For a time, Deerhunter were the pinnacle of indie rock music, at least in critical terms. On fifth studio album Halcyon Digest, they found a perfect storm of catchy, confusing, immersive, and experimental. A decade to the day since its release, let’s revisit the universally lauded album which pinpoints when indie got eerie.
In Review: The Flaming Lips – American Head
A close-to-home reflection on youth and ageing, American Head sees psychedelic mainstays Flaming Lips grounded in introspection, and it holds up against any of their previous astral canon.
In Review: IDLES – Ultra Mono
Despite its pre-packaged rallying cries and at times falling short on political inspiration, the third LP from IDLES is still just as loud and angry as the times demand.
In Review: Yellow Days – ‘The Curse’ (feat. Mac DeMarco)
Is it possible to write something ironically and for it still to feel emotionally affecting? George van den Broek aka Yellow Days remains a musical wunderkind, yet ‘The Curse’ is emblematic of his new record’s wider shortcomings.
In Review: Action Bronson – Only For Dolphins
The Queens-native cult of personality is back, with an album that in his own words is “ANOTHER BRIGHT THREAD WOVEN INTO THE TEXTURE OF THE COSMOS”. Undoubtedly at his best when fully leaning into his persona, is there substance beyond Bronson’s style?
All-female support cast announced for IDLES’ 2021 UK tour
Cate Le Bon, Jehnny Beth, Anna Calvi and more stellar femme talent will join the Bristol boys on tour next year.
In Review: beabadoobee – ‘Worth It’
Unfortuately, ‘Worth it’ feels like backwards momentum and an aesthetic wrong turn for a seriously talented songwriter.
LIVE: Perfume Genius @ Palace Theater, Los Angeles
Embracing the atmospheric darkness of a theatre performance, Perfume Genius’ intricate live set offers some breathtaking cinematic moments, reaching new emotional heights in what is the first faithful performance of his recent album Set My Heart On Fire Immediately.
Breaking Through | 5 Questions with Peter Bibby
An assured raconteur with a characteristic Aussie drawl, cult figure Bibby fits somewhere in the record store between Amyl and the Sniffers, Captain Beefheart, and Courtney Barnett.
Save Our Venues Spotlight: The Railway Inn, Winchester
The centrepoint of the city’s local, melting-pot music community, Winchester’s The Railway Inn has proved a vital stepping stone in the careers of many respected musicians. We spoke to resident artist booker James Knights about the venue’s memorable moments, and immediate future.