Trending
  • THE MURDER CAPITAL share brand new track ‘Heart In The Hole’
  • THE LONGEST JOHNS announce headline show at Limelight, Belfast
  • PET SHOP BOYS announce special 30th anniversary release of their album ‘Relentless’
  • INTERVIEW: Erene Mastrangeli talks latest single ‘Love, Shine’ & her new album
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Blonde Redhead – Sit Down For Dinner
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • Youtube
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • Spotify
  • RSS
XS Noize | Latest Music News
  • News
        • The Murder Capital
          News

          THE MURDER CAPITAL share brand new track ‘Heart In The Hole’

          September 27, 2023

          The Murder Capital returns with a brand new single, the magisterial ‘Heart In A Hole’. ‘Heart In The Hole’ is another hypnotic honing of their sound, slowly crackling into life around looped vocals and angular, […]

          The Longest Johns
          Gigs

          THE LONGEST JOHNS announce headline show at Limelight, Belfast

          September 27, 2023

          Having met and bonded over sea shanties across a kitchen table in their native Bristol a decade ago, The Longest Johns – Jonathan ‘JD’ Darley, Andy Yates and Robbie Sattin – have sailed the seven […]

          Pet Shop Boys
          News

          PET SHOP BOYS announce special 30th anniversary release of their album ‘Relentless’

          September 27, 2023

          Pet Shop Boys announce the upcoming release of ‘Relentless’ – a special limited edition issued to celebrate the 30th anniversary of an album which occupies a legendary status in their catalogue. Pet Shop Boys’ fifth […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          Blonde Redhead – Sit Down For Dinner
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Blonde Redhead – Sit Down For Dinner

          September 27, 2023

          Blonde Redhead, made up of Kazu Makino and Italian twin brothers Amedeo and Simone Pace, releases their new album, Sit Down For Dinner, their first studio album in eight years. The album’s title carries a […]

          Teenage Fanclub - Nothing Lasts Forever
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Teenage Fanclub – Nothing Lasts Forever

          September 20, 2023

          For this, Teenage Fanclub’s eleventh LP, the now quintet, returned to Rockfield Studios in the Welsh countryside, where they recorded Howdy! in the late nineties. Whilst the veterans only have one top twenty hit to […]

        • Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes
          Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes

          August 29, 2023

          How does one become qualified to write a fictional music novel? The author of Sophomore Songs offers some clues. Growing up reading NME, doing a stint at Clash, drumming for several bands on and off, and […]

          Ziggy Marley - Music Is In Everything
          Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Ziggy Marley – Music Is In Everything

          January 16, 2023

          Back in 2020, Ziggy Marley teamed up with Lisa Loeb to release a catchy and infectious song that will get people of all ages to sing along called “Music Is in everything”. This song which […]

        • Classic Albums

          ‘Pop’ at 25: Looking back at the orphan child in U2's discography 2
          Classic Albums

          ‘Pop’ at 26: Looking back at the orphan child in U2’s discography

          March 3, 2022

          In March of 1997, 26 years ago, U2 released their much anticipated ninth studio album POP; for fans and critics alike, it quickly became their most polarizing release. There is a prevailing feeling that POP […]

          CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran 2
          Album Reviews

          CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran

          June 17, 2021

          This week sees the 40th anniversary of Duran Duran’s self-titled debut album. XS Noize looks back on this momentous release from a band that would become the ‘Fab Five’ of the ‘80s. It was December […]

        • Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Kula Shaker at The 100 Club, London
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Kula Shaker at The 100 Club, London

          September 7, 2023

          Twenty years following the departure of their original organist in 1999, Kula Shaker released their sixth LP, First Congregational Church of Eternal Love and Free Hugs, which can best be described as their most vital […]

          LIVE REVIEW: The Strokes at All Points East Festival, Mile End, London
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: The Strokes at All Points East Festival

          August 29, 2023

          As well as 2023 ending the four-year hiatus since The Strokes headlined All Points East, this festival day saw terrific performances by The Walkmen, Amyl and the Sniffers and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. After taking […]

