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Cyan Kicks

Cyan Kicks

Come Hell, Come High Water

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CYAN KICKS – Come hell, come high water – album review

Since releasing their debut album, ‘I Don’t Love You’ in 2019, Finnish alt rockers Cyan Kicks have been slowly turning heads with their eclectic sound. Their 2023 sophomore release, ‘I Never Said 4ever’, garnered greater attention from further afield and led to a series of shows and festival appearances in the UK.

Those catching either the groups full throttle Forest Stage performance or their stunning acoustic renditions in the campsites of 2000trees were instantly converted. Now those fans have their first taste of new music to really sink their teeth into as the band share their third studio album, ‘Come Hell, Come High Water’.

They album wastes no time in unleashing their anthemic modern metal stylings with opening trio ‘From the Bottom of My Heart’, ‘Echo’ and ‘Middle of a Breakdown’ all fantastically fun.

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Cyan Kicks – ‘Echo’

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Nailing Cyan Kicks down on a genre isn’t easy with electronic elements, pop sensibilities and an alternative rock sound built for the biggest stages. We’ve never been fans of pigeonholing music however, and we suggest instead of trying to label the band, you should instead just enjoy the madness that is Cyan Kicks!

There are ferocious riffs, driving rhythms and the incredible instrument that is the vocals of singer Susanna Alexandra; and the results are unashamed rock ragers full of emotion and unrelenting energy.

Every song on the record deserves its own shout out but to preserve our word count we’ll just point you to the finale of a rousing Heart cover (‘Alone’) and the Dan Lancaster produced hit, ‘Dancing With Demons’.

The entire album though is a really great listen and one of those that just makes you want to experience these songs in a live setting. Hopefully more shows will be coming and even more people can then discover this superb band.

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Yellowcard

Yellowcard

Better Days

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YELLOWCARD – better days – album review

After releasing their self-titled tenth studio album in 2016, Yellowcard went their separate ways with a sense of mission achieved. Five years later however and the call of nostalgia brought them out of their hiatus for an anniversary celebration of their seminal release, ‘Ocean Avenue’.

Now almost a decade since their last full-length album, the band are back with their eleventh record, ‘Better Days’. Better days indeed because anytime we’re treated to new Yellowcard is always a good day!

The bands unique take on the pop-punk brand always stirred emotions and elicited joyous feelings amongst. Now pushing towards their third decade as a band they still hold that same power.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘YOU BROKE ME TOO’
Yellowcard – ‘You Broke Me Too’

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Along for the ride this time on production is Blink 182 icon Travis Barker, who adds a new dynamic to the bands sound. That is enhanced by the fact Barker himself performs drumming duties across the ten new tracks. This does at times sprinkle some Blinkish influence into the mix but that’s not often a bad thing.

Indeed, Barker isn’t the only Blink alumni to feature on the record with Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba contributing to ‘Love Letters Lost’. Avril Lavigne is also here in a guest slot on ‘You Broke Me Too’ and both tracks are fantastic.

At just over thirty minutes long this is another lovely pop punk romp which flies by with thoroughly enjoyable abandon. A record of healing and growth, this is Yellowcard of 2025 and it’s wonderful!

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All Ears Avow

All Ears Avow

Horrors

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ALL EARS AVOW – HORRORS – ALBUM REVIEW

Followers of our various playlists will have had a solid introduction to Swindon’s All Ears Avow as they’ve built towards their debut album, ‘Horrors’. A string of enticing singles has whetted our appetite and the vampiric video for recent single, ‘A Night Like This’ has left us ravenous.

The four-piece have created a anthemic rock sound which will get you invested with ease. With band leader Claire Sutton at the forefront of the record, she harnesses the talents of the group to enact her vision.

Listed as vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, producer and all-round mastermind in the press release, Sutton has created a straight up collection of polished rock which will get you blasting this record at full volume.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘A NIGHT LIKE THIS’
All Ears Avow – ‘A Night Like This’

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Stirringly emotive, each song is worthy of your time. There aren’t any short, sharp tracks to be found; with all of the songs instead given their own room to breathe.

The structure of each track and the record as a whole have clearly been given serious thought and that is one of the little reasons you can feel the love put into the record throughout.

Those pre-release singles gave a good idea of what to expect, but the record as a whole brings everything together very nicely. From opener ‘Fighter’ to the brilliant closing track ‘Fire’, this is above all just a really enjoyable listen.

All Ears Avow are the real deal and all ears are now on them!

ALL EARS AVOW ON our ‘Discover’ new music podcast!
‘Discover’ New Music Podcast – Episode 81 – All Ears Avow

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AFI

AFI

Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…

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AFI – Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… – ALbum Review

Four years on from their polarising album ‘Bodies’, AFI are back with what is their twelfth studio record, ‘Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…’.

