Freaky Party

Music Reviews and more

Main menu

Skip to primary content
Skip to secondary content
  • Pop/Rock
  • Metal
  • Indie
  • Electronic
  • Folk
  • Jazz
  • Classical

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek: Yarın Yoksa review – a feast of woozy Turkish psych

Fuzzy, hypnotic beats, soulful saz-funk and emotive balladry mark Yıldırım’s powerfully imaginative new music, produced by Leon Michels

Ichiko Aoba: Luminescent Creatures review – nurturing music for bleak times

The cult Japanese singer-songwriter’s new album, inspired by the Ryukyu islands, is like a powerfully soothing sound bath

Malmin: Med Åshild Vetrhus review – deliciously diabolical Norwegian folk spells

Anders Hana, Olva Christer Rossebø and Åshild Vetrhus take inspiration from Norway’s rugged Rogaland in these tracks sourced from early-to-mid 20th century recordings

Richard Dawson: End of the Middle review – a unique snapshot of ordinary British life

From allotment highs to Holly and Phil, the Newcastle singer-songwriter mines life’s daily stresses and joys as only he can

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy: The Purple Bird review – Will Oldham goes country, but darkly

Recorded in Nashville, the American outlier’s latest is concerned with the state of the nation and more, though there’s mischief in there too

Cynefin: Shimli review – this Welsh folk music is a quietly political antidote to the modern age

Singer Owen Shiers combines traditional ballads, musical settings of poems, and originals built on stories collected from rural west Walians, all sung in Welsh

Sam Amidon: Salt River review – an eclectic if erratic affair

The US musician leads an accomplished yet slightly bland living room session spanning traditional numbers and songs by Lou Reed, Yoko Ono and more

Wardruna: Birna review – numbing Norse nature-metal better suited to Netflix scores

Traditional instruments, drones and repetitive lyrics make for some epic listening, possibly more suitable for a medieval TV romp

Madison Cunningham review – complex new tunes from a folk singer with a knack for a twist

The Los Angeles musician is developing a heavier, rockier sound than before, but her astonishing voice and intuitive melodies are as strong as ever

Tunng: Love You All Over review – a delightfully quirky return from the folktronica pioneers

The inventive English six-piece deliver another slice of whimsy, wit and gentle musical experimentation

Bridget Hayden and the Apparitions: Cold Blows the Rain review – wild weather and maternal lullabies

Hayden’s traditional songs unfurl at a glacial pace, as heavy as the sodden moors at midnight

Music: Kitty Empire’s 10 best albums of 2024

Americana’s classiest duo weather the storm, Kendrick Lamar has the last word, UK jazz soars – and Charli xcx unleashes the power of Brat

Merope: Vėjula review – Lithuanian folk reborn in glittering new forms

The duo are joined by a stellar cast including Bill Frisell and Laraaji, bringing innovation and playfulness to their bright, elemental music

Distant Voices, New Worlds review – avant-garde vision of Albion by bright British composers

Inspired by the South Downs near Brighton, this selection box of new work from contemporary composers is English to its core – and yet defies tradition

Laura Marling review – a sumptuous performance, with strings attached

The singer-songwriter’s impressive showcase of her new album is bookended by solo guitar numbers that underline what a class act she is

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →
  • Danish String Quartet review – captivating performance from a world-class group
  • Manchester Camerata review – mental torments build up to a royal meltdown
  • The Marriage of Figaro review – Danielle de Niese’s deft direction weds finery with fun
  • St Vincent review – majestic orchestral transformations of jagged art-pop
  • BBCNOW/Bancroft review – conductor takes final bow in imaginative programme of vivid colours and emotions
  • Krishna review – the mystery of John Tavener’s ‘mystic pantomime’ is why it has been staged
  • Taylor Swift: I Knew It, I Knew You review – giddy up! Song for Toy Story cowgirl Jessie is Swift’s best in years
  • Zoh Amba: Eyes Full review – raw, rugged country rock also has real tenderness
  • Gintė Preisaitė: Instruments of Forgetting and the Singing Bone review – atmospheric, unsettling ambience
  • Hourglass album review – Simone Dinnerstein gives Glass room to breathe
  • Lizzo: Bitch review – a spirited star who just can’t rediscover her groove
  • Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas Vol 1 album review – fresh-as-a-daisy performances from a duo with a gift for storytelling
  • Mike D review – ex-Beastie Boy’s first UK gig in two decades, in a Tyneside bingo hall, is uproarious fun
  • Saint Levant review – Palestinian pop star makes Australian debut to an ecstatic, sold-out crowd
  • Vespers review – haunting clash of cultures conjures Vivaldi’s Venice
  • Jack White review – former White Stripe’s art is like a 12-year-old visiting Tate Modern for the first time
  • Lise Davidsen and James Baillieu review – superstar soprano unleashes her inner Valkyrie
  • Orlando review – a confident romp through Handel’s flimsily plotted opera
  • Take That review – stadium redux of Circus tour has maximal razzle-dazzle
  • Hampson and Sidorova review – style over substance with a whiff of the cruise ship
  • Matías Aguayo: Anenoa review – the funkiest, freest singer in the business hits the dancefloor
  • Violet Grohl: Be Sweet to Me review – alt-rock arriviste aces the part
  • Dvořák: Symphony No 9 album review – Shani brings a natural freshness to a familiar work
  • La Traviata review – gripping and genuinely moving staging opens Garsington’s summer season
  • Colin Matthews: Seascapes album review – the songs teem with detail
  • Iceage: For Love of Grace & the Hereafter review – Danish punks ace sixth stellar album on the trot
  • La Fanciulla del West review – insightful staging reveals the power of Puccini’s maverick masterpiece
  • 125th anniversary gala concert review – back to 1901 as Wigmore celebrates birthday playing to its strengths
  • Sugar review – Bob Mould’s reunited band still in a sweet spot between noise and melody
  • Paul McCartney: The Boys of Dungeon Lane review – at 83, his gift for melody still astounds

Contact www.freakyparty.net   Terms of Use