their latest album

On their latest album, Good Luck Everybody, AJJ’s social consciousness, and their coarse sense of humour yield disastrous results. The reason for this is because of the record’s main subject matter: Trump, and the social climate surrounding his presidency.   … Continue reading AJJ: Good Luck Everybody // REVIEW AJJ attempt but fail at social commentary on their latest album

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FKA twigs: Magdalene // REVIEW A lush and evocative, but ultimately insubstantial offering

●●●○○   It’s been five years since FKA twigs last released a full length album, the highly acclaimed LP1. This debut album had a fantastic sense of atmosphere, with a minimalist, glitchy electronic aesthetic that complemented twigs’ fragile vocal lines … Continue reading FKA twigs: Magdalene // REVIEW A lush and evocative, but ultimately insubstantial offering