By Emily Jade Ricalton Rating: 9/10 EveryoneÔÇÖs favourite punk dynamic duo, Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman, are back with a four-track EP after the release of their third studio album just last year. And, I must say, what a short, yet sweet come back it is. In comparison to ÔÇÿActs of Fear and LoveÔÇÖ, SlavesÔÇÖ ÔÇÿThe Velvet DitchÔÇÖ screams with a powerful energy that … Continue reading ‘The Velvet Ditch’, by Slaves
By Craig Strachan ‘Tallulah’ is out on the 9th August 2019. Put it in your calendars! Craig’s rating: 3.5/5 The Welsh rock band Feeder have released their 10 th studio Album Tallulah this month and their first studio effort since the release of All Bright Electric in 2016. Originally from Newport, this effort has been described by vocalist Grant Nicholas as a ÔÇ£classic Feeder … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Tallulah’, by Feeder
By Ioan Lee Ioan Rating:┬á9.6/10 IGOR is Tyler, The CreatorÔÇÖs fifth studio album, and comes at a time where the California based artist is at his most popular ÔÇô the success of his previous record ÔÇ£Flower BoyÔÇØ propelled him into multiple end of year lists and increased his already apparent popularity internationally. So, what does Tyler release when all eyes are on him to … Continue reading Album Review: IGOR, by Tyler, The Creator
By Emily Jade Ricalton After five years since the 2014 release of their Grammy award winning album, ÔÇÿTurn BlueÔÇÖ, the Black Keys have made an anticipated return with their brand new album, ÔÇÿLetÔÇÖs RockÔÇÖ, but has it been worth the wait? Receiving a 7-rating from Pitchfork magazine, the album seems to have impressed fans of the Austin-based band, despite their lack of dedication to … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Let’s Rock’ by The Black Keys
By James McClements Up and coming Indie-New Wave rockers┬áThe Goa Express┬áare a lively Manc bunch who shamelessly reek of Northern spirit and a carefree outlook on life.┬á Their new track┬áThe Day┬áis a fantastically upbeat tune featuring psych-laden keys, raw guitars and tight drums reminiscent of a group like Parquet Courts or Shame.┬áFrontman James Douglas Clarke revealed that the trackÔÇÖs┬áabout┬áÔÇ£moving out to university and getting caught … Continue reading New Music Friday: We chat to The Goa Express
By Kate Waldock On the 12th┬áJuly, DMAs are set to release an album of their MTV unplugged set. MTV Unplugged had something of a reboot in 2017, after almost 20 years without the programme. DMAs are the latest among a line of great musicians to grace the series, and they did not disappoint. The Australian trio, made up of Tommy OÔÇÖDell, Johnny Took, and … Continue reading DMAs album review: MTV Unplugged Live
Words by Rhiannon Humphreys The launch night for Hunter From FremonteÔÇÖs debut EP ÔÇÿPINKÔÇÖ in the Moon club started promisingly with Tobias Robertson, a singer-songwriter of outstanding talent. Robertson performed several songs from his upcoming EP, building his set up from the hauntingly sad ÔÇÿBlack DoorÔÇÖ to more uplifting tunes, such as ÔÇÿForward, EverydayÔÇÖ. As the venue filled, RobertsonÔÇÖs intimate set, which really showcased his … Continue reading Hunter From Fremonte | PINK – EP Launch Review
By Martina Merenda It was a lovely Saturday night at Ocean Arts. The crowd quietly chatted while waiting for the concert to start, and I couldn’t help but admire the tiny room that will serve as the venue for the night. Everything was so nice and cosy, and the intimacy of the place made me feel at home. Before we knew it, the first opening … Continue reading Live Review: Benedict Benjamin at Ocean Arts Centre, 04/05/19
By Max Modell ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà When BearÔÇÖs Den released Islands, in 2014, they had an immediate impact on me with their emotive acoustic sound. A well-crafted, nostalgic album, it was the beginning of a relationship with BearÔÇÖs Den which has defined my musical life. While Islands had the BearÔÇÖs Den identity, the sonic pallet of the album felt familiar. This changed with the release of Red … Continue reading Review: BearÔÇÖs Den – So That You Might Hear Me
By Polly Denny Benjamin Francis Leftwich has been a staple in the UK indie scene for the last decade after his first album, ÔÇ£Last Smoke Before the SnowstormÔÇØ, reached #35 in the UK charts upon its release in 2011. Since then, in his characteristic measured approach, he has had two more albums; ÔÇ£After the RainÔÇØ in 2016, and now most recently ÔÇ£GratitudeÔÇØ earlier this year. … Continue reading Live Review: Benjamin Francis Leftwich at The Globe, 08/04/19
