In the words of Irish singer-songwriter Aoife Nessa Frances, her debut album explores a “dark vast landscape” of “liminal space”, an imagined place where she would “sit with uncertainty and accept it”. In practical terms, that means an album of woozy psych-folk that initially seems curiously out of focus, almost as if taking a cue from the title, LP co-producer/musical collaborator Cian Nugent’s childhood mishearing … Continue reading Aoife Nessa Frances – Land Of No Junction

EOB – Earth 7/10 The Radiohead guitarist’s debut solo album may have come about almost by accident or with no real plan for him to do it, as he tells Long Live Vinyl in our interview this issue. Regardless, the result is a much more considered and fine-tuned affair than you may expect in such circumstances. Merging minimal electronica, acoustic melancholy, ambient soundscapes and the … Continue reading EOB – Earth

After a prolonged hiatus, New York City fops The Strokes return with their first album for seven years. The break, as John Earls observes, has done them a world of good… The Strokes – The New Abnormal 8/10 Having arrived perfectly formed out of nowhere 19 years ago with Is This It, the expectations around The Strokes’ new album are pretty much zero all over … Continue reading The Strokes – The New Abnormal

When Part 1 was released in March, Foals’ claims that its successor would be the rockier album seemed dubious: the songs on the initial record rocked hard. Surely, having been away for a while, the more commercially sensible move would be to release the record with the most immediate impact first? In short, commercial imperative be damned. As lead singles The Runner and live favourite … Continue reading Foals – Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost (Part 2)

MC Taylor’s impecible musical heritage elevates this latest entry in a catalogue now in double figures. While Phil and Brad Cook are again present, Taylor has broadened his horizons, inviting outside influences. Among the expanded roll call of Hiss Golden Messenger is The National guitarist Aaron Dessner, and My Wing’s central riff bears a resemblance to the Ohio band’s This Is The Last Time. Jenny … Continue reading Hiss Golden Messenger – Terms Of Surrender