Lana Del Rey

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 didn't! Whilst Coldplay didn't give us the shivers, we didn't warm to their new album either; the inter galactic record lacked atmosphere amongst other things. Elton John however continued his re-imagining with 'The Lockdown Sessions', and he secured a number one single with Dua Lipa to boot. Duran Duran popped up on our radar again and ABBA released their third single from their highly anticipated new album 'VOYAGE'. Also on the comeback trail was Adele as she released the first single from her upcoming fourth album, '30'. 'Easy On Me' also secured Adele a number one single as she apologised in song for the part she played in her divorce. Heartbreak and pain also feature heavily in our top five choices. You may not be reaching for the Kleenex as quickly as you might with Adele but you'll still be gripped by the emotion in many of the songs featured on these incredible albums.     

Self Esteem - Prioritise Pleasure. 

Continue reading: October 2021 Favourites: As Autumn Arrived It Was Most Definitely Time To 'Prioritise Pleasure' And Follow 'The Path Of The Clouds'

With the ghastly delights of Halloween, and the long awaited thrills and spills of the latest Bond movie to look forward to, as well as International Music Day, World Food Day, World Mental Health Day and of course Mole Day (Not what you may think) October has a lot to pack in. As the festive season fast approaches there also appears to be an extra impetus given to making sure that new releases come to market in a timely fashion and do not get caught up in the Christmas chaos. Whatever your thoughts on the inevitable new batch of sleigh bell enhanced holiday songs, you know that there's no point competing with the likes of Mariah Carey and getting lost in the increased traffic. October is in just the right place to ensure that your new music will be heard and that it will hopefully gain enough momentum to give it an extra boost of sales come Christmas. With that in mind we've picked our top five albums that we're sure will delight your ears this month. 

Lana Del Rey - Blue Banisters

Continue reading: Upcoming Releases: Check Out The Top 5 New Albums That We Can't Wait To Hear In October

The early invitations are out and so it's time to start planning your Halloween costume. There is always too much choice for music fans thanks to iconic spooky looks from Michael Jackson in his Thriller outfit to Robert Smith being... well... Robert Smith. For a more up-to-date look though, we've got you covered.

Billie Eilish at the Met Gala

Ok, so it’s a bit extravagant, but what’s a Halloween party without someone wearing a completely over the top princess dress? This year, it’s your turn to take the limelight as Met Gala Billie Eilish- but hopefully without the hefty Oscar de la Renta price tag.

Continue reading: Seven Musicians You Can Go As To Your Next Halloween Party

With CoVID restrictions beginning to ease and the prospect of live festival music no longer a distant dream there does seem to be a reserved air of optimism beginning to permeate into everyday life. As both Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix expect to host a capacity crowd, and the EURO 2020 final at Wembley is set to host 60,000 football fans, surely it can't be long before the green light is given to music venues, festivals and other events to open their doors and welcome back guests. Many concerts are still being cancelled due to the uncertainty, the latest big one being Dua Lipa who has rescheduled to 2022, however July should bring with it more sunshine, more good news and hopefully the first of a wave of gigs, shows and festivals that are all hoping that they can go ahead. Coupled with the likelihood of live music, Independence Day celebrations, Bastille Day and World Emoji Day!! there are also some great new releases to look forward to. Here's our top five.    

Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever. 

Continue reading: Upcoming Releases: A Spirit Of Independence Is Coursing Through Our Top 5 Favourite New Records For July

We've only had three months of the year and yet it's already proving to be a creative period as musicians, singers, songwriters, performers and directors all seem to be flexing their artistic muscles. We've already had a record setting Grammy awards and are set to have an equally divergent and record setting BRIT awards. 2020 may have proved very difficult in terms of live performances but it has undoubtedly given rise to new ways of working and connecting, experimentation and exploration. Now more than ever it would appear, not only the pent up demand of the consumers, but also the pent up creations of the artists is being unleashed at an incredible rate. The first two months of the year have already seen major releases from Foo Fighters, The Pretty Reckless, Mogwai, Arlo Parks, Sleaford Mods and Nick Cave, to name but a few, and March has now added handsomely to that list with some great new releases. Here's our top five. 

Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Countryclub.

Continue reading: March 2021 Favourites: Justin Delivered Justice To The World Whilst Selena Was A Revelación!

As life gets one step closer to normality for those affected by the impact of the CoVID19 pandemic we take a look forward to what's fresh, new and exciting in the world of music. As schools get ready to receive students back into their actual, rather than virtual, classrooms, as the world gets ready to celebrate book day on 4th March, as F1 gets ready to race again, as the America's Cup begins, as the vaccination programme continues at pace, as the world starts to feel hope and optimism, let's take a look at what's to come. Kings Of Leon have a new album due out this month, as do The Horrors and Black Sabbath. Ringo Starr is releasing an EP, Sting is releasing a duets compilation and there are retrospectives due from Neil Young and Madness among others, however, as both Mother's Day and International Women's Day both fall within March we're going for an all female line-up.

Lana Del Rey: Photo Credit - HT/ABACA PA Images. 

Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country Club.

Continue reading: Upcoming Releases: The Pick Of March's Music That We're All Set To Be Haring After

She's been accused of racism before now, but Lana Del Rey doesn't seem to make it any better when she tries to defend herself. We don't for a minute believe that the singer is a racist, but the white fragility is painfully strong in a recent Instagram post regarding her latest album cover.

Lana Del Rey at the Clive Davis' 2020 Pre-Grammy Gala / Photo Credit: SIPA USA/PA Images

The 35-year-old is set to drop her seventh album Chemtrails over the Country Club later this year, and yesterday (January 10th) unveiled the black and white retro-style cover art depicting herself and ten female friends crowded round a table. It's a fairly harmless image, but that didn't stop her from posting a seemingly pre-emptive defensive statement about people of colour.

Continue reading: Racism Or White Fragility? We Need To Talk About Lana Del Rey

As some degree of normality returns to a crazy year and artists stop delaying their overdue album releases (COVID-19 isn't going anywhere any time soon after all), it looks like 2020 may not be a write-off for music in the end. Quarantine has obviously been good for some artists' creativity, because there's some seriously interesting looking releases coming this month alone.

Lana Del Rey at the 2020 Grammy Awards / Photo Credit: Image Press Agency/SIPA USA/PA Images

1. Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails over the Country Club 
(September 5)

Continue reading: Upcoming Releases: Five Albums We're Looking Forward To In September 2020

We're ready to say goodbye to 2019 now that Christmas is over, but not without reflecting on what has been a wonderful year for the world of music. Whether your a pop lover or you prefer the rock world, whether rap is your life or dance is in your blood, this was a transformative year for sound. Here are the top 10 greatest albums of the last twelve months. 

1. Billie Eilish - When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Best song: Bad Guy

Without doubt the most sonically extraordinary album of this year, 18-year-old Billie Eilish's debut album 'When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?' has united both pop lovers and alternative listeners thanks to its experimental yet infectious ethos. It's naive yet poignant, fun yet deeply unsettling with themes of bravado, drugs, love, climate change and heartbreak woven throughout the poetic lyrics. There's no-one quite like Billie.

Continue reading: Top 10 Albums Of 2019: The Music That Formed The Soundtrack For A Historic End To A Decade

For the first of our monthly previews, it looks like we're in for another stellar month for music as we go into the start of Spring. We'll see a number of eagerly anticipated debut albums, a few exciting returns, as well as one very long-awaited comeback. Here are seven of the most exciting releases for the month.

Hozier - Wasteland, Baby!
(March 1)

Set to hit tomorrow is Hozier's second album following his hit self-titled debut from 2014. It features songs from his 2018 EP Nina Cried Power, and will be almost immediately followed by a North American tour. From what we've heard so far, it feels like another soaring, gospel-tinged collection and a lot more polished.

Continue reading: Upcoming Releases: What We're Looking Out For In March 2019