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Aug 26, 2019
3 min

Bon Iver - i,i

After ‘22, A Million’, it was hard to know where Bon Iver were going to go next. There was a drastic shift in sound since the self-titled project, with more glitchy production & demonic effects scattered all over the tracks. It’s a dark album on the whole. So when they announced the release of ‘i,i’, all options were possible. After ‘22, A Million’, it was hard to know where Bon Iver were going to go next. There was a drastic shift in sound since the self-titled project, with

PREVIEW: Menace Beach @ The Deaf Institute

James Booton

Oct 14, 2018
2 min

PREVIEW: Menace Beach @ The Deaf Institute

“Blending electronic, Psychedelic textures with the rolling angsty sounds of America’s West Coast, ‘Black Rainbow Sound’ traps you inside a sonic swell that you cannot escape” Now that the icy winds have started to hit our shores, it is confirmation that the summer festival season is firmly behind us. No longer can we hope for those idyllic warm summer evenings, watching open air live music with a cold beer in hand. Although the alcohol might be a mainstay across this transit

James Booton

Sep 19, 2018
3 min

The Blinders - Columbia

First impressions on this one...FUCKING FEROCIOUS! A few songs in and you might feel yourself on your feet, taken over by the primal urge that pours out of this record. But try and listen to the whole thing and you will be knocked to the floor by the sheer force of it all. The previously released tracks (only 3, none of this only releasing 4 or 5 new songs business!) have set out the stalls beautifully for this album and they encapsulate the primitive power that the three-pie

James Booton

Aug 5, 2018
5 min

Strange Collective All-Dayer: PREVIEW

A city is defined by its culture. The artistic backdrop that a city’s inhabitants create, carve out a city landscape unique to them. However, it is not the major stadium concerts or nationwide cultural icons that define this, it is the underground circuit of live music and artistic events that perpetuate the constant buzz of city life. For a place such as Liverpool, with such a rich musical history, this is even more true, and over the years various sub-cultures have formed a

Billy Fitzjohn

Jul 24, 2018
3 min

Nic Cester - Sugar Rush

Generally, when you see an artist who starts a new side project it is a carbon copy of their previous work, however, Nic Cester’s debut solo album ‘Sugar Rush’ (out in the UK on the 27th of July) seems to explore various different musical avenues. These new, more exciting sounds, are a modern contrast to the style shown in his time as front-man of the Australian rock band Jet (famous for songs such as “Are you gonna be my girl”). This solid rock vibe which had been the mainst

Sadie Hickson

Apr 25, 2018
3 min

DMA's - For Now

FOR NOW - THE SECOND ALBUM FROM DMA'S - OUT APRIL 27TH Australia's greatest gift are back! It has been two years since the Aussie trio showcased their rejuvenated brand of Brit-pop to the world, and now DMA's have returned with a decidedly more mellow record, 'For Now'. Their debut release, 'Hills End' gained a huge amount of recognition, not only being featured on the FIFA 17 soundtrack and attracting the attention of 560,000+ monthly listeners on Spotify – but also that of

James Booton

Sep 25, 2017
3 min

Otherkin - OK

We cant tell you how much we have all been craving an album like this! Punk Rock has just sunk it's teeth into the heart of pop culture and drawn out every ounce of inspiration it can find. From elements of stadium-filling Brit pop in their latest single 'Come On , Hello' to the elements of Surf Rock creeping in to the backdrop of 'I Was Born' and brand new album track 'Razorhead'. Talking of influences the whole album carries, not only the sound of early 00's punk revival b

Beth Turner

Jun 27, 2017
2 min

Clean Cut Kid - Felt

Powerful solo's, energetic choruses and a fine display of facial hair points to only one band... Liverpool Four Piece, Clean Cut Kid who can now lay their name to a blissfully euphoric debut album, Felt. Deceptively happy given some of the heart wrenching lyrics, the album almost seems to tell a story, about lost love and failed relationships. But don’t let that make you think it’s gloomy - you couldn’t be further from the truth. Pick Me Up, We Used To Be In Love and Runaw

Beth Turner

May 16, 2017
2 min

That's Your Lot - Blaenavon

We all know how it has become increasingly difficult to gain the support and financial stability to have the luxury of releasing a debut album. However, fiver years in the making , Blaenavon's first full record , That's Your Lot ,is the product of unparalleled hard-work, perseverance and straightforward musical talent. Full of catchy lyrics and melodic guitar hooks from start to finish, it is everything you could want from an indie-pop album . Just short of an hour long and e

James Booton

May 9, 2017
2 min

Sisteray - 15 Minutes , EP Review

If only we had more music like this coming out of these past few years then perhaps the music industry wouldn't be in the state it's in, and perhaps some of the messages might have filtered down into the general population. Politically incentivizing lyrics, raucous non-intricate chorus' and pure musical rebellion is exactly what we need , and it looks like our nations musicians are finally starting to realise that. London punk-revivalists Sisteray are one of our favourite upc

