Christmas is usually centred around three big things: food, company and presents, a scenario that will be familiar to families across the country. But if there is one huge thing in the atmosphere at this time of year, it is of course music. A typical Christmas morning, for me, is to turn the nob on…
Music, Venue
Chromatics – Closer to Grey Review
For the past decade and a half, Chromatics have made throaty, whispered synth-pop albums that stick around. Compared to the rest of their esteemed catalogue, Closer to Grey is not entirely innovative, but it manages to raise the Goosebumps often enough. Old fans will find all the reliable elements here—vocalist Ruth Radelet’s smoky, inscrutable vocals;…
Music
Indie-punk: big things on small stages
Recently, there has been a wave of new guitar bands erupting out of various crevices across the UK and Ireland. I am not referring to a particular 80s rip-off pop-group, or one of the many gloss-rock bands, who, by the way, are the hottest band right now and are coming to your local tent/shack/cupboard/bedsit. Instead,…
Music
thank u next: Ariana’s all grown up
Ariana Grande’s fifth studio album thank u, next was released on 8 February this year, just in time for Valentine’s Day. But some of her upbeat songs have sad undertones: tracks like ghostin’, imagine, in my head, bloodline and fake smile all share the realities of post-breakup anxiety and the thoughts about a future that…
Music
You Me at Six gave a surprisingly fun performance on the Take Off Your Colours Anniversary Tour
Support came from two very lively bands: The Xcerts and Marmozets. The upbeat Feels Like Falling In Love encapsulated the feel-good 80s charm of the former and, although not a typical choice of support for You Me at Six, their charm got the audience to warm to them. At last, they were ready to scream…
Music
Boygenius: boygenius EP
Boygenius is the melancholic brainchild of sad pop innovators: Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus, who have all turned the genre into something of a phenomenon. This EP is certainly one that will have you hooked and wanting to discover more. As a newcomer to this newly fused genre, I must confess I did…