Coral Island is an ambitious double-concept album themed around the faded glory of a sepia-tinged seaside fairground. The Coral have a distinctly more mellow sound now than their earlier 2000s music which maintained a bit more edge. This work is lovely though, evoking visions of wooden piers, metallic-smelling arcades and seagulls stealing half-melted ice creams…
The best love songs (aka my favourites)
So, I’m late on this one because V day has already passed but love songs are the best so I’m posting this anyway. In no particular order… Who’d Have Known – Lily Allen I have so much love for this song. It’s a masterpiece and I will fight on this. It captures so beautifully the…
Black Lives Matter: A history of protest music
Music has the ability to transcend time, borders and languages. It has been a form of protest for hundreds of years. Songs have the ability to instigate social change, examine current events and express the grief, rage and hope that characterises protesting. This article examines genre crossing protest music that has emerged from black voices…
The best music made in lockdown
Given that we are now seemingly living in a perpetual state of lockdown (shout out to the tier 3 gang), I thought I would reflect on some of my favourite lockdown music drops. At least there’s some good to come out of all this chaos! Drop 6 – Little Simz This five-song mixtape encapsulates lockdown…
Nostalgia and reflection in Taylor Swift’s folklore
folklore was a surprise drop from Taylor Swift, full of breathy vocals, developed stories, an unusual downtempo and subdued production by Aaron Dessner. The result is an atmospheric, contemplative album that shows Swift’s maturity and superbly honed songwriting skills. Many have compared the more minimalist indie sound with 2012 era Swift, who created the moody Red and folksy features with…
Interview: Lola Young
In April, I had the opportunity to interview the lovely Lola Young, a nineteen year old award-winning singer-songwriter. We chatted after the release of her debut Intro, a nuanced, atmospheric allegory about love and growth, since then her EP Renaissance has been released. Creative process, success in the industry, and artistic influence were just some…
Live Review – King Krule
King Krule, aka Archy Marshall, released his third Krule album Man Alive! on February 21st. He played a gig in Bristol on the same day, presented by Rough Trade, which was teeming with nihilistic boys in carhartt and glasses, clutching their red stripes. Archy strolled onstage to thunderous screams, over half an hour late. He did not…
Live / Album Review: Nao & Saturn
Nao’s second album Saturn is seriously fucking good. A glossy record that fuses jazz, pop and R&B, it’s a mesmerising thirteen track ride of gorgeous, intricately crafted songs. So as soon as I saw she was playing the O2 Bristol, my ticket was secured. The anticipation in the crowd was discernible and our curiosity peaked…
Album Review: Swimming
It has been well over a year since Mac Miller left this world. He created over five studio albums (a sixth released posthumously) and thirteen mixtapes, a well-established and highly respected rapper. His musical growth is irrefutable, as both a producer and an artist. His later albums incorporated singing just as much as rapping; drawing…
Album Review: Geography
Newcomer Tom Misch blends jazz, hip hop and electronica on Geography, which he made in his bedroom. Gorgeous, funky instrumentals reign throughout, occasionally accompanied by smooth vocals. ‘Lost in Paris’ and ‘Movie’ are the clear gems on this record, though ‘You’re On My Mind’ is also lovely. ‘Lost in Paris’ is warm and glowing, a…
Ooh La 