Reviews



Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper - The Revenge of Alice Cooper

The Revenge of Alice Cooper

Energetic but often poignant and thought-demanding latest album from godfather of shock rock Alice Cooper


Phew, Erika Kobayashi,, Dieter Moebius

Phew, Erika Kobayashi,, Dieter Moebius - Radium Girls

Radium Girls

Echoes of exposure: on this extraordinary collaborative album from 2012 between Japanese experimentalist Phew, artist and writer Erika Kobayashi and German electronic pioneer Dieter Moebius and which re-released on vinyl soundtracks the unseen scars of history


Lucy Spraggan

Lucy Spraggan - Other Sides of the Moon

Other Sides of the Moon

Authentic and resonating reimagining of her back catalogue on eighth album from Lucy Spraggan


Sick Man of Europe

Sick Man of Europe - The Sick Man of Europe

The Sick Man of Europe

Monochrome masterpiece for a fractured feature on debut album from the enigmatic The Sick Man of Europe


Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo - I Forgive You

I Forgive You

Second album from British award-winning singer and actor Cynthia Erivo which finds her on a powerful musical odyssey


Bush

Bush - I Beat Loneliness

I Beat Loneliness

Emotive and powerful tenth album from rock outfit Bush


Amy Macdonald

Amy Macdonald - Is This What You've Been Waiting For?

Is This What You've Been Waiting For?

Rousing ode to resilience and indestructible hope on sixth album from Glaswegian singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald


Blueboy

Blueboy - 2

2

Second comeback single from former Sarah Records act Blueboy which with new singer Gemma Townley which still finds them worthy of investigation


Garbage

Garbage - Let All That We Imagine Be The Light

Let All That We Imagine Be The Light

Uncompromising journey through darkness and light on sixth album from post-punk act Garbage


Pulp

Pulp - More

More

Remarkable comeback album of quirky genius, their first in 24 years, from Pulp


Peter Doolan

Peter Doolan - I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and  a Snake Moves Around Me,in a Circle

I Am a Tree Rooted to the Spot and a Snake Moves Around Me,in a Circle

Well-crafted but perhaps one-sided tales of heartbreak from gifted London-based Irish singer-songwriter Peter Doolan


Vinny Peculiar

Vinny Peculiar - Things Too Long Left Unsaid

Things Too Long Left Unsaid

Poignant but funny sixteenth album from Worcester-based cult musician Vinny Peculiar


Morcheeba

Morcheeba - Escape The Chaos

Escape The Chaos

Eleventh album from much acclaimed British trip-hop pioneers Morcheeba upon which they make a successful return to familiar territory


Eddie Chacon

Eddie Chacon - Lay Low

Lay Low

Cathartic, soulful journey on third solo album from Eddie Chacon, who was previously one-half of chart-topping R and B duo Charles and Eddie


HAIM

HAIM - I Quit

I Quit

Strong harmonic pop on fourth album from HAIM, who are a Californian trio of sisters


Little Simz

Little Simz - Lotus

Lotus

Lyrical, innovative ode to survival on sixth album from London rapper Little Simz


Lapsley

Lapsley - I'm a Hurricane, I'm a Woman In Love

I'm a Hurricane, I'm a Woman In Love

Intimate and honest third album from Lapsley, who has an unconventional take on love


Billy Nomates

Billy Nomates - Metalhorse

Metalhorse

Impressive concept album from Bily Nomates, the nom de plume for Bristol-based post-punk singer-songwriter Victoria Ann Tor Maries, which makes an expressive journey towards catharsis


Taylor Austin Dye

Taylor Austin Dye - Sick of Me

Sick of Me

Appealing combination of spirited country tunes and reflective lyrics on second album from Ketucky-born singer-songwriter Taylor Austin Dye


Philip Jeays

Philip Jeays - Victoria

Victoria

Romantic and reflective latest album from Jacques Brel-influenced singer-songwriter Philip Jeays


Only Child

Only Child - Holy Ghosts

Holy Ghosts

Deep dive into loss, memory and enduring hope on fifth album from Only Child, the project of Liverpool-based musician Alan O'Hare


Davey Woodward

Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the Jumbo

Mumbo in the Jumbo

Eclectic eighteenth album from Bristol-based singer-songwriter and former Brilliant Corners' frontman Davey Woodward


Nigel Stonier

Nigel Stonier - Wolf Notes

Wolf Notes

Eighth ‘solo’ album from Nigel Stonier, who is still best known for his role as producer for other artists, but there a feeling that’s about to change with ‘Wolf Notes’


Suzanne Vega

Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels

Flying With Angels

Outstanding first album in nine years from Suzanne Vega which breaks new ground