Autonomy review | STONE sharpen their teeth and mean it
After their split from Polydor, STONE sound self-possessed on a punchy, four-star second record.
Reviews
Prizefighter review | A confident record still rooted in stomp-clap-hey
Mumford & Sons double down on the sound that made them huge, delivering a polished and consistent album that rarely steps outside its comfort zone.
Masquerade review | Cardinals flirt with greatness but don’t quite hold it
Cardinals’ debut Masquerade ambitiously brings together Celtic identity, Catholic imagery and indie-rock drama, but inconsistency stops it from fully taking flight.
To Whom This May Concern review | Jill Scott sounds assured, sincere, and slightly safe
Jill Scott’s sixth album is rich in message and voice, but rarely strays far from familiar ground.
DMA'S at O2 Birmingham Academy review | Anniversary tour hits hard but not flawlessly
DMA’S bring their Hills End 10th anniversary tour to Birmingham’s O2 Academy, delivering sharp sound, blinding lights and a rare on-stage reset.
Croak Dream review | Puma Blue hints at something sharper still to come
Croak Dream finds Jacob Allen searching for clarity, delivering a thoughtful, uneven record that gestures towards greater things ahead.
You Wish review | Dream Nails sound recalibrated, instinctive, and unstoppable
Dream Nails’ third album finds the band fully stepping into themselves, trading blunt-force punk for texture and hard-won optimism.
I Used To Go To This Bar review | Joyce Manor sound sharp, settled, and oh-so enjoyable
Growing up does not mean giving everything up, and Joyce Manor prove that on a record built from familiarity rather than surprise.
Yeah Yeah Yeah review | Cast sound comfortable, confident, and quietly rejuvenated
John Power and co return with a record that sounds confident rather than desperate, with a few real highlights and only a couple of stumbles.
Death in the Business of Whaling review | Searows once again delivers beauty, exhaustion, and something hard to escape
Searows returns with an album that offers little relief, but plenty to linger on, if you are willing to sit with its sadness.
No More Like This review | PVA are growing into themselves, sometimes that's painful
PVA’s second album leans into sensuality, rhythm, and physicality, but not every idea lands cleanly along the way.
Secret Love by Dry Cleaning review | Nerve, awkwardness, and diminishing returns
On Secret Love, Dry Cleaning double down on awkwardness and restraint, delivering an album full of ideas that does not always hold together.
Selling A Vibe review | The Cribs issue a stark reminder of Indie Sleaze's staying power
Nearly two decades on from Men’s Needs, The Cribs return with Selling A Vibe, an album that cuts through scenes and surfaces to reconnect with urgency, class, and brotherhood.
Black Coffee at Labyrinth on the Thames | Dance music finds sacred new ground in Greenwich
South African house maestro Black Coffee opens Labyrinth’s bold new venture at the Old Royal Naval College, where deep grooves meet deep history. Surrounded by majestic architecture along the Thames, electronic music finds an unlikely – and inspired – new home.
The Crux review | Joe Keery balances reflection and roleplay on third Djo album
Joe Keery leans into limbo with The Crux, a psychedelic and reflective album that blurs fiction and self, nostalgia and futurism.
Glory review | Perfume Genius tones down the distortion, turns up the intimacy
The new Perfume Genius album shows restraint, intimacy, and moments of heart-wrenching clarity.
Till The Morning by Brian D'Addario review | A tender, baroque-folk detour from one half of The Lemon Twigs
Brian D’Addario of The Lemon Twigs steps out solo with Till The Morning, a tender, subtly political and beautifully crafted album blending baroque pop, folk and jangly 60s romanticism with moments of emotional gravity.
Kelly Lee Owens at Troxy | Producer’s pursuit of pure euphoria pays off
Kelly Lee Owens transforms Troxy into a trance-fuelled dreamscape, balancing euphoria and intimacy in a performance that proves her status as a singular force in electronic music.
Michael Kiwanuka at Eventim Apollo | Old soul reaffirms he’s a real classicÂ
Michael Kiwanuka’s stunning Eventim Apollo performance reaffirmed his status as a true modern classic, delivering an intimate, soulful set that felt as timeless as the music itself.
Joy Crookes at Islington Assembly Hall | South London songstress makes a ravishing return
Joy Crookes cut a figure of elegance at Islington Assembly Hall, as she reeled off new tracks from her soon-to-be announced album for BRITs Week’s charitable run of shows in support of War Child.
Glutton For Punishment review | A gothic fever dream of wrath and revelation
Heartworms crafts a debut of gothic grandeur with Glutton For Punishment, a stunning mix of eerie synths, brooding vocals, and spellbinding post-punk anthems.
Balloonerism review | Posthumous Mac Miller album floats close to the late rapper’s best
Mac Miller’s second posthumous album Balloonerism is full of introspection and beautiful production. If it is the final album from his estate, it’s a special way to let his music rest.
The Night review | Saint Etienne soundtrack the quiet hours
Rain, distant whispers, and soft melodies define Saint Etienne’s The Night, a soothing album that lingers long after it ends.
From Zero review | From old foundations spring bright new beginnings for Linkin Park
Linkin Park re-emerge with From Zero, their eighth studio album, embracing past and future with new vocal powerhouse Emily Armstrong and anthems for their 2025 tour.
Amyl and the Sniffers live review | These Aussies are bringing punk BACK
If you missed Amyl and the Sniffers in Birmingham last night, you missed a wild one. The Aussie four-piece slammed into the stage like a shot of...
Songs Of A Lost World review | A challenging but incredibly rewarding trip with The Cure
Robert Smith and The Cure return with Songs of a Lost World, a deeply moving record that immerses listeners in timeless themes of love, loss, and defiance.
The Libertines live in Liverpool review | Doherty and Barât are still on top with raucous sold-out show
The Libertines wow a sold-out Liverpool crowd with a setlist mixing fan favourites and new tracks from All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade.
SABLE review | Bon Iver's fear, regret, and the silence in between
On SABLE, Justin Vernon crafts an intimate portrait of vulnerability and redemption through Bon Iver’s signature minimalist style.
3AM (La La La) review | Confidence Man keep the party alive
3AM (La La La) is Confidence Man’s invitation to a hypercharged rave world. Find out why the Aussie band is still the life of the party in our review.
Smitten review | Pale Waves embrace dreamy nostalgia in a sweet but shallow ode to first love.
Smitten by Pale Waves has a charming, nostalgic vibe, but its lyrical immaturity holds it back from being truly standout.
