It was a ‘meh’ kind of summer in rural Scotland – the kind of sticky oppressive day of boredom and heat that induced ennui in anyone, let alone adolescents in a drab town. I was sitting in my cousin’s living room with her. She’s brilliant,no-nonsense and funny, the closest to a sister I’ve had. WeContinue reading “Lost In Music: Sinead O’Connor – Troy”
Tag Archives: Pop
Worst. Music. Documentary. Ever.
What a howler music documentary Madonna: The Name Of The Game, from 1993, is. Presented by Troy McClure alike (albeit with Ned Flanders’ stylist) Mark Bego, it’s got all the insight of a tabloid article, and the production values of an Alan Partridge corporate video. And nothing says Madonna like an ABBA hit for aContinue reading “Worst. Music. Documentary. Ever.”
Lawrence: Perennial Pop Genius
Not found in the usual outlets, Lawrence is, as I may have previously stated, a pop genius. At the start of 2023, to little fanfare, Mozart Estate (previously Go-Kart Mozart) released the singular ‘Pop-Up! Kerching!And The Possibilities of Modern Shopping’. Lawrence has crafted THE austerity era album here,bar none. Mr Hayward, the Brummie maverick behindContinue reading “Lawrence: Perennial Pop Genius”
Overlooked Classics: Santogold
Artists who change their names mid-career often confuse me, but I can make exceptions. Santi White, whose eponymous debut solo album came out in 2008 under the name Santogold, is a bit of a musical genius, I think.She’s now better known as Santigold. What a debut it is. She’d been part of the millennial neo-Continue reading “Overlooked Classics: Santogold”
Tina : Goddess
Born Anne May Bullock, in 1939, she’ll forever be the force of nature that is Tina Turner. A fiery fusion of soul, rock and blues, we all know how she survived the abuse of first husband Ike Turner, and had a second career as a solo artist in her own right, aged 44, but sheContinue reading “Tina : Goddess”
Album Review: Alison Goldfrapp- The Love Invention
Alison Goldfrapp as disco diva? The new Kylie, maybe? She’s always had that side to her, the head-rush of the dancefloor, glitter ball, spike heels and the 5 am walk of shame. But on her first solo studio album without Goldfrapp bandmate Will Gregory, she fully indulges her inner Donna Summer. Co- created with RichardContinue reading “Album Review: Alison Goldfrapp- The Love Invention”
The Mumfordisation of Indie
I call them “Lammo bands” (with no disrespect to Steve Lamacq whatsoever, he’s a nice fella) . You know them, the wholesome side of indie. More Jonas Brothers than Joan As Police Woman, more Marcus Mumford than Mark E Smith, they are ubiquitous. They really are. They’re indie with the edges sanded off, nice folksContinue reading “The Mumfordisation of Indie”
Lost In Music: Takako Minekawa- Fantastic Cat
Despite being a moody old goth, I do have a love of really, really ridiculously kitsch art. This extends to music, and nobody makes better kitsch music than the Japanese. Takako Minekawa released this oddity in the mid-90s and it is much more imaginative than the J pop that followed in her wake. Part hoedown,Continue reading “Lost In Music: Takako Minekawa- Fantastic Cat”
WHEN POP GOES EXPERIMENTAL
Something interesting is currently happening within pop- it’s getting experimental again. Surely it’s no coincidence that Kate Bush, the Queen of reinvention, should be rediscovered by twentysomethings this year, thanks to Running Up That Hill featuring in Stranger Things. The spirit of the eighties which meant more esoteric artists like Bush, Prince and The SugarContinue reading “WHEN POP GOES EXPERIMENTAL”
The Future’s Here Today: Yazzus
Based between London and Berlin, DJ and producer Yazzus is brilliant – a cheeky, smart lady who mixes like a dream, crossing genres: pop, drum ‘n’bass, electro, house, techno,grime, trap and soul- you name it, she can skilfully weave it altogether into a beautiful sound collage. Recently, she’s exclusively mixed for BBC 6Music, Radio 1Continue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Yazzus”
Hit The North 