The Voluntary Butler Scheme - At Breakfast, Dinner, Tea
The feel-good album of the year so far? Quite possibly.
View ArticleThe Boxer Rebellion - Union
A measured, beautifully crafted album that signals an exciting new dawn.
View Article4 or 5 Magicians - Empty Derivative Pop Songs
The realities of life as a 20-something man in an underground band are laid bare.
View ArticleThe Shaky Hands - Let It Die
Genuine, well-crafted rock songs – a warm, welcoming success.
View ArticleRace Horses - Goodbye Falkenberg
They harness a freewheeling spirit in a bid to escape seaside-town ennui.
View ArticleThe Kissaway Trail - Sleep Mountain
There’s plenty to fall in love with on an album of such emotional weight.
View ArticleMy Chemical Romance - Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys
The New Jersey rockers combine elements of the past to create something truly unique.
View ArticleChase & Status - No More Idols
A whirlwind of an album, always keeping the listener on their toes.
View ArticleLittle Comets - In Search of Elusive Little Comets
They’ll get you singing along and digging out your dancing shoes.
View ArticleThe Low Anthem - Smart Flesh
Easy-going and mellifluous, songs built on the simplest of patterns.
View ArticleThe Chapman Family - Burn Your Town
Thunderous and well-produced gloomy goth-rock from the northeast.
View ArticleSmith Westerns - Dye It Blonde
This Britpop-channelling Chicago band’s potential for greatness is vast.
View ArticleJapanese Voyeurs - Yolk
Raw, aggressive and intelligent, this is a fascinating debut from a very promising band.
View ArticleGomez - Whatever's on Your Mind
A disappointing return from the former Mercury champions
View ArticleRemember Remember - The Quickening
RR mainman Graeme Ronald and his cohorts are making fascinating music.
View ArticleTubelord - Romance
However seriously you choose to take it, this is a brilliant second album.
View ArticleSnow Patrol - Fallen Empires
A sixth album that leans on U2 for inspiration, but ultimately finds its own footing.
View ArticleFoe - Bad Dream Hotline
A polished debut full of gloom and grunge from a 21-year-old on the rise.
View ArticleDiagrams - Black Light
A combination of absurdity and accessibility makes this a fascinating debut.
View ArticleFlorence + the Machine - MTV Unplugged
Florence reins in her exuberance in for this stripped-back live set.
View ArticleBelleruche - Rollerchain
Fourth LP from a band only a few small tweaks away from greatness.
View ArticleKotki Dwa - Staycations
An ingenious and accessible second album from the art-pop trio.
View ArticleGeneral Fiasco - Unfaithfully Yours
The best tracks here are made for glorious summer sing-alongs.
View ArticleCheek Mountain Thief - Cheek Mountain Thief
Strange and otherworldly, this labour of love gradually finds its way into your heart.
View ArticleOf Monsters and Men - My Head Is an Animal
This belated UK debut makes clear that Of Monsters and Men are no one-hit wonders.
View ArticleRace Horses - Furniture
The Welsh outfit has matured, honing its craft, and the results are special indeed.
View ArticleWintersleep - Hello Hum
Frustrating fifth album from the Canadians, despite moments of excellence.
View ArticlePAWS - Cokefloat!
Agonisingly personal music, poured straight from the heart – just as punk should be.
View ArticleA Plastic Rose - Camera.Shutter.Life
Belfast band’s debut hints at greatness but too often falls short.
View ArticleDutch Schultz - Tonight We Hunt
Northern Irish trio delivers a seriously good second album.
View ArticleVarious Artists - Christmas Rules
A genuine joy to listen to… Well, for a couple of weeks at least.
View ArticleFoxygen - We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic
Their influences are old, but the Californian duo’s enthusiasm shines through.
View ArticleGirls Names - The New Life
Belfast band reinvents its sound and comes up smelling of roses.
View ArticleTheme Park - Theme Park
Londoners’ debut is well crafted but fails to set pulses racing.
View ArticleAnd So I Watch You From Afar - All Hail Bright Futures
A ridiculously optimistic and happy third album from the Belfast band.
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