Music

I've always struggled with this album. It is often heralded as a classic and the pinnacle of Paul Simon's long and highly distinguished career. This is saying a lot for someone who, in Simon & Garfunkel and solo, became known for making perfect slices of Americana in musical form. Songs like 'Mrs. Robinson', 'The Sound of Silence', 'The Boxer, and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' are synonymous with America itself, in the same way that Elvis Presley, or the Marlboro Man, or John

2024 was a big year for Kendrick Lamar. After winning the softest rap battle ever with Drake ("You need therapy", "No, you need therapy"....what ever happened to 'that's why I f**ked yo' b**ch, you fat motherf**ker'), and being announced as the Superbowl halftime show headliner, things were already shaping up quite well. Then, out of nowhere, he dropped this album just in time to claim back his throne and remind everyone that is the best rapper in the game. All in all, quite

'Romance' is the fourth studio album from the Irish outfit and marks their first big swing for the fences. Previously they had made their name with moody angst-ridden post-punk anthems but, while some of that is still present here, this album branches out into grander landscapes and is all the better for it. Supporting Arctic Monkeys on a vast US Tour has apparently widened the band's scope. Singer Grian Chatten is quoted as saying "I didn't want to write, like, a 'Champagne

Since the release of their debut album (2017's 'Brutalism'), Bristol-based IDLES have steadily ascended the musical ranks with their defiant style of angry rock (but don't call it punk, they don't like that), culminating in a magnificent headline set at Glastonbury 2024. While they built their name on predominantly boot-stomping riot starters, over time the band have started to explore the quieter side of their capabilities. So much so that legendary producer/atmosphere maste

"So I've decided to take my work back underground....to stop it falling into the wrong hands."  Before The Prodigy became a worldwide sensation, with Keith Flint becoming a cyber-punk poster boy and even your granny knowing the lyrics to "Firestarter", there was this: four maniacs from the illegal rave scene in deepest Essex. Their first album ('Experience', 1992) took the rave from the abandoned warehouses and shot it into the mainstream. Their unexpected breakout hits 'C

The sad irony of this title, contrary to what a lot of people think, actually has nothing to do with the untimely passing of the man formerly known as Biggie a few weeks before the release of this album. This double-LP was actually finished weeks before he was unfortunately gunned down in the streets of Los Angeles and serves as a direct narrative follow-on from his platinum selling debut 'Ready To Die'. 

Ever since her 2010 debut, Janelle Monae has continually pushed the boundaries to what is considered modern soul music. Until his death in 2016, none other than Prince himself took her on as a protégé. Stamps of approval don't come much larger. Personally, I happened to catch her performance at Glastonbury 2024 and was, dare I say, blown away. Did it help that she got her nipple out? Who's to say. However, it was an excellent reminder of her immense skills and I immediately

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of this album and, with the recent announcement of their return next year, it feels appropriate to revisit this classic. It's easy to forget this album in the deluge of success that followed it, particularly the follow-up which became one of the biggest selling rock records of all time. "What's The Story (Morning Glory)" is one of those albums that simply everyone owns. At least 25% of the proceeds likely went up the nostrils of one or th