Music Reviews

Released on LAB Records and produced by Grammy Award winner Jim Lowe - who has worked with bands such as Stereophonics - The K's recently released their second album 'Pretty On The Internet', following on from last year’s debut 'Do You Think The World Knows'.

Throughout their career, Stray From The Path have approached their music as they’ve approached their left-wing politics - no-nonsense, in your face, and minimal fuss. So it comes to pass with their surprise new album 'Clockworked', which coincided with their announcement that they will be breaking up as a band at the end of 2025.

Volbeat have continued doing what they do best - writing songs that rip, sing, swing, and soar, with their ninth studio album 'God of Angels Trust', which they delivered with a confidence that only comes from a band who know exactly who they are.

'The Painful Truth' has to be one of the most anticipated album releases of the year, after Skunk Anansie geared up fans during their very successful tour in April. Now their seventh album is finally here, marking their first since 2016's 'Anarchytecture'.

Here is a band that has a lot to offer: beautiful vocals from Paige Turner, backed up with shimmering guitar work from real life partner Lee Newell, with lyrics that are always on the edge with some really clever thinking behind them.

Sam Fender has put Newcastle back on the music map with his high-energy indie-rock style, paving the way for many other up and coming artists from the city.  Andrew Cushin is a great example of this, who has just released his second album 'Love Is For Everyone' following on from 2023 debut 'Waiting For The Rain'.

2024 turned out to be the biggest year yet for Galway, Ireland band NewDad, with the release of their debut album MADRA at the beginning of the year followed by a tour and numerous festival dates. Earlier this year the band saw the departure of bassist Cara Joshi and now, down to three official members in Julie Dawson (vocals & guitar), Sean O’Dowd (lead guitar) and Fiachra Parslow (drums), they release their brand new EP 'Safe'. 

Even in its weakest moments, Sleep Theory’s debut album, 'Afterglow', is nothing less than stellar. If these guys keep delivering material of this quality, there'll be nowhere to go but upwards.

Three years removed from Wood’s departure, Black Country, New Road offers the studio debut of their second life. ‘Forever Howlong’ is an ambitious, folky, and pastoral affair – replete with recorders, mandolins, and winding prog-folk odysseys. Yet despite its grandeur, it hums with warmth and communal resilience, the same force that carried the Cambridge six-piece through turbulent reinvention. This is music unabashed in its twee heart, lavished with baroque melodies.

On her fifth album as SPELLLING, Bay Area artist Chrystia Cabral holds up a mirror to her own emotions. ‘Portrait of My Heart’ abandons the allegorical distance of her earlier avant pop for lyrics that confront love, intimacy, anxiety, and alienation head on. Musically, the arrangements follow suit – this is SPELLLING at its most incisive and immediate.