It’s an odd thing, the live album. If you like a band enough to buy one you’ve probably heard most of the songs before, maybe you even own them, and with better recording quality at that. It’s usually hard for…
Album | Soap&Skin – Narrow
It’s hard to believe that Anja Plaschg, aka Soap&Skin, is only 21. With second full-length album, Narrow, the Viennese Plaschg tackles such weighty issues as loss and grief in a classical-goth style that takes a certain level of courageousness. Nor…
Album | Michael Kiwanuka – Home Again
Debut albums always represent the end of a long journey for any artist. Hopefully the beginning of one too, but definitely an ending – a point at which they have realised a long held dream and compiled that defining first…
Album | Gabriel & The Hounds – Kiss Full of Teeth
New bands signing to Communion tend to make us sit up and take notice. Not only because they’re almost always really good, but also because they usually serve up something full of the folky flavours we love so much. Gabriel…
Live | Beth Jeans Houghton & the Hooves of Destiny @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London
What a silly name Beth Jeans Houghton and the Hooves of Destiny is. It’s a good job that we are fond of silliness, and that they’re really good. Their recent gig at Hoxton Bar and Grill opened with a set…
Album | Tess – Magpie
Kent singer-songwriter Tess has managed to create an album which is both instantly likeable and a bit of a grower. Magpie is distinguised by well-crafted, honest songwriting while the vocal delivery is perfectly understated. Opener ‘Big Room’ has dark lyrics…