Vol. 107
Follow us on Social Media
Categories
Full Pelt Magazine
Tag: Music
Categories
The Last Dinner Party
From the Pyre
Follow us on Social Media
THE LAST DINNER PARTY – FROM THE PYRE – ALBUM REVIEW
Last year’s stunning debut album, ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’ was monumental for The Last Dinner Party. The record made the band household names and brought about numerous prestigious awards all proclaiming them the next big thing.
With this attention however comes pressure to maintain that momentum. Many eyes will therefore be on their sophomore release, ‘From the Pyre’ which arrives some twenty months later.
With two of the albums pre-release singles (‘Second Best’ and ‘This is the Killer Speaking’) having already been previewed live last year, a degree of mystique remained for the album as a whole. The record however picks up pretty directly from its predecessor.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘SECOND BEST’
Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!
Indeed, ‘From the Pyre’ feels like a true continuation of ‘Prelude to Ecstasy’ yet somehow even more ambitious! Yes, the five-piece are able to take the words bold and innovative to new heights on this enchanting collection.
In a time of short-form media and low attention spans, the fact that the band have doubled down on their dynamic and mesmeric songwriting is commendable. With eight of the ten tracks nearing or surpassing the four-minute marker this album is very much substance over style.
The fact that the album credits spotlight nearly forty additional musicians show a glimpse of the layers crafted into the fabric of this album. The core group all get their moments to shine however and you do have to say that they are greater than the sum of their parts.
Anybody doubting their ability to follow up their sensational debut has been shut up with a new album arguable even fuller and grandiose than the original. The Last Dinner Party are no longer the next big thing, they are the now and they are going to be massive.
Share our review on Social Media
Categories
Newton Faulkner
The Waterfront, Norwich
Monday 13th October 2025
Follow us on Social Media
NEWTON FAULKNER – NORWICH – LIVE REVIEW
Last month the incomparable Newton Faulkner shared his eighth studio album, ‘Octopus’, and now it’s time for him to take these new songs out on the road. Tonight, at The Waterfront in Norwich is the first date of a new headline tour from the virtuoso.
Much of Faulkner’s recent touring has seen him performing dual sets without any support, but tonight we have not one but two opening acts to get the diligent crowd warmed up.
MARIE NAFFAH
The first of which is London-based songwriter Marie Naffah who is accompanied this evening by her producer Robin Breeze on guitar. The duo are a gentle easement into the evenings festivities and they are able to use their undoubtable abilities to hypnotise the audience.
Their performance is full of songs about love and the likes of ‘For You’ and ‘Gloria’ ensure that their short time on stage is memorable. Naffah tonight is mesmeric with both her charm and her talent, much like an early days Mr. Faulkner.
NATI
Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!
Next up on the stage is a redheaded alt-pop guitarist. Nope, not Newton but NATI., who brings a little bit of chaotic humour and the rousing songwriting of a modern day Newton Faulkner!
Two wise choices as support then and as with Naffah earlier, NATI. is able to very quickly engage the audience and soon has them singing and clapping along. Her brand of songwriting is a lot angrier than Naffah’s and the atmosphere in the venue accordingly ramps up a notch or two.
A fantastic cover of Alanis Morisette’s biting ‘You Oughta Know’, along with the likes of ‘JOAN’ and ‘5 More Minutes’ are delivered with refreshing candour. The sense that the audience wanted more of NATI. as she ends her set was palpable and that’s always a good sign.
NEWTON FAULKNER
Check out Newton Faulkner on The Full Pelt Music Podcast!
There isn’t long until Newton Faulkner takes the stage. There is little fanfare as Faulkner starts up his set. He isn’t the classic showman musician, but his charisma is ever enchanting. He ultimately lets his music do the talking, but he’s also pretty adept at entertaining the crowd with his wit and musings.
Our two support acts truly did represent and the yin and the yang of what makes Faulkner special and tonight he structures his setlist to gradually escalate in intensity. Starting off with the likes of ‘Gone in the Morning’, ‘Finger Tips’ and ‘I Need Something’, his much-loved cover of Massive Attack’s ‘Teardrop’ then marks an escalation in the set.
The middle section of the set brings more of Faulkner’s signature orchestration of audience participation and some more fan favourites including the obligatory singalong to ‘Dream Catch Me’.
Faulkner’s new album, ‘Octopus’ is his noisiest work yet and the set builds to a crescendo of new music. The final run seeing him deliver ‘You Make It Look So Easy’, ‘What Took You So Long’, ‘Alright Alright Alright’ and ‘Snakes & Ladders’.
The set ends with as little fanfare as it began, Faulkner simply thanking the crowd and that’s that. Tonight, hasn’t been a night of clichéd tropes though, it has been a great evening of organic entertainment centred around songwriters.
Indeed, all three performers have been a delight, and the uniquely talented Faulkner remains as absorbing as ever!
Share our review on Social Media
Categories
Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 106
Follow us on Social Media
Categories
Cyan Kicks
Come Hell, Come High Water
Follow us on Social Media
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.
WATCH THE VIDEO FOR ‘echo’
Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!
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.
Share this review on Social Media
Categories
Yellowcard
Better