a music blog
Big Thief have wasted no time in following up their debut album Masterpiece, which was released last year. Their new album Capacity feels like an inward retreat, a record of introspection both lyrically and musically. Continue reading “Album Review: Big Thief – Capacity”
On Marika Hackman’s new album she reveals herself and her troubled relationship so vividly it’s almost uncomfortable at times. Much has been said of her new ‘musical direction’ but in reality ‘I’m Not Your Man‘ is just the sound of an artist finding new strength and confidence to keep walking her own path. Continue reading “Album Review: Marika Hackman – I’m Not Your Man”
The longlist for the prestigious Scottish Album of the Year award was announced last week in Glasgow. The last two winners were both female: Kathryn Joseph for her stunning album Bones You Have Thrown Me And Blood I’ve Spilled in 2015 and last year Anna Meredith won for her experimental opus Varmints. This year there is an interesting mix of albums nominated for the award (the full list can be found here) and so I thought I’d share some thoughts on the long listed albums which are by female artists. Continue reading “Thoughts on the Scottish Album of the Year Longlist”
Elizabeth Powell, the main singer songwriter of Land of Talk, spent the last few years away from the music scene, a break that was partly forced by unfortunate personal circumstances. The title Life After Youth suggests a lost innocence but on this album the music has a power which proves these life experiences have given her creativity renewed purpose. Continue reading “Album Review: Land of Talk – Life After Youth”
On the cover of her new album Double Roses, Karen Elson is in the sea, her face only partly visible above the water. Yet her straight eye stare suggests she’s comfortable there, submerged slightly but ready to emerge as a musician once again. She’s waving, not drowning. Continue reading “Album Review: Karen Elson – Double Roses”
Girlpool have always sung each song together, generating strength through their combined voices. Powerplant adds drums and grungier guitars to their lo-fi songs, successfully growing their sound and vision. Continue reading “Album Review: Girlpool – Powerplant”
To be in harmony means more than just creating a pleasing sound and on The Wild Reeds’ new album The World We Built three parallel voices combine together to create a distinct instrument all of its own.
Continue reading “Album Review – The Wild Reeds – The World We Built”
Semper Femina by Laura Marling explores female relationships and turns this theme inwards to contemplate her own identity in this sparse and beautiful collection of songs.
Continue reading “Album Review: Laura Marling – Semper Femina”
Across history people have been drawn to the city – for work mainly but also for the possibilities to be found socially and creatively. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. But walk down a side street, go off the grid and you will find people who the city has left behind. The darker side of the metropolis is explored by Alynda Segarra in Hurray For The Riff Raff’s stunning concept album The Navigator. Continue reading “Album Review: Hurray for The Riff Raff – The Navigator”
Highway Queens 