Hater’s ‘Sincere’: The Scandinavian Hits Keep Coming
Hater’s Sincere provides yet more evidence that Scandinavia is home to some of the most satisfying and worthwhile music in today’s indie-rock world.
fire records
Pictish Trail’s ‘Island Family’ Immersive Encounter With Place and Time
Born of quarantine isolation, Pictish Trail’s Island Family explores connections to place and time. Its creativity offers a challenging authenticity.
The Lemonheads’ ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’ Is Worth a Revisit on Its 30th-Anniversary Reissue
The deluxe version of the Lemonheads’ pop-rock classic It’s a Shame About Ray includes demos, B-sides, and covers for its 30th anniversary.
‘Dr. Cholmondley Repents’ Collects the Jazz Butcher’s Odds and Sods
Have mercy! This sprawling, four-disc roundup Dr. Cholmondley Repents is a fine entry point to the wonderful world of British indie legends, the Jazz Butcher.
On ‘Gratitude’ Abiodun Oyewole Weaves a Sacred Journey in Verse
A founding member of the influential Last Poets, Abiodun Oyewole gives voice to wisdom on life and sacred quests on his new solo album, Gratitude.
The Chills Find Energy and Focus on ‘Scatterbrain’
Philosophical lyrics, earworms, and sonic creativity combine on the Chills’ engaging new album Scatterbrain. Thoughts of our eventual end permeate the album.
Jane Weaver’s ‘ Flock’ Is a Virtuosic Tour de Force
Jane Weaver’s ‘Flock’ is perfectly complete, hermetically sealed while suggesting any number of influences and reference points that never usurp the originality of the songs themselves.
Tobin Sprout Goes Americana on ‘Empty Horses’
During the heyday of Guided By Voices, Tobin Sprout wasn't afraid to be absurd amongst all that fuzz. Sprout's new album, Empty Horses, is not the Tobin Sprout we know.
From Argentina, Las Kellies Invite You to ‘Suck This Tangerine’
Argentinian post-punkers Las Kellies channel a legendary Athens, Georgia band, but this Suck This Tangerine is no paint-by-numbers affair.
Maria McKee Puts Down Her Electric Guitar and Picks up Dante on ‘La Vita Nuova’
"Show Me Heaven" was another country. Maria McKee has moved to England, immersed herself in the Classics and turned away from the 21st century.
Islet Strike a Balance on ‘Eyelet’
Welsh trio Islet's third album Eyelet is, for the most part, an engaging and contemplative journey through ethereal psychedelic pop.