        • Round Up

          XS Noize Best Albums of 2018
          Round Up

          XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

          December 22, 2018

          2018 has been an incredible year for albums. The year saw the strongest new acts in decades release their debuts, as well as a number of alternative legends returning to top form. The world of dance […]

          The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP
          Round Up

          The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

          October 29, 2018

          Welcome to the October 2018 edition of our monthly new music playlist, which is available to listen to and watch via YouTube. If you enjoy any of the songs featured here, we encourage you to support […]

        • In Focus

          IN FOCUS// Field Day 2023 with Aphex Twin, Bonobo, Arca and others at Victoria Park, London Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Field Day 2023 with Aphex Twin, Bonobo, Arca and others at Victoria Park, London

          August 22, 2023

          Victoria Park is a place of yearly festivities and grand summer concerts. On the 19th of August, one of the most creative and mysterious electronic music producers – Aphex Twin – had a hugely awaited […]

          IN FOCUS// STIFF LITTLE FINGERS at Custom House Square, Belfast © Bernie McAllister
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// STIFF LITTLE FINGERS at Custom House Square, Belfast

          August 21, 2023

          Following their SOLD OUT Custom House Square show in 2022, Legendary NI Punks STIFF LITTLE FINGERS returned to Custom House Square for another special night in Belfast on Saturday, 19th August 2023, alongside an all-star line-up […]

  • Gigs
        • The Longest Johns
          Gigs

          THE LONGEST JOHNS announce headline show at Limelight, Belfast

          September 27, 2023

          Having met and bonded over sea shanties across a kitchen table in their native Bristol a decade ago, The Longest Johns – Jonathan ‘JD’ Darley, Andy Yates and Robbie Sattin – have sailed the seven […]

          Wild Youth
          Gigs

          WILD YOUTH announce Voodoo, Belfast show in December

          September 25, 2023

          After months of touring across Europe to sold-out crowds plus Huge Eurovision performances, one of Ireland’s biggest bands, Wild Youth, have announced a headline Belfast show in December. As known for their enigmatic stage presence […]

          take that
          Gigs

          TAKE THAT announce massive 2024 live tour & unleash their brand-new single ‘Windows’

          September 22, 2023

          One of the UK’s most successful bands, Take That, have today announced their return with a huge stadium and arena live tour for 2024 alongside news of their ninth studio album, This Life, set for […]

  • Interviews
        • Erene Mastrangeli
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Erene Mastrangeli talks latest single ‘Love, Shine’ & her new album

          September 27, 2023

          Regarded as Italy’s answer to Joni Mitchell, Erene Mastrangeli’s music entices flashbacks to the sounds and famed artists of yesteryears, notably the 70s, a decade which heavily influences Erene and the songs she shares with the […]

          Big Gigantic & AHEE
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Big Gigantic & AHEE talk about their new single ‘Oh Dang!’

          September 26, 2023

          Electronic dance music duo Big Gigantic, Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken teamed up with bass music producer AHEE to create a funk-filled, drop-heavy banger of a track, “Oh Dang!” After emerging in 2009, Big Gigantic […]

          Everyday Pharaohs
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Glasgow-based trio Everyday Pharaohs discuss infectious new single ‘Skelmo’

          September 19, 2023

          The Glasgow-based Everyday Pharaohs have been making waves in the music scene for some years now, becoming a regular name gracing the city’s venues. After recently releasing the uplifting and highly infectious ‘Skelmo’, I thought […]

  • Podcast
        • Brand New Friend
          Podcast

          INTERVIEW: Grandstand Glory: A Candid Conversation with Taylor and Lauren Johnson of Brand New Friend

          September 21, 2023

          In episode #147 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Taylor and Lauren Johnson of Brand New Friend to discuss their new album, ‘Grandstand.’ No strangers to Ireland’s buzzing live scene, Brand New Friend […]

          Alex Lowe
          Podcast

          INTERVIEW: Hurricane #1 frontman Alex Lowe on their new album ‘Backstage Waiting to Go On’

          September 20, 2023

          In episode #146 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Alex Lowe from Hurricane #1 to discuss their latest album ‘Backstage Waiting To Go On.’ With 2 top 20 albums and 7 top 40 […]