It doesn’t seem possible that it’s been thirty years since the band made their mark with their debut album, ‘Answer That and Stay Fashionable’. A lot has occurred in the intervening years as the band has evolved and cycled through different styles and genres all with that unmistakable AFI panache.

The height of their mainstream success may have occurred two decades ago, but the band have never rested on their laurels nor shied away from exploring the sounds that influenced them. No surprises here then that the band are again leaning deep into some of those long-standing influences.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘Behind the clock’
AFI – ‘Behind The Clock’

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The biggest surprise is instead perhaps the depths at which they plumb the new-wave oceans. The likes of The Cure, Depeche Mode and Echo & The Bunnymen would be proud of this record and that’s a testament to the artistic majesty of the band.

The singular sonic focus of the album does mean that it tends to bleed together however, and standout moments are fleeting. The overall quality however is very good and, in some ways, could be greeted as a fabled return to form.

AFI have always challenged their fanbase with their releases and this one will again be heralded by many and maligned by others. Either way it’s certainly worth a good listen.

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Idlewild

Idlewild

Idlewild

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IDLEWILD – SELF-TITLED – ALBUM REVIEW

It’s always a good thing when you get to say that there is new music from underground Scottish icons Idlewild!

From the angst punk of their early albums to the mainstream indie rock that brought them before a bigger audience, to there more recent escapes into an artier sound, it’s fair to say that Idlewild have been on an evolutionary journey of self-discovery.

Now three decades into their career and arriving at the hefty milestone of their tenth album, the band have decided to look back on their past to harness their present. The band have fittingly self-titled this new release as it represents the sound of Idlewild.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘It’s Not The First Time’
Idlewild – ‘It’s Not The First Time’

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Throughout their developing career, the various periods may have had different feels, but each was distinctively Idlewild. Now, each of those era’s seeps into these beautifully crafted thirty-five minutes and it will be easy for fans to get fully absorbed in this love letter to their legacy.

The ten tracks on this album are packed with soaring melodies, angular guitar work, captivating sonic gravity and their signature emotive poetry. So, whilst this might not their most ambitious sound, it’s a stunning culmination of thirty years of experiences and is some of their finest work.

The artistry on show from the band is once again sublime which for those invested in the band is no surprise. If you’re new to the world of Idlewild however then this may be the most opportune time to jump all the way in!

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Ash

Ash

Ad Astra

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ASH – AD ASTRA – ALBUM REVIEW

After what feels like a relatively short turnaround since 2023’s ‘Race the Night’, Northern Irish rockers Ash are back with another splash of power pop on their cosmic new album, ‘Ad Astra’.

Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and Rick McMurray have been pumping out superbly fun indie rock anthems for over thirty years now and currently seem to be enjoying something of a career renaissance.

More pertinently though, they also seem to be having more fun than ever and this new collection oozes with their joy of creation in every chord and lyric. The trio have managed to harness the hopeful magic that started their journey and now as per the album title they are heading to the stars.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘FUN PEOPLE’
Ash – ‘Fun People’

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There are naturally trusty Ash classics within these twelve tracks, but there are some more playful tunes such as the Graham Coxon featuring ‘Fun People’ and their charming cover of ‘Jump in the Line’.

From the Ric Flair strut inducing opener ‘Zarathustra’ to the delightful title-track which closes the album, each track brings its own character and ensures that the forty-three minutes of the album just fly past.

Ash might not get the same obsessive love as some of their contemporaries, but their back catalogue speaks for itself and ‘Ad Astra’ is another fine addition. So put some respect on their name because Ash are once again genuinely fantastic.

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SPRINTS

SPRINTS

All That Is Over

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SpRINTS – ALL THAT IS OVER – ALBUM REVIEW

Whilst SPRINTS have been building solid foundations for a number of years now, their festival appearances this summer really seemed to ramp up the anticipation for their second studio album, ‘All That Is Over’, which arrives now with an intense explosion of post-punk grit.

Ominous opening duo ‘Abandon’ and ‘To The Bone’ build up that excitement perfectly to kickstart the record and the following nine tracks do everything necessary to deliver on the promise of the album.

Many of the songs have already met the world either as a pre-release single or in the live setting but hearing the collection all together is something special. There is a beautiful flow to the album and you can feel the passion poured into every note and every lyric.

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SPRINTS – ‘Need’

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SPRINTS have never been afraid to tackle the dark cloud of doom and injustice engulfing the world and they are again able to harness their intensity into stirring calls for action. There is also a degree of self-reflection from the band as they get used to their newfound platform.

Thematically and sonically, this is an album where the four-piece use their voice to cut through the noise of the world whilst making a hell of a racket themselves. Tracks like ‘Something’s Gonna Happen’ and ‘Pieces’ are top tier and the album as a whole is maybe the current torch bearer for album of the year!

Bringing the album to an epic conclusion is ‘Desire’, which again gradually builds to a thunderous crescendo. This acts as the perfect climax for what is a simply astonishing record from a band leading the charge for the latest wave of post-punk agitators.

