REVIEWS: 'LOOKING TO THE SKY' - ELI MOSS-MARKS
Reviewer : Jordan Smith
Date : April 19th, 2025
Moss-Marks' debut album has lived up to the hype set up by it's first two singles, both going straight to number one on the UK Hot 100 on their release. The gritty, raw lyrics, grand production and excellent instrumentals culminate in an unrestrained, powerful exploration of the experience of young people in today's Britain. Moss-Marks' influences are clear: The Smiths, Arctic Monkeys, The Reytons, and yet he still stands out from them, putting his own novel touch on these extensively explored concepts. Overall, 'Looking to the sky' is already one of the best indie rock albums of the decade; It's charming, inspirational and unfiltered. Eli Moss-Marks is surely one to watch.
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Stand out tracks :
- Pale Blue Sky
- Flicker
- Empty Rooms
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'Take your aim' - ROCKET
Reviewer : Megan Neale
Date : April 13th, 2025
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With their new track "Take your aim", ROCKET deliver an electrifying track that blends anthemic rock with a modern edge. From the first note, the instrumentals grab the listener's attention with a gritty, pulsing bassline and a tight rhythm, building a unique foundation for the soaring, emotive vocals provided by the lead vocalist, Alithea Tuttle. The lyrics are raw and introspective which are amplified by the crisp, explosive production. The track balances intensity with nuance and allows the music to naturally evolve, culminating in a dynamic, intense final chorus. "Take your aim" is a powerful statement that marries contemporary polish with gritty, old school rock and manages to avoid feeling derivative or bland. Listeners will undoubtedly be excited to see where ROCKET goes next.
'UNIVERSE ROOM' - Guided By Voices
Reviewer : Charley Raven-Fane
Date : March 31st, 2025
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Guided by Voices have long been known for their DIY, bedroom rock sound, however this new project feels like a step in the wrong direction for the band. The opening track 'Beyond the Glass' is a promising, if slightly underwhelming, start with th e band's familiar raw, jumbled energy. As the album progresses, the initial charm starts to wear thin with the songs becoming increasingly unfinished, there's a pervasive sense when listening to this album that the band's ideas are half-baked and not given time to develop. This is especially notable in tracks like "Floating in the Void" and "Red Ribbons", they feel chaotic and incoherent, with the lyrics not offering much to grab onto and the production exacerbating the glaring faults within lead vocalist Pollard's vocal delivery. Overall, the band's meandering compositions and lack of cohesion undermine what could have been a meaningful entry in their discography.
'Cruising to self-soothe' - ECCA VANDAL
Reviewer : Emma Bye
Date : April 4th, 2025
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ECCA VANDAL's new single 'Cruising to self-soothe' was recently released ahead of their 2025 Limp Bizkit support set. According to ECCA, the track is about “cultivating your inner strength when navigating life on your own, even when it feels a bit isolating". This sentiment is obvious within the lyrics, which are undeniably well-written. The production is sleek yt glitchy, although not as experimental as some of her previous releases. Ultimately, this disconnect between ECCA's usual raw, experimental style of production and 'Cruising to self-soothe' attempting to be radio-friendly leaves it feeling unfinished and half-hearted. Overall, this new track is a fun listen but lacks their expected edge and doesn't deliver the emotional or sonic payoff it hints at.
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