album reviews

Reviews of albums old and new from iconic artists and up and coming musicians alike.

Compilation Craze: Revisiting the Hottest Unsigned Bands of 2003
While I haven't bought a CD in years, I always enjoy checking out the old compilations when I browse a used record store. Many compilations have obscure tracks that you won't find anywhere else, and this Budweiser True Music "Future Icons" album has 11 of them, plus four bonus tracks from bands that already made it big—presumably to get you to buy the record. According to Discogs, this CD came free with a 2003 issue of Blender , and I bet that some music lovers still have a copy lying around somewhere.
By Kaitlin Shanksa day ago in Beat
The El Pea Situation
Introduction About a month ago, I started becoming obsessed with the vinyl album "El Pea", and I am not sure why. I had also aquired a copy of "Bumpers", which is a great album, and "Nice Enough To Eat" was one of the first albums that I bought, and it introduced me to a lot of artists who are absolute favourites of mine.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 2 days ago in Beat
My Exclusive Interview With Aestrea
Aestrea takes on a lot of personas in her music—a space explorer, a bedroom pop singer, an abandoned bride—but every release has a distinctly ethereal, luminous sound that complements her delicate aesthetic and soft, angelic vocals. With over 10,000 Instagram followers and nearly 60,000 monthly Spotify listeners, the Internet is waiting to see what she'll do next. Luckily, you don't have to wait for a peek behind the scenes: this interview dives into her aesthetic, her early work and her latest track, offering a look at the artist behind the white veil.
By Kaitlin Shanks6 days ago in Beat
Record Label Spotlight: Fox Food Records
Based in Mirfield, UK, Fox Food Records is an indie label that signs slowcore, ambient, folk and dream pop artists with a uniquely rustic sound that you probably won't hear on the radio. When you scroll through their discography, you'll see collages, analog photos, original art and other oddities that contribute to the label's DIY vibe. In addition to digital releases, most of their albums come with a physical release that includes a cassette, a thank-you card and a small gift or two.
By Kaitlin Shanks7 days ago in Beat
Enough Is Enough
Introduction This is just a piece I have been considering for a few days because I feel I have finally completed my vinyl record collection. Although the reality is that I will still buy vinyl, CDs and the odd download which I will burn to CD, it just that I have finally got hold of all the vinyl albums that have difficult to get hold of presentations.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 9 days ago in Beat
My Exclusive Interview With Lavender Fire
Lavender Fire isn't afraid to let her performances speak for themselves, and when you listen to her music, you can't help but admire her clean, stripped-down production that allows her piano and vocals to shine through. Most of her songs also tell a personal story, turning her albums into a tapestry of lessons and life experiences. This interview explores her background, her inspirations and the recurring symbolism in her work—and once you're armed with this knowledge, you'll never listen to her albums the same way again.
By Kaitlin Shanks9 days ago in Beat
My Exclusive Interview With Mia Van De Loo
open book isn't just the title of Mia Van De Loo's debut EP—it's also a fitting description for an artist who puts her heart into her lyrics, talks freely about the songwriting process and uses her soft yet captivating vocals to cultivate an intimate listening experience. She believes that "anyone willing to get to know my heart through my songs deserves to know it in its entirety," and once you've read this deep dive into her past, present and future, listening to her music becomes twice as rewarding. Don't hesitate to listen to "quicksand" afterward; this is your chance to become a day-one fan before she goes viral.
By Kaitlin Shanks11 days ago in Beat
Proud Moment MY Daughter ON The Red Carpet IN Nashville
A MUM-OF-TWO who followed her ambition to be a singer is capping off a whirlwind year by releasing her second single. Sonya Hurst has launched her second track, Ever After and says the past year has exceeded her expectations since debut song Emily.
By ♿ V+ Marie381Uk 11 days ago in Beat
My Exclusive Interview With Where We Sleep
In an era of whispered vocals, Where We Sleep's bold, confident voice is more important than ever—and her stripped-down look and minimal social media presence make it clear that she prefers substance over style. Her latest album, The Arsonist , is clean, sparse and burning with quiet intensity, like a bonfire crackling in the middle of the desert. As you read this interview, you'll gain a better understanding of how her background and influences shaped her work, and you might feel inspired to pick up a guitar and write an album of your own.
By Kaitlin Shanks13 days ago in Beat
Sinister Fate: A First‑Hand Look at Chicago’s Long‑Running Shock‑Rock Trio. Content Warning.
There’s a certain kind of band that doesn’t just play music — they survive it. They bleed into it. They build something out of the chaos life hands them and then scream it back into the world with amps turned up high enough to rattle the bones of anyone standing too close. That’s Sinister Fate.
By Syl De'Vil15 days ago in Beat
My Exclusive Interview With Meander
Growing up in Australia with Chinese immigrant parents, Meander has a rich heritage and a lifetime of experience that she effortlessly infuses into her music. Her recent self-titled EP is warm, sunny and breezy, but it also addresses heavier topics that, to some listeners, are instantly relatable. This interview goes in depth into the childhood experiences that shaped Meander, leading her to pivot from an unwanted medical career to a new life as a singer and songwriter with a bold story to tell.
By Kaitlin Shanks18 days ago in Beat
10 Obscure 90s Alternative Rock Tracks With an Emo Tinge. Top Story - October 2026.
While grunge went mainstream in the 90s, hundreds of pop-punk, post-hardcore and early-emo bands were bubbling under the radar, waiting for their genre to have its turn in the spotlight. Unfortunately, many of these bands dissolved before the culture shifted in the mid-2000s. We can't go back in time and change the course of history, but we can enjoy their albums today--and I think it's time for the Internet to appreciate what these groups contributed to the music world.
By Kaitlin Shanks18 days ago in Beat