          Steven Wilson
          Podcast

          INTERVIEW: Unlocking The Harmony Codex: A Conversation with Steven Wilson

          September 11, 2023

          In episode #145 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Steven Wilson to discuss his seventh album, THE HARMONY CODEX. Steven Wilson is an artist/producer based in North London. His last album, The Future […]

  • About Us
  • Contribute
  • Home
  • Author
  • Alex Hoggard

Articles by Alex Hoggard

Xsnoize Author
Alex Hoggard
Having started about music by reviewing live performances for Pearl Jam fansites, led to writing for the band's official website which led to writing gig and album reviews for a number of music sites and local newspapers. Enjoying an eclectic taste in genres has been found to relieve the stresses of following Hull Kingston Rovers RLFC! Favourite bands/artists include; Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Brad, The Levellers, Stone Roses, Oasis, Harvey Danger, London Grammar, Ride & Manic Street Preachers to name but a few! Favourite album: Yield - Pearl Jam.
Website
Explosions In The Sky - End
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Explosions In The Sky – End

September 14, 2023 Alex Hoggard

In April this year, when Explosions in the Sky announced their first North American tour since 2019, the excitement was matched with a sense of worry that it would be their last as it was […]

Grian Chatten - Chaos For The Fly
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Grian Chatten – Chaos For The Fly

June 28, 2023 Alex Hoggard

In the last four years since their debut album Dogrel, Fontaines D.C. have enormously impacted the post-punk scene. Their debut received a Mercury Prize nomination, then a year later, A Hero’s Death earned a Grammy […]

Far From Saints
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Far From Saints – Far From Saints

June 18, 2023 Alex Hoggard

Far From Saints sees Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics team up with Patty Lynn and Dwight Baker of The Wind and The Wave to present an album that successfully freewheels through genres from country to […]

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - Council Skies
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Council Skies

June 1, 2023 Alex Hoggard

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds return for the first time in six years with Council Skies. The long-awaited return sees Noel Gallagher successfully make numerous stylistic changes while contemplating a range of emotions to piece […]

Blondshell
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Blondshell – Blondshell 

April 6, 2023 Alex Hoggard

The debut eponymous album from Blondshell offers a compelling journey through nine tracks of self-discovery and reflection sprinkled with humour and memorable lyricism to provide one of the most promising debuts of 2023. 25-year-old Sabrina […]

Neutral Milk Hotel
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Neutral Milk Hotel – The Collected Works of Neutral Milk Hotel

February 22, 2023 Alex Hoggard

The Collected Works of Neutral Milk Hotel is an almost exhaustive recorded history of Jeff Mangum’s esteemed band Neutral Milk Hotel. The boxset is compiled of four 12” LPs, two 10” records and three 7” […]

Shame – Food for Worms
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Shame – Food for Worms

February 22, 2023 Alex Hoggard

The South London five-piece Shame return with their third album, Food for Worms, which marks a departure from their previous efforts. Moving away from their post-punk beginnings, the band have tapped into their eclectic range […]

Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Yo La Tengo – This Stupid World

February 9, 2023 Alex Hoggard

Now in their fourth decade as a band, indie rock trio Yo La Tengo understand the intricacies of time. On their first LP since 2018, This Stupid World, the group debates the passing of time, […]

The Waeve
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Waeve – The Waeve

February 2, 2023 Alex Hoggard

The Waeve sees Blur‘s Graham Coxon team up with Rose Elinor Dougall, of The Pipettes, to release their debut eponymous collection of ten songs that travel through genres. Elements of jazz, punk and rock combine […]

Fucked Up – One Day
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Fucked Up – One Day

January 28, 2023 Alex Hoggard

Throughout their three decades of existence, Fucked Up haven’t built up a reputation for doing things on a small scale. From enormous concept albums to twelve-hour performances, it’s obvious they like to take their time. […]

The Subways
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Subways – Uncertain Joys

January 12, 2023 Alex Hoggard

After an extended hiatus of eight years, The Subways are back with their fifth studio album, Uncertain Joys, a record of driving riffs and catchy choruses. This time, there is a different look to the […]

David Bowie – Divine Symmetry
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: David Bowie – Divine Symmetry

