album reviews
Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.
Thirteen Ways To Kill A Poet
Introduction This was getting a few hits on my blog, and I like the title, but I can't remember where I got it from. Incidentally, I was listening to "Selling England By The Pound" today and thought I might write something inspired by it. Then I found this, which has a lot of what I was going to say, so I thought I would share it with a few of the songs from the album, but you already have one.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred - EBA4 months ago in Beat
Why RnB in 2026 Feels More Like a State of Mind Than a Genre
There has been a strange tension around RnB lately. As an artist working inside this space, Hoopper has been noticing it long before it started appearing in headlines or release calendars. It does not announce itself loudly. You notice it in small places. In comment sections that turn reflective instead of argumentative. In forum threads that drift into personal stories. In late night playlists people share without explanation, almost like leaving a note on a table.
By Hugo Valquez4 months ago in Beat
10 Forgotten Rock Records From the 2000s
Now that we've uncovered the world of obscure 90s albums, it's time to spring forward a decade with near-forgotten 2000s records. These rock, punk and emo bands are available on Spotify, but unlike some of their contemporaries, they haven't experienced a sudden TikTok revival. Let's change that with this list of ten records that quietly influenced the scene.
By Kaitlin Shanks4 months ago in Beat
Just Focus
Introduction Yesterday, in Wings and Beer in Cannon Street, Preston (an excellent eatery recommended by Harry, Nicola mentioned that she had been to see Focus. She told us, and I was unaware of this, that when they toured the UK during the power strikes in the seventies, they took their own generator on the road to ensure they could always play.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 5 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela on How Recording Formats Influence Sound. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African artist, entrepreneur, and musical innovator, is deeply familiar with the nuances of sound. From producing raw, energetic hip-hop in Durban to crafting the sophisticated reinterpretations of his "Vivaldi Project," Memela understands that the medium is part of the message. The recording format chosen by an artist or engineer is not merely a technical decision; it fundamentally shapes the listener's experience, influencing the texture, warmth, clarity, and emotion of the final audio product.
By Kin Mancook5 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela and Ethnomusicology in Modern Film Scores. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath whose journey from hip-hop prodigy to classical innovator has captured global attention, embodies a profound truth about music: its inseparable link to culture and narrative. While Memela’s projects span the worlds of composition and entrepreneurship, his artistic trajectory offers a masterclass in the principles of ethnomusicology—the study of music within its social and cultural context. In the realm of modern film, this approach has become an indispensable tool for crafting authentic and emotionally resonant scores.
By Kin Mancook5 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela on the Profound Benefits of Singing. Content Warning.
South African creative visionary Zipho Memela, known for his dynamic shift from a childhood hip-hop star to an innovative entrepreneur and classical composer, has always been deeply attuned to the power of the human voice. Beyond its artistic expression, the simple act of singing offers a remarkable array of scientifically proven benefits for both physical and mental well-being, a phenomenon Memela's career implicitly champions.
By Kin Mancook5 months ago in Beat
The Universal Current: Zipho Memela on Music’s Role in Shaping Social Connections. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath who transitioned from a child hip-hop prodigy to a "million-dollar tycoon" and now a classical innovator, has always understood that music is far more than just sound and rhythm; it is the fundamental architecture of human connection. His career, spanning diverse genres and global stages, consistently illustrates music's unique power to bridge divides, foster empathy, and build communities from the ground up.
By Kin Mancook5 months ago in Beat
Lost Pitch Makes Their Mark
Toronto’s rising indie rock band Lost Pitch steps into the spotlight with the release of their debut album, Bumpy Ride — a 12-track journey overflowing with jangly guitars, vivid storytelling, and the kind of emotional texture that defines a band ready for a long run.
By mysoundMusic5 months ago in Beat
