Reviews
‘Goodbye’- Andrew Cushin, striking gold with a powerful anthem
Over these last few years, Andrew Cushin has steadily transformed from one of the North East’s most promising young songwriters into a genuine force within modern British guitar music. Following in the footsteps of artists like Sam Fender and Jake Bugg, he has built his reputation through songs that speak directly to everyday experiences. And […]
‘Hollyhocks’- Henry Nielsen, painting beautiful portraits of life’s quiet outsiders
Over these last few years, it feels as though the resurgence of folk-inspired songwriting has often leaned heavily on nostalgia. Plenty of artists have borrowed the aesthetics of the seventies, but few have managed to capture the emotional honesty that made those records so enduring in the first place. But on his new LP ‘Hollyhocks’, Henry […]
‘Original Grace’- PRTLND, turning self-doubt into momentum
The most compelling songs about change rarely concern themselves with grand revolutions. More often, they focus on the quieter moments; the hesitation before a difficult decision, the uncomfortable recognition that something must give, or the slow realisation that the obstacles in front of us are not always external. And on his new single ‘Original Grace’, PRTLND […]
‘Since Emilia’- YACOVELLI, blending grunge weight and downtown swagger
There is a deliberate sense of tension running through YACOVELLI’s new single ‘Since Emilia’. Drawing from alternative rock’s heavier traditions while retaining the grit and unpredictability of the city’s underground scene, the track continues the band’s exploration of a sound that sits somewhere between classic grunge, garage-rock and modern alternative music. Led by songwriter, producer and […]
‘Desert Island Daydream’- Stomp Box Choir, finding strength and escape
Stomp Box Choir’s ‘Desert Island Daydream’ arrives with a quiet sense of confidence. Rather than leaning into the more dramatic tendencies often associated with electronic music, the track allows its melodies, textures and rhythms to settle naturally, resulting in a thoughtful piece of dream-pop-infused songwriting that feels both relaxed and carefully constructed. The project, led by long-time […]
‘What I Didn’t Know Then’- Heidi Boualili, reflecting on growth and perspective
There is a quiet confidence running through Heidi Boualili’s debut album ‘What I Didn’t Know Then’. Rather than presenting itself as a grand statement, the record unfolds as a thoughtful examination of identity, resilience, and personal growth, documenting the distance between who we once were and who we eventually become. For Boualili, whose journey into music […]
‘Somewhere Between Leaving’- Citizen Smith, capturing life’s quiet heartbreaks
There’s a warmth running through Citizen Smith’s ‘Somewhere Between Leaving’ that feels increasingly rare in modern guitar music. It’s the sound of musicians trusting instinct over perfection and emotion over presentation. The Norwich four-piece approach this record like old friends telling stories long after midnight, letting memories blur around the edges without losing their emotional clarity. Across thirteen […]
‘Deadbeats Never Die’- Mike Lotito, confronting addiction’s cruel double standards
There’s no attempt to soften the edges of Mike Lotito’s ‘Deadbeats Never Die’. Here, the Austin-based artist approaches addiction, shame and grief with a level of emotional directness that feels almost confrontational, refusing easy catharsis in favour of something far more complicated. Structured like a collapsing emotional landscape, the track unfolds across three distinct movements, each […]
‘War Killer’- Reetoxa, turning lockdown anxiety into a blunt punk statement
There’s a ragged, combustible energy running through Reetoxa’s ‘War Killer’ that feels refreshingly unconcerned with polish or diplomacy. Led by former Royal Australian Navy sailor Jason Mckee, the Melbourne project arrives with the kind of raw conviction that recalls the political punk records born from confusion, frustration, and genuine disbelief. Built around driving guitars, forceful rhythms […]
