
End of year round-ups can be a pretty predictable affair, with publications counting on fandoms of massive stars boosting their signal, be it an inflated spot on the chart, or a provocatively low spot designed to agitate. Of course, some massive releases are worthy of lofty positions, but we prefer to give spots to the…

On Monday, we’ll be announcing our LPs of 2023. We figured that this will leave it late enough that no-one will surprise us with a complete masterpiece and ruin everything. We’ve tried to go for albums that are away from the grain, but honestly, it’s what we were listening to the most, so we’re not…

We are prepping ourselves to do our End Of Year lists, but it’s more of an emotional readying because they take ages to do. What doesn’t help is that everyone has started releasing Christmas songs to really give us a deadline. Thankfully, the one we’re sharing from Anastasia Coope is a little freaky gem. While…

Just the other day, everyone was sharing their Spotify Wrapped graphics and having a giggle and all that, but things were about to get tremendously serious at Spotify HQ. This week, the streaming behemoth announced that they’d be sacking 17% of their staff. That’s around 1,500 people losing their pay just before Christmas. Pretty brutal.…

Kiss are no longer real people, and will be forever young as some imaginary thing. See, they’ve announced the ‘end of its physical existence’ because now, they’ll be digital avatars. They’ve copied ABBA obviously, because pop walks so rock can run. Anyway, it all feels a bit weird and this whole scenario is like when…

Kenya Grace apparently had a viral smash, but virality is something that passes us by so we’ll just have to accept what’s been said regarding all that. What we do know, however, is that Kenya’s new single ‘Paris’ is a slice of future pop that we like a whole bunch. Writing, producing and performing her…

Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band are bringing back the jangle, with Ciao Ciao Bambino! Recorded in West Kirby with Bill Ryder-Jones (him again!), Head says: “’Ciao Ciao Bambino’ came to me one night when I was thinking about the first words I ever heard. It was a song called ‘Ciao Ciao Bambino’ that my…

Kai Slater operates under the name Sharp Pins, and if you’re looking for some super lo-fi garage rock, Mouldy Peaches DIY aesthetic, or ruff ‘n’ ready power pop, you should lean in and check it out. Last year, there was a record that slipped through our net (you can’t hear everything as soon as it…

Rose City Band were new to us in 2024 – maybe they’re new to everyone? Whatever the story is, we were immediately charmed by the ’70s West Coast sunshine, jangle pop that they were putting down. The band are led by Ripley Johnson (you maybe saw the name attached to Moon Duo or Wooden Shjips?)…

There’s no many like Matt Berry. Not to say that he doesn’t work hard for his money, but he certainly leads a charmed life being one of our most beloved actors, but also, singer of fine psychedelic music. He’s tackled acid folk, West Coast loveliness, and he also did a cover LP of TV themes,…

Anita Bryant may have been nominated for Grammys, landed the gong of being Miss Oklahoma and had a number of hit singles, but that’s not why she’s remembered, now that she’s dead. Bryant was an outspoken campaigner AGAINST gay rights in the USA, under the thin premise of ‘protecting’ children and the usual hackneyed talking…
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