new music reviews, news & interviews

theartsdesk on Vinyl Record Store Day Special 2026

Thomas H. Green |

Record Store Day 2026 is this Saturday! At theartsdesk on Vinyl we’ve been playing through exclusive RSD goodies. Check the reviews. Then check head to your local record shop! See you amongst it. 

The Milk Carton Kids bring full-cream nourishing folk-from-the-heart with 'Lost Cause Lover Fool'

Liz Thomson |

It’s 15 years since Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan, two boys from Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, let slip their debut album. “Released” is not the right word, for Prologue (2011) was posted quietly online as a free download, the link sent to friends. Fame and fortune weren’t the goal – it was another f-word: folk, in a pure sense. Simple, quietly affecting music-making with authenticity and honesty at its heart.

Ten years after his last album, Tiga is still living the 'Hotlife'

Guy Oddy
It’s ten years since Tiga’s last solo album, the slightly tepid No Fantasy Required was released. So, it is something of a relief to discover that…

Norway's Hedvig Mollestad Weejuns take a wild ride with 'Bitches Blues'

Kieron Tyler
Blues? Maybe, in atmospheric terms. But not in the 12-bar, blues-rock or Delta blues sense. Or most other senses. The album title is a play on Miles…

On 'Superbloom' the singer and podcast star Jessie Ware successfully nails a third disco extravaganza

Thomas H. Green
Superbloom is the third chapter in Jessie Ware’s transformation, over the last six years, into a self-proclaimed and full-blown disco diva. How does…

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Music Reissues Weekly: The Lovin’ Spoonful - What A Day For A Daydream The Complete Recordings

Kieron Tyler
When a narrative becomes more complicated than the one delineated by the hit singles

Tori Amos, Symphony Hall, Birmingham review - a sell-out show that steers away from the obvious

Guy Oddy
A set that is short on hits but that keeps the fans more than happy

A Chemical Brother and a Norwegian singer are ear-bogglingly exciting as Tomora on duo’s debut 'Come Closer'

Thomas H. Green
A stunning set, rife with wild vocals and explosive electronics

Rising British pop star Holly Humberstone's second, 'Cruel World', showcases lush, hook-filled songs of angst and longing

Thomas H. Green
Lyrically chewy, youthful, indie-tinted, and mostly likeable

Brighton trio Tigercub let rip with rocking fourth album 'Nets To Catch The Wind'

Tom Carr
Angsty yet immediate, powerful dose of alternative rock

In 'The World is to Dig', even They Might Be Giants suffer disillusion

Sebastian Scotney
World-weariness sets in

James K, Barbican review - a little awkwardness and a lot of awe

Joe Muggs
The New Yorker's first UK show with full band shows nerdy personality and grand vision

The latest from Bilmuri: 'Kinda Hard' kinda fun, kinda as expected

Ellie Roberts
Another entry into the pop punk scene that would make for a great live set

Music Reissues Weekly: Wednesday Morning 6AM - Radio Hits from the Small Hours 1970-1983

Kieron Tyler
Eye-opening tribute to BBC Radio 2’s riposte to Radio’s 1’s allegiance to the charts

Miroslav Vitouš's 'Mountain Call' - a multi-dimensional musician and free spirit at work

Sebastian Scotney
Justice done to the co-founder of Weather Report

Basement Jaxx, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow review - sci-fi staging and a barrage of bangers

Jonathan Geddes
Despite a mostly seated venue, the dance veterans got fans on their feet with ease

Melvins and Napalm Death come together to raise Cain on ‘Savage Imperial Death March’

Guy Oddy
Extreme noise terrorists double up their fire power to great effect

She may feel 'Ambiguous Desire' but Arlo Parks's ambition is single-minded

Joe Muggs
The quietly poetic singer-songwriter finds an impressive way to get louder

theartsdesk on Vinyl 96: Duran Duran, Vitalic, Fliptrix, Stravinsky, Happy Mondays, Miles Davis and more

Thomas H. Green
The last great bastion of regular international vinyl record reviewing

In and out of this world: LYR's 'Dark Sky Reservation'

Tim Cumming
Third album from Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and friends is propelled by cosmic as well as worldly themes

Kreator, O2 Academy Brixton review - German thrash titans batter and thrill

Thomas H. Green
With a line-up that includes Exodus and Carcass, a top-notch night of the heaviest metal

Aynur Doğan, St George's Bristol review - a glorious celebration of Kurdish identity

Mark Kidel
Leading Kurdish vocalist takes tradition on an adventure

José González invokes a nostalgic feeling with 'Against The Dying Of The Light'

Tom Carr
Gloomy yet brooding and compelling human

Music Reissues Weekly: Head - Blackpool Cool

Kieron Tyler
Scottish jazz rarity resurfaces

Tom Misch drifts through ‘Full Circle’ without quite taking off

Ibi Keita
A well-crafted sound that plays it a little too safe

Gorillaz, OVO Hydro, Glasgow review - cartoon cavalcade has plenty of life

Jonathan Geddes
Damon Albarn's animated outfit featured dazzling visuals and constant guests

Don Broco continue pushing boundaries of rock with frantic 'Nightmare Tripping'

Tom Carr
A meaningful reiteration and next step of their sonic journey

Robyn's luminous pop may be 'Sexistential' but there's no angst

Joe Muggs
While some synth pop queens fade, the Swede seems to burn ever brighter

Powerful singer, creator, activist Raye's 'This Music May Contain Hope' is astonishing

Sebastian Scotney
Raye’s moment has definitely arrived, and this is an inspirational album

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