University of Leeds graduate, journalist and all-round music fan. My career as a rockstar was a one-night-only extravaganza. Now, for everyone's sake, I just write about music instead.
Author: Alex Wignall
Years & Years - Y&Y EP Review
Engulfed in the inevitable maelstrom hype that follows finishing top of the BBC's Sound of 2015 List, there's a great deal of intrigue as to whether or not Years & Years can capitalise on what...
Review posted on 12th March 2015
Laura Welsh - Soft Control Album Review
After flirting with a number of outfits, from Laura and the Tears to Hey Laura, 2015 sees the arrival of Laura Welsh proper with her debut album 'Soft Control'. Awash with smooth, soulful vocals float-ing...
Review posted on 22nd January 2015
Jessie Ware - Tough Love Album Review
There's little doubt that 'Tough Love' is one of the most eagerly anticipated British album releases of the year. Following the near-universal critical acclaim which greeted Jessie Ware's debut 'Devotion' in 2012 that's hardly surprising...
Review posted on 5th November 2014
Interpol - El Pintor Album Review
The prevailing narrative surrounding Interpol is that they have been a band in perpetual decline since the arrival of their critically-acclaimed debut 'Turn On The Bright Lights' in 2002. While such a narrative may be...
Review posted on 22nd September 2014
Clockwork Radio - No Man Is An Island Album Review
When it comes to producing an album as a four-piece based in Manchester, there's plenty of musi-cal heritage weighing on your shoulders. In fairness to Clockwork Radio, in spite of now being based in Manchester,...
Review posted on 22nd September 2014
Royal Blood - Royal Blood Album Review
Both a blessing and a curse, Royal Blood have been subject to almost hysterical levels of hype. It started when Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders wore their T-shirt during a 2013 Glastonbury headline slot while...
Review posted on 12th September 2014
Kongos - Lunatic Album Review
Bursting out the stereo with the glitzy stomp of opening salvo 'I'm Only Joking' and 'Come With Me Now', Kongos at first appear to be a band that has dispensed with any notion of subtlety....
Review posted on 29th August 2014
Wild Cub - Youth Album Review
Fifteen songs is a lot for one album. Rarely, if ever, does an album of such volume deliver consist-ently across the piece. Still, that is exactly what Wild Cub have served up on their debut...
Review posted on 21st August 2014
Jon Allen - Deep River Album Review
From delicate finger-picked folk to the stomp and twang of electric blues, 'Deep River' is, in many ways, a whistle-stop tour of the sounds and ideas that have provided the basis for country, blues, folk...
Review posted on 19th August 2014
Jungle - Jungle Album Review
Known only by their initials, J and T, Jungle's decision to let their music do the talking has paid off on their highly-polished debut album.From album opener 'The Heat' until the last notes of 'Lemonade...
Review posted on 12th August 2014
Crystal Fighters - Love Alight Single Review
Since their debut album ‘Star of Love’ in 2010, Crystal Fighters have achieved the seemingly impossible feat of fusing together folk, traditional Basque rhythms and EDM to create a unique brand inexplicably infectious rave.Part of...
Review posted on 8th August 2014
Bushmills Live 2014 Featuring Tired Pony, The 1975 & Much More Review
The 1975 might have been billed as the main event at Bushmills Live 2014, but it was Tired Pony who stole the show at the intimate old whiskey distillery.Fine drizzle swirled through the air as...
Review posted on 17th June 2014
Suggested
![GARGALO talks to us about being an early years teacher, collaborating with Ed Droste from Grizzly Bear and starting from scratch again. [EXCLUSIVE]](https://images.contactmusic.com/images/home/homepage/gargalo-abof-press-shot.jpg "GARGALO talks to us about being an early years teacher, collaborating with Ed Droste from Grizzly Bear and starting from scratch again. [EXCLUSIVE]")
GARGALO talks to us about being an early years teacher, collaborating with Ed Droste from Grizzly Bear and starting from scratch again. [EXCLUSIVE]
When he's not focused on his on-line tuition, or stuck in the back of his brothers van mixing his latest compositions, GARGALO (Bruno G. Roth) is to...
Upcoming Releases: Our Favourite Five New Albums Due Out In November 202130
As the days get progressively colder and shorter November ushers in celebrations of light, gunpowder and treason as well as bringing with it some...
October 2021 Favourites: As Autumn arrived it was most definitely time to 'Prioritise Pleasure' and follow 'The Path Of The Clouds'
If all things were equal then Ed Sheeran may have made the cut for our final five favourite new album releases of October, but they're not, and he...
Is ABBA... cool? The group’s most unexpected fans confess their devotion
We didn't expect these rockers to be so into the Swedish pop group.
He put the devil in Tenacious D and got his "teeth" in Nine Inch Nails: Eight of Dave Grohl’s greatest collaborations
Is there anyone worth mentioning that Dave hasn't worked with?
Halloween Hootenanny: Witchy songs for your spooky playlist
These deliciously witchy tunes are perfect for Halloween.
Are these the 10 greatest Halloween anthems of all time?
From Psycho Killer to the Monster Mash, these Halloween songs are classics.
