Features 9/9

Reviews and Features

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

Why 2020 has felt like the best year yet for women in indie

Women have led the way in the indie rock scene in 2020. Who have been the biggest players this year? Featuring Phoebe Bridgers and more.

Matthew McLister

Nov 18, 20205 min read

Five of the best: British political songs of the last 20 years

Five of the best political songs of the past 20 years from British artists, featuring Stormzy, IDLES, Thom Yorke and more.

Matt Bull

Nov 12, 20204 min read

US election 2020: Six great American political songs

Here are six great songs which deal with American politics. Sometimes there's a fine line between political anthems and political criticism.

Matthew McLister

Nov 3, 20205 min read

Gorillaz: Why you should be listening to Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez

Gorillaz sixth studio album is a joyful and melancholic project. Here's the best songs, collaborations & why you should still be listening.

Matthew McLister

Oct 28, 20204 min read

Black artists in the world of Indie and Alternative | Black History Month

Matt Bull marks Black History Month by telling us about five black artists in the Indie/Alternative world that he's a fan of.

Matt Bull

Oct 27, 20204 min read

Matt Berninger: 'Serpentine Prison' review | Going solo from The National

The debut solo album from baritone-voiced frontman of The National is an intimate, heartfelt collaborative project. Just how did the...

Matthew McLister

Oct 21, 20204 min read

Fifteenth anniversary: 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' | October 2005 revisited

Simply put, the success of '...Dancefloor' was built on explosive Garage Rock immediacy and sharp lyricism from Alex Turner.

Matthew McLister

Oct 17, 20204 min read

Future Islands: As Long As You Are review | Overcoming Letterman

An album to remind you that you still have emotions, feel uplifted and accept yourself. Future Islands are definitely more than a meme.

Matthew McLister

Oct 13, 20206 min read

Why I love...Cigarettes After Sex | Indie debut classic revisited

No, not the activity, the band! Why the 2017 debut album from Texas dream poppers Cigarettes After Sex is an unexpected Indie clas

Matthew McLister

Oct 8, 20204 min read

IDLES: Ultra Mono review | Social class 'controversy' | Clumsy or quirky?

Bristol Punks IDLES return with their brilliant third album Ultra Mono and it's not without controversy. Here's the verdict on it.

Matthew McLister

Oct 1, 20206 min read

Doves: The Universal Want review | 11 year absence | The return

Manchester Indie giants Doves have returned after 11 years with the release of the melancholic and nostalgic The Universal Want.

Matthew McLister

Sep 17, 20204 min read

Six songs from new Indie bands to get excited about | September 2020

Fresh sounds from upcoming Indie Rock artists destined for big things. Featuring The Snuts, THE GOA EXPRESS, The Skinner Brothers and more.

Matthew McLister

Sep 11, 20202 min read

Oasis vs. Blur | The Battle of Britpop 25 years later

A look at the hysteria caused by Oasis and Blur going head to head in the charts and the ridiculousness of the rivalry.

Matthew McLister

Aug 14, 20205 min read

Album of the Week: 'Purple Noon' by Washed Out

Washed Out's seductive sun-kissed sounds are beautifully produced, featuring a sense of romantic longing like no other.

Matthew McLister

Aug 12, 20204 min read

Fontaines D.C. 'A Hero's Death' | The best indie rock album of 2020

A raw, occasionally bleak, post-punk second album which furthers the Dublin band's indie rock saviour status.

Matthew McLister

Aug 5, 20206 min read

Whisper it, Taylor Swift’s new ‘indie’ album is pretty good

Opinion of an indie fan, 'folklore' is a beautifully constructed The National inspired indie-folk album. Bound to convert the disinterested,

Matthew McLister

Jul 28, 20205 min read

Focus On: The Return of The Streets

A look at the return of UK Garage favourites The Streets, the early success, highlights of the new album & the best lines.

Matthew McLister

Jul 22, 20208 min read

Return of protest songs | Police brutality and racism in America | June 2020

Since the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police last week, streaming numbers of protest songs have soared....

Matthew McLister

Jun 5, 20206 min read