‘Ants From Up There’ Sees Black Country, New Road Thrillingly Solidify Their Unique Vision
The bold sophomore album from the London experimentalists is a singular work rife with ambitious songwriting and sincere, sharply-observed emotions.
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Bonobo Lapses Into Watered-Down Chillout Music on ‘Fragments’
Bonobo’s Fragments represents a rare step back from one of the 21st century’s leading electronic luminaries. It doesn’t bring enough new ideas.
Anz’s ‘All Hours’ Embraces Pop Without Losing Her Sonic Range
Anz’s All Hours is one of the most exciting debuts of the year from one of the most thrilling new voices in club music. It’s music for the all-nighters.
Park Hye Jin Is an Electronic Anti-hero on Effortless ‘Before I Die’
Before I Die has a fashionably unfinished quality, something that works in electronic producer Park Hye Jin’s favor. Park makes for an ideal musical antihero.
Jordan Rakei’s Thrilling ‘What We Call Life’ Is Destined to Be a Classic
Jordan Rakei has a gorgeous voice that’s soulful and thrilling, and his latest album What We Call Life is easily one of the best of the year.
The Bug’s ‘Fire’ Is an Incendiary Reflection of a World Ablaze
Legendary bass-worshipper, the Bug crafts 14 earth-shaking tracks reflecting the volatility of our current socio-political landscape for his latest album, Fire.
Hiatus Kaiyote’s ‘Mood Valiant’ Is a Rich and Vibrant Return
Following six turbulent years, Australia’s Hiatus Kaiyote return with their third LP of neo-soul virtuosity, Mood Valiant. It’s effortlessly likable and rich with heart and soul.
Elkka Produces ‘Euphoric Melodies’ on Her New EP
Elkka’s Euphoric Melodies is full of pulse-quickening beats and dizzying synths imbued with a sense of inclusivity for life-affirming moments on the dancefloor.
Leon Vynehall’s ‘Rare, Forever’ Is Daring But Overstuffed
Rare, Forever may be Leon Vynehall’s most daring work, but unfortunately, the result is just too cluttered to achieve any sense of artistic transcendence.
‘Rare, Forever’ Synthesizes Leon Vynehall’s Instincts Into a Unique Vision
Rare, Forever synthesizes Leon Vynehall’s musical instincts into one unique vision. Both beguiling abstract and instantly gratifying it’s as dizzyingly immersive as Nothing Is Still.
Black Country, New Road’s Debut Sets a New Benchmark for Experimental Rock
Black Country, New Road show us what a "rock band" or "rock outfit" can achieve on For the First Time. For those bands labeled as experimental, we now have an expectation and a new benchmark.