ALBUM REVIEWS
Aurora – Daisy Jones & The Six (Soundtrack)
The 2019 novel Daisy Jones & The Six tells the story of a 1970s band through interviews with those involved that were so convincing some readers looked for the songs on YouTube.
They didn’t exist – but they do now, thanks to an upcoming TV show, and 11 of the 24 original songs recorded by the cast are on the soundtrack album. Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book is inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, though almost nothing in it is based directly on the band, more their complex relationships. Riley Keough plays Daisy Jones and Sam Claflin is Billy Dunne, lead singers drawn together even as they feud. Readers will expect the music to evoke Rumours, along with what might have happened if Linda Ronstadt had joined the Eagles, and they won’t be disappointed.
Slowthai – UGLY Review by Kirsten Lloyd
Tyron Frampton, aka Slowthai, releases his third studio album UGLY (an acronym for You Gotta Love Yourself), the title immortalised in a permanent tattoo to the British rapper’s face. His most intimate album yet bleeds from the soul, charged with self-reflection, and spattered with philosophical musings on his life. Slowthai delivers a deeply personal near masterpiece, with composer Kwes Darko and musicians including Ethan P Flynn and Jockstrap’s Taylor Skye. Selfish is a blaze of grime-punk fire tapping into the artist’s inner thoughts, with lyrics like “It makes me sick when I look at the world, ‘cos nothing seems real”. one thing’s for sure: UGLY is consistent in capturing the raw vulnerability, individuality and genius of everything that is Slowthai.
The Lathums – From Nothing to a Little Bit More Review by Alexander Hoggard
Following on from their chart-topping 2021 debut How Beautiful Life Can Be, The Lathums return with the deeply personal From Nothing To A Little Bit More. Their second offering is a darkly optimistic record that tackles grief and relationship break-ups. Frontman Alex Moore describes the songs as always coming back “to the same point: pretty dark things”. Raw emotion is immediately showcased through opener Struggle, while Crying Out sees Moore yearn for love, with the singer “crying out for somebody”. Despite the overwhelmingly sombre themes, there are moments of joy throughout the album. The thankful energy of Lucky Bean is matched by the pacey Facets, in which the guitar riffing of Scott Concepcion excels.
DMA’S – How Many Dreams? Review by Sarah Williets
Hot on the heels of announcing what is likely to be a sell-out UK tour, Aussie (one-time) rockers DMA’s return with their most laidback record yet Building on the electronic redirection of 2020’s The Glow, How Many Dreams? shrugs off the grit for 12 tracks of feelgood, nostalgia-tinged pop that leaves the guitars firmly on the back seat. On dreamy I Don’t Need To Hide, singer Tommy O’Dell’s vocals ebb and flow across a bed of synths, while the title track kicks off proceedings with a multi-layered wall of sound. When the guitars take a front seat they are as effective as ever, kicking off standout single Fading Like A Picture with a gloriously indulgent riff. The electro numbers can sometimes feel overproduced – a shame, as there is little question as to the band’s ability to straddle both camps.