The kids are coming up from behind.
American singer-songwriter and producer, who grew up in Germany the son of diplomats, Dijon Duenas (monikered as just ‘Dijon’) orchestrates progressive pop and R&B, derived from Prince but absorbing contemporary influences from the likes of Bon Iver, Clarence Clarity and Frank Ocean. Dijon’s long-awaited debut album, Absolutely arrived in 2022, made in conjunction with frequent … Read more
Pennsylvania’s singer-songwriter Hayden Anhedonia, aka Ethel Cain released (though earlier in the year, she released Perverts – an ambient album) her follow up to 2022’s impressive, southern-gothic rock opera, Preacher’s Daughter steeped in gloomy slowcore atmosphere. Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You retains the somnolent, oppressive atmospheres, furious subtext and lengthy tracks (nearly 80 minutes … Read more
Tahliah Debrett Barnett, monikered ‘FKA Twigs’ released her third studio album, Eusexua, her most straightforwardly danceable album yet, mostly overseen by Welsh producer, Koreless. No doubt her vulnerable whisper can still captivate but the production is often unflattering. The addition of ‘club’ music arguably detracts rather than contributes to her emotional style which still manifests … Read more
Maryland DIY singer-songwriter Marcus Elliot Brown AKA Nourished By Time released the much-anticipated follow up to 2023’s Erotic Probiotic 2, The Passionate Ones, a unique singer-songwriter approach centred on a DIY aesthetic and a compositional style that blends the starry synth-pop of the 1980s and the vocal melodies of 90s New Jack Swing with icy … Read more
Mac Demarco further stripped his sound back on the melancholic folk-pop home recordings of Guitar, a series of lazy, relaxed meditations, reminiscent (as always) of John Lennon, barely 30 minutes in length. The shy delivery works best on the cute Shining and the solemn lament Home, where the melodies are given space to breathe. Terror, … Read more
LA singer and guitarist, Annahstasia debuted weith Tether in a subtle chamber folk style backed by several collaborators, particularly multi-instrumentalists, Hailey Niswanger and Aaron Liao. The standout feature is certainly the vocals, reminiscent of Nina Simone, Tracy Chapman and Anohni of Antony and the Johnsons. The delicate vibrato colors the songs with a vulnerable quality, … Read more
Seasoned singer-songwriter and talented vocalist of the early 00s alt-country scene, Neko Case returned after 6 years with Neon Grey Midnight Green, written with guitarist Paul Rigby and supported by lavish arrangements courtesy of the Denver-based PlainsSong Chamber Orchestra. They style remains typically whimsical and reminiscent of the theatrical philharmonic pop of the 50s but … Read more
Late bloomer, Ryan Davis who already played in several folk-rock bands since the late 2000s finally made a splash as Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band – actually, a solo effort with several contributors – reviving the Silver Jews’ verbose ‘alt-country’, perhaps distinguished by a more pensive tone. The sophomore album follows suit with 7 … Read more
The fourth and long-awaited studio album of New-Zealands now middle-aged teenage sensation, Lorde. Virgin, almost entirely self produced alongside composer ‘Jim-e-Stack’ returns to the electronic palette and youthful existentialism of Melodrama (perhaps influenced by the success of her collaboration with Charli XCX on Girl, So Confusing) but this time the production and performances are bland. … Read more
Brixton’s Black Country, New Road – originally a Slint-type organism with a backing team of classical musicians – had shifted towards Orchestral and theatrical suites on the live album, Bush Hall, after the departure of lead vocalist and songwriter Isaac Wood. Forever Howlong signals the complete break from the band’s post-punk origins. Instead, it indulges … Read more