Stormzy, Ashnikko and a surprise Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes shine as Reading returns
Declan McKenna, Sports Team and AJ Tracey also impress on the festival’s first day.
28th August 2021
Reviews
Chvrches - Screen Violence
5 Stars
Their most euphoric rallying cry to date.
26th August 2021
Turnstile - Glow On
4 Stars
It shows off just how innovative hardcore could become.
26th August 2021
Superstate - Superstate
4 Stars
Graham Coxon’s naturally antsy pen lends just the right amount of discomfort to the atmosphere.
26th August 2021
Indigo De Souza - Any Shape You Take
4 Stars
Simultaneously euphoric and angsty.
26th August 2021
Big Red Machine - How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last?
3-5 Stars
There’s a terrific bounty to be enjoyed in the centre of the Vernon-Dessner Venn diagram.
26th August 2021
Chubby And The Gang - The Mutt’s Nuts
3-5 Stars
As could probably be extrapolated from the record’s title alone, one thing ‘The Mutt’s Nuts’ does well is evoke an approximation of ‘70s pub rock.
26th August 2021
Maisie Peters - You Signed Up For This
3-5 Stars
Big emotions, small glances, everything feeling life-defining.
26th August 2021
The Bronx - Bronx VI
3-5 Stars
Long-time followers will not be disappointed, but new converts are likely to be few in number.
26th August 2021
Lorde - Solar Power
3-5 Stars
A heady trip that prances around greatness but settles for pretty good.
24th August 2021
Holly Humberstone lives up to the hype (and then some) with a run of sold-out shows at Omeara
Her star potential is blazing brighter than ever.
23rd August 2021
Villagers - Fever Dreams
4 Stars
A thrilling and unpredictable addition to Villagers’ gleaming canon.
19th August 2021
Bnny - Everything
4 Stars
It operates from within the particular fog of grief: fragile, tactile, tender.
19th August 2021
Deafheaven - Infinite Granite
4 Stars
A record to get lost in.
19th August 2021
Angel Olsen - Aisles
4 Stars
For an artist usually so meticulous with her vision, that these are able to sound so airy, almost frivolous makes this curio of an EP all the more engaging.
19th August 2021
Tropical Fuck Storm - Deep States
3 Stars
A difficult listen at times, weighed down as it is by its overwhelming lyrical bluster.
19th August 2021
The Joy Formidable - Into The Blue
2-5 Stars
It largely finds itself coasting on one level.
19th August 2021
Swim School - Making Sense Of It All
2-5 Stars
Hampered by an unshakeable sense that they’re only just getting out of first gear.
19th August 2021
The Killers - Pressure Machine
4 Stars
An album which invites you to dig a little deeper.
13th August 2021
Orla Gartland - Woman On The Internet
4 Stars
An impressive debut.
13th August 2021
Jade Bird - Different Kinds Of Light
4 Stars
This is by no means a ripping up of the rule book for Jade, but from this side-step where she’s going next could be anyone’s guess.
12th August 2021
Meet Me @ The Altar - Model Citizen
4 Stars
The six tracks are as boisterous as they are infectious.
12th August 2021
Jungle - Loving In Stereo
4 Stars
It’s almost relentlessly uplifting.
12th August 2021
Wednesday - Twin Plagues
3-5 Stars
A coming-of-age record of sorts, loose clippings of memory bob in and out of squalls of feedback.
12th August 2021
Featuring Yard Act, Death Cab For Cutie, Graham Coxon, Maisie Peters and more.