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  • Moya Brennan on the Echo of ‘Macalla’ — 40 Years of Clannad’s Timeless Legacy | XS Noize Podcast #255
  • The Proclaimers announce CHSQ Belfast show for Sunday 16th August 2026
  • The Twilight Sad announce Spring 2026 UK Tour and new single ‘Waiting For The Call’ featuring Robert Smith of The Cure
  • LIVE REVIEW: Coheed and Cambria Illuminate Nottingham’s Rock City with Progressive Power
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Kool & The Gang – Greatest Hits
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • The Proclaimers
          News

          The Proclaimers announce CHSQ Belfast show for Sunday 16th August 2026

          October 28, 2025

          Scottish music duo The Proclaimers announce a return to Belfast on Sunday, 16th August, to headline Custom House Square. Strikingly individual, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid emerged 34 years ago with their debut album This […]

          twilight sad
          News

          The Twilight Sad announce Spring 2026 UK Tour and new single ‘Waiting For The Call’ featuring Robert Smith of The Cure

          October 28, 2025

          Currently readying a long-awaited new album for release next year, The Twilight Sad today share a propulsive new single titled “Waiting For The Phone Call” via Rock Action Records. An impassioned autobiographical epic detailing a phone call […]

          The Damned
          News

          The Damned announce special new covers album “Not Like Everybody Else” in tribute to Brian James

          October 27, 2025

          The Damned announce the release of “Not Like Everybody Else”, a deeply personal and celebratory covers album – dedicated to the memory of Brian James, the band’s legendary founding guitarist, who passed away on 6th […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Kool & The Gang – Greatest Hits
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Kool & The Gang – Greatest Hits

          October 27, 2025

          Few bands embody the joyous intersection of funk, soul, and pop quite like Kool & The Gang. With a career spanning six decades and 23 studio albums, their influence runs deep; from disco dancefloors and […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Lovely Eggs – Bin Juice
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Lovely Eggs – Bin Juice

          October 16, 2025

          “It’s a shit business”, proclaimed Les McQueen of Crème Brulee fame about the music industry. It is certainly a brutal business, as many have discovered. A fair chunk of the issue is the volume of […]

        • Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Y/N - Esther Yi
          Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Y/N – Esther Yi

          October 30, 2023

          K-Pop has reached an international audience. This year, BLACKPINK made history as the first K-pop band to headline a major UK festival at Hyde Park. The media’s coverage of BTS member’s enlistment into compulsory military […]

          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 […]

        • 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: Coheed and Cambria Illuminate Nottingham’s Rock City with Progressive Power Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Coheed and Cambria Illuminate Nottingham’s Rock City with Progressive Power

          October 27, 2025

          An exceptional night of musicianship and energy unfolded as Coheed and Cambria brought their spellbinding brand of progressive metal to Nottingham’s Rock City on October 22nd. From the very first notes, the band drenched the […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Graham Nash Brings Timeless Harmony and Heart to the London Palladium
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Graham Nash Brings Timeless Harmony and Heart to the London Palladium

          October 21, 2025

          Many artists proudly boast of having special guests on their tours, but few can introduce one with the grace and humility of Graham Nash. Best known for his pivotal roles in The Hollies and Crosby, […]

        • 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// Punk Spirit Burns Bright as SLF, PiL & Sham 69 Rock Custom House Square © Bernie McAllister
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Punk Spirit Burns Bright as SLF, PiL & Sham 69 Rock Custom House Square

          August 17, 2025

          Putting the Fast in Belfast 7 once again proved why it has become a staple of the city’s summer music calendar. A packed Custom House Square buzzed with anticipation as fans from across generations gathered […]

          IN FOCUS// Bryan Adams Brings Joy and Nostalgia to Leeds on ‘Roll With the Punches’ Tour Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Bryan Adams Brings Joy and Nostalgia to Leeds on ‘Roll With the Punches’ Tour

          May 20, 2025

          Legendary Canadian rocker Bryan Adams brought his unstoppable energy to Leeds on May 10th as part of his Roll With the Punches tour — and it was nothing short of a euphoric celebration of life, […]

  • Gigs
        • Hans Zimmer
          Gigs

          Hans Zimmer: The ultimate fan’s guide

          August 27, 2025

          Hans Zimmer, the genius behind Hollywood’s most unforgettable scores, is back on tour with an electrifying live experience to share with his fans. From “Inception” to “Dune”, Zimmer is preparing to transform his soundscapes into […]

          Andrea Bocelli
          Gigs

          The ultimate fans guide to seeing Andrea Bocelli in Amsterdam

          August 21, 2025

          The Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, will be at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on March 29 and 30, 2026. The show will feature a mix of operatic tracks, pop songs, and classical repertoire. Bocelli is […]

