Ocean Grove – ‘The Rhapsody Tapes’ [Review]

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Just as you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you shouldn’t judge a band by its name. When I first heard of Ocean Grove, I expected them to be a pop-punk outfit, a happy-go-lucky group of charming cheeky chaps writing songs about looking back nostalgically at teenage years full of good times, sunshine, girl problems, and probably either surfing or skating.

But, of course, expectations don’t always equal Read more…

Posted on 31 January 2017

Tesseract – ‘Errai’ [Review]

Normally, nothing makes a potential listener’s ears glaze over faster than the words “bonus material”. A collection of letters that instantly bring to mind haphazard collections of half-hearted acoustic songs, iffy remixes, and just plain shitty live recordings. Bonus material is for superfans only; it’s a long-established fact.

Normally, anyway Read more…

Posted on 08 August 2016

Fifi Rong – ‘Forbidden Desire EP’ [Review]

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Fifi Rong is a future superstar. Very few musicians in general possess an instantly recognisable style of their own – but Fifi Rong has overcome one of the most common sticking points in the modern music business. Whether captivating audiences with beautifully eccentric live shows, or birthing wickedly seductive electronic tunes, Fifi Rong’s original creativity is something to marvel at.

Forbidden Desire’s title alone encapsulates Fifi Rong’s core characteristics: Exoticism and tasteful sensuality. We’re not talking about Read more…

Posted on 16 April 2016

Alyusha – ‘Black Butterfly’ [Review]

I love trip-hop – and if you’re on the same page, you need to check Alyusha out ASAP.

Black Butterfly is a seriously self-assured masterclass in songwriting and composition. I’m struggling to move on, as all music journalists must, to the next act on my listening list even after an hour’s worth of Read more…

Posted on 30 March 2016

Fifi Rong – ‘Violently Silently’ [Review]

If you’re a sucker for finely crafted trip-hop-flavoured tunes, London-based Tricky collaborator Fifi Rong will make your ears prick up.

Violently Silently‘s Intro is guaranteed to lull you into spy-movie-themed daydreams, all grittily seductive beats and slowly swirling samples – but before you assume you’ve heard it all before, Once proves a right-angled tangent. Fifi Rong refuses to be easily pigeonholed, leaning hard on her experimental inclinations and digging out odd alt-pop hooks that feel awkward and alien on first listen, but slowly work their way into the mind. Beachhead established, Slow Poison bounces with Read more…

Posted on 26 November 2015

Skye Edwards – ‘In A Low Light’ [Review]

Imagine lying on a wide, warm waterbed, quietly letting go of the world. Literally lying In A Low Light. First tracks Give In and Here Is What Is, fuelled by soft synths and Skye Edwards’ sparse vocal, provide precisely this feeling.

Sometimes, you need a quality detox from the chaos of modern life – and once it’s over, you’ll want to get moving again. Slinky and seductive single Said And Done provides all you need, as does Read more…

Posted on 06 November 2015