Albums 5/9

Reviews and Features

New song and album reviews, featured articles and opinion from indie and alternative.

Pastel: Manchester's hottest new band whet our appetites with latest EP Isaiah

Championed by Liam Gallagher and fresh from appearing on Soccer AM, Pastel channel the sound of Manchester on their brilliant second EP.

Matthew McLister

Oct 26, 20223 min read

The Snuts set fire to the curse of the difficult second album

On Burn The Empire, the Snuts have a message to deliver and they’re doing it with the conviction of a band that actually cares.

Neil Renton

Oct 13, 20222 min read

Alvvays: Blue Rev review

They've taken their time in creating a record that doesn’t scream for attention, hooking you in with its fuzzy textures and subtleties.

Matthew McLister

Oct 6, 20224 min read

September's snapshot indie review ft. The 1975, Jockstrap & more

A snapshot review of the best new music from September 2022 featuring The 1975, Red Rum Club, Jockstrap, Yungblud and more.

Josh Robinson

Sep 30, 20223 min read

It's taken me 30 years to finally appreciate Suede

Suede's new album Autofiction is so energetic and immediate, it's led me to re-evaluate the London art rock band and Britpop itself.

Matthew McLister

Sep 28, 20224 min read

Death Cab For Cutie - Asphalt Meadows review

Death Cab's tenth studio album is warm and bleak, their best work in years.

Matthew McLister

Sep 17, 20224 min read

Two Door Cinema Club: Keep On Smiling review

The Bangor band's fifth album does exactly what it says on the tin - it brims with light, hope and indie pop goodness.

Matthew McLister

Sep 7, 20223 min read

Julia Jacklin: PRE PLEASURE review

The 31-year-old Australian's third album is a beautifully contemplative listen from an authentic and big-hearted songwriter.

Matthew McLister

Aug 29, 20223 min read

Jamie T: The best lyrics on 'The Theory of Whatever'

Six of the best lyrics from the South London indie singer's new album 'The Theory of Whatever'.

Josh Robinson

Aug 9, 20224 min read

Jamie T: South London singer smashes return after six year absence

The Theory Of Whatever is a mix of raucous anthems and ballads that still sound delightfully quirky and uniquely Jamie T.

Matthew McLister

Aug 2, 20224 min read

Review: Foals reinvent themselves again with 'Life Is Yours'

The Oxford indie veterans have managed to reinvent themselves, delivering a consistently fun record to soundtrack summer 2022.

Matthew McLister

Jun 12, 20223 min read

Is it now ok for indie fans to like Harry Styles?

Following the release of Harry's House, it's time to stop feeling guilty about liking the former One Direction singer.

Neil Renton

May 27, 20223 min read

The Black Keys stick to their winning formula on 'Dropout Boogie'

The Black Keys are never going to invent the wheel. What they will do though is make it go in a partially enjoyable direction. The Black...

Neil Renton

May 24, 20222 min read

The Smile: Debut album sounds like a terrific Radiohead album

Thom Yorke's latest side project is enough to starve off the impatience of the Radiohead fanbase.

Matthew McLister

May 18, 20223 min read

Arcade Fire: New album 'WE' is worth the five-year wait

WE is bookended by anxiety and positivity, a journey through isolation, claustrophobia, euphoria and landing on hope.

Matthew McLister

May 12, 20225 min read

Bloc Party: 'Alpha Games' has London band at their boldest and most coherent in years

A review of Bloc Party's sixth studio album - a story of anger, energy and redemption.

Matthew McLister

May 9, 20222 min read

Fontaines D.C.’s 'Skinty Fia' rights the wrongs of 'A Hero’s Death'

The Dublin post-punk band’s third album progresses the unease and bleakness of their last, though the end result is far greater.

Matthew McLister

May 5, 20225 min read

'Favourite Worst Nightmare': Arctic Monkeys underappreciated second album

How can an album that gave us so many classics not have the same respect as other AM records?

Matthew McLister

Apr 19, 20222 min read

Wet Leg: Debut album from 2022's most hyped band is a whole load of fun

A review of the debut album from Isle of Wight indie rock duo Wet Leg - the end result of a year's worth of fever pitch acclaim.

Matthew McLister

Apr 8, 20224 min read

Sea Girls: ‘Homesick’ review

The London indie-pop band's second album is a modern soundtrack to teenage nights out and romantic endeavours.

Josh Robinson

Apr 6, 20226 min read