KMMReviews

Foals are back! Finally! With their fifth album coming a fair few years after What Went Down. With the three singles we've heard already and the, quite frankly, beautiful album cover this clearly promised to be a very special era for Foals and fans of the band alike.

The album opens with the riveting "Moonlight" and it shines down upon the album like a ray of moonlight as it sets the dark, dreary undertone for the album - this is a common theme throughout the entire album as the band deal with the dear state of the world and what constantly feels like an impending doom and as the album builds and cascades it never shakes the dread.


"Syrups" is the only song on the album where I felt as though it dragged on too long and at a mere 4 minutes that's never good. The problem with the song is that it brings the building climax down a notch and makes it just drag out. I feel as though "Syrups" should have been placed earlier in the tracklist as well to m…

Alternative has reached a real peak in the ten's - we've even seen the likes of Lorde tap into it on her second album. But it's the bubbling underground that still continues to create the most entertaining, definitive and thought-provoking music. Self Esteem consists of Rebecca Taylor (formerly of Slow Club) and this is her debut album as part of her solo venture which was produced by Django Django's Dave McLean.

The production on this album is phenomenal, the cascading differences between the songs flow so well that it creates a whole project rather than a collection of potential singles, which is always the danger with pop music. Compliments Please deals with the aftermath of a break up and all of the things that Taylor goes through with those emotions, from her revelations that the mother of her ex always hated her to the acquaintances she makes after the break up to deal with it.


Sometimes Rebecca attempts to use auto tune, presumably as an artistic effect but mos…

This year's list has been a massive disappointment but also a huge relief on my wallet. The commercialization of the day seems to be reaching its final stages as there is SEVEN Fall albums on the list along with the omnipresent Bowie, Stones and Pink Floyd. But there are some gems in there as listed below, let me know what you're planning on getting.
The Charlatans - Us & Us Only
This has been long out of print now, and to see it getting a re-release on the day on transparent vinyl only means that my Charlatans collection is getting ever closer to completion. With tracks such as "Forever" and "Impossible" I recommend you give this a listen.
Pete Doherty - Who's Been Having You Over
Pete Doherty returned lately with his band The Putra Madres and released a phenomenal piece of work in this single, it maintains that London swagger that has always enticed people into his music whilst recapturing some of his boyish charm, make sure to look into this befor…

Echo Beach! are an upcoming band from Birmingham who recently released their debut single "She". That song was an astounding triumph in pop-rock with undertones of something heavier trying to breakthrough. And with that track so close to breaking 50K streams on Spotify alone then it seems apt time to release their follow up single.


The immediate thing I noticed with "Hopeless" is how they've taken inspiration from The Pretenders with the driving guitars alongside lead singer, Paige Janey's, very distinct and unique voice. And with those guitars it's nice to hear a bit of a heavier sound that was rightfully missing on "She". And within just 3 minutes of track time you can hear the reason why Echo Beach! are gaining such a vast following in and around the West Midlands.

And whilst I do feel that they need better production on their tracks to even out the mixing, I can't help but be phenomenally impressed by the fact this is only their secon…

I don't think it's any secret that I'm a huge fan and supporter of live music. There's a strange sense of camaraderie amongst a group of people in a large venue who all love the music that is played before them, but there's nothing better than going to see bands at your local independent venue, I'm quite lucky that my home in Leicester has The Cookie, Dryden Street Social, The Musician, The Shed and The Firebug all dotted throughout the city, and whilst I'm away at University in Birmingham I have The Sunflower Lounge, The Actress & Bishop. The Flapper. The Hare & Hounds and probably a few more I've never even heard of. It's important to support these venues and get down there to support the up and coming talent that graces their stages nearly every night of the week. With that said, let me give you some pointers to who you absolutely should see live.

October Drift
I saw October Drift in early 2018 at the Dryden Street Social in Leicester, th…

Honourable Mentions Albums 50-41
Albums 40-31
Albums 30-21
Albums 20-11
So here it is, my top albums of the (last) year. 2018 was a great year for the music industry with pop music hitting the road with all 4 wheels and punk making a huge comeback, probably due to the incredibly dire state of the world. 
10. Let's Eat Grandma - I'm All Ears
This album didn't actually make the top 10 until I listened to it a few days ago and really appreciated it for the work of art that it is. One of the most under appreciated albums of the year, how it wasn't up for the Mercury Prize baffles me. The 2 women from Norwich have made one of the greatest explorations of love, the mind and life and that's not even taking into account the lyrics, I wish I'd had my epiphany sooner. Also, if you get chance go and see them live, it really is a spectacle!
9. The Magic Gang - S/T
I got into The Magic Gang quite late really, but I'm really glad I did because their indie-rock mixed with some …