DJANGO DJANGO – GLOWING IN THE DARK
DJANGO Django only emerged in 2012, but already they feel like a throwback in their insistence on guitar-based arrangements of songs, with choruses and middle eights and everything.
And it's fair to say that Glowing In The Dark certainly won't wrong-foot any fans. Vincent Neff's svelte melodies and the Everly Brothers harmonies are both present and correct. Even Tommy Grace's use of synths, the ecstatic focus of their live shows, is kept here to a tasteful minimum.
Opener, Spirals, is a solid statement of intent, with a chorus that manically ascends with tantalising intensity. And for those who liked earlier songs like Default or Love's Dart, Night Of The Buffalo is in the same ballpark, albeit with a bit of an Arabic influence. On Got Me Worried, we get the last verse in Spanish and a clucking guiro
Unfortunately, Charlotte Gainsbourg is wasted on the mediocre Free From Gravity, but there are enough solid songs to merit being placed on rotation.
Rating: 3/5
Rachel Farrow
THE PRETTY RECKLESS – DEATH BY ROCK AND ROLL
IN 2017, The Pretty Reckless landed a support slot on tour with grunge veterans Soundgarden, during which frontman Chris Cornell took his own life. Some 11 months later, their producer and friend Kato Khandwala died in a motorcycle crash.
These events have inevitably shaped the tellingly titled Death By Rock And Roll. The title track starts with a recording of Kato's footsteps before heavy riffing collides with the voice of 27-year-old frontwoman Taylor Momsen. "On my tombstone when I go, just put, 'Death by rock and roll'," she sings.
Similarly, album closer Harley Darling features the sound of a puttering exhaust disappearing into the distance. In between, the tone is fairly consistent – big riffs, Momsen's wonderfully versatile voice, vaguely derivative songwriting.
And there's the catch: Death By Rock And Roll is an album packed full of emotion and talent without the tight songwriting to match.
Rating: 35
Alex Green
PALE WAVES – WHO AM I?
ENIGMATIC indie rock quartet Pale Waves have unleashed a show of force in the form of new album Who Am I?, which serves up an altogether rougher, 90s-centric take on the band's renowned pop-infused choruses.
The Rich Costey (Muse, Foo Fighters) produced offering combines grunge-tinged undertones with dancing highs courtesy of acoustic guitar embellishments on tracks like Odd Ones Out.
The bouncing choruses of Change and the buoyant pop-rock rebellion of You Don't Own Me are a distinctive nod to cited influence Avril Lavigne, with lyrics charting a journey of self-discovery for 25-year old frontwoman Heather Baron-Gracie.
And while the infectious pop sensibilities of Easy brand it an instant earworm, the 11-track offering is balanced out by the down-tempo closing notes of lighters-at-the-ready piano ballad Who Am I?
It's a follow-up that retains the band's penchant for indulgent pure pop melodies, but the introduction of rough around the edges production can't help but leave you wanting more.
Rating: 3/5
Danielle de Wolfe
SLOWTHAI – TYRON
SLOWTHAI'S follow-up to his 2019 hit debut album Nothing Great About Britain showcases the Northampton rapper's broad range of styles. Tyron combines his signature punky, aggressive sound with more reflective, tuneful tracks like Focus.
The album's lyrics are not particularly thoughtful but its unusual combinations of influences and sounds are sure to cement Slowthai's place as one of the most interesting rappers.
In a sign of Slowthai's growing reputation the album features collaborations with big-name artists including A$AP Rocky and James Blake. His reunion with Skepta, who also appeared on his last album, is a particular highlight.
The track, titled Cancelled, is an apparent reference to the backlash he faced after the 2020 NME awards when he was involved in an ugly argument with host Katherine Ryan and an altercation with a member of the audience.
Tyron is a strong second album which showcases Slowthai's evolving style.
Rating: 3/5
Tom Horton
