#393: Joseph Coward - The World Famous Joseph Coward

Drawn to London at an early age, 22 year old Joseph Coward’s soul intention in life is “to be really honest”, an aspect of his persona that runs rampant throughout the course of his debut album, the ironically titled The World Famous Joseph Coward. Interestingly enough, whilst the record’s lyrical candour gives it an edge over its contemporaries, the fact that Coward isn’t afraid to make his influences be known detracts from the album slightly, taking with it some of the personality that would make it a truly accomplished debut.

This review was originally written for Subba-Cultcha. Click here to read in full.

#392: TV On the Radio - Seeds

Having never been acquainted with TV on the Radio until now, I went in to their fifth album Seeds with no assumptions or expectations. Obviously I’d heard of the band, but aside from knowing they were part of the New York art-rock scene, they remained a mystery to me. Going in to a review blind isn’t always the best possible approach either, but neither are preconceptions, so with a blank page in front of me, I pressed play.

This review was originally written for God is in the TV Zine. Click here to read in full.

#391: Superfood - Don't Say That

Birmingham, and in particular, Digbeth. You’ll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. In fact, come to think of it, I might be confusing that with Mos Eisley Spaceport. If so I apologise, but whilst Mos Eisley is a diverse, albeit violent and seedy fictional locale, Digbeth, and indeed Birmingham is itself a culturally diverse city, whose rich heritage allowed a heady and somewhat tropical scene to formulate, perpetuated by the likes of Peace and Swim Deep.

This review was originally written for Far Out Magazine. Click here to read in full.

#390: Introducing...No Hot Ashes

Jaunty pop-rock with more than a hint of funk, Manchester’s No Hot Ashes release their debut single ‘Goose’.

The first thing that’s clear about young Manc upstarts No Hot Ashes, is their sound, and potentially their influences, belie their relatively young years, their fusion of funk and filth, sleaze and soul making for music that’s defies you not to dance. Indeed their debut single, a double A-side entitled ‘Goose’ / ‘Skank’ epitomises the band’s penchant for a groove wonderfully; the re-recorded, and if I’m not mistaken, slightly reworked, tracks offer a small insight in what it is exactly No Hot Ashes are capable of.

This review was originally written for Louder Than War. Click here to read in full.

#389: Catching Up With...Gymnast (U&I Music Magazine - November Issue)

Photo Credit: Lindsay Wilson

Catching Up With...Gymnast (U&I Music Magazine - November Issue)

This feature was originally for U&I Music Magazine. Click the link above to read in full.

#388: Jamie T - Manchester Academy - 07/11/14

“Still know you can call me whenever. I’m always round town, man I’ll be around forever,” declares Jamie Treays, otherwise known as Jamie T on ‘Rabbit Hole’. Whether this is an ironic nod to his recently-ended hiatus or an ambitious statement of intent matters not. What does matter, is that within the first five minutes of his set tonight, such ambitions are made believable and Manchester Academy, a somewhat soulless venue that often eats atmosphere as eagerly as its punters drink its beer, is transformed in to a sweaty, drunken soiree and perhaps the largest amicable meeting of Mancs and Scousers in recent memory.

This review was originally written for God Is In the TV Zine. Click here to read in full.

#387: Chvrches - Manchester Academy - 06/11/14

Photo: Lee Hammond

Gig Review: Chvrches, Manchester Academy - 06/11/14

This review was originally written for Muso's Guide. Click the link above to read in full.

#386: French for Rabbits - Spirits

Australasia might not enjoy a musical heritage as rich or as renowned as Europe or America, but the past couple of years has seen the trickle of bands from Australia and New Zealand become a steady stream, and one which shows little sign of drying up any time soon. And whilst the continent’s overarching musical legacy may be slight, folk music is imbued in the aforementioned countries respective cultural heritage; something which has found its way in to the very core of Wellington, NZ’s French for Rabbits.

This review was originally written for TheRealMusic. Click here to read in full.

#385: Catching Up With...Forever Cult

Catching Up With...Forever Cult

This feature was originally written for Artrocker. Click the link above to read in full.

#384: Introducing...GHXST

Introducing...GHXST

This feature was originally written for Shout4Music. Click the link above to read in full.

#383: Introducing...Pinkshinyultrablast

Introducing...Pinkshinyultrablast

This feature was originally written for Shout4Music. Click the link above to read in full.

#382: Introducing...frontRegen

Whilst their name might leave a lot to be desired, frontRegen's sound does nothing of the sort. Forming six years ago in Vienna, the quartet has released a trio of EPs since their 2008 inception, culminating last month with 'Coming Home'. Whilst their sound hasn't changed too much in that space of time, it's clear that the band have become tighter, more refined and even somewhat more avant-garde.

This review was originally written for Little Indie Blogs. Click here to read in full.