Category: album reviews
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Jade Bird: Different Kinds of Light review – a sparkling delight
English singer-songwriter Jade Bird’s sophomore album builds on the best parts of the debut with new maturity, sincerity and most importantly some cracking singles. The result is an album I felt an instant personal connection to.
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Tyler, the Creator: Call Me If You Get Lost review – Sir Baudelaire’s finest
Tyler, the Creator’s 2019 album IGOR wowed fans worldwide this its ambitious storytelling, chart-dominating singles and unparalleled originality. Could the Grammy-winning California rapper produce another masterpiece in his 2021 follow-up? Alex Walden isn’t convinced.
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Bellowhead: Reassembled review – folk legends run the hits one last time
A final reunion concert back in December was the stuff of every Bellowhead fan’s dreams. Six months later the performance has been immortalised in a widely-released live album that often finds the 11-strong folk band at their exuberant best.
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Olivia Rodrigo: SOUR review – a teen pop triumph
Ambitious, thrilling and often inspired, Olivia Rodrigo’s debut is a pinnacle of Gen Z pop, bursting with all the energy and raw emotion that comes with being young today.
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dodie: Build a Problem review – much more than a YouTube sensation
Build a Problem is a coming of age for dodie with its cinematic ambition and intricate strings compositions, although much of the album lacks a sense of purpose.
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Royal Blood: Typhoons review – an innovating dance-rock revolution
Royal Blood have successfully carved out their own niche in this dynamic disco-infused collection of rock bangers which sound destined to soundtrack many post-lockdown workouts and dance parties the world over.
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Middle Kids: Today We’re the Greatest review – a change of pace to mixed results
Today We’re the Greatest has more than its fair share of highlights and a strong set of lyrics, it’s just a shame Hannah Joy’s songwriting falls a little flat when put to the test with more intimate ballads.
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Beach Bunny: Blame Game EP review – an exhilarating comeback
Beach Bunny returned with another set of concise, hook-laden songs filled with compelling melodies. This time around, a new feminist edge results in some urgent commentary on the state of the patriarchy in today’s America.
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Vulfpeck: The Joy of Music, The Job of Real Estate review – a disappointing Jekyll and Hyde
I’m tempted to say that it’s been a long two years since Vulfpeck’s last album, Hill Climber, but the truth is it really hasn’t. 2019 and 2020 have seen the Michigan funk legends take something of a hiatus, with a host of new albums from individuals.
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Snarky Puppy: Sylva review – a mind-blowing gem
Forget Oliver Tree, I’ve got another confession: I’ve never really liked classical music. I’m someone who needs a hook, a bass line, a groove and whilst classical music can have its moments, for me it’s always been too meandering and too inaccessible without a singer to guide me through. After all, what’s the point of…
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Oliver Tree: Ugly Is Beautiful review – an intriguing career showstopper
I’ll be honest with you: I hate Oliver Tree. It’s something I’ve realised since first hearing his boisterous, memorable hit single Hurt a year or two ago. Tree sits uncomfortably within the liminal space between comedic actor and reality, displaying an obnoxious, money-grabbing and at times absurd character to his large and increasingly devoted following.…
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Atta Boy: Big Heart Manners review – a demoaralising slump
I like to think of Atta Boy as one of indie pop’s greatest legends. I’m exaggerating of course, but that’s the impression I got when I looked at their Spotify page before the release of their new album, Big Heart Manners. Before last month, Atta Boy had released just one, 40-minute album back in 2012.…
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