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  • Enter Shikari Announce Belfast Show At The Telegraph Building
  • Rosa Walton on ‘Tell Me It’s A Dream’, Let’s Eat Grandma and Cyberpunk 2077 | XS Noize Podcast #290
  • Duran Duran Announce ‘Free To Love’ Remix Album Featuring Trixie Mattel
  • Editors Announce New Album ‘Surface, Echo & Sound’ And Share ‘The Rush’
  • Keane Announce 20th Anniversary Reissue Of ‘Under The Iron Sea’
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Enter Shikari
          News

          Enter Shikari Announce Belfast Show At The Telegraph Building

          June 24, 2026

          Enter Shikari will bring their Lose Your Self Tour to The Telegraph Building, Belfast, on Wednesday, December 2, 2026. The St Albans band will be joined on the night by Girlfriend. Tickets go on sale […]

          Duran Duran
          News

          Duran Duran Announce ‘Free To Love’ Remix Album Featuring Trixie Mattel

          June 23, 2026

          Duran Duran have announced Free To Love: Hot Star Remixes, a new remix collection built around their recent single “Free To Love,” featuring Nile Rodgers. The remix album will be released digitally across streaming platforms […]

          Editors
          News

          Editors Announce New Album ‘Surface, Echo & Sound’ And Share ‘The Rush’

          June 23, 2026

          Editors have announced their eighth studio album, Surface, Echo & Sound, set for release on October 30, 2026, via Play It Again Sam. Alongside the announcement, the band have shared the album’s latest single, “The […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          MOMO - Tum Tum Tum
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: MOMO – Tum Tum Tum

          June 19, 2026

          London-based Brazilian multi-instrumentalist MOMO returns with Tum Tum Tum, an eight-track collection recorded live in South London. Twenty years and eight albums into his career, the record reflects an artist still in motion, refining his […]

          ALBUM REVIEW: Embrace - Avalanche
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Embrace – Avalanche

          June 10, 2026

          For three decades, West Yorkshire’s finest have been a steadfast pillar of the British music scene. Celebrating their 30-year milestone in 2026, Embrace return with their highly anticipated ninth studio album, Avalanche. It’s a record […]

        • 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: Mulatu Astatke Brings Ethio-Jazz Mastery To Meltdown Festival Credit: Pete Woodhead
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Mulatu Astatke Brings Ethio-Jazz Mastery To Meltdown Festival

          June 19, 2026

          It is often said that engineers become inventors because they possess the technical knowledge, discipline and imagination needed to turn ideas into functional realities. Mulatu Astatke’s story makes that connection feel especially apt. Born in […]

          LIVE REVIEW: Kamasi Washington Brings Spiritual Jazz Majesty To Meltdown Festival Credit: Pete Woodhead
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Kamasi Washington Brings Spiritual Jazz Majesty To Meltdown Festival

          June 16, 2026

          It has been a significant year for the Southbank Centre, which recently received a £10 million grant as part of its 75th birthday celebrations. Adding to that sense of occasion, Harry Styles was announced as […]

        • 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: Survivalist Bring the Thunder to Limelight 2, Belfast (with Foetal Juice, Existentialist & Suffer) Credit: Marc Leach
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS: Survivalist Bring the Thunder to Limelight 2, Belfast (with Foetal Juice, Existentialist & Suffer)

          April 5, 2026

          As Storm Dave closed in on Northern Ireland, another storm was already gathering. Inside Limelight 2, Belfast, local metal titans Survivalist unleashed thunder of their own — a fitting backdrop for the release of their […]

          IN FOCUS// Ash ignite La Scala with career-spanning London show Credit: Denise Esposito
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Ash ignite La Scala with career-spanning London show

          February 6, 2026

          On 3 February, Ash returned to La Scala for a blistering, high-energy London show. Packed wall to wall, the venue buzzed as the trio tore through a career-spanning set, seamlessly weaving in new material from […]

  • Gigs
        • December 10
          Gigs

          December 10 announce Ulster Hall, Belfast show for July 20th 2026

          April 2, 2026

          Britain’s brand-new boyband December 10 today announce December 10: The Next Step– kicking off in Edinburgh on Friday 10 July and wrapping in Dublin on Tuesday 21 July. “We loved our Introducing! run of shows […]

          White Denim
          Gigs

          White Denim set for Belfast return with Limelight 2 headline show on August 27th 2026

          March 30, 2026

          Formed in 2006, for approaching 20 years White Denim has been celebrated for their fearless blend of garage rock, soul, jazz fusion, psychedelia, and experimental improvisation. Based for much of that time in Austin, though […]

          Tom Jones
          Gigs

          Tom Jones to Play Dublin & Belfast Headline Shows This August 2026

          March 30, 2026

          Legendary Welsh singer and performer Tom Jones has announced a return to Ireland with a headline show within the idyllic grounds of Palmerstown House Estate, just 20 minutes from Dublin City Centre on Sunday 09th […]

