Author: charliemock

Music

Review: Futurology – Manic Street Preachers

Written concurrently with last yearÔÇÖs ÔÇÿRewind the FilmÔÇÖ, itÔÇÖs more accurate to describe ÔÇÿFuturologyÔÇÖ as a counterpart than a follow-up to SeptemberÔÇÖs acoustic reflection on middle age. Indeed, a lot of the songs here give a comforting feel in contrast to the heartbreaking moments of ÔÇÿRewind the FilmÔÇÖ. The opening title track bubbles through its verses until a soothing Nicky Wire vocal ÔÇ£one day we … Continue reading Review: Futurology – Manic Street Preachers

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Music

Live Review: Arcade Fire, British Summer Time (03/07/14)

Following a successful show at Glastonbury only a week earlier, Arcade Fire are set to headline the British Summer Time festival. The atmosphere within Hyde Park is relaxed with tinges of anticipation. Combined with a wide variety of stalls and amusements that you would expect at a festival, itÔÇÖs easy to think you were a world away from the capital, rather than at its epicentre. … Continue reading Live Review: Arcade Fire, British Summer Time (03/07/14)

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Music

Preview: Beacons Festival (7th-10th August)

Taking over Funkirk Estate in Skipton this August 7th-10th is Beacons Festival. Beacons is North YorkshireÔÇÖs premier arts and music festival set amongst the picturesque Yorkshire Dales. With student ticket deals (only ┬ú89.50 plus booking with a valid student card) or buy five get one free offers (at ┬ú109.50 plus booking) and some of the biggest names in new music itÔÇÖs not one to be … Continue reading Preview: Beacons Festival (7th-10th August)

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Music

Review: Ed Sheeran – x

Following up Ed Sheeran’s chart topping album ‘+,’┬á the highly anticipated ‘x’ is set to be just as huge. Expressing his emotions of love, hurt, the pressures of stardom and of course, inebriation, we see Sheeran’s true lyrical talent in his ability to construct depth and meaning whilst keeping each track delightfully poppy. Opening track ‘One,’ whilst a seemingly bleak start to the album, is … Continue reading Review: Ed Sheeran – x

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Music

Review: Every Time I Die – From Parts Unknown

There’s a reason why Every Time I Die are heralded as one of the most consistently brilliant bands in hardcore and their latest output, seventh studio album ÔÇÿFrom Parts UnknownÔÇÖ, is definitive proof. The sombre chords at the outset of opening track, ÔÇÿThe Great EscapeÔÇÖ, signal the calm before the storm. When the song kicks in, it instigates an unrelenting torrent of pure aggression. Vocalist … Continue reading Review: Every Time I Die – From Parts Unknown

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Music

Review: Jack White – Lazaretto

To some extent, you know what youÔÇÖre going to get with a Jack White record. ‘Lazaretto’, White’s second studio album, is no exception with most of the old trademarks present.┬áRaucous riffing and squealing solos? Check. Weird, jarring lyrics? Check. And, rising above it all, you get WhiteÔÇÖs signature hair raising yelp. Although, thereÔÇÖs also a marked emphasis on the mellower side of his sound, with … Continue reading Review: Jack White – Lazaretto

charliemock
Music

Review: Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence

Inevitable pressure and expectation: the second albumÔÇÖs labelled ÔÇ£difficultÔÇØ for a reason. Despite extra EPs and deluxe editions, Lana Del Rey has greater expectation than most for her second studio album after breakthrough ÔÇÿBorn to DieÔÇÖ made her a teenage icon.┬á ÔÇÿUltraviolenceÔÇÖ has been received exceptionally well though, as the consensus seem to believe it eclipses ÔÇÿBorn to DieÔÇÖ with its newfound sleepy psychedelica. Del … Continue reading Review: Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence

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Music

Review: Peace – Sin City, Swansea 12/06/14

What initially seems like an odd choice of venue becomes painfully clear upon entering SwanseaÔÇÖs Sin City. ItÔÇÖs packed. Perhaps something to do with the Birmingham quartetÔÇÖs recent appearance on E4ÔÇÖs hit ÔÇÿrealityÔÇÖ show Made in Chelsea? Certainly not. This crowd know exactly what theyÔÇÖre waiting for and it is by no means influenced by a controversial TV cameo. An echoing intro sets the mood … Continue reading Review: Peace – Sin City, Swansea 12/06/14

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Music

Live Review: Chet Faker – Colston Hall, Bristol

Chet FakerÔÇÖs career has been one of constant battle with definitions; does he make jazz, soul, house, hip-hopÔǪ Is he where he wants to be? Minutes into his live show, as Faker dances around the array of equipment surrounding him, a wry smile on his face, it becomes abundantly clear that he has no interest in being categorised. HeÔÇÖs perfectly happy to just make music … Continue reading Live Review: Chet Faker – Colston Hall, Bristol

