The Smyths Archives | XS Noize

THE MURDER CAPITAL share brand new track ‘Heart In The Hole’

September 27, 2023

The Murder Capital returns with a brand new single, the magisterial ‘Heart In A Hole’. ‘Heart In The Hole’ is another hypnotic honing of their sound, slowly crackling into life around looped vocals and angular, […]

THE LONGEST JOHNS announce headline show at Limelight, Belfast

September 27, 2023

Having met and bonded over sea shanties across a kitchen table in their native Bristol a decade ago, The Longest Johns – Jonathan ‘JD’ Darley, Andy Yates and Robbie Sattin – have sailed the seven […]

PET SHOP BOYS announce special 30th anniversary release of their album ‘Relentless’

September 27, 2023

Pet Shop Boys announce the upcoming release of ‘Relentless’ – a special limited edition issued to celebrate the 30th anniversary of an album which occupies a legendary status in their catalogue. Pet Shop Boys’ fifth […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Blonde Redhead – Sit Down For Dinner

September 27, 2023

Blonde Redhead, made up of Kazu Makino and Italian twin brothers Amedeo and Simone Pace, releases their new album, Sit Down For Dinner, their first studio album in eight years. The album’s title carries a […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Teenage Fanclub – Nothing Lasts Forever

September 20, 2023

For this, Teenage Fanclub’s eleventh LP, the now quintet, returned to Rockfield Studios in the Welsh countryside, where they recorded Howdy! in the late nineties. Whilst the veterans only have one top twenty hit to […]

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 […]

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 […]

‘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: Kula Shaker at The 100 Club, London

September 7, 2023

Twenty years following the departure of their original organist in 1999, Kula Shaker released their sixth LP, First Congregational Church of Eternal Love and Free Hugs, which can best be described as their most vital […]

LIVE REVIEW: The Strokes at All Points East Festival

August 29, 2023

As well as 2023 ending the four-year hiatus since The Strokes headlined All Points East, this festival day saw terrific performances by The Walkmen, Amyl and the Sniffers and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. After taking […]

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// Field Day 2023 with Aphex Twin, Bonobo, Arca and others at Victoria Park, London

August 22, 2023

Victoria Park is a place of yearly festivities and grand summer concerts. On the 19th of August, one of the most creative and mysterious electronic music producers – Aphex Twin – had a hugely awaited […]

IN FOCUS// STIFF LITTLE FINGERS at Custom House Square, Belfast

August 21, 2023

Following their SOLD OUT Custom House Square show in 2022, Legendary NI Punks STIFF LITTLE FINGERS returned to Custom House Square for another special night in Belfast on Saturday, 19th August 2023, alongside an all-star line-up […]

THE LONGEST JOHNS announce headline show at Limelight, Belfast

September 27, 2023

WILD YOUTH announce Voodoo, Belfast show in December

September 25, 2023

After months of touring across Europe to sold-out crowds plus Huge Eurovision performances, one of Ireland’s biggest bands, Wild Youth, have announced a headline Belfast show in December. As known for their enigmatic stage presence […]

TAKE THAT announce massive 2024 live tour & unleash their brand-new single ‘Windows’

September 22, 2023

One of the UK’s most successful bands, Take That, have today announced their return with a huge stadium and arena live tour for 2024 alongside news of their ninth studio album, This Life, set for […]

INTERVIEW: Erene Mastrangeli talks latest single ‘Love, Shine’ & her new album

September 27, 2023

Regarded as Italy’s answer to Joni Mitchell, Erene Mastrangeli’s music entices flashbacks to the sounds and famed artists of yesteryears, notably the 70s, a decade which heavily influences Erene and the songs she shares with the […]

INTERVIEW: Big Gigantic & AHEE talk about their new single ‘Oh Dang!’

September 26, 2023

Electronic dance music duo Big Gigantic, Dominic Lalli and Jeremy Salken teamed up with bass music producer AHEE to create a funk-filled, drop-heavy banger of a track, “Oh Dang!” After emerging in 2009, Big Gigantic […]

INTERVIEW: Glasgow-based trio Everyday Pharaohs discuss infectious new single ‘Skelmo’

September 19, 2023

The Glasgow-based Everyday Pharaohs have been making waves in the music scene for some years now, becoming a regular name gracing the city’s venues. After recently releasing the uplifting and highly infectious ‘Skelmo’, I thought […]

Podcast

THE MURDER CAPITAL share brand new track ‘Heart In The Hole’

THE LONGEST JOHNS announce headline show at Limelight, Belfast

PET SHOP BOYS announce special 30th anniversary release of their album ‘Relentless’

Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Blonde Redhead – Sit Down For Dinner

ALBUM REVIEW: Teenage Fanclub – Nothing Lasts Forever

Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes

BOOK REVIEW: Ziggy Marley – Music Is In Everything

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: Kula Shaker at The 100 Club, London

LIVE REVIEW: The Strokes at All Points East Festival

Round Up

XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

In Focus

IN FOCUS// Field Day 2023 with Aphex Twin, Bonobo, Arca and others at Victoria Park, London

IN FOCUS// STIFF LITTLE FINGERS at Custom House Square, Belfast

THE LONGEST JOHNS announce headline show at Limelight, Belfast

WILD YOUTH announce Voodoo, Belfast show in December

TAKE THAT announce massive 2024 live tour & unleash their brand-new single ‘Windows’

INTERVIEW: Erene Mastrangeli talks latest single ‘Love, Shine’ & her new album

INTERVIEW: Big Gigantic & AHEE talk about their new single ‘Oh Dang!’

INTERVIEW: Glasgow-based trio Everyday Pharaohs discuss infectious new single ‘Skelmo’

INTERVIEW: Grandstand Glory: A Candid Conversation with Taylor and Lauren Johnson of Brand New Friend

INTERVIEW: Hurricane #1 frontman Alex Lowe on their new album ‘Backstage Waiting to Go On’

INTERVIEW: Unlocking The Harmony Codex: A Conversation with Steven Wilson

The Smyths

THE SMYTHS Announce ‘THE SMITHS 35’ ANNIVERSARY SHOW at THE LIMELIGHT 2 Belfast, Friday May 3rd 2019