Lisa Wright
At 19 tracks and with the prerogative of recording a demo and then “just leaving them like that,” there’s an innate quality control filter missing here.
2y
On ‘Driving Just to Drive’ - the prolific musician’s fourth in five years - this core appeal remains, however there’s a warm domesticity to many of these tracks that’s smaller and softer than the apocalyptic balladry that first made his name.
3y
As a piece, it’s adventurous and pleasingly unbothered with a musical landscape that prioritises singles and hooks and succinctness. As a listen, it doesn’t always completely land, but when it does it’s truly exciting. As an artist, ‘Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd’ shows Lana Del Rey pushing herself perhaps more than ever.
3y
For her fifth album, Caroline Rose is looking inwards, trying to pick up the pieces.
3y
slowthai’s newest is the work of an artist clearly more excited than ever about what he himself can do now he’s booted his own doors wide open. ‘UGLY’ is a beautiful thing to behold.
3y
One of Gorillaz’s most restrained, contemplative releases yet.
3y
Gaz’s fourth creates a nocturnal palette that’s familiar yet sonically adventurous.
3y
By embracing all sides of his 50 years in the game, ‘Every Loser’ is Iggy throwing out the late-career rulebook and having a whole bunch of fun.
3y
Primarily, ‘And In The Darkness, Hearts Aglow’ is just a universe of its own – peppered with the sounds of days gone by, interspersed with the moods of a generation, but packaging them all up into something to sink into, to find respite in no matter what calendar year or crisis you might find yourself. It’s a true gem.
3y
There is, from ‘Endure’’s title onwards, a tangible sense of frustration and anger, that these songs are less a cathartic endeavour and more a full on exorcism.
3y
Throughout, Lowertown are overflowing with ideas and the technical knowhow to teeter frequently on the edge of chaos whilst always staying in control; ‘I Love To Lie’ deserves its space among 2022’s most interesting debuts.
3y
Its wares pick up where its predecessor left off but without adding too much extra to the mix.
3y
Lizzo has created something often softer and more intimate than anyone might have expected. Of course, as the disco strut of lead single ‘About Damn Time’ will attest, there are still cheeky bangers contained within.
3y
The more icy edges are rounded off in favour of softness and a nurturing sense of femininity.
4y
On ‘Chloë and the Next 20th Century’, Father John Misty is transporting himself to a different world; it sounds pretty damn sweet over there.
4y
It amps up the winking, cheeky side of country while also showing CMAT to be an artist not beholden to it.
4y
Not just a triumph in progressing a signature sound into new territories, but a lesson in how to own your reality with confidence and class.
4y
There’s a quietly unflappable confidence here that feels genuinely fresh - and racy as hell.
5y
Your granny might be shocked and appalled by ‘COBRAH’, but those of a broader mindset will have a ball.
5y
A release that embraces the gravitas and legacy of Tom’s life and attempts to tie up the loose ends.
5y
The confidence feels diminished, the rich production of its predecessor replaced by something thinner, sadder.
5y
In other hands, these tracks would almost certainly veer into the saccharine, but helmed by pop’s most lovable stalwart, you can’t help but crack a smile.
5y