          Eros Ramazzotti
          Gigs

          Eros Ramazzotti: Dates, venues, tickets and more

          August 18, 2025

          To celebrate the 40th anniversary of his breakout single, “Una Storia Importante”, Eros Ramazzotti will be performing live on some of the grandest stages across Europe, Latin America, and North America. Ramazzotti is a world-renowned […]

  • Interviews
        • :Panic :Over
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: :Panic :Over Are Turning Northern Irish Indie Into a Global Sound

          October 16, 2025

          Neal McClelland meets the Northern Irish band whose anthemic sound is turning heads from Belfast to Tokyo. There’s something electric about catching a band right before liftoff — that mix of confidence, humour, and disbelief […]

          Fabrizio Cammarata
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Fabrizio Cammarata on Solitude, Connection, and the Inner Worlds of His New Album “Insularities”

          October 10, 2025

          Sicilian singer-songwriter Fabrizio Cammarata has returned with Insularities — a quietly profound exploration of connection, isolation, transformation, and memory. The record invites listeners into a space between light and shadow, where grief and love share […]

          Asha Maclean
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Asha Maclean on Her Single “Yoga,” Creative Roots, and Staying True to Herself

          June 25, 2025

          Asha Maclean grew up in a deeply creative household, so it’s little surprise that she emerged as a multitalented artist in her own right. Immersed in music and dance from a young age, she first […]

  • Podcast
        • Moya Brennan on the Echo of ‘Macalla’ — 40 Years of Clannad’s Timeless Legacy | XS Noize Podcast #255
          Podcast

          Moya Brennan on the Echo of ‘Macalla’ — 40 Years of Clannad’s Timeless Legacy | XS Noize Podcast #255

          October 28, 2025

          In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Moya Brennan — the unmistakable voice of Clannad, often hailed as the First Lady of Celtic Music. This year marks the 40th […]

          Glen Matlock
          Podcast

          Glen Matlock on Reclaiming His Story in ‘I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol’ | XS Noize Podcast #254

          October 26, 2025

          In this episode, #254 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by a true architect of punk — Glen Matlock, the original bassist and founding spark of The Sex Pistols. Glen co-wrote ten […]

          white lies
          Podcast

          White Lies: Inside the Sonic Freedom and Creative Telepathy of “Night Light” | XS Noize Podcast #253

          October 21, 2025

          In this episode, #253 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Charles Cave and Jack Lawrence-Brown from White Lies to discuss their electrifying seventh album Night Light. This bold, live-driven reinvention captures […]

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Album Reviews

Get the latest album reviews and music reviews from your favourite global bands and artists. Featuring new Album Reviews, from Rock, Indie, Electronic, Alternative, Pop, and much more. All the best new music!

ALBUM REVIEW: Mandrake Handshake – Earth Sized Worlds
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Mandrake Handshake – Earth Sized Worlds

February 19, 2025 Sandra Blemster

Mandrake Handshake is a dynamic, shape-shifting collective from Oxford. Its members range from seven to ten. Their lineup includes Row Janjuah (lead guitar/vocals), Trinity Oksana (lead vocals), Elvis Thirlwell (percussion), Joe Bourdier (drums), Rudy Mae […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Manic Street Preachers - Critical Thinking
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Manic Street Preachers – Critical Thinking

February 13, 2025 Alex Hoggard

The fifteenth studio album from Manic Street Preachers, Critical Thinking, finds the legendary Welsh band laying a positive soundscape while introspectively questioning life through the lyrics. The band have tapped into their influences, ranging from […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Inhaler - Open Wide
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Inhaler – Open Wide

February 4, 2025 Lori Gava

Irish alternative indie band Inhaler once again challenges the status quo with their third studio album, Open Wide. This album is a follow-up to 2023’s Cuts and Bruises, which successfully ducked the second album curse that plagues […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Camille Schmidt – Nude #9
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Camille Schmidt – Nude #9

February 3, 2025 Randall Radic

Camille Schmidt’s debut album, Nude #9, takes its name from her childhood memories of watching models pose nude for her parents’ paintings—portraits of raw vulnerability given detached, neutral titles. The irony of those titles is […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Larkin Poe - Bloom
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Larkin Poe – Bloom

January 28, 2025 Michael Barron

2025 marks fifteen years since sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell formed Larkin Poe following the dissolution of the Lovell Sisters, their previous band with elder sister Jessica. Over the years, the duo’s electrifying blend of […]

