You think you know what you are going to get with these Malian desert blues-rockers. On their eighth studio album it seems like not much has changed for the band, their fusion of meditative, groove-laden, indigenous, North African, and western sounds, adding up to what is loosely called 'desert…
One thing I adore about writing reviews is that every now and again you come across a band who you just ‘get’, my newest discovery in this respect? The Hundredth Anniversary. The local Brighton three-piece specialise in bringing some incredibly soothing sounds which are more than sure to…
Elbow's seventh album has arrived and, despite losing their drummer, it appears to be business as usual. It's an album of slow-burners which fits snugly into a slow-burning career. Elbow are one of those parts of the British music scene that you know will be reliably plugging…
Gabriel Garzón-Montano has long been a big talent bubbling behind the scenes, embracing what had come up before him and not rushing to release his debut LP, even with the ever rising anticipation surrounding him. Following on from his spectacular debut EP Bishoune?: Alma del Huila in 2014, Lenny…
Montreal based slacker rocker and ally of Mac DeMarco, Homeshake is back with his third release Fresh Air and all is not as lighthearted as it seems. Fresh Air is a funky but thoughtful progression from his last release with comments on technology and love sewn into R’n’B…
With this album comes a collective sigh of ‘finally’ – but when you hear it you understand that it comes not a moment too soon, nor too late. In the three and a half years since his last EP, Sampha Sisay has matured as an artist, learning lessons from…
The Yin and Yang of Moon Duo’s dual-pronged attack on 2017 arrives firstly in the form of Occult Architecture Vol.1, the follow-up to 2015’s Shadow of the Sun. Supposedly representing the Yin in which the Chinese translation equates to ‘the shady side of the hill’, Vol.1 embodies the…
Watching the Icelandic band Fufanu was perhaps the highlight of my Great Escape last year. That three-day new music extravaganza is ostensibly a showcase for both new music fans and industry types, and by and large you get bands going that extra yard, with the thought of deals…
Sussex-born and raised, Rory Graham is suddenly making a big splash. It’s been predicted by many, but time was seemingly running out for him. This veritable bear of a man, possessor of some fine tats (he has FUNK and SOUL on his fingers), a heavyweight wrestler’s bulk, and a…
Big Balloon thumps and thuds, flexes and stretches. Dutch Uncles have clearly made a conscious effort to produce a hard hitting guitar record that packs a punch and boasts a singular identity. Whilst there are many great moments, Big Balloon ultimately lacks the charm and imagination of previous releases.