Reviews
May 2026
1st May
Album review
3-5 Stars
American Football - LP4
Bigger, grander and more expansive than previous turns.
Album Review
4-5 Stars
Baby Dave - billy
A record that highlights both an enviable lyrical wit, and a canny knack for pop hooks.
Album Review
4 Stars
Lip Critic - Theft World
The four-piece throw everything at the wall, with basically all of it sticking.
Album Review
3-5 Stars
Modern Woman - Johnny’s Dreamworld
Sounds like an artist with multiple releases in their rear-view mirror.
Album Review
4 Stars
The Black Keys - Peaches!
A recapturing of sorts of their early energy.
6th May
EP Review
4 Stars
Villanelle - Measly Means
A showcase of an exciting new rock band.
8th May
Album Review
4 Stars
Aldous Harding - Train On The Island
A beautiful album that offers out tantalising strands begging to be put together.
Album Review
4 Stars
Basement - WIRED
A record that welcomes innovation and change.
Album Review
4 Stars
Cola - Cost Of Living Adjustment
The lushest, most fleshed-out Cola record so far.
Album Review
3-5 Stars
Deb Never - Arcade
Across 12 tracks drawn from a similar palette, the record occasionally dissolves into a dream-like haze.
Album Review
4 Stars
Lykke Li - The Afterparty
Just like a big night out, or indeed its afters, the record is dizzying but flies by too fast and leaves you wanting just a tiny bit more to savour.
Album Review
4 Stars
MUNA - Dancing On The Wall
In equal parts as celebratory, uplifting and outright horny as they are aware and angry.
Album Review
4 Stars
The Lemon Twigs - Look For Your Mind!
Whatever your view on their schtick, the songs will win you over in the end.
15th May
Album Review
4-5 Stars
Dua Saleh - Of Earth & Wires
An experimental but somehow ecclesiastical declaration of hope against the odds.
Album Review
4-5 Stars
Genesis Owusu - REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE
A record that pounds with an undeniable sense of urgency and energy.
Album Review
4 Stars
Kevin Morby - Little Wide Open
The record’s strength lies in Kevin’s knack for turning simplicity into poignancy.
Album Review
4 Stars
Rostam - American Stories
A record of reflection and connection that ranks among the more beautiful-sounding you might hear this year.
Album Review
2-5 Stars
Towa Bird - Gentleman
Almost aggressive in its pursuit of radio friendliness.
22nd May
Album review
4 Stars
Bleachers - everyone for ten minutes
A display of the magic that can happen when people come together to write songs.
Album Review
3-5 Stars
Ecca Vandal - Looking For People To Unfollow
A varied collection that exhibits Ecca Vandal as a truly exciting rock act.
Album Review
3-5 Stars
Maisie Peters - Florescence
Messy at times, impeccably self-aware, and charged with the burning desire for the stability and peace of mind that comes with growing up.
Album Review
4-5 Stars
Marmozets - CO.WAR.DICE
A ferocious return to the forefront.
27th May
EP Review
4 Stars
KuleeAngee - Love and Affection
An unpretentious, undeniable collection.
29th May
Album Review
4-5 Stars
Francis of Delirium - Run, Run Pure Beauty
A brilliant reminder that music can be the best tonic for dark times.
Album Review
4 Stars
Iceage - For Love Of Grace & The Hereafter
Intent, purpose, and a play to make things bigger.
Album review
4 Stars
Kurt Vile - Philadelphia's been good to me
A love letter to his hometown that both aches with nostalgia and swells with affection.
Album Review
4 Stars
Paul McCartney - The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
A definitive late-career high point.
Album Review
4 Stars
Static Dress - Injury Episode
A band with not just grand ambition and ideas, but a passion for the genre.
Album Review
4-5 Stars
Violet Grohl - Be Sweet To Me
A debut of truly impressive proportions.
