album review
Album Review: The Jesus and Mary Chain reveal their stunning ‘Glasgow Eyes’ – an intoxicating mix of swagger and attitude with just a hint of reflection.
The Jesus and Mary Chain release ‘Glasgow Eyes’ via Fuzz Club Records on Friday, 22 March 2024 ahead of a propitious year during which the duo – brothers Jim and William Reid – will further mark their 40th year in the industry with an autobiography (published by Orion/White Rabbit) and a major UK and European tour. It’s …
Album Review: The Dandy Warhols are back with the thunder and lightning of ‘Rockmaker’ ahead of tour.
It’s been quite a while since Portland, Oregon psych maestros The Dandy Warhols released an album, and they have made up for lost time with their new release ‘Rockmaker’. The album was heralded by three singles, ‘Danzig With Myself’, ‘ Summer of Hate’ and I’d Like To Help You With Your Problem’ which made one …
Album Review: Golden Fang’s ‘Small Worlds’ is a galaxy of pure delight, absent of formulaic tropes and filled with light and creativity
Golden Fang inhabit an entire universe of their own making that floats in the firmament and simply shimmers with an incandescent light. Tomorrow sees the release of their new album, ‘Small Worlds’ in which not only do their unique song talents and musicianship shine through, but with the added production of guru Anth Dymke, a …
Album Review: ‘Once Upon A Time’ – Badinage serve up a kaleidoscope of sonic treasures in their debut album.
Badinage‘s new album ‘Once Upon A Time’ is a treasure chest of tangible, organic instrumentals that express raw feelings and emotions without words. A veritable smorgasbord of aural pleasure and moods. The details behind the structure of the album are fascinating. Comprised of ten chapters, presented as Book One and Book Two, the album is …
Album Review: Alma Leta’s Nik Brinkman-produced ‘Time Of Our Lives’ sparkles and shines like a glittering jewel in the firmament.
Born in California but raised in New Zealand, Wellington-based singer and songwriter Alma Leta (the nom de plume of Emmanuelle Alma-Rose Baur) has worked with one of our favourite antipodean producers Nik Brinkman to bring out an enchanting and ethereal debut album ‘Time Of Our Lives’, out today. The album is a deeply personal reflection …
Album review: Giving It Away by Claire Anne Taylor
If there is one name that is synonymous with independent folk and folk-rock in Tasmania today, it is Claire Anne Taylor. The girl with the fiery red hair and the smoky, gravel-tinged voice has announced her third long-player in the form of her latest offering, Giving It Away. Following on from her 2016 debut, Elemental …
Album Review: Eilish Gilligan is ‘The Final Girl’ – a cathartic journey through pop’s dark labyrinth.
A longtime favourite of ours here at Backseat Mafia, Eilish Gilligan continues to release the most evocative and distinctive music that is without peer. Her electronic pop is differentiated by her ethereal vocals and her passionate delivery, soaked in an air of pain and regret and yet distilled by a resilience and strength that creates …
Album Review: Royel Otis make a stunning debut with their luminescent album ‘Pratts & Payne’ ahead of Australian, North American and European tour
We here at the antipodean outpost of Backseat Mafia have followed Royel Otis (consisting of members Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell) ever since hearing their single ‘Oysters In My Pocket’ back in 2021 with great fascination. This single has been followed by a series of indelible releases that have cemented their place in indie pop royalty. Undoubtedly …
Album Review: lutruwita’s Christopher Coleman returns solo with ‘Soft Knee Recordings’, a shimmering and deeply personal paean to life.
It seems like a lifetime ago that Christopher Coleman and The Great Escape released the magnificent ‘The Great Tasmanian Escape’ in February 2022 (reviewed here), which rose to the top of the pile in my favourite antipodean albums of 2022. In the intervening time, Christopher Coleman retreated to a shed in nipaluna/Hobart and wrote and …
EP Review: Le Shiv unveil a masterclass in anthemic indie pop with their epic new EP ‘New World Colour’, as they head out on tour.
The new EP ‘New World Colour’ from Le Shiv offers a bright start to the year, and, quite frankly, boldly stands out in the post festive season deluge of releases. The band has been garnering a lot of attention with their unique brand of indie rock, including writing with Grouplove’s Andrew Wessen on their latest …