Janelle Monáe’s latest album is a sizzling sequel to her debut The ArchAndroid. Continuing with the same sci-fi story arc, this is a concept album which offers a fun, tantalising and thought-provoking glimpse into the futuristic world of Monáe’s imagination.
British band Drenge may have been shaking up the modern punk scene within the UK, but Texan quartet Parquet Courts have also been making waves across from America this year. With their clever combination of indie-rock and punk elements, the band have released a critically acclaimed debut Light up Gold, and now a five track…
One of the best albums of 2013, truly original and honest, combining infectiously catchy melodies with very personal, self-reflective lyrics.
With the task of shrugging the X Factor curse off her shoulders Lucy Spraggan’s album Join the Club had a lot to do to impress, and it’s safe to say that Spraggan doesn’t disappoint. Two tracks off the album have already been released with little recognition but her album is sure to get the attention it…
So I’ve never really liked X-Factor singles. Especially not their almost pre-determined dominance of the Christmas top spot. With ‘Impossible’, James Arthur looked to be going the same way as the rest, but now he’s back and he’s rubbed some funk on it! Sporting a brand new Alex Turner-esque hairdo, James brings an Afro-Caribbean bandstand…
Indie-pop trio London Grammar have announced that ‘Nightcall’, their cover of the track by electro house artist Kavinsky, will be their next single. Yesterday (15th November), Zane Lowe made it is hottest single in the world on BBC Radio 1, and the single is due to be released on December 8th. This will be the…
After 17 years Mazzy Star return with another collection of plaintive and hazy dream pop
Check out what’s on at Union Films this week.
Frontman of The Killers, Brandon Flowers, today announced plans to release a new solo album which he hopes will be available in 2015. In an interview with NME, Flowers revealed that he will spend 2014 writing and recording the album after returning from touring with his band. “I’m looking forward to having a normal year.…
As a rule, I am loathe to bang on about one specific band. However, since I reviewed the first song to be released from Hindsights‘ new record, I managed to grab a sneaky early listen to the finished product. As I’ve said before, the past two years of their existence has seen them achieve a…
Catchy, alternative melodies, imaginative lyrics and intelligent production. Lorde has created one of 2013’s strongest debuts.
Much anticipated and yet long drawn out, Alive was finally released September 23rd to receive greatly mixed reviews. With two hits already released; ‘Wild‘ and ‘It’s My Party‘, Jessie’s fans were psyched for an album undoubtedly bursting with chart hits… perhaps J should have saved the best till last? First to be released was the oh so catchy…
Vanessa Carlton may be a name associated with her most famous single, ‘A Thousand Miles’ (2000). Now thirteen years and three albums later, her musical style has matured and developed hugely. Her 2011 album, Rabbits on the Run, adopted a carefree, lulling style, blurring the previously defined piano riffs and even featuring a children’s choir.…
It sounds so fresh you could be fooled into thinking Spring just came around. Mapei’s finger-clicking positivity has come out of nowhere. She is relatively unknown, but the Rhode Island-born artist raised in Sweden follows her nordic countrymen in making pop music with a soul. She had success in 2008 with ‘Video Vixens’, and was…