November 24, 2022 Alex Hoggard

The year 1971 proved defining for David Bowie; having become a father for the first time, he signed a record deal with RCA before going on to meet Andy Warhol, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed […]

Big Joanie - Back Home
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Big Joanie – Back Home

November 6, 2022 Alex Hoggard

In 2018, Thurston Moore started his independent label Daydream Library Series solely to release Big Joanie’s critically acclaimed debut album Sistahs. Since then, the black feminist punk band have become known for their passionate live performances […]

Andy Bell – The Grounding Process 
Album Reviews

REVIEW: Andy Bell – The Grounding Process EP

November 4, 2022 Alex Hoggard

In February, Andy Bell released his second solo album Flicker to great acclaim. The 18-track double album was written almost as a conversation with his younger self, reflecting on the past while looking to the future and […]

Arctic Monkeys – The Car
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Arctic Monkeys – The Car

October 26, 2022 Alex Hoggard

It is difficult to believe that the album that shot Arctic Monkeys into the limelight, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, was released sixteen years ago. At the time of its release, […]

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Return of the Dream Canteen 
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Red Hot Chili Peppers – Return of the Dream Canteen 

October 21, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Just six months after the release of their twelfth studio album, the lengthy Unlimited Love, the Red Hot Chili Peppers return with their thirteenth effort, the equally extensive Return of the Dream Canteen. The latest offering was […]

The Cult – Under The Midnight Sun
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Cult – Under The Midnight Sun

October 7, 2022 Alex Hoggard

While walking the grounds of the Provinssirock Festival, Ian Astbury found himself taking in the surreal experience of the ‘midnight sun’ during the summer months when the sun doesn’t set north of the Arctic Circle. […]

tim burgess
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Tim Burgess – Typical Music 

September 22, 2022 Alex Hoggard

Having enjoyed a thirty-two-year career, it’s entirely plausible to think that Charlatans’ frontman Tim Burgess may have exhausted the limits of his creative brain cells. Yet, if the last two years are to go by, […]

Parkway Drive
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Parkway Drive – Darker Still

September 8, 2022 Alex Hoggard

One of the key concepts behind Parkway Drive’s latest offering, Darker Still, is a Tom Waits quote that emblazons frontman Winston McCall’s refrigerator in his Byron Bay home; “I want beautiful melodies telling me terrible […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Painted Shield – Painted Shield 2
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Painted Shield – Painted Shield 2

May 27, 2022 Alex Hoggard

The Pandemic caused many established bands to rethink and adjust their writing and recording process to continue producing music. While in-person sessions were off the cards, modern technology allowed musicians to produce records without meeting. […]

Posts navigation

1 2 »

Trending

  • Explosions In The Sky - End
    ALBUM REVIEW: Explosions In The Sky – End
  • Van Morrison
    VAN MORRISON releases new single ‘Problems’ from his upcoming album ‘Accentuate The Positive’
  • KULA SHAKER announce new single ‘INDIAN RECORD PLAYER’
  • Teenage Fanclub - Nothing Lasts Forever
    ALBUM REVIEW: Teenage Fanclub – Nothing Lasts Forever
  • Bruce Dickinson
    BRUCE DICKINSON announces new solo album ‘The Mandrake Project’
  • TREVOR HORN announces ‘ECHOES – ANCIENT & MODERN’ ft Iggy Pop, Marc Almond, Tori Amos, Lady Blackbird, Rick Astley & more
  • oasis
    OASIS release brand-new lyric video for ‘Acquiesce’ as part of the 25th anniversary of ‘The Masterplan’
  • Brand New Heavies
    INTERVIEW: The Brand New Heavies’ Andrew & Simon celebrate 35 years with ‘Never Stop… The Best Of’
  • STEVEN WILSON
    STEVEN WILSON releases ‘What Life Brings’ from upcoming album ‘The Harmony Codex’
  • johnny marr
    JOHNNY MARR announces ‘Spirit Power: The Best Of Johnny Marr’ with new single ‘Somewhere’

TOP UK MUSIC BLOG 2023

VuelioTop10Badge2023

Facebook Posts

eire wave logo
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 | XS Noize. Website by Skyhaven Media

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Privacy Policy
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT