Joe Thompson

Creation Myth: Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds’ From Her To Eternity

It’s four decades since Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds released their debut album From Her To Eternity, a record that found Cave attempting a new musical and lyrical language that could free him from his past and help him create – and curate – his future, says Wesley Doyle

A Sound Idea: Walter Murch And Midge Costin On Making Waves

A new documentary explores the under-seen community of sound in the film industry. Tim Murray interviews Francis Ford Coppola's editor Walter Murch and film director Midge Costin for more

Soul Searching: Lisa Stansfield’s Favourite Albums

With the release of her first album in ten years, Lisa Stansfield talks to John Freeman about 13 albums that each occupies a little piece of her heart.

Louise Wener’s Different for Girls Reviewed By A Fellow Britpop Survivor

"Her real transgression against the unwritten rock-hack rulebook was far more serious: she did not have a penis," says Stephen Dalton, as he reviews _Different For Girls: My True-Life Adventures In Pop_ by Sleeper singer Louise Wener

Curiosity, Community, Cacophony: Helm’s Baker’s Dozen

Helm, aka Luke Younger, takes us through the 13 records that shaped his prolific career, from a teenage love of Manic Street Preachers and Therapy? to chance encounters with Bob Tilton and John Luther Adams

Rum Music For March Reviewed By Jennifer Lucy Allan

Jennifer Lucy Allan considers new releases from Argentinian musique concrete composer Beatriz Ferreyra, some snap & tickle from Dale Cornish, and a collection from lesser-spotted Japanese cassette label birdFriend

Genius Of Lovers: Tom Tom Club’s Favourite Albums

The former Talking Heads and husband and wife duo Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth whittle their record collection down to 13 all-time favourites

Laura Cannell

Midwinter Processionals

Laura Cannell’s latest is an easy entry into the alternative holiday canon, but it deserves much more than that, says Bernie Brooks

The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades: 30 Years Of They Live

Dismissed by many as a hypermasculine schlockfest in 1988, John Carpenter's They Live has aged well. Jeremy Allen assesses its wide-reaching influence on everyone from continental philosophers to French synthwave hipsters

(Fish &) Chips On My Shoulder: Soft Cell Beside The Sea

In an exclusive extract from his new book, Bedsit Land, Patrick Clarke explores Soft Cell’s roots in English seaside tradition

The XX

XX

Beloved Transmissions: Mary Anne Hobbs’ Favourite Albums

Ahead of her curation at the Manchester International Festival, Mary Anne Hobbs guides Daniel Dylan Wray on an inspiring trip through 13 records that shaped her life

Complete Communion: Jazz For November Reviewed By Peter Margasak

As 2021 stumbles towards the finishing line, Peter Margasak is back with more jazz and improvised music, not the least of which is Jeff Parker's lockdown LP

808 State

Album reissues

Bard On A Wire: Sleaford Mods’ Spare Ribs Reviewed

From Conservatism to consumerism, there's plenty in contemporary Britain to attract the lyrical ire of Jason Wiliamson. But, argues JR Moores, there's a lot more to Sleaford Mods than needlsharp commentary on the everyday present

Retro Instinct Versus Future Fetish: Emperor Tomato Ketchup 25 Years On

By 1995 Stereolab should have been at the peak of their powers, so why didn't it feel that way to Tim Gane and Laetitia Sadier? Fergal Kinney examines the series of events that saw the band escape the dead end they'd ended up in culminating in the release of one of their most celebrated albums