James Arden checks out the garage rockers latest album.
The Christian rock band from Brighton bring religion to the masses.
Recipe for modern R'n'B album: liberal helpings of guest rappers and an overdose of sexual euphemisms.
Björk's new rave inspired track from her latest album Volta makes full use of her signature quirky electronic sound world, to create an empowering song and a touching tribute to the Faroe Islands. Björk cries out mantra-like lyrics over the top of a rasping bass-loop, over which layers and layers of metallic, electronic, and percussive sounds push the vocals higher and higher to reach rocking, mosh-able cacophony. Think music festivals, a few pints of cider down you and thousands of people going crazy. One for the anarchist in you.
Anna Goldbeck-Wood
Radiohead's new single exemplifies the spirit of their latest album: direct, minimalist and all importantly, human. Thom Yorke's description of a night out with his mixture of conversational and characteristic wailing complement the highly synthesized and jangly Smith's like guitar lines. The snappy drum beat and subdued bass make for their most poppy track since 'High and Dry'. But don't let the straightforwardness of the track deceive you; it's a highly clever and engaging song, one which fits perfectly onto their new clever and highly engaging album.
Gurmeet Bassi
Take a mellow dramatic band name and couple it with a track name of an angst filled sigh and then you have the basis for most pop punk bands. The problem with a song like this is that it's not bad or unappealling track. The problem rests with the fact that th market is flooded with these general three chord verses and sing-along choruses. Theres nothing here that is all that interesting, just another catchy up beat song that will tap your toes until you move onto the next single.
Albert Testani
The premise: a concept album about Lazarus being raised from the dead – albeit in New York City, in the 70’s, and rechristened Larry. As if that weren’t conceptual enough, it is also Cave’s attempt to second-guess what Harry Houdini would say from beyond the grave if given a chance. Over a relentless punky guitar riff reminiscent of The Clash are Cave’s semi-spoken-word vocals, delivered with trademark snarling impudence. Focusing on a bewildered zombie-Larry who finds himself a destitute and neurotic dope-fiend, Cave sings that ‘he never asked to be raised up from the tomb,’ giving the old story an uncanny new twist. After the experience with Grinderman (of ‘No Pussy Blues’ fame), the Bad Seeds have discovered a newfound joy for loud, shameless, and somewhat demented rock. The album Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! is out on March 3rd.
Kathryn Bromwich
Taking the theme of unrequited love, Robyn somehow turns melancholia into an upbeat pop extravaganza only just substandard to the club sensation “With Every Heartbeat”. The Swedish superstar manages to combine slightly emo lyrics with fast paced strings to produce a track that a back-in-the-day Madonna would’ve been proud of. With a heart-wrenching spoken interlude, Robyn will have you wiping a pesky tear from your eye as you bop along to her beats on Toff’s dance-floor. Nothing to write home about but adequately poppy enough to get your foot tapping while you reach for that much needed hankie.
Kirsty Denison
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