Reviews Archives | XS Noize | Online Music Magazine

REVIEW: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Black Star Dancing EP

June 17, 2019 Ben P Scott 0

Resurgent former Oasis chief Noel Gallagher surprised quite a few listeners and critics with his excellent 2017 album ‘Who Built The Moon’. Leaving behind the well-trodden path of stadium anthems and indie rock singalongs was […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Bastille – ‘Doom Days’

June 13, 2019 Phoebe Hedges 0

In their third studio album, ‘Doom Days’, Bastille creates “an apocalyptic party album”, which captures and reflects upon the turbulent political atmosphere of the last three years. Unlike its predecessor, ‘Doom Days’ is not concerned […]

LIVE REVIEW: The Interrupters @ Limelight 2, Belfast 11th June 2019

June 12, 2019 Lee Campbell Comments Off

This was my first live experience of LA-based, ska-punksters, The Interrupters. I was anticipating a high-energy, vibrant gig and they didn’t disappoint. Formed in California in 2011, their appearance at the Limelight marked the start […]

BOOK REVIEW: John Lennon and Jean Jullien – Imagine

June 11, 2019 Michael Barron 0

The 1971 hit “Imagine” is probably the most globally recognised solo hit by John Lennon following his career with The Beatles. Whilst Oasis used the hook/riff from “Imagine”, the message of peace and to desist […]

TRACK OF THE DAY: JARV IS – Must I Evolve?

June 10, 2019 Ben P Scott 0

This sprawling, driving experimental pop opus marks the return of legendary Pulp frontman and Sheffield poet Jarvis Cocker. His new outfit JARV IS also consists of fellow members Serafina Steer, Emma Smith, Andrew McKinney, Jason […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Divine Comedy – Office Politics

June 4, 2019 Ben P Scott 1

Although much of their post 90’s output has met with critical acclaim, this particular writer hasn’t warmed to any of the albums The Divine Comedy has released since 2001’s reinventive ‘Regeneration’. Aside from a few […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley – Further

June 3, 2019 Sandra Blemster 0

2019 is quite a year for Richard Hawley. As well as releasing his eighth studio album Further, a musical has been released based on his songs. Standing At the Sky’s Edge premiered at his hometown, […]

TRACK OF THE DAY: Heads Off – Hologram

June 3, 2019 Ben P Scott 0

With a sound powered by filthy bass, raucous hooks, low budget production and a no-bullshit attitude, the Sheffield outfit Heads Off have stepped it up a notch on their brilliant third album ‘Everything Is Everything […]

TRACK OF THE DAY: Sarah Packiam – She’s A Riot

June 1, 2019 Lori Gava 0

After a long apprenticeship in the music industry, Irish- Indian songstress Sarah Packiam has released the second single, “She’s a Riot” off of her pending album, “Love Yourself”. “She’s a Riot” is a homage to […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Delta Mainline – ‘Bel Avenir’

May 31, 2019 Ben P Scott 0

Those seeking music with layers, depth, atmosphere and melody should seek out Delta Mainline’s new record. ‘Bel Avenir’ is the Edinburgh band’s second album, and follows on from the acclaimed 2013 debut ‘Oh! Enlightened’. Recorded […]

BOOK REVIEW: Basquiat By Julian Voloj and Søren Mosdal

May 31, 2019 Michael Barron 0

It is well known that Jean-Michel Basquiat aka SAMO was a renowned neo-expressionist artist who gifted the world with numerous “provocative” works defining the New York art scene of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. […]

TRACK OF THE DAY: Will And The People – Gigantic

May 31, 2019 Gemma Harewood 0

Will And The People make a return to the music sphere this month with their new single “Gigantic.” Alongside brother Jamie, Jim Ralphs and Charlie Harman, the Brighton based guys are on to something special […]

LIVE REVIEW: Grooving in Green, Cold in Berlin, Killing Eve @ Night people, Manchester

May 30, 2019 Jay Roberts 0

They say you should never meet your heroes. I have to disagree with that following an awesome show at Night People in Manchester. A bit of background, I am a bassist and learned to play […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Sam Wickens – All I’ve Seen

May 28, 2019 Daniel Lynch 0

Finally a glimpse into the mind of one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting rising talents. Anyone following Sam Wickens closely might have had a frustrating wait since his emergence a few years ago. Since 2016, […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Duncan Lloyd – Outside Notion

May 28, 2019 Lori Gava 0

Duncan Lloyd, UK guitarist and lead songwriter for the esteemed band Maximo Park, has over the last decade established himself as a deft solo artist. At first, he released his independent works under the moniker […]

TRACK OF THE DAY – Cardiochaos – ‘Brother of Sleep’

May 24, 2019 Amanda Stock 0

Cardiochaos is the solo electro-alternative pop music project of Viennese musician and filmmaker, Peter Brunner. Brunner suffers from extrasystoles that he feels in his chest – additional heartbeats that appear between regular beats, known as […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Honeyblood – In Plain Sight

May 21, 2019 Lori Gava 0

Glaswegian musician Stina Tweeddale had always intended to recruit a full band in her creation of Honeyblood, but as the saying goes, “things don’t always turn out as planned”. Instead, she entered into a duo […]

TRACK OF THE DAY: The Idle Silence – Chew It Over

May 21, 2019 Ben P Scott 0

A chugging punk-pop nugget described as “a bit of bubblegum pop about an everyday domestic”, ‘Chew It Over’ is an infectious little track. The Idle Silence are a four piece band from Taunton who play […]

TRACK OF THE DAY: Other Nature – ‘Walking A Wall’ – Listen Now

May 17, 2019 Mark Millar 0

No strangers to the music world, Watford’s Other Nature are multi-instrumentalist and producer Sena Verdi AKA Lyonheart, and singer/writer Tariq Khan. Friends since high school, today they announce the release of their brand new single […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The National – I Am Easy To Find

May 17, 2019 Fionn Crossan 0

2017’s ‘Sleep Well Beast’ was a huge moment for The National, winning them their first Grammy. The tense, dark record was so impressive it seemed hard to imagine a follow-up. However, ‘I Am Easy to […]