By Alys Hewitt Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn ÔÇô AKA Sleaford Mods ÔÇô have over the last few years gained great credibility as an act through their pairing of beat-driven musical minimalism with cynical, tongue-in-cheek social commentary. Their live show at Y Plas is a reminder of their formidable presence as a duo, as they explore material both from past albums and their latest release … Continue reading Live Review: Sleaford Mods, Y Plas, 05/04/19
Photo credit: Album cover for ‘Sucker Punch’ – Sigrid by Camille Stanley Admittedly, I arrived at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on the 13th March knowing not all that much about NorwayÔÇÖs newest pop star Sigrid. Of course I was familiar with the song Strangers, which IÔÇÖm sure has been stuck in many more heads than just mine for the past few months, however … Continue reading Live Review: Sigrid at Motorpoint Arena, 13/03/19
Photo credit: press photo as seen on DIY Mag by Joe Cresswell It has been a long journey for Drenge; gone are the days of being under the radar (apart from being mentioned in a Labour MPs resignation letter in 2013) and merely being described as a ÔÇÿpunky indie racketÔÇÖ by the Guardian. For as Drenge let the dust settle from releasing their third … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Stranger Creatures’ by Drenge
Photo credit: press photo as seen on NME By Emma Murphy and Mike O’Brien Coming up to the release of her new album Good at Falling, we got a chance to talk to Amber Bain (or as you may know her, The Japanese House). Her eclectic dream-pop style had made her a fast favourite of ours. We watched her play back in November on the … Continue reading Interview: The Japanese House
By Max Modell Barns Courtney is a rock star in the purest sense. He swaggered on stage in a velvet suit, with an open black shirt, before beginning to strut across the stage in a manner reminiscent of Mick Jagger. Like all the greatest rock stars, Barns is undeniably sexy in the way he owns the room with such ease. In an age of indie … Continue reading Live Review: Barns Courtney in Support of The Hunna, Tramshed, 01/04/19
By┬áAngharad May On the 22nd February, the Catalan band, Oques Grasses came all the way from Barcelona during their international tour to showcase their latest album, Fans del sol, in Chapter Arts Centre here in Cardiff.┬á It was the perfect location for a band who knew how to connect with the Welsh public.┬á As students of Catalan, my friend Dani and I, along with our … Continue reading Interview: Oques Grasses Bring the Sun to Cardiff
By Sam Cotter Created and crafted by the clubs of Lyon, Folamour released his highly anticipated second album ÔÇÿOrdinary DrugsÔÇÖ, at the start of February, on his newly founded record label For Heaven Use Only (FHUO). ÔÇÿOrdinary DrugsÔÇÖ, an 11 ÔÇô track soulful ÔÇô space ÔÇô Jazz ÔÇô house ÔÇô infusion, epitomises an artist with a fervent attitude and devotion towards his music. This latest … Continue reading Album Review: Ordinary Drugs by Folamour
By Max Modell I think everyone involved with the Cardiff music scene has heard stories of the legendary The Killers gig at Clwb Ifor Bach on 22nd November 2003. That night the indie rock legends gave fans a taste of future classics such as ÔÇÿJenny Was a Friend of MineÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿSomebody Told MeÔÇÖ, and of course ÔÇÿMr BrightsideÔÇÖ, prior to the release of their debut … Continue reading Live Review: Sea Girls at Clwb Ifor Bach, 06/03/19
By Alys Hewitt Since 2012, Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn, who together make up Sleaford Mods, have been painting bleak, brash, honest, and often humorous portraits of a Britain ravaged by austerity and division, against a backdrop of relentless and minimal beats. I recently had the chance to speak to vocalist Jason about their new album, Eton Alive, the writing process and the state of … Continue reading A conversation with Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods
By Sallie Phillips ShakinÔÇÖ Stevens is back! The Cardiff-born singer, nicknamed ÔÇÿThe Welsh ElvisÔÇÖ due to his musical style, performed at St. DavidÔÇÖs Hall on Sunday 3 March. Backed by a 10-man strong band, this was one of ShakyÔÇÖs first performances back in his hometown, and certainly the first time I have ever seen him perform live. I like the music of ShakinÔÇÖ Stevens because … Continue reading Live Review: Shakin’ Stevens at St Davids Hall, 03/03/19
