Has it really been four years since Mike Krol last released an album? Sadly yes…. That album was the unfairly slept on Turkey. But now Krol has returned with a new album Power Chords that pushes his fuzzed-out guitar world view to new, and unexpected directions.
Review: YAK – ‘Pursuit of Momentary Happiness’ (Third Man)
With their sophomore album, coming in the wake of their 2016 debut Alas Salvation, YAK prove themselves to be an incredibly talented and singular voice in the rock scene. Pursuit of Momentary Happiness is not just a great rock album, it is a great album, period. Moving between styles and moods with panache and verve, the band show themselves to be adept at whatever musical stylings they turn to. Tracks run the gamut from short and sweet punk tunes that call to mind The Clash and The Stooges (“Blinded By The Lies”), to head-smashing rock (“Pay Off Vs The Struggle”), to sleazy lounge tracks that engender comparison Fat White Family (“Encore”), and drawn out epics that could be cuts from a Leonard Cohen album (“This House Has No Living Room”). Written, primarily, by vocalist Oliv…
Live: Mike Skinner & The Streets @ O2 Apollo, Manchester
What makes a musician a legend? Is it age? Is it album sales? Is it selling out three nights at Manchester’s O2 Apollo? For Mike Skinner and The Streets, it’s probably a straightforward case of whether you can provoke a good time or not.
Live: Heavy Lungs @ The Joiners, Southampton
Hailing from Bristol and bringing a twisted post-punk impression, linking four-piece Heavy Lungs to their fellow musicians IDLES is predictable but a waste of time. Comparing Bristolian post-punkers Heavy Lungs to their fellow musicians and friends IDLES is to be expected
London Gigs and Events | wc January 28th
The Buzz Roundup: your guide to the London gigs to check out this week, featuring Dream Wife, The Vryll Society, Heavy Lungs, Ed Harcourt, The Dandy Warhols, Death Cab For Cutie, Thurston Moore, The Streets and more.
Live: Ben Howard @ O2 Academy Brixton
Following in the wake of three sold-out nights at the O2 Academy Brixton, Ben Howard added one final show to bring his run of shows in London up to four subsequent nights. Even after three nights of complete honesty, exposure, and connection with the audience, he showed no signs of fatigue or letting up.
London Gigs and Events | wc January 14th
The Buzz Roundup: your guide to the hottest London gigs this week, featuring The 1975, Ben Howard, Art Brut, Ghostface Killah, Roni Size, Pale Waves, Spring King and more. Check out our rundown on the best gigs to catch in London this week.
Live: MGMT @ Albert Hall, Manchester
Popularity was an unwanted pregnancy for MGMT. After releasing Oracular Spectacular in 2008 they spent two albums running away from their own hits and the bright-eyed pubescent attention they brought. Read the review of MGMT playing Manchester’s Albert Hall.
Live: Joji @ Heaven, London
Joji plays London’s Heaven nightclub with support from Clams Casino. It’s 8 in the evening on a Wednesday and Heaven is almost full. It’s hard to tell who is here to watch Joji (aka George Miller), who is here to watch Pink Guy or Filthy Frank (two of Joji’s online comic alter-ego’s), or who is here for all three.
Live: The War on Drugs @ The O2, London
Opening for The War On Drugs at London’s O2, during their sole UK tour date of 2018 is Slowdive. With a more indie-tinged, shoegaze sound than the headliners, Slowdive nonetheless shares a similarity in their focus upon music that builds up and is drawn out.