Here are this week’s six stormers. When Paul Janeway learned he was going to be a father, he felt struck by divine inspiration. Following the tradition of greats like Aristotle, William James and John Steinbeck, who wrote letters to their future sons, the singer decided to scribe his own thoughts – of joy, of fear,…
We’ve got some exciting stop-press news! Seán McGowan is visiting us at midday on Saturday 15th April, to celebrate the release of his brand-new album, Who On Earth. He’ll be playing new songs, and possibly even old ones if we ask nicely. It’s a non-ticketed event but we advise turning up early!
Starcatcher was written and recorded by Greta Van Fleet alongside Grammy-winning producer Dave Cobb at the legendary RCA Studios in Nashville, using the large recording room to capture the pure energy of their world-renowned live performances. “We didn’t really have to force or be intense about writing, because everything that happened was very instinctual,” Jake…
Dexys are back! 11 years since the release of their last album of original music, the acclaimed One Day I’m Going to Soar, the band return with a stunning new record, The Feminine Divine. This is Dexys’ fifth album of original material produced once again by Pete Schwier, along with acclaimed session musician and producer…
This week’s spring sparklers start with Drop Cherries, which was recorded entirely on tape in Somerset and Wales late last summer and which marks the very first time that Billie Marten has both written and co-produced (with Dom Monks) one of her records. The title is taken from a tale she heard from a friend…
It’s fair to say that Seán McGowan has been ‘grafting’ since day one. Since 2009, the Southampton born singer has toured over 20 countries and performed at numerous festivals, all while juggling reality with jobs such as barman, cleaner, kitchen porter, tour manager and, most recently, barber. Unafraid of getting stuck in, McGowan is still…
The first of this week’s soaraway six is The Price of Progress, which stands as The Hold Steady’s most sonically expansive record thus far while also remaining unmistakably them. The album showcases narrative rock’n’roll tales of ordinary people struggling and surviving in a modern world. The front and back of the album cover feature photographs…
Alison Goldfrapp has set a towering bar for British synth-pop in the 21st century and she’s only just getting started. The magnetic London-born singer, songwriter and producer’s seven albums with Goldfrapp were fuelled by an unfailing modernity and a sixth sense for sounds that were more timeless than any trend. With the release of her…
Heading up this week’s six stormers is Memento Mori, the 15th studio album from Depeche Mode and its first as a two-piece lineup of Dave Gahan and Martin Gore, following co-founder Andrew ‘Fletch’ Fletcher’s tragic passing in 2022. Produced by James Ford with additional production work by Marta Salogni, Memento Mori’s gestation took place during…
NO THANK YOU is yet another delicious left-field turn for 29-year old Simbiatu Ajikawo. Sleek, succinct and utterly propulsive, it’s Little Simz’ defiantly punk-rock, two-fingered salute to conformity and fame, and all the expectations and restrictions that come with. Recorded with her regular collaborator Inflo, this is Simz at her most free, daring and spontaneous.…