The wonderful O.Chapman has been in our good books, not to mention our one-to-watch books, for some considerable time now, and his 2012 debut EP ‘Obedient Son’ certainly didn’t let our expectations down. Recorded at the equally fantastic Dave Gerard’s…
Out in Leeds the other night, I came across a unusual beer that was essentially like drinking bacon. A pint of ‘Smoked Porker’, a rather unique and very, very dark ale, took a little getting used to. The barman who…
The wonderfully quirky London-based quartet that are Cellophane Flowers have finally unveiled their debut album and what an album it is. From their previous releases, we had an idea of what we could expect from Staring at the World: driving,…
There’s plenty could make folks a little wary of Roo Panes’ quick rise over the recent months. Half a million YouTube views is more than impressive, but then it was in large part fuelled by his link-up with a well-known…
Hotly tipped in the local press, it was no surprise to see a packed Bush Hall for Stealing Sheep’s first big headline gig in London this year. A couple of dates with Alt-J earlier in the autumn can only have…
I thought the banks were skint? This one seems to be full to bursting, with a remarkable range of ideas and styles filtered through layers of Fenland folk oddity. Generally speaking the tone is gentle folk-pop, not dissimilar to The…
Terry Emm – Gently How have we not previously heard of Terry Emm? This Christmas single follows on from two albums – both of which are consistently as gorgeous as ‘Gently’. Not since Spandau Ballet’s ‘Gold’ has a song’s title…
Let’s talk Hejira. Let’s talk Joni Mitchell’s eighth studio album. All big imagery, curiously picked guitars and Joni’s distinctive voice fluttering about like a pleasantly drunk moth. Hejira is the musician’s favourite Mitchell album and an obvious influence behind Laura…
Daniel Pearson’s second album finds the Hull singer-songwriter immersed in the parlous state of the nation’s economy and its effects on his nearest and dearest. Annoyed that the subject was not being confronted by musicians – “I suppose that’s the…
Ekstasis is a shape-shifting album, reminding me of Grimes, Little Dragon, Laurie Anderson, Sigur Ros, Emilie Simon and Miles Davis by turns, blended into chorally-minded, near-orchestral compositions that defy any simple explanation. ‘This Is Ekstasis’ is a true soundscape, evoking…