Following on from last year’s Boybands Forever documentary, produced by Louis Theroux and Nancy Strang, comes the sister companion Girlbands Forever. And it’s equally as fascinating, yet pretty flawed. Suga(babes) and Spice (Girls) is all very nice, but of course, as with the previous three part series, the reality was anything but. As before, ex-bandContinue reading “TV Review: Girlbands Forever”
Category Archives: Music
Not Gilding The Lily
Ever since its unexpected release around Halloween, West End Girl by Lily Allen has had people talking. Inevitable comparisons to Beyonce’s Lemonade have been made, but for me it’s more akin to Joni Mitchell ‘s Blue or Bjork’s Vulnicura. It hurts, and it seems apposite to close the year with this album as a contrastContinue reading “Not Gilding The Lily”
Album Review: Constant Smiles- Moonflowers
Constant Smiles mine the gentle end of indie folk pop. Their warm sound is like the days of the late eighties, on the cusp of grunge, when we ordered albums by mail order and plaid shirts and vintage style was becoming fashionable. ‘Harriman,’ with lead vocals from drummer Nora Knight, evokes Yo La Tengo whenContinue reading “Album Review: Constant Smiles- Moonflowers”
Dear Beldina
Beldina onstage at the SAY Awards Dear Beldina, I resisted doing this for years because I didn’t know how to start, to be honest. I can’t believe it was November 5th, 2021 when we lost you. Typing these words even now, it’s still almost impossible to process this fact. I think about you often, andContinue reading “Dear Beldina”
Lost In Music: Soft Cell- The Bedsitter
Today, let’s pay tribute to Dave Ball, sleazy keyboard king, taken from us too soon.I was fortunate enough to review Soft Cell a few years ago in Glasgow for The Wee Review. They still sounded majestic, transgressive and sexy. Here’s to the stoic musical sidekick, providing the pulse alongside the diva. Rest in peace Dave.Continue reading “Lost In Music: Soft Cell- The Bedsitter”
Album Review: Haai- Humanise
The second album from London based electronic artist Teneil Throssell, aka HAAi, is absolutely sublime. Continuing with the gorgeous experimentation from debut Baby I’m Ascending, Humanise features friends like Jon Hopkins, Obi Franky, ILA and TRANS VOICES on the majestic ‘Satellite’. Elsewhere, we find Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor on ‘New Euphoria’ and Kam-Bu on ‘Shapeshift’.Continue reading “Album Review: Haai- Humanise”
Lucifer Over Lanarkshire: Wet Leg
Look at this clip. Are Wet Leg for real? I had the misfortune to recently review their latest album, Moisturizer, for The Wee Review, and gave it two stars. The music is incredibly watered down indie, with vapid, adolescent lyrics. And the way they present themselves is cloying, as insincere as the sound they make.Continue reading “Lucifer Over Lanarkshire: Wet Leg”
EP Review: Problem Patterns – Boring Songs For Boring People
One of Belfast ‘s finest are back with this ironically titled gem. Beverly Boal, Bethany Crooks, Ciara King and Alanah Smith make frenetic, furious queer punk with a wicked sense of humour. This time round, they’re joined by Pissed Jeans’ Matt Korvette for the hypercharged ‘Sad Old Woman’. Meanwhile, their addition to the BBC playlistContinue reading “EP Review: Problem Patterns – Boring Songs For Boring People”
Album Review: Pickle Darling- Bots
Bedroom pop seems to finally be having it’s moment, so New Zealand artist Lukas Mayo, who records as Pickle Darling, can confidently sit among the likes of Jasmine 4.T and Clairo in capturing the charm of lo-fi, beautifully executed indie pop. Their fourth album may be, for the most part, hushed and delicate, but it’sContinue reading “Album Review: Pickle Darling- Bots”
Album Review: Lathe Of Heaven – Aurora
Brooklyn band Lathe Of Heaven ‘s new album Aurora soaks up postpunk influences like Killing Joke and The Cure, while retaining a metallic sheen. It’s remarkably intimate, even as it tilts skywards. Thematically it’s business as usual: drawing from sci-fi and global collapse, trying to find beauty and hope, surging ahead despite our divided andContinue reading “Album Review: Lathe Of Heaven – Aurora”
Hit The North 