Reviewing ‘We Are All Going To Hell‘ has proven to be one of the most difficult reviews I’ve conducted here in quite some time, for one very simple fact: there is absolutely nothing like this out there.

Manchester-based outfit Lure In have been hard at work cultivating quite a bit of attention over recent years. With a solid discography of metalcore and hardcore adjacent heaviness, and live shows that should come with a warning label for their ruthlessness, it was expected ... read more

Back in 2020, Irish post-punk outfit Fontaines D.C. broke through into mainstream consciousness with their sophomore effort, ‘A Hero’s Death’. Lauded by fans and critics alike, it was an album that propelled the underground stars into the upper echelons of the indie realms. A landmark album in many regards.

And I really, really… did not like that album.

Whilst many commended innumerable aspects of ‘A Hero’s Death’, I found it to be a dull, dreary, ... read more

Born from the ashes of post-hardcore outfit Coast To Coast, the artistic turn for these musicians towards laidback and catchy indie was wholly unexpected. Yet across their career as Cartoonhead, this four-piece have remained an understated highlight of the indie scene, providing decently catchy tunes worthy of a listen when you get chance. That cannot be said about their latest EP, ‘Moving to the Same Groove’.

Cartoonhead have always been a fun band to listen to, but the evolution ... read more

‘The only holy book/Is the one inside your heart/And on every page/Your love has made a work of art‘.

Over and over again, I’ve written and rewritten this introduction. I could tell you about how State Faults have been a Californian staple of the screamo scene throughout the 10’s. I could tell you about the band not only have reformed, but fought through the pandemic and financial hardship. I could tell you that it’s their first album in five years.

However, I ... read more

Based out of Ontario, Canada, Deer Fang describe themselves as a ‘modern version of all that is nostalgic and familiar’, and with such a succinct and perfectly written description of their sound already existing, perhaps there is little use of me writing this review.

But the music is good enough that I’ll do it anyway.

After a string of singles, the band have brought all of their released material together with one final track under the banner of their debut EP, ... read more

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

In 2021, I gave 'Knees' a listen, didn't really get it, and never bothered to check out this record. The mistake here was that this is not a singles record in the slightest; every part of 'By The Time I Get To Phoenix' exists within the context of every other part, and must be appreciated as a full listening experience.

It is a wildly disconcerting and uncomfortable affair that pushes the boundaries of what can even be construed as experimental ... read more

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

A drastic improvement on their debut EP, 'Two' shows the outfit taking those rough ideas they originally established, and fleshing them out into something that feels dramatically more expansive, engaging, and atmospheric. Vessel's vocals sound rich and resonant, whilst still retaining that falsetto that featured far more heavily on their early material. The lyricism also sees a great amount of improvement; not quite at the perfect level of mysterious yet ... read more

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

It is clear even in this rough, raw state that Sleep Token we’re always destined to be something special. Ritualistic ambience colliding with allusions of RnB rhythms and djent breakdowns culminate in an experience that is truly something that can only be described as ‘Sleep Token’. The song structures are a little clumsy, the lyricism a little too repetitive and abstract, and the production is a little flat, but it still remains a solid debut effort from ... read more

Based out of Norfolk, A Light Between Oceans are a band with a clear vision and direction; to bring back those iconic
sounds of 00’s post-hardcore, and polish them up for a modern audience. Their debut self-titled EP released back in 2022, and the band have returned once more this year with their second EP, ‘What Happens Next?‘, which sees them doubling down on their creative mantra in all the right ways.

A modern myth that seems to be gaining increasing traction
is that ... read more

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

I’ve always been more of a fan of Linkin Park’s mid career output than their earlier material, and that is no different even in the case of their legendary debut. ‘Hybrid Theory’ has always felt a little too edgy and one-note for my tastes, and whilst Bennington’s performances are viscerally emotive, the instrumentals now sadly feel dated. A product of its time.

…I feel I should be issuing an apology now.

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

Despite being grounded in the standard rock formula of guitars, bass, and drums, there’s a real cinematic nature in this record that you may expect from the likes of Manchester Orchestra. It’s nothing life-changing, but it does provide some wonderfully wistful emo-fuelled anthems for those grey rainy days.

Are Imagine Dragons really that bad?

Anybody who frequents any amount of music critique publications will probably know that the pop-rock giants are one of the most loathed outfits around. It’s almost as prevalent as the Nickleback hatred; the band are dunked on relentlessly by both professional authors and rookie writers alike for their overproduced, lowest common denominator sound.

But take a look at where the band started, and those criticisms feel more than a little mean-spirited. ... read more

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

As a collection of singles? This is pretty decent, with huge pop-rock bangers such as ‘Novocaine’ and ‘Favourite Record’. Even tracks such as ‘Centuries’ and ‘Irresistible’, as egregious as they are, have a bold, stadium-sized appeal.

As an album however, this project is less than the sum of its parts. A fun but predictable, edge-less, and unremarkable attempt at trying to modernise.

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

I’ve always had a soft-spot for this album. It’s not the most creative or ambitious listen, but it provides plenty of indie pop bangers that would form the template of what would dominate the early 2010’s. There’s an earnest charisma that is hard to find fault in, even if the songwriting sometimes borders on cringeworthy.

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

A record packed with inventive ideas and superb performances, but it is just lacking the cohesiveness and momentum to keep up with those those big ambitions and make it truly stand out. With a bit more polish and refinement, there could be a truly special progressive post-hardcore outfit here.

QUICKFIRE REVIEW

Acclaimed upon release, and perhaps even more acclaimed now. The simple pop-punk veneer hides a complex, nuanced, and powerful album on finding yourself when the whole world seems uncertain. The context behind this record, with Williams’ battles with her mental health and the acrimonious split with Davies, only makes it more fascinating. A bit too drawn out in places, but the ambition shines through.

Are they an industry plant, or are they just a female musician you don’t know? A question for the ages!

Similar to The Last Dinner Party and Wet Leg, Picture Parlour burst onto the scene with a phenomenal debut single after years of hard work, drawing the ire of blokes up and down the nation. Surely, there had to be someone pulling the strings for this band! No one could just rock up to support a Bruce Springsteen gig with no releases!

Alas, the truth was far more mundane than any grand ... read more

If I had a penny for every time this week a rap trio from a Celtic country released a follow-up record, after last releasing an LP before 2020, I’d have two pennies, which isn’t many, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.

Whilst the Emerald Isle unleashed KNEECAP onto the UK charts this week, Scotland have sent their finest rap rock act in the form of The LaFontaines. Originally a five-piece, the band have shrunk down to a tightly knit three-piece that have recently ... read more

They might be based out of Belfast, but KNEECAP aren’t a ‘North Irish’ band, and they certainly aren’t a UK band. The Gaelic speaking trio have been a thorn in the side of many a unionist politician, and have drawn the ire of Westminster for their outspoken criticism of England’s colonialist nature. Through their abrasive music and energetic performances, the band have cultivated not just a cult following, but a new discussion on a future for a united Ireland.

It ... read more

Based out of Long Island, MooseCreek Park are one of many bands that formed from the initial boredom and spare time of the COVID lockdowns. With plenty of time to hone their skills, the band found local popularity from both their live shows and their ‘Grumin’ demo. Last year, this was followed up by their debut record, ‘Hope This Clears Things Up’.

Not long after release, the band returned to the studio to record a further handful of tracks which would become this ... read more