Author: Admin
If a title’s purpose is to illuminate an album’s themes, then The Ground Above, Beth Orton’s ninth, suggests she’s been buried alive. Listening, too, for the first time, one fears that’s exactly what’s happened. Once that gentle, languid voice ached with a mere crack on “She Cries Your Name”, and that crack, furthermore, let light in. Three decades later, it trembles and breaks on her new record’s earliest notes. Indeed, this title track initially appears so privately visceral one worries about intruding. Her moans and groans are singular, guttural, even primal, as though they’ve discovered a life of their own.…
In an ongoing series looking at albums that have seemingly disappeared off the critical radar, Martin Gray revisits the curious one-off project from the intriguing collective that went under the name Dr. Calculus, and their sole album of 1986, Designer Beatnik.Who was Dr. Calculus?Dr. Calculus mdma – to give it its full name – was a short-lived mid-80s venture founded by Stephen Duffy, who fleetingly enjoyed a couple of big chart hits in 1985 under the Stephen ‘Tin Tin’ Duffy soubriquet (Kiss Me, Icing On The Cake) but later became better known as the main man behind the acoustic country…
As you prepare to consume (or avoid) FIFA’s latest overcooked feast of football, why not spend a little time with our latest smorgasbord of new music? Just like the World Cup, we kick off in Mexico – and we also have artists representing England, Scotland, USA, Belgium/Ghana, Norway, Australia, Brazil, Japan and Ecuador/Switzerland. This dedicated “Three Lions”-free zone includes scorching new tunes from Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Jack White, Ty Segall, The Afghan Whigs, Interpol and Seun Kuti with Tom Morello; some genuinely lovely stuff from Lambchop, Elanor Moss, Juni Habel and Robyn Hitchcock; a whole new album from the tireless…
Akrobat’s “Dirty Gathering” is a striking new release from Dublin, Ireland. It’s got a moody bass line from the start of the track, and as soon as those vocals come in, I was personally reminded of the late ’90s rock scene. This one is reminding me of those early afternoon rides in the car listening to some alternative music with my dad…. amoody Dublin alt-rock slow-burner blending Radiohead-like textures, ’90s nostalgia, and genre-fusing brilliance.It’s quite a genre-bending blend of alt-rock, arty rock, and indie textures. It’s got that kind of slow-burner feel to it, which will lure you in and…
London based sibling act Okay The Duo continue their upward trajectory with the release of their latest single, SUPER VILLAIN. Following the success of their boundary pushing track What Do You Reckon, the pair once again blend UK rap influences with their distinctive Australian perspective.Built around booming 808s and a dark, cinematic atmosphere, SUPER VILLAIN sees the duo trading sharp, witty verses packed with confidence and personality. Their trademark mix of relatable storytelling and playful wordplay remains front and centre, delivering a track that feels both energetic and unapologetically bold.The release is accompanied by a striking new music video that…
UK rap heavyweight Unknown T is kicking off summer with the release of his latest single, REALA CHICK. The new track sees the Homerton star lean into a brighter, more melodic sound while retaining the sharp delivery and confidence that have become his trademark.Blending slick production with feel good energy, REALA CHICK showcases another side of Unknown T’s artistry, fusing his drill foundations with a lighter, season ready vibe. The release follows a strong run of singles, including Hear Dat Styl with AJ Tracey and the grime inspired BBK, both of which further reinforced his status as one of the…
In a 1964 episode of American Bandstand, as Dick Clark is interviewing the Beach Boys, all fresh-faced and matching Pendleton stripes, he asks: “You have hit after hit. Who determines what will be done next?” Twenty-one-year-old Brian Wilson grins shyly at his bandmates and says: “Well, I guess I do, I don’t know.” Then in the next second he adds: “I write the songs and produce them, so I have a lot to say about it.”That moment offers a glimpse of the two sides of Brian Wilson, the legendary leader of the Beach Boys, who died on June 11, 2025,…
FM PRO TECH NEWSLucid has pushed the EV-as-power-source idea into full cultural stunt mode, teaming with Saudi electronic music duo Dish Dash for a Guinness World Records™-recognised performance powered entirely by the Lucid Gravity. The activation brought together 61 electronic music artists for a combined eight-hour set, with mixers, production equipment, and speakers running solely through the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring.For FM PRO TECH, the signal goes beyond the record. Lucid Gravity turns the EV into mobile creative infrastructure: power source, event tool, cultural platform, and brand statement in one.By supporting the full electronic setup, the SUV moved from luxury…
After dropping the song itself last week, Blxst releases the video for his new single “Ruin”, which features Sasha Keable. This track will appear on Blxst’sLabor Of Love album, which will be released on June 12th. Watch the visuals below: View Original Article Here
Elsewhere, Million Ways injects some much-needed momentum into the middle stretch, its driving rhythm and soaring chorus providing one of the album’s most immediate hooks. Tidal Wave then washes over everything with layers of textured guitars and thumping drums, to give the record a real sense of urgency. The closing duo is where Seahaven save some of their best work, though. Wedding Bells, carries a sense of emotional clarity that cuts through the record’s hazier moments, before Companion provides a fitting send-off with it’s pulsating tones. Patient and reflective, it feels like the end of a long conversation with an…
A few years ago, at a local gig to see the Pennsylvania band The Stray Birds, the crowd was overall polite and receptive to the music; however, let us just say they needed to warm up. The band led by the wonderful Maya de Vitry launched into a version of Down In The Willow Garden. A traditional Appalachian murder ballad, also known as Rose Connelly. The crowd absolutely loved it, and band member Oliver Craven commented that at last they had found the audience’s level. Why are murder ballads so fascinating that onlookers will sit up and notice? Paul Slade…
Photo by Raph PHThe tribute album seems to have leapt in popularity in recent times. The tribute element can take numerous forms: celebrating, honouring an influential artist, raising the profile of an artist, raising money for good causes (including the artist concerned if, for example, they have become unable to work through illness), or because it’s a ‘fun’ thing to do. In some cases, the rationale is not immediately apparent; think Madison Cunningham and Andrew Bird’s 2024 release, Cunningham Bird, which is a cover of the 1973 LP by Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, Buckingham Nicks; or the 2015 cover…