The Veils
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Veils – Asphodels

January 22, 2025 Randall Radic

In Greek mythology, asphodels are flowers associated with the underworld, mourning, and the afterlife—an evocative symbol for Asphodels, the latest album from The Veils. Recorded live to tape over five days at Roundhead Studios in […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Matt Berry – Heard Noises
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Matt Berry – Heard Noises

January 22, 2025 Iam Burn

Matt Berry has released albums since 1995, though there was a thirteen-year gap between the first two albums. A 30-year recording career is no mean feat, especially in modern times where fashions and trends feed […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The National - Rome
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The National – Rome

December 12, 2024 Alex Hoggard

The National is often described as a band “you must see live.” Those who have not been fortunate enough to see them in the past can now experience the band’s performances through new enthralling live […]

Stella Rose – Hollybaby EP Review
Album Reviews

Stella Rose – Hollybaby EP Review

December 11, 2024 Randall Radic

Following last year’s debut album, Eyes Of Glass, dark pop artist Stella Rose returns with her new EP, Hollybaby, released via KRO Records. This EP unfolds like cinematic vignettes, blending stark realities with a curated, […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Saint Etienne - The Night
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Saint Etienne – The Night

December 10, 2024 Sandra Blemster

When I think of British trio Saint Etienne, I’m transported to the 90s: a blend of indie-dance tracks infused with 60s influences like “Nothing Can Stop Us.” Their music conjures images of kitchen-sink dramas, green […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Aisha Badru - The Sun Still Rises
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Aisha Badru – The Sun Still Rises

November 26, 2024 Amanda Stock

Right now, so many things are out of our control – global events, elections, a health diagnosis, losing a loved one or news you’re waiting on. As individuals, we can feel lonely and disconnected when […]

Alice Ivy – Do What Makes You Happy
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Alice Ivy – Do What Makes You Happy

November 20, 2024 Randall Radic

Naarm/Melbourne-based artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Alice Ivy unveils her third album, Do What Makes You Happy, via Helix Records. Following her acclaimed 2020 release Don’t Sleep, which featured the standout single “In My Mind,” this […]

Less Than Jake – Uncharted EP Review
Album Reviews

Less Than Jake – Uncharted EP Review

November 15, 2024 Iam Burn

Less Than Jake have been around for over 30 years. Their brand of ska-punk has kept them popular, especially on the live circuit and at various festivals around the globe. They have a healthy back […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Cure - Songs of a Lost World
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Cure – Songs of a Lost World

October 25, 2024 Lori Gava

After a sixteen-year wait, Songs of a Lost World, The Cure’s highly anticipated fourteenth studio album, has finally arrived. Rumours about the release date began circulating as far back as 2018, a testament to frontman […]

Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness

October 24, 2024 Iam Burn

Honest – perhaps the best way to define this Melbourne four-piece, which grew from the city’s pub-rock scene. There’s no flannel, no pretences, just good old-fashioned, down-to-earth music and attitude. In this overly antiseptic world, […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Soccer Mommy – Evergreen
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Soccer Mommy – Evergreen

October 24, 2024 Stuart Evans

On this, her fourth album, Sophie Allison, aka Soccer Mommy, writes candidly and beautifully about life and everything woven into it. Evergreen is a tender, gentle record that wonderfully relates to Allison’s earliest work. Allison’s […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Bastille “&” (Ampersand)
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Bastille – “&”

October 23, 2024 Michael Barron

Bastille’s fifth LP, &, is an ambitious concept album that revolves around the theme of a “collection of story songs” inspired by extraordinary historical and fictional figures. The lineup includes renowned personalities such as the […]

Sun Ra & His Arkestra
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Sun Ra & His Arkestra – Kingdom of Discipline

October 23, 2024 Randall Radic

Kingdom of Discipline, released by Dead Currencies, is a compelling collection of live recordings from Sun Ra & His Arkestra, spanning performances from 1971 to 1990. This seven-track compilation immerses listeners in the cosmic, avant-garde […]

Dolores Forever – It’s Nothing
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Dolores Forever – It’s Nothing

October 21, 2024 Randall Radic

Indie-pop duo Dolores Forever, comprised of Hannah Wilson and Julia Fabrin, unveil their debut album It’s Nothing, a title inspired by a line from their track “Go Fast Go Slow.” As Wilson explains, “Usually, when […]

Bottlemoth
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Bottlemoth – Even Us Ghosts 

October 18, 2024 Stuart Evans

Bristol-based Bottlemoth shimmer and shine on their glorious debut album, Even Us Ghosts. Having changed their name from Bridges to Bottlemoth after a band member left, their socials were hacked and tagged in photos of Bridges […]

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