Pop Perfection: Miso Extra- Good Kisses

The best pop is always out of leftfield, eccentric and seems to burst out of the speakers. So it’s no surprise that pop maverick Miso Extra has teamed up with the equally glorious Joe Mount of Metronomy, no stranger himself to creating genius indie pop. Of the track, she says it’s all about “this crushinglyContinue reading “Pop Perfection: Miso Extra- Good Kisses”

Possibly, Definitely, Actually… Maybe…

Whisper it, but it appears that the feuding Gallagher bros Lennon and Brains are actually getting the band back together. Yes, Ahr Kid and Songwriter Kid are apparently reforming Oasis. The overrated monobrows will be touring next year. I’m with the ever-quotable Bjork who described Oasis as “bad boy scout music”. Their laddish, Beatles -worshippingContinue reading “Possibly, Definitely, Actually… Maybe…”

Film Review: Josie and The Pussycats (2001)

Before Barbie and the Lego movie franchise, there was Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont’s Josie and The Pussycats, a sleek little subversion of tween fandom, spending power and the evils of capitalism The lowdown: Du Jour are a “wicked” US boy band, pitched somewhere between N’Sync and Backstreet Boys. Every kid in America loves them,Continue reading “Film Review: Josie and The Pussycats (2001)”

The Swift Factor

As Taylor Swift continues on her all-conquering Eras tour, I was pondering her unique appeal. Personally, her insipid pop/country music leaves me cold. It’s cheery, radio friendly and catchy enough, but then as someone who’s more about alternative music, I’m not her demographic. She’s quite simply a global phenomenon. Her fans, the Swifties, are aContinue reading “The Swift Factor”

Congratulations Switzerland!

Amid a political storm (Palestinian supporters were vocal in their protests outside the venue) and controversy (Netherlands artist Joost Klein was disqualified after allegedly “inappropriate behaviour” towards a camerawoman) Nemo, Switzerland ‘s entry, won with a great song and heartfelt, energetic performance. The Code, which tackles Nemo’s non -binary identity, won public and cross-continental votesContinue reading “Congratulations Switzerland!”

The Power of the Sad Banger

As Sophie Ellis-Bextor once observed, “It’s murder on the dancefloor”. But it’s sometimes fun to wallow in a little drama. This is where the sad banger comes in. It’s an anthem for the dumped, the disillusioned, or simply the thwarted romantic. Abba probably started it, these Eurovision winners with their Scandinavian melancholy in the verses,Continue reading “The Power of the Sad Banger”

From The Skinny Archive: Frisky And Mannish

Frisky And Mannish: Extra Curricular Activities @ Assembly Hall ★★★ Review by Lorna Irvine | 31 Aug 2012       Since 2008, Frisky & Mannish have climbed the glitter trail to stadium pop via the Fringe – they have earned their stripes.This is their greatest hits package. They know the transformative power of a pop anthem andContinue reading “From The Skinny Archive: Frisky And Mannish”

Album Review: Nadine Shah- Filthy Underneath

I wouldn’t mess with Nadine Shah. There’s a toughness to the Geordie singer songwriter, and a raw honesty in everything she does. She’s am outspoken advocate for feminism, fiercely anti-racist, and has spoken out for mental health awareness and artists receiving fair pay. So it’s hardly surprising that this, her fifth studio album, is anContinue reading “Album Review: Nadine Shah- Filthy Underneath”

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 Trouble With Irony

In the first part of this millenium, it seems you couldn’t move for irony. Arched of brow,barbed of zinger, pop culture was dominated by irony. It gave us nu-rave, refurbished arcade games, vintage style, the Burlesque and cabaret revival, and- arguably most prominently – comedy that to many was just plain offensive. I get it,Continue reading “The Trouble With Irony”