Orbital: A Beginner’s Guide (ALBUM REVIEW)

I can still recall the moment Orbital first entered my life. Coming to after kipping on a friend’s floor after a night on the tiles, the room suddenly filled with the delightfully ethereal sampled vocal of Kirsty Hawkshaw, expertly fucked about with on Orbital’s slowest of slow burner introduction to ‘Halcyon + on + on’. A somewhat lengthier and bouncier mix of its original, arguably the track’s definitive version and of course, the delicious denouement of Orbital’s magnificent second album commonly known as ‘Brown’, my gateway to Phil and Paul’s unique variety of Hartnoll techno heaven.

Lazy Day 'Open the Door' (ALBUM REVIEW)

Lazy Day’s first full lengther Open the Door is the culmination of a ten year journey by Tilly Scantlebury, formerly of Brighton band Hella Better Dancer. An art historian by day, they have built on previous lo(wer)-fi releases, to curate a tightly bound and far slicker collection this time.

 

Evan Dando - (LIVE REVIEW) Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, October 21st 2024

Prior to this show, the not-entirely-positive reviews coming out of recent US tours had given me a sense of foreboding, which was not entirely justified. Strong support came from Ella Raphael; beautiful sunbeam tinged blues, reminiscent of Hope Sandoval at her hazy best; and Juanita Stein (formally of Howling Bells), with her nostalgia soaked, perfectly constructed Americana. 

 

Crows 'Reason Enough' (ALBUM REVIEW and TOUR PREVIEW)

Crows return with third album Reason Enough having taken the sandpaper to some of their sharpest edges. The London four-piece have built a formidable reputation for their leaden take on post punk, which here is occasionally tempered to produce their most accessible tunes to date, but with no compromise on the poise and attitude.