  • Interviews
        • Col Gerrard
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Col Gerrard on his self-titled debut, touring with Boyzlife and what comes next

          April 20, 2026

          London-born singer-songwriter Col Gerrard has loved music from an early age, and that passion shines throughout his self-titled debut album. Drawing on a range of influences, the record takes listeners on an emotional journey, with […]

          Ganser
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Alicia Gaines on the Architecture of Ganser and Discomfort by Design

          April 12, 2026

          Chicago’s underground has always thrived in the margins, and few bands embody that restless, art-driven spirit quite like Ganser. Formed in the city’s DIY circuit, the group have carved out a reputation for wiry, confrontational […]

          Elles Bailey
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Elles Bailey on the Story Behind ‘Can’t Take My Story Away’

          March 9, 2026

          Singer-songwriter Elles Bailey released her latest album, Can’t Take My Story Away, at the beginning of this year. Produced by Luke Potashnick, the album is deeply personal and quietly powerful—rooted in resilience, reflection, and self-ownership. […]

  • Podcast
        • ROSA WALTON
          Podcast

          Rosa Walton on ‘Tell Me It’s A Dream’, Let’s Eat Grandma and Cyberpunk 2077 | XS Noize Podcast #290

          June 23, 2026

          In the latest episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Rosa Walton. Best known as one half of Let’s Eat Grandma alongside Jenny Hollingworth, Rosa joins Mark to discuss her debut […]

          Dea Matrona
          Podcast

          Dea Matrona on ‘Hate That I Care’ and Creative Independence | XS Noize Podcast #289

          June 16, 2026

          Belfast rock duo Dea Matrona join Mark Millar on the XS Noize Podcast to discuss their second album, Hate That I Care — a bold, more personal and self-assured new chapter for Mollie McGinn and […]

          Embrace
          Podcast

          Danny McNamara on Embrace’s New Album ‘Avalanche’ and Why Life Doesn’t Wait | XS Noize Podcast #288

          June 9, 2026

          Danny McNamara joins the XS Noize Podcast to discuss Embrace’s new album Avalanche, 30 years of the band, fatherhood, songwriting, The Good Will Out and why life doesn’t wait. […]

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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: The Dears - Lovers Rock
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Dears – Lovers Rock

May 5, 2020 Michael Barron

There’s a direct line between the sort of doominess of No Cities Left and this album (Lovers Rock),” says frontman Murray. A. Lightburn. “You could go straight from Lovers Rock to No Cities Left and […]

REVIEW: Joshua Burnside - Far O’Er The Sounding Main
Album Reviews

REVIEW: Joshua Burnside – Far O’Er The Sounding Main

May 4, 2020 Sonja Sleator

Joshua Burnside, like many of us, is trying to deal with and adapt to the current situation we find ourselves in. Burnside has released a new EP of old traditional folk songs that he wonderfully […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Lanegan - Straight Songs of Sorrow
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Mark Lanegan – Straight Songs of Sorrow

May 1, 2020 Lee Campbell

In his second album release in less than six months, Mark Lanegan’s Straight Songs of Sorrow chronicles the harrowing journey of the darkest and most defining periods of his life, from growing up in Washington […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Ist Ist - Architecture
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Ist Ist – Architecture

April 30, 2020 Ben P Scott

Formed in 2014 and having gathered traction with a series of well-received EPs, the four-piece Ist Ist is a band with an unmistakably Manchester sound. Their long-awaited debut LP arrives in the form of ‘Architecture’, […]

REVIEW: Reevah - A Different Light EP
Album Reviews

REVIEW: Reevah – A Different Light EP

April 30, 2020 Lori Gava

Derry songwriter Reevah, aka Aoife Boyle, released her second EP A Different Light on April 24. The latest EP is the follow up to her 2018 EP Hummingbird. Reevah has drawn significant attention with her […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Hightown Pirates - All of the Above
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Hightown Pirates – All of the Above

April 28, 2020 Sandra Blemster

The Hightown Pirates was formed by Simon Mason. He penned the critically acclaimed rock n roll memoir Too High Too Far Too Soon: Tales from a Dubious Past in 2013. Back in the 90s, Mason […]

ALBUM REVIEW: I Break Horses – Warnings
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: I Break Horses – Warnings

April 27, 2020 David Ham

I Break Horses is the musical partnership of Maria Linden and Frederick Balck who are based in Stockholm, Sweden. Signed to Bella Union their debut album Hearts was released in 2011 and is an interesting […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Brendan Benson - Dear Life 2
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Brendan Benson – Dear Life

April 23, 2020 Daniel Lynch

Brendan Benson returns with his latest solo album, Dear Life, seven years since his last. His career now spans over twenty years and, as a result, he’s certainly allowed the freedom of experimentation we hear across the album’s […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Columbia Mills - CCTV
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Columbia Mills – CCTV

April 23, 2020 Gareth O'Malley

Columbia Mills have always been drawn to the dark. From their early singles right up to 2018’s ‘Close to You’, the Dublin-based quintet – namely, brothers Fiachra and Uisneagh Treacy (vocals and bass, respectively), Stephen […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Thundercat - It Is What It Is
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Thundercat – It Is What It Is

April 23, 2020 Michael Barron

Stephen Lee Bruner aka Thundercat is best known for producing Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly earning Lee a Grammy. However there so much more to this jazz enthusiast than this.  Despite being […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Roger O’Donnell - 2 Ravens
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Roger O’Donnell – 2 Ravens

April 23, 2020 Amanda Stock

Keyboardist and composer Roger O’Donnell has spent over 40 years on stage with bands like Psychedelic Furs, The Thompson Twins and for the last 33 years (on and off) the world’s biggest cult band – […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Rina Sawayama - SAWAYAMA
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Rina Sawayama – SAWAYAMA

April 16, 2020 Gareth O'Malley

Reckoning with the past is never easy and can sometimes be excruciating – Rina Sawayama knows that as well as anyone, and her debut album explores life through lived experience and harsh truths. She’s lived […]

ALBUM REVIEW: EOB - Earth
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: EOB – Earth

April 15, 2020 Lori Gava

On April 17th Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien releases his long-awaited solo effort Earth. In doing so he joins his fellow Radiohead members, Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and Phil Selway in diving into the waters of […]

INTERVIEW: Mystery Jets' Blaine Harrison - "The NHS is the closest thing we have to a religion in this country" 3
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Mystery Jets – A Billion Heartbeats

April 7, 2020 Sonja Sleator

Four years on from their last album Mystery Jets release their sixth album A Billion Heartbeats. It was due to be released in 2019 but was put on hold as vocalist Blaine Harrison underwent emergency […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Strokes - The New Abnormal
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Strokes – The New Abnormal

April 6, 2020 Lee Campbell

Native New Yorkers, The Strokes are back with their best album since Room on Fire. Coincidental or not, The New Abnormal could be one of the most apt and timely album titles in recent music […]

REVIEW: Ryan McMullan - Ruthless Cupid EP
Album Reviews

REVIEW: Ryan McMullan – Ruthless Cupid EP

April 6, 2020 Sonja Sleator

Ruthless Cupid is the second EP from Northern Irish singer/songwriter Ryan McMullan. McMullan says, “The concept of the EP is based on the argument that Cupid may not be the humanitarian we may have been led to […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Locate S,1 - Personalia
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Locate S,1 – Personalia

April 3, 2020 Gareth O'Malley

In the fast-moving world of music creation, appreciation and consumption, sometimes you just have to put yourself first. Just ask Christina Schneider; the Athens, Georgia-based artist has been involved in a number of different musical […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Malojian - Humm
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Malojian – Humm

April 3, 2020 Daniel Lynch

Malojian, aka Stevie Scullion, sends his latest album, Humm, out into the world with the message, “if it brings you even a few minutes of distraction during these strange times then happy days”. Mission accomplished. […]

ALBUM REVIEW: CMON - Confusing Mix Of Nations
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: CMON – Confusing Mix Of Nations

April 2, 2020 Gareth O'Malley

This might be CMON’s first album, but it’s far from their first rodeo; the band’s made up of Josh da Costa and Jamen Whitelock, both of whom were part of New Yorkers Regal Degal – […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Enter Shikari - Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Enter Shikari – Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible

April 1, 2020 Michael Barron

Beyond having a tenacious work ethic evidenced by Enter Shikari’s gruelling 2019 tour schedule (including their War Child show at The Dome) and releasing the standalone single “Stop the Clocks”; Enter Shikari’s strongest characteristic is […]

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LATEST PODCASTS

  • ROSA WALTON
    Rosa Walton on ‘Tell Me It’s A Dream’, Let’s Eat Grandma and Cyberpunk 2077 | XS Noize Podcast #290
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  • Dea Matrona
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    June 16, 2026
  • Embrace
    Danny McNamara on Embrace’s New Album ‘Avalanche’ and Why Life Doesn’t Wait | XS Noize Podcast #288
    June 9, 2026
  • The Hoosiers
    The Hoosiers on New Album ‘Compassion,’ Toxicity & Finding Joy Again | XS Noize Podcast #287
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    Robert Arkins on The Commitments, Jimmy Rabbitte and Life After the Film | XS Noize Podcast #286
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  • Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music, "Fire Escape Symphonies" and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285
    Nerina Pallot on 25 Years of Music and Why Hope Still Matters | XS Noize Podcast #285
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