The Milk Return with ‘Borderlands’ — Their Most Ambitious Album to Date

August 15, 2025

On 19 September, WLS Records will release The Milk’s sophisticated new album Borderlands, which features outstanding songwriting, deftly served by extraordinary musicianship, mixed with ambitious arrangements and world-class production. A lovingly crafted sonic memoir, it […]

Belfast’s Silent Running Return with Fifth Album ‘Northstar’

August 15, 2025

Belfast’s Silent Running folded for a full 30 years after releasing their third album in 1989. One of Ireland’s biggest musical exports in the 1980s was burned out. They had headlined numerous nights at London’s […]

Ronboy Returns with Haunting New Single “Disaster” Featuring The National’s Matt Berninger

August 15, 2025

Ronboy, the exciting artist project of musician Julia Laws, returns with a haunting new single “Disaster” featuring The National’s frontman Matt Berninger. The track first made its debut on Matt Berninger’s North American US Tour, […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Woody Guthrie – Woody At Home Volumes 1 & 2

August 13, 2025

We are closing in on the 58th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s death; complications from Huntington’s Disease finally sealed his fate on October 3rd, 1967. Despite the lengthy time that has passed, his fingerprints are still […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley – Coles Corner (20th Anniversary)

August 6, 2025

When Coles Corner arrived in 2005, Richard Hawley had recently moved from Setanta to Mute Records, but musically, he was still rooted in the same soil — Sheffield. On paper, it could have been dismissed […]

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

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 […]

‘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 […]

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 […]

LIVE REVIEW: Wet Leg Turn Nottingham Into a Sing-Along Frenzy

August 15, 2025

Nottingham’s The Level was bursting at the seams on August 11th as Grammy-winning indie-rock darlings Wet Leg brought their Moisturizer tour to town — and they didn’t just play a gig, they turned it into […]

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

August 17, 2025

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, […]

Jason Derulo’s 2026 tour: Dates, venues, tickets, and more

August 10, 2025

Jason Derulo will be touring the UK in 2026, performing at some of the UK’s grandest venues in major cities. His return promises to be unforgettable, with electrifying dance moves, chart-topping bangers, and a voice […]

The ultimate guide to OneRepublic’s tour

August 8, 2025

Pop-rock sensation OneRepublic will bring their “Sweet Escape Tour” to Australia and New Zealand next year. With support from special guest Zara Larsson, Ryan Tedder and the crew will bring their hit songs “Counting Stars” […]

Everything you need to know about Metallica’s 2026 tour

August 2, 2025

From anthems to soulful ballads, Metallica is gearing up to take you on a unique journey through their 40-year catalogue. With no-repeat setlists, colossal stages, and an array of hard-hitting support acts, “M72 World Tour” […]

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 […]

INTERVIEW: Roger Taylor on the Rhythm of Duran Duran: Hits, Influences & Life on the Road

June 19, 2025

John Kearns talks to Duran Duran – The Duran Duran European summer tour is now in full swing. The DD truck has already rolled into cities such as Antwerp, Amsterdam and Rome and will continue […]

INTERVIEW: Stephen Moore on Post Death Soundtrack’s New Album & HE IS ME

June 12, 2025

Post Death Soundtrack, the musical project of Stephen Moore, recently unveiled his fifth album, IN ALL MY NIGHTMARES I AM ALONE, a 30-track collection of songs ranging across the stylistic spectrum, including rock, Gothic rock, […]

The Subways: 20 Years of ‘Young For Eternity’ & What’s Next | XS Noize Podcast #240

August 13, 2025

In Episode #240 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Billy Lunn and Charlotte Cooper, from The Subways, to mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album Young For Eternity and the […]

XS Noize Podcast #239 – Bob Stanley on Saint Etienne’s final album International

Bob Stanley on Saint Etienne’s Final Album “International” and 30 Years of Music | XS Noize Podcast #239

August 6, 2025

In Episode #239 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Bob Stanley from Saint Etienne to discuss the legendary band’s 13th and final album, International. For over 30 years, Saint Etienne have […]

Cam – Behind the Songs of 'All Things Light' and Life After a Grammy | XS Noize Podcast #238

Cam – “All Things Light”: Behind the Songs & Grammy Reflections | XS Noize Podcast #238

July 30, 2025

In Episode #238 of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar is joined by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Cam to talk about her new album, All Things Light. From her multi-platinum hit “Burning House” to co-writing on Beyoncé’s […]

R.E.M. Announces ‘Radio Free Europe 2025’ Benefit EP Supporting Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

May 2, 2025 XS Noize

Four decades after igniting college-radio airwaves and launching R.E.M.’s remarkable career, their 1981 debut single “Radio Free Europe” is broadcasting a new signal. Today, R.E.M. announces Radio Free Europe 2025, a five-track benefit EP led […]

The Milk Return with ‘Borderlands’ — Their Most Ambitious Album to Date

Belfast’s Silent Running Return with Fifth Album ‘Northstar’

Ronboy Returns with Haunting New Single “Disaster” Featuring The National’s Matt Berninger

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Woody Guthrie – Woody At Home Volumes 1 & 2

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley – Coles Corner (20th Anniversary)

Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Y/N – Esther Yi

BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes

Classic Albums

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

CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran

Live Reviews

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

LIVE REVIEW: Wet Leg Turn Nottingham Into a Sing-Along Frenzy

Round Up

XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

In Focus

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

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

Jason Derulo’s 2026 tour: Dates, venues, tickets, and more

The ultimate guide to OneRepublic’s tour

Everything you need to know about Metallica’s 2026 tour

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

INTERVIEW: Roger Taylor on the Rhythm of Duran Duran: Hits, Influences & Life on the Road

INTERVIEW: Stephen Moore on Post Death Soundtrack’s New Album & HE IS ME

The Subways: 20 Years of ‘Young For Eternity’ & What’s Next | XS Noize Podcast #240

Bob Stanley on Saint Etienne’s Final Album “International” and 30 Years of Music | XS Noize Podcast #239

Cam – “All Things Light”: Behind the Songs & Grammy Reflections | XS Noize Podcast #238

Radio Free Europe 2025

R.E.M. Announces ‘Radio Free Europe 2025’ Benefit EP Supporting Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty