Middle England Woes and Glistening Guitars Collide on Sam Fender’s ‘Seventeen Going Under’
Sam Fender gives a stirring tour through the poverty and politics of middle England on his polished new album, Seventeen Going Under.
music review
Parquet Courts Chase a Hypnotic High on ‘Sympathy for Life’
Parquet Courts branch out into dance-rock and Madchester textures inspired by the rave’s communal, ecstatic atmosphere on their latest Sympathy for Life.
Paul Weller’s ‘Days of Speed’ Gets a Long-Awaited Vinyl Reissue
The vinyl reissue of Paul Weller’s Days of Speed is an inspired release, as it shows a vital new phase of his career with a live set that’s a sheer pleasure to rediscover.
aespa Straddle Realities on Debut EP ‘Savage’
As a nod to their AI-inspired concept, K-pop group aespa make electronic music that challenges the limits of genres and song structures in debut EP, Savage.
Elton John Unlocks His ‘Lockdown Sessions’
Elton John brings a wildly eclectic set of collaborators together for The Lockdown Sessions. It’s pure 21st-century pop, spiked with John’s vocals and piano.
Adeline Hotel’s ‘The Cherries Are Speaking’ Is a Quiet, Ambitious Baroque-Pop Gem
The Cherries Are Speaking, the sixth album from Dan Knishkowy’s unique indie-rock project Adeline Hotel is an indescribably beautiful, elegant effort.
Boy Scouts Amble Through Warming West Coast Folk-Pop on ‘Wayfinder’
The latest album from Taylor Vick’s Boy Scouts project, Wayfinder hikes through familiar terrain, but her floaty folk-pop arrangements still resonate.
‘Lindsey Buckingham’ Sounds Like Lindsey Buckingham
On his first solo album in a decade, former Fleetwood Mac maestro Lindsey Buckingham reasserts his considerable talents and charms.
Coldplay Don’t Reach the Heart on Ambitious ‘Music of the Spheres’
Coldplay’s ninth studio album Music of the Spheres desperately wants to inspire its listeners, but the songwriting and sound fall flat.
Pepe Deluxé Are in Exquisitely Eccentric Form on ‘Phantom Cabinet Vol. 1’
When you open Pepe Deluxé’s Phantom Cabinet, you have to jump in with both feet. Even setting wacky instrument antics aside, it’s a musical baptism worth total immersion.
Jessica Pavone’s ‘Lull’ Is a Four-Movement Composition of Emotion and Depth
Backed by an eclectic group of musicians, the latest work from violist/composer Jessica Pavone is centered on intuition and instinct.