Brutalligators – ‘Still Here’ album review


Hitchin’s queer indie rockers Brutalligators have released second album ‘Still Here’, a collection of songs about survival, identity and moving forward while grappling with complex emotions, divisive culture wars and everything else life throws at you… The title track kicks off the album in uptempo fight pop style – instantly reminding you of Martha as…

Hotel Lux – ‘The Bitter Cup’ album review


Hotel Lux follow up their highly acclaimed 2023 debut album ‘Hands Across the Creek’ with ‘The Bitter Cup’, a song that found them writing in a more collaborative way as they head into their mid-20s in an increasingly tumultuous world. Gentrification, inter-generational divides and battles with mental health are just some of the subjects they…

The Orchestra (For Now) – ‘Plan 76’ EP review


Self-described as ‘London prog’, The Orchestra (For Now)’s ‘Plan 76’ EP finds the seven piece attempting to ‘refine rather than complicate’ their distinctive fusion of baroque indie hooks, post hardcore breakdowns and touches of jazz. ‘Impatient’ opens the album in stop-start fashion before delving deep into the avant-garde orchestral dramatics that have served the band…

Long Fling album artwork

Long Fling – ‘Long Fling’ album review


Following a 10-year relationship, Pip Blom and Willem Smit (frontman of Personal Trainer) have made their first and only record as a duo – Long Fling. The self-titled record is a truly collaborative effort, with sessions often ending in arguments due to the pair’s passion. ‘Remember that time we had Chinese for breakfast and you…