Patterns in Repeat is the eighth album from Laura Marling, following her 2008 debut, Alas, I Cannot Swim. From the outset, her poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, and folk-inspired sound have drawn comparisons to Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. Over the years, her sound has evolved, blending complex and, at times, dark folk with experimental touches, […]
Since first gaining recognition as part of the English folk rock group Fairport Convention in the 1960s, Iain Matthews has had a varied career, releasing numerous albums that blend folk, country, and pop influences. Now living in the Netherlands, Matthews continues to perform but keeps a relatively low profile. His new album, How Much Is […]
The dictionary says someone mousy is ‘shy, timid, quiet’. But, as this Mousey (Sarena Close) has revealed, there’s more to the name. It references the girl in the opening lines of Bowie’s Life on Mars. And here in her third long-player, Dreams of Our Mothers’ Mothers! there are ch-ch-ch- changes for one of the most […]
In 2014, Shihad released FVEY, a raging record addressing social justice issues that were deeply etched in its loud tracks. Now, right on a decade later, front man Jon Toogood offers a very different, and solo, song cycle.
Dawes has long been celebrated for their ability to weave timeless Americana with modern experimentation—a skill they continue to refine on their ninth studio album, Oh Brother.
Mindy Smith’s Quiet Town is a reflective and personal album shaped by her Christian upbringing. Known for blending Americana, folk, and country, Smith’s work often revolves around themes of faith, love, and resilience.
Chicago’s Michael McDermott has been making records for more than 30 years with no signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s just released two full-length albums.
There are more than just a few good moments on this, the first Burton Cummings solo album in well over a decade.
JD McPherson releases Nite Owls, his fifth studio album, one that represents a significant evolution in his sound. While it remains rooted in the retro rockabilly and surf rock that defined his earlier work, McPherson boldly incorporates broader influences such as glam rock, new wave, and post-punk. This fusion enriches the album’s modern textures without […]
Some fans of Lou Reed will be vaguely aware of his pre-Velvets stint as a writer-for-hire at Pickwick Records, and some may have even heard The Ostrich, sung by Lou with his “band” The Primitives. Now, here is the rest of that story.