French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf’s latest album, ‘Trumpets of Michel-Ange’ sees itself as more than just a record. It is also part of an initiative to make the quarter tone trumpet his father invented accessible via a series of lessons, instruments and recordings. The instrument was crafted with an additional fourth valve which enables the player […]
Belarus’ biggest post-punk trio, Molchat Doma, are back striking again with their new early ‘80’s Joy Division/ The Cure inspired Atmospheric fourth album, Beyala Polosa, or ‘White Stripe’. This is the band’s first studio album since the release of 2020’s fantastically moody and gloomy Monument. The trio’s best project coming into this album, in my […]
On his Bandcamp page, ‘Down to the Marshes’ is self-proclaimed as being David Lance Callahan’s third and best album, as well as being touted as a masterpiece. These are heady claims, especially as his first two solo albums, ‘English Primitive I & II’ were startling works that drew deserved hyperbole from the more discerning music […]
The Brian Wilson vocals announce the Twigs are about to twig their way onto the stage, and take the Academy 2 on a strange hour and a half of time-travelling, genre-bending, jangly retro Americana. Plus some Merseybeat. It’s 60s… at times it’s 70s… it’s a little discombobulating, which would be a problem were it not […]
Silent Radio presents this week’s unruly bundle of releases for your delectation. Juniore Trois, Deux, Un Flag-bearers for neo-sixties French-indie cool whose third album channels French classics through the hyperactive lens of B-52s New Wave and 60s American garage-rock. Jade Hairpins Get Me The Good Stuff Second album from Fucked Up’s Jonah Falco and Mike […]
Sometimes, a voice can bubble away in the background, a pleasant enough accompaniment on the radio, gradually infiltrating the senses until eventually the realisation dawns that it is something special. Such a description could be applied to my appreciation of Joan Wasser who is about to release her tenth studio album under the moniker of […]
No Depression in Heaven, Madeline Johnston’s newest release under the Midwife moniker, is a steady trickle of dreamlike slowcore from the other side of an infinite expanse. The Denver, Colorado-based purveyor of self-described ‘Heaven Metal’ (described as emotional music about devastation) returns after last year’s excellent Orbweaving – a collaboration with Vyva Melinkolya – with […]
When Stephen Harrison and Aric Importa left Fever333, it was very unclear if or when both of these top-notch musicians would return. It took a short while, but when House Of Protection was announced, the news took the alternative scene by storm. The hype was nearly overwhelming, and their debut EP proves to match this […]
As Autumn begins, so commences the bombardment of great new releases. This week’s selection is as follows: Claude Fontaine La Mer A vibrant blend of 60s French yé-yé pop, Studio One reggae, and Brazilian tropicalia sung in English, French and Portuguese. The unexpected combination of styles makes this album stand out. Hinds Viva Hinds […]
Throughout recording ‘Cheerleaders’, Kugelschreiber (which translates from German as ballpoint pen) had a Post-it note in sight that read “What would Prince do?” However, this album sounds nothing like the diminutive, purple-clad wonder. The other influences cited for the record are ABBA, Field Music, Broadcast and Pixies. Unsurprisingly, there is little in common with such […]
GIG GUIDE
Our gig guide is handpicked and every act has been listened to before making it onto the list.
See this month's guide
BOOK REVIEW: MARTIN ASTON - FACING THE OTHER WAY: THE STORY OF 4AD
INTERVIEW - BCUC
ALBUM REVIEW - BCUC: THE ROAD IS NEVER EASY
ALBUM REVIEW - KILLERSTAR: THE AFTERGLOW
ALBUM ROUNDUP WEEK ENDING 20 MARCH 2026
ALBUM REVIEW: KIM GORDON - PLAY ME
ALBUM REVIEW - LUXJURY: GIVING UP
LIVE REVIEW - KEO: MANCHESTER RITZ - 07/03/2026
ALBUM REVIEW - NUBIYAN TWIST: CHASING SHADOWS
ALBUM REVIEW - GYDA VALTYSDOTTIR: MOTHER PEARL