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Music

Review: ZABA – Glass Animals

As one of the first acts signed to Paul EpworthÔÇÖs Wolf Tone label, the excitement around Oxford quartet Glass Animals has been gradually building over the past two years. Following a trio of well-received EPÔÇÖs that have displayed a willingness to experiment and rework their own material, the release of debut LP, ÔÇÿZABAÔÇÖ, proves reason for the aforementioned excitement. Opener ÔÇÿFlipÔÇÖ begins stripped back, with … Continue reading Review: ZABA – Glass Animals

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Music

Review: Thumpers – Galore

Introducing Thumpers and their debut album ‘Galore’. Released via their own label, the band have┬áshot themselves into the ether of hype surrounding the records release. With the title track and first single from the album gaining recognition from the likes of XFM, Radio 1 and Radio 6 Music, the duo certainly have a lot to live up to. The record starts with the welcoming tones … Continue reading Review: Thumpers – Galore

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Music

Interview: CHVRCHES

Tucked into the UnionÔÇÖs cluttered backstage area with an unassuming air, you would never guess that the synthpop trio were in the middle of their international tour following seemingly instant success with 2013 debut album The Bones of What You Believe. Lead singer Lauren Mayberry is quick to defend the hard work itÔÇÖs taken to get this far: ÔÇÿFor us, it doesnÔÇÖt feel that instant … Continue reading Interview: CHVRCHES

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Features

My Frozen Face

Amelia Jones┬árelives her frightening experience of facial┬áparalysis, and reminds us that a smile goes a long way in ‘My Frozen Face’ I welcomed in the New Year excited to graduate and enthusiastic to enter the real world, but I faced an overwhelming sense of anxiety as looming deadlines and the mammoth task of my third year dissertation weighed heavy on my mind. The events that … Continue reading My Frozen Face

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Food

Review: Hang Fire Smokehouse

ItÔÇÖs hard to express the delicious experience we had at CardiffÔÇÖs best pop-up restaurant, but smokinÔÇÖ is a word that springs to mind. Every Thursday and Friday between 5 and 9pm, the Lansdowne Pub is taken over by Samantha Evans and Shauna GuinnÔÇÖs Hang Fire Smokehouse, awakening the soul of southern- style BBQ through the ÔÇ£holy trinity of good timesÔÇØ: good food, good music and … Continue reading Review: Hang Fire Smokehouse

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Features

The North-South Divide

    Gravy guzzling Northerner? Or stick-your-pinky-out Southerner?┬áAlex Chapman┬ádiscusses the ongoing feud┬ábetween students either side of Watford Gap in ‘The North-South Divide’ University life is never guaranteed to come without its fair amount of trials and tribulations, from the often crippling amount of coursework and revision to the realisation that, after living like kings for the best part of a fortnight after your loan going … Continue reading The North-South Divide

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Food

Review: Munchesters

Dylan Jenkins gets all wrapped up in Cardiff CentralÔÇÖs newest lunch offering, Munchesters ItÔÇÖs match day and iÔÇÖm sitting downstairs at the large window of munchesters, one of Cardiff city centreÔÇÖs newest ventures, wrap in one hand and a coke in the other, watching the streets overflow with Welsh and French supporters. This new lunch venue stands out on Trinity Street, its green banners boasting … Continue reading Review: Munchesters

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Features

Picture This!

  Kieran Davey┬áinvestigates┬áthe popularity of the photo craze┬áthat is dominating social media in ‘Picture This!’ It was the photo that ÔÇÿbroke TwitterÔÇÖ. The Oscars, the most star-studded of events, had provided the most star-studded of photos which within minutes became a viral internet sensation. Inspired by show host Ellen DeGeneres, TwitterÔÇÖs most retweeted image- or ÔÇÿselfieÔÇÖ- was born as Hollywood greats such as Brad Pitt, … Continue reading Picture This!

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Food

Hashtag Foodporn

The ‘food’ hashtag on Instagram has over 90 million entries: thereÔÇÖs no doubt that documenting your meals is here to stay. However, is it a trend worth embracing, or should we shun those who dare whip out their phones at the dinner table? Emma Forbes and Britta Zeltmann investigate both sides of the issue. FOR┬áby Emma Forbes┬á LetÔÇÖs discuss the widespread phenomenon of instagramming food. … Continue reading Hashtag Foodporn

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Food

Steaming and Starving

Go large or go home as self-proclaimed drunkfoodaholic Josie Copson brings you her favourite spots to stumble into after a night out in Cardiff in ‘Steaming and Starving’ There are three times in life when calories do not count. these are: number one, your birthday; number two, the entire Christmas season; and finally number three (the one that occurs the most regular for many of … Continue reading Steaming and Starving

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