The Charlatans’ ‘Some Friendly’ Is Surprisingly Important
The Charlatans’ subsequent career has, in hindsight, rendered Some Friendly more valuable than most anyone expected. It’s one of their most important.
britpop
Marc Valentine Goes Full Britpop with Muscular Confidence
Marc Valentine creates an ebullient and concise album. The buzzsaw hooks hit their intended goals; the vocal leaps are concrete and aspirational.
The Stone Roses, Experience and Memory
The Stone Roses’ songs remain capable of summoning emotions of extraordinary power. You can dance all night, hold the future in your arms, and drink from the well of youth.
Bloody Knees Shapeshift on ‘What Else’
Bloody Knees were national stars. By 2019, they had disappeared. What Else was recorded in 2020: is it a time capsule of a brief moment or did Bloody Knees form their own timeless path?
Circa Waves Have Made One of 2025’s Best Pop Albums
Circa Waves’ Death & Love Pt. 1 has doubled the size of their January album, and it’s still one of the best pop records you’ll likely hear this year.
The Royston Club Present Big Guitars and Big Emotions
Everything about the Royston Club’s new LP is big, and some of it is even huge. Big crunchy guitars, catchy choruses, emotional lyrics, and powerful singing
The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon Brings His Baroque Fashion to the Conversation
With the release of Rainy Sunday Afternoon, The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon discusses his music and deceptive personas – his and others’.
Pulp Re-emerge with the Disappointing ‘More’
What Pulp haven’t lost is their innate Englishness: ballads recall grocery shops, summer festivals, and farmers’ markets, but the results are disappointing.
Sports Team Contemplate Maturity and Obsolescence
Sports Team are smart band incorporating bits and pieces of past music they love into their own modern sound and dryly funny lyrical point of view.
When Britpop and Radiohead’s ‘The Bends’ Battled for Britain’s Soul
Thirty years ago, Britpop celebrated England’s past, while Radiohead’s The Bends pointed to guitar rock’s future with a unique vision.
The Lathums Create Delightful British Rock on New LP
The Lathums have fulfilled the promise of “Crying Out” with a series of singles and two hit albums. Now, they have released a hard-hitting third album.
The Wombats’ Pair Less Polish With More Self Loathing
The Wombats’ Oh! The Ocean struggles with authenticity, balancing earnestness and self-critique, yet hints at untapped artistic potential.