2026 – Hit The North

Adulting

I have never thought of myself as nostalgic, but moving back to where I grew up, I found myself thinking about my first proper boyfriend and the way we bonded over music: Siouxsie and the Banshees ‘Juju’, The Cure ‘Disintegration’, Sonic Youth ‘Daydream Nation’. I was one of the few goths in the town, andContinue reading “Adulting”

After the BAFTAs

In a day where Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education promised in her keynote speech that children with special educational needs and those from impoverished backgrounds were going to get extra governmental support, I couldn’t help but sigh, swear and roll my eyes. Ill believe it when I see it. She spoke of herContinue reading “After the BAFTAs”

A Song For Jesse Jackson

Reverend Jesse Jackson has died. A key figure of the civil rights movement and instrumental in getting Barack Obama to the White House, his upbringing was tough. He was tougher, yet his message was that of peace and unity. A brilliant orator and a great man. There’s a song that I immediately thought of whenContinue reading “A Song For Jesse Jackson”

Album Review : Maria BC- Marathon

Non-binary, California -based artist Maria BC has a duality to their work. This, their third album, occupies liminal spaces between sleeping and awake states. Their gorgeous ambient sounds can turn from soothing to jarring. It keeps the listener on their toes. Maria BC is a classically trained vocalist, and it shows. Their range is subtleContinue reading “Album Review : Maria BC- Marathon”

TV Review: Small Prophets

Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) is a man living life on pause. His girlfriend Clea went missing on Christmas Eve seven years ago, and never returned. He’s unable to move on and stuck in a literal dead end (a suburban Manchester cul-de-sac). Working in a DIY store, where he cracks wise with his one friend KaseyContinue reading “TV Review: Small Prophets”

Reblog

*Film Review : Melania

This radical, wholly impartial new documentary from Brett Ratner and Amazon follows the thrilling upward trajectory of one Melania Knauss Trump, as she finally finds her feet on the global stage. Melania is now her own unique brand. She’s right up there with Beyonce, Madonna, Oprah and … yes, possibly, even God. Melania is everyContinue reading “*Film Review : Melania”

Album Review: James Adrian Brown -Forever Neon Lights

Former Pulled Apart By Horses guitarist James Adrian Brown’s debut album is an eerie but slick series of beats, sitting somewhere between Boards Of Canada and Gold Panda. His choppy electronics are heavy but beautiful, warped yet melodic. These paradoxes make his sound interesting. Contradictions in sonics are always welcome with me. He may notContinue reading “Album Review: James Adrian Brown -Forever Neon Lights”

Album Review: Scattered Purgatory- Post Purgatory

Taiwan experimental band Scattered Purgatory, the duo of Lu Li-Yang and Lu Jiachi, gleefully put genres through the mincing machine, cackling as they go. This new album, forthcoming on the excellent Guruguru Brain label, is full of glorious surprises. Essentially, they make giallo rock, deep, dark rock with saxophone cutting through drone and clattering percussion.Continue reading “Album Review: Scattered Purgatory- Post Purgatory”

Uncertain Choreography

Tentatively, I dim the cheerful banality of morning radio, dialling down the forced fun and drinking industrial strength coffee, trying to shake myself awake. It feels like new terrain, despite the fact that I grew up here. It’s both origin story and Version 2.0 : director’s cut. I’m the main character in a remake fewContinue reading “Uncertain Choreography”