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White Reaper

White Reaper

Only Slightly Empty

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WHITE REAPER – ONLY SLIGHTLY EMPTY – ALBUM REVIEW

Much has changed for White Reaper since the 2023 release of their fourth studio album, ‘Asking for a Ride’. Substantial upheaval has seen a change in record label and the departure of their rhythm section.

With the band feeling the pandemic cut short their hard-earned momentum, burnout and some old-fashioned writers block added to the weight felt by the group. Forging ahead now as a three-piece the remaining members however have hit the fabled reset button.

Their aptly-titled fifth album, ‘Only Slightly Empty’, finds the band concurrently re-examining their previous outputs for a back-to-basics approach whilst also exploring their new direction of travel.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘BLUE 42’
White Reaper – ‘Blue 42’

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The results of their rejuvenation are spread openly across the slick ten track, thirty-minute collection. Emotive lyrical delivery, catchy songwriting and a grunge-tinged power pop sound dominate the landscape and remind you of the band’s key qualities.

‘Blink’, ‘Honestly’ and ‘Blue 42’ as the pre-release singles do standout, but in truth there’s not a bad track here with the album helped by its simplicity and breezy length. Heartfelt craftsmanship helps to suck you into this collection, and the quality of the music keeps you invested.

Given the tumultuous build towards this latest album, the results are a testament to the talents of the trio. There may be some cliched concepts held within this review but there is a reason that sometimes bands need to have a refresh. Companies do it all the time with a rebrand, we give our homes a fresh lick of paint and White Reaper have had a needed reset on ‘Only Slightly Empty’.

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Biffy Clyro

Biffy Clyro

Futique

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BIFFY CLYRO – FUTIQUE – ALBUM REVIEW

Not many bands make it to a milestone as large as a tenth studio album, and even fewer do so having delivered such an eclectic and admired collection of releases as Biffy Clyro have. ‘Futique’ (a portmanteau of Future Antique) finds the trio at a true moment of reflection as they unveil their new landmark record.

The album marks their return from the longest period of inactivity in their history whilst the band took stock and frontman Simon Neil scratched a heavy itch with Empire State Bastard.

This time away from a band that has been a relentless recording and touring machine for over two decades allowed much time for reflection – perhaps too much – as the band would begin to question their future.

This uncertainty seeps into the eleven tracks that make up ‘Futique’ and do make these songs all feel incredibly vulnerable. These are reflective tracks but also harness the glow that begins to light up the darkness.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘A LITTLE LOVE’
Biffy Clyro – ‘A Little Love’

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As their previous records have shown time and time again, Biffy Clyro are one of the most unique and undeniably special talents the UK has produced. The light of this record is them once again being distinctively Biffy – that is allowing themselves the space to write from the heart and sonically create something fresh and rewarding.

The quirkiness of Biffy is here, the epic choruses are here, the passion and honesty is still front and centre and the band are again in truly captivating form. There may be a lack of the heavier flashes when they really unleash but that energy still manifests at the most opportune moments.

Given the acknowledgement from the band that calling it quits was on the table, we should all be eternally grateful that this extraordinary trio are able to deliver such an astonishing tenth album. Let’s hope that we are just as excited for album twenty!

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Die Spitz

Die Spitz

Something To Consume

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DIE SPITZ – SOMETHING TO CONSUME – ALBUM REVIEW

American alt-rockers Die Spitz have been a regular on our ‘Discover’ New Music Playlist in recent months as they released an increasingly impressive string of raucous punk ragers.

Now the Austin, Texas four-piece are ready to unleash their debut album, ‘Something to Consume’ but the question is really – is the world ready for it? We ask because, spoiler alert, good grief is it good!

The quartet uniquely switch-up their songwriting, vocals and instruments and therefore it’s not much of a surprise that the eleven tracks on this record are reasonably eclectic. There is however an intense and chaotic overarching aesthetic that just reaches out and grabs you by the collar.

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘POP PUNK ANTHEM (SORRY FOR THE DELAY’
Die Spitz – ‘Pop Punk Anthem (Sorry For The Delay)’

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Opening track, ‘Pop Punk Anthem (Sorry for the Delay)’ explains that “…my visions clear…” before the guttural cry of “…you’re part of me…” and the rawness of the music really does make you feel that you are part of their vision.

Yes, there are political undertones but the songs here act more in defiance of the ever-surreal realities of life. This is music to escape in, to believe in and its visceral nature is truly captivating.

At a time when it has never been easier to release music, it has never been harder to actually be heard but on ‘Something to Consume’ Die Spitz are screaming so loud that it’s impossible not to hear them. This is a genuinely exciting album that signals the groups arrival as ones to watch.

This is a very bold statement from Die Spitz and everybody needs to sit up and listen.

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