Complicated Illusions Archives | XS Noize

THE CHAINSMOKERS release hypnotic new single ‘Self Destruction Mode’

June 2, 2023

Grammy® Award-winning and chart-topping artist/producer duo, The Chainsmokers, have released their second single from the TCS5 Era, “Self Destruction Mode”, with genre-bending dark rap/pop artist Bludnymph today. The song, which fans have been rabid for […]

TENACIOUS D release recorded version of fan-favourite cover ‘Wicked Game’

June 1, 2023

Tenacious D – the greatest band in the world, comprised of Jack Black and Kyle Gass – have finally released a recorded version of their viral, fan-favourite live cover of Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Game.’ The […]

Manchester four-piece THE SLOW SHOW announce new album ‘Subtle Love’

May 31, 2023

The Manchester four-piece has built a reputation for soaring crescendos and deep emotional canyons, making music for romantic souls and wounded hearts. As they return with their fifth album, Subtle Love – set for release […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters – But Here We Are

June 2, 2023

Following a year of devastating losses and a bittersweet remembrance and self-reflection, Foo Fighters have boldly returned with their eleventh studio album, But Here We Are. A brutally honest and emotionally raw tribute, speaking about […]

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

June 1, 2023

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 […]

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 […]

BOOK REVIEW: Pop Rock Icons by Philippe Margotin

December 15, 2022

Judging by the front cover, one might expect Pop Rock Icons to be festooned with infographics. It isn’t. Instead, it’s a collection of photographs depicting “London’s Swingin’ 60s & 70s”. Rather than homogenise and cluster […]

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

‘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

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 REVIEW: My Morning Jacket at Kentish Town Forum, London

June 1, 2023

With the global events of 2020, the length of the hiatus since artists last performed in a specific location has soared. However, few artists have had a break of eight years since they last played […]

LIVE REVIEW: The Levellers at Hackney Empire, London

May 25, 2023

When the Levellers took their first acoustic album, We The Collective, of reinterpreted old and new songs on tour in 2018, the London leg took them to Camden Roundhouse in North London. Five years later, […]

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

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// The Pretenders at Limelight 1, Belfast

May 24, 2023

English-American rock band Pretenders played an amazing show last night at Limelight 1, Belfast, as part of their UK and Irish tour. Bernie McAllister was there to take these fantastic images. […]

IN FOCUS// Tom Meighan at Limelight, Belfast

May 15, 2023

Former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan played an amazing show on Saturday night at Limelight, Belfast, supporting his fantastic debut album ‘The Reckoning.’ A born frontman, Tom had the crowd jumping from the first song to […]

BELSONIC is back for its biggest year yet this Saturday at Ormeau Park, Belfast

May 31, 2023

Summertime is here, meaning Belsonic is back with its biggest year yet this Saturday at Ormeau Park, Belfast, with headline act Lionel Richie & special guests, The Human League & Pete Snodden. Bernie McAllister visited […]

Irish rock duo DEA MATRONA play Mandela Hall, Belfast on Saturday, 3rd June

May 30, 2023

Irish rock duo Dea Matrona concludes their first full UK and Ireland headline tour with a hometown show at Mandela in Belfast on Saturday, 3rd June. The band say about the show, “Mandela Hall will […]

ROYAL BLOOD announce new album ‘Back To The Water Below’ & headline show at The Telegraph Building, Belfast

May 26, 2023

Royal Blood today ignite an epic summer ahead as they announce the September 8th release of their fourth album, Back To The Water Below and share its lead single ‘Mountains At Midnight’. The announcement comes […]

INTERVIEW: Frank Turner – “The next album is about being in your forties and not giving a f**k.”

May 31, 2023

Frank Turner is one of, if not the hardest-working musicians currently active. He tours endlessly and has released nine studio albums to date. The most recent, FTHC rising to number 1 on the UK charts. […]

INTERVIEW: Coline Creuzot on her latest single ‘Nothing’ & goals for 2023

April 15, 2023

There’s no denying Coline Creuzot’s talent. Having fallen in love with the arts at a young age, she’s worked tirelessly in pursuit of achieving her dreams, moving from Texas to LA to focus herself entirely […]

INTERVIEW: Daydream Review on debut album ‘Leisure’

April 13, 2023

Last week Daydream Review – frontman and sole songwriter Elijah Montez – dropped Leisure, the debut album. The thirteen-track collection not only highlights Elijah’s growth and development as an artist and a person but also […]

INTERVIEW: Colin Angus 1st AI interview about his new band ‘Moship’

June 1, 2023

In episode #132 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Colin Angus for his first AI interview about his new band “Moship.” The Shamens originator discusses his new project via AIngus, Moships AI aide. […]

INTERVIEW: Dan Croll on his fourth studio album ‘Fools’

May 24, 2023

In episode #131 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Dan Croll to discuss his latest album, Fools. Returning to his familiar haunt Montrose Recording in Richmond, VA, where he also recorded his 2020 […]

INTERVIEW: Jon McClure on new Reverend and the Makers album ‘Heatwave In The Cold North’

May 18, 2023

In episode #130 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers to discuss his new album ‘Heatwave In The Cold North.’ Never resting on their laurels and constantly […]

MANIC STREET PREACHERS release video for ‘Complicated Illusions’ – Watch Now

October 8, 2021 XS Noize

Currently touring around the country, Manic Street Preachers have announced a new visualisation from Kieran Evans to accompany the new single Complicated Illusions available to watch – BELOW. The band have the second half of […]

THE CHAINSMOKERS release hypnotic new single ‘Self Destruction Mode’

TENACIOUS D release recorded version of fan-favourite cover ‘Wicked Game’

Manchester four-piece THE SLOW SHOW announce new album ‘Subtle Love’

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Foo Fighters – But Here We Are

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

Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Ziggy Marley – Music Is In Everything

BOOK REVIEW: Pop Rock Icons by Philippe Margotin

Classic Albums

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

CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran

Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: My Morning Jacket at Kentish Town Forum, London

LIVE REVIEW: The Levellers at Hackney Empire, London

Round Up

XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

In Focus

IN FOCUS// The Pretenders at Limelight 1, Belfast

IN FOCUS// Tom Meighan at Limelight, Belfast

BELSONIC is back for its biggest year yet this Saturday at Ormeau Park, Belfast

Irish rock duo DEA MATRONA play Mandela Hall, Belfast on Saturday, 3rd June

ROYAL BLOOD announce new album ‘Back To The Water Below’ & headline show at The Telegraph Building, Belfast

INTERVIEW: Frank Turner – “The next album is about being in your forties and not giving a f**k.”

INTERVIEW: Coline Creuzot on her latest single ‘Nothing’ & goals for 2023

INTERVIEW: Daydream Review on debut album ‘Leisure’

INTERVIEW: Colin Angus 1st AI interview about his new band ‘Moship’

INTERVIEW: Dan Croll on his fourth studio album ‘Fools’

INTERVIEW: Jon McClure on new Reverend and the Makers album ‘Heatwave In The Cold North’

Complicated Illusions

MANIC STREET PREACHERS release video for ‘Complicated Illusions’ – Watch Now