Angus Finlayson tries not to gush but he just can’t help himself… The debut album from London duo The XX is really, really, really good…
Author Angus Finlayson
Thought Forms – Thought Forms
This album may lack the ‘hazy and mirage like’ quality of a true studio experiment, but then that’s no bad thing; the trio who make up Thought Forms seem largely focussed on capturing a live sound on their debut album.
Tobacco – Fucked Up Friends
A side project from Black Moth Super Rainbow, but Tobacco is worthy of investigation with their quasi-cinematic approach.
Acoustic Ladyland – Living With a Tiger
Essentially, on their fourth long-player, Acoustic Ladyland seem to have lost a lot of their quirk and personality in a bid to become a more defined ‘rock’ band. Shame, says Angus Finlayson.
Anathallo – Canopy Glow
In ‘Canopy Glow’, Anathallo’s second label-released full length (and first on the Anticon label), their usual teenage angst is replaced with…well, adult angst. Which is something we all have, innit. Angus Finlayson reviews.
Bibio – Ambivalence Avenue
The debut release on Warp is sure to see Bibio reaching a whole new audience; the words ‘make or break’ seem to be hovering ominously over this release. Let’s try to ignore them.
Eyes – Night Eyes
Over the course of 16 tracks, the Detroit trio manage to maintain a ‘deranged children let-loose in the studio’ aura with remarkable consistency. Angus Finlayson reviews the debut album from Eyes.
Odd Nosdam – T.I.M.E. Soundtrack
T.I.M.E. Soundtrack is an experiment – and not a particularly successful one. Angus Finlayson reviews.
Shapes – The Pasture, The Oil EP
There are a fair few moments on ‘The Pasture, The Oil’ that suggest Shapes could be a musical gem which has yet to reveal its full lustre. A name to keep a beady eye on, no doubt.
