Kim Gordon Returns

The mighty Kim Gordon has just released one of the year’s best singles,in my opinion. Takes from her forthcoming second album, The Collective, Bye Bye is a stormer, with ESG influenced noise, trap beats and Gordon’s unmistakably defiant, half sung, half purred vocals. With a video to accompany the single starring her daughter Coco asContinue reading “Kim Gordon Returns”

Lost In Music: The Sugarcubes-Planet

Bjork’s breakthrough band in the UK and USA (she’d made work with Kukl,Spit and Snot and various others) were a funny hybrid of indie and pop: sometimes,they were on the wrong side of wacky, a la The B52s around the time of Love Shack. Sometimes, as with the gloriously dark Mama, Cold Sweat or Sick ForContinue reading “Lost In Music: The Sugarcubes-Planet”

The Future’s Here Today: Doom Scroller

Hiding in velveteen corners in smoke filled rooms you may find the enigmatic Doom Scroller. The Edinburgh based trio- comprised of singer and award- winning video artist Alex Auldsmith along with Scott Bathgate and Alex Palmer – make majestic, atmospheric electronic music designed to be heard undercover of darkness. It’s dark, seductive and intoxicating. The videoContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Doom Scroller”

The Future’s Here Today: Erika Angell

Sometimes, a piece of music just stops you in your tracks and pins you to the spot. I was transfixed when MaryAnne Hobbs played this on her BBC6 Music show this morning. Majestic, burbling electronic music with icy, neo-Goth vocals, Erika Angell is worth investigating. Her music is as deep as a well. She’s aContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Erika Angell”

Lost In Music: JSBX- Talk About The Blues

It’s not every day that Hollywood royalty plays your band in a music video,but that’s exactly what happened for Jon Spencer Bues Explosion in 1998 when Evan Bernard directed this little film. Winona Ryder, Giovanni Ribisi and John C Reilly portray the power trio. ‘Talk About The Blues’ is lifted from the studio album,’Acme’. SpencerContinue reading “Lost In Music: JSBX- Talk About The Blues”

LCD Soundsystem Meets Leigh Bowery…

Times are hard right now. Weather’s horrible, war rages across the globe, civil rights are being eroded, climate change becomes increasingly apparent on a daily basis. Our leaders aren’t helping, putting profit before people. Democracy is important, but so too, is resistance to the forces of oppression. At times like this, it’s hard not toContinue reading “LCD Soundsystem Meets Leigh Bowery…”

Album Review: The Kills- God Games

This is enough to make a porn star blush. This album is pure filth. The Kills have always made music that seems coated in sticky booze, cigarette ash and bodily fluids, but this, their sixth, could be the sexiest since ‘No Wow’. Alison Moorhart’s voice is still raspy and soulful, and Jamie Hince’s guitar playingContinue reading “Album Review: The Kills- God Games”

Album Review: Problem Patterns- Blouse Club

It’s nice that there are young bands who still have a lot to say. Feminist punk band Problem Patterns release their debut album Blouse Club today, and it’s politically engaged without ever losing its sense of humour or effervescent fizz. ‘Advertising Services’ takes on the ubiquity and inescapable nature of advertising and corporate sponsorship… Where’sContinue reading “Album Review: Problem Patterns- Blouse Club”

Album Review: Hilary Woods- Acts Of Light

Irish artist and composer Hilary Woods makes uncompromising, experimental music. This new album is beautiful and challenging, entrenched in past, present and future worlds. From drones to elegiac strings, field recordings and choral sections it’s restless and stately. The film accompanying ‘When The Bough Has Broken’ is comprised of old reels depicting life in DublinContinue reading “Album Review: Hilary Woods- Acts Of Light”

Favourite Cover Versions: The Fall – There’s A Ghost In My My House

I was just a young ‘un when this came out, but it sealed my life-long love of The Fall. The original, by R Dean Taylor, is an undisputed Northern Soul classic, perfect for those headspinning routines in Wigan on speed at 2 am (such is my understanding of the scene). The Fall had even referencedContinue reading “Favourite Cover Versions: The Fall – There’s A Ghost In My My House”