Reviews
‘Fire It Up’- Metagirl & The Earth Passengers, sparking momentum with a ska groove
There’s a particular kind of optimism that only great music seems capable of delivering. It’s that stubborn belief that movement itself can become a form of resistance, and that spirit sits at the centre of Metagirl & the Earth Passengers’ new single ‘Fire It Up’, a track that refuses to surrender to cynicism even while acknowledging how easy […]
‘Revolution’- Ana April, finding defiance through thoughtful prose
The title of Ana April’s latest single might suggest raised fists and sweeping declarations, but ‘Revolution’ operates in a far more interesting space than that. Throughout her newest release, the Swiss artist turns her attention inward, exploring the quieter transformations that begin in thought long before they ever reach the world around us. It’s an approach that suits the […]
‘Dive Away’- The Nagual Effect, stepping outside the clock
There is an appealing contradiction at the heart of The Nagual Effect’s new single ‘Dive Away’. It’s a song about escape, but not disappearance; about retreating from the noise long enough to recover a clearer sense of what matters. And in that respect, the track feels more like a quiet act of resistance against its constant demands […]
‘Kill Room’- Pray Silence, showing their grit with sheer ferocity
There is very little hesitation in Pray Silence’s second single. From the outset, ‘Kill Room’ feels like the sound of a band arriving with intent, taking the foundations established on debut track ‘Dragon of Chaos’ and pushing them into something heavier, sharper and more assured. Formed around Edinburgh musicians Marky Wildtype and Sam Siggs, Pray Silence draw from alt-rock, post-hardcore and the more muscular […]
‘OMG’- James Bruner, bottling the rush of instant attraction
There is something inherently cinematic about the moment a stranger catches your attention and, for a few seconds, the rest of the world seems to fall away. On his new single ‘OMG’, Illinois-born, Nashville-based alt-rock artist James Bruner takes that fleeting spark and turns it into a bright, infectious piece of pop-rock that feels immediate, playful and full […]
‘The Vault 3’- C’batch, opening the archives and finding the future
There is a particular kind of confidence required to pull together decades of ideas, unfinished sketches and overlooked recordings and turn them into something that feels alive in the present moment. But with ‘The Vault 3’, New York composer and producer C’batch manages exactly that by assembling a collection that feels like a celebration of dance music’s ability […]
‘Eroded Reef’- Eternal Mourning, sharpening an emotional pull
There is always a risk in revisiting a song too soon. Strip too much away and its character disappears; leave too much untouched and the exercise can feel unnecessary. But on their new offering ‘Eroded Reef’, Montreal outfit Eternal Mourning avoid both problems, reshaping one of the more affecting moments from ‘What I Saw Is History’ into a tighter […]
‘Time Waits For No One’- Sara Gerdine, finding grace in life’s passing moments
There is a quiet assurance to Sara Gerdine’s new single ‘Time Waits For No One’ that suits its subject perfectly. Instead of simply turning the passage of time into something heavy-handed or sentimental, the Irish singer-songwriter approaches it with warmth, perspective and a clear-eyed understanding that life is always moving, whether we are ready for it or […]
‘Alchemist’- Rusty Reid, a cinematic celebration of songcraft
There is something quietly magical about discovering a song that feels as though it has always existed, waiting patiently for the right person to uncover it. And on his latest single ‘Alchemist’, Rusty Reid does exactly that, taking an already beautifully written piece and transforming it into something expansive, atmospheric and entirely his own. Originally […]