Shanty - Strange Little Human : EP Review

James Booton

Apr 24, 2017
2 min

Shanty - Strange Little Human : EP Review

Although London Reggae collective Shanty may not be your stereotypical BOOT MUSIC kind of band , we're always looking to branch out, and these guys have impressed us way too much over the past few years not to get a mention. When they first formed, they emanated an out and out sunshine-reggae vibe, with upbeat brass hooks blended with easy going lyrics of summer love. Although they were exceptionally good at producing this sound you always got the feeling that they needed som

Beth Turner

Mar 30, 2017
2 min

Circa Waves - Different Creatures

The word evolution doesn’t come close to describing the transformation that has happened between Liverpool band Circa Waves’ debut album, Young Chasers , and their recent release Different Creatures. Young Chasers, and in particular T Shirt Weather, a song which can only be described as the epitome of summer, falls on the ‘light & easy’ side of indie music, thoroughly enjoyable but nothing challenging. Different Creatures is a completely different story. Opening with Wake Up,

Matt Lovett

Feb 26, 2017
2 min

The Courtney's ll - Album Review

If Buffy The Vampire Slayer was still hanging out at The Bronze, reveling in the by-gone glories of 90's college misadventures and delivering one-liners and roundhouse-kicks to the un-dead, then The Courtneys might the be band that played The Bronze’s stage. Not just because of their references to ‘vampire teenage boyfriends’. The Vancouver power trio play a stripped back, sun-kissed and simple blend of 60's girl-band pop and 90's slacker rock. In an era where every band want

Matthew Thomas

Jan 22, 2017
2 min

I See You - The XX

For a band that is usually described as abstract and minimal, there is an unquestionable amount of emotion and drama packed into the new release, especially considering the tracks on previous albums posses an introverted and unassuming feeling, leaving it hard to trace the true meaning of the songs. The trio’s seductive sound has been reinvigorated in this glorious comeback, on the first two xx albums, 2009's xx and 2012's Coexist, we were treated to reverb guitars and heavil

James Booton

Sep 26, 2016
1 min

Hunter & The Bear - 'Oh Daisy' Single

After releasing their second single in two months, an increasing level of excitement seems to be building around the promise of the debut album from 'Hunter & The Bear' set for release in May 2017. The second of these releases from the London group brings a more indie element to the four piece. Having made their name as a band reminiscent of good old fashioned folk rock, 'Oh Daisy' showcases the versatility of the band, capturing a more upbeat and catchy side to their powerfu

James Booton

Sep 15, 2016
2 min

Baby Strange - Want It Need It

Possibly one of the most exciting albums and promising bands of the year, Glasgow based group, 'Baby Strange' seem to have managed to sneak in under the national radar. However, although they may not quite have had the amount of publicity as other debutantes to the indie scene this year, they certainly are not lacking in the quality. After already having released 9 tracks on various single's , fans were more than ready for the debut album. Many of these previous releases do f

James Booton

Sep 7, 2016
2 min

Jamie T , 'Trick' - Album Review

Many fans thought that after finally releasing his 3rd album the London man had finished is music production and would move on to other projects. However, after less than a two year gap, Jamie T has returned with probably his most well rounded album yet, titled 'Trick'. With elements from all of his previous albums all thrown in along with a brand new pop take on his unique street style. Although, his previous release, 'Carry On The Grudge' contained 'Zombie' , Jamie's best

James Booton

Aug 31, 2016
2 min

VANT - KARMA SEEKER EP

Possibly the most exciting band of the year , London indie rock group 'VANT' seem to have sprung up out of nowhere, receiving almost a quarter of a million views on YouTube on their official video for their late 2015 single 'Parking Lot' as well as playing alongside acts such as 'Biffy Clyro' , 'Royal Blood' and 'Catfish And The Bottlemen'. Having released a selection of critcally acclaimed singles over the past two years, the band's debut EP 'KARMA SEEKER' has arrived at the

James Booton

Aug 11, 2016
1 min

Sunset Sons - Remember

Unfortunately, over the past decade the concept of an album being a work of art and holding a message has well and truly died out, nowadays an album has just become a collection of unconnected songs. However, ‘Sunset Sons’ are unique in the fact that their debut album, featuring the single ‘Remember’, has a clear, distinctive atmosphere flowing through the entire album. Every song carries strong connotations of summer and beach life, reinforced by the albums creative directio

James Booton

Jul 30, 2016
1 min

Hunter & The Bear - 'Renegade' Single

Fusing folk melodies and rock riffs, Hunter & The Bear are making a name as one of the most promising UK bands in both the growing folk-rock and indie scenes. Releasing their first single 'Forest On The Hill' in 2013 the London four-piece have been slowly developing the rockier side of their music, adding fantastic solo's into their 2015 release 'Burn It Up'. Following this trend of rock progression their upcoming single 'Renegade' features a much rockier riff, building an in

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