Growing up in Aldershot at the turn of the century, there wasn’t an awful lot to be proud of – we had a football club that rose from the ashes, were the home of the British Army and that was about it. As soon as I left school and started college (bear in mind I…
The Waeve – a duo made up of Blur’s Graham Coxon and former Pipette Rose Elinor Dougall – are all set to release their debut album. Co-produced by James Ford, the record finds the talented songwriters exploring various subjects and soundscapes with infectious enthusiasm. ‘Can I Call You’ opens the album in style with its…
The Xcerts have made a welcome return with ‘Gimme’ – a short, sharp and spiky piece of distorted pop that finds the trio embracing the joys (and, of course, angst) that comes with complete artistic freedom. Murray Macleod said: ‘Lyrically, it’s more observational than gut-wrenchingly personal; when burning desire meets apathy, it’s both comical and…
Photo credit: Rob Humm Tugboat Captain have made a triumphant return after two years away with ‘Flash of Light’ – a two-minute kaleidoscopic and psychedelic treat that opens with all kinds of weird and wonderful space-age synths and melodic guitar hooks. Reminiscent of Super Furry Animals’ blend of the experimental and exemplar, the dual harmonies…
Photo credit: Alex Martinez Based in Seattle, Elliott Green’s Bandcamp page simply states ‘I write sad songs’ and she lives up to this statement on new album ‘Everything I Lack’ – out on Count Your Lucky Stars Records on 27 January. Haunting piano tones and atmospheric feedback swathe around the opener ‘Friendly Advice’ – a…
Written over a stretch of two to three years, We Are Scientists’ eighth album ‘Lobes’ finds the New York duo exploring new sounds and directions with confidence and glee… The synthy toe-tapper ‘Operator Error’ opens the album with rhythmic and hypnotic statements – ‘It’s all a a game of confidence’; ‘You kwwp on saying you…
‘Uncertain Joys’, the fifth album from The Subways – and first on Alcopop! Records – finds Billy Lunn and co examining everything from social issues to sexuality and the love of music to the horrors of the patriarchy… Huge riffs signal the start of ‘You Kill My Cool’, a stomping glam-rock-tinged smash with sensual lyrics…
Photo credit: Eddie Whelan Billy Nomates‘ second studio album, ‘CACTI’, comes out this Friday (13 January) via Invada Records. Recorded in both Tor Maries’ flat and at Invada Studios, the 12 songs find Tor Maries laying everything bare while she confronts some uncomfortable truths that have come to light over the past few years… ‘Balance is…
‘I made a decision on this record to limit the more aggressive edges of my music, and as a consequence I think the sound is more accessible, but that’s not why I did it—I did it because happy, upbeat, indie guitar music can be really great if it’s done right, with passion and honesty, and…
Stars have shared a beautifully melancholic festive song in ‘Chrismas Anyway’. We’re huge fans of Christmas songs here at Spectral Nights, especially ones that evoke the sadness of the season, and this is a fine addition to the list that includes Mud’s ‘Lonely This Christmas’, Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’, ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ and East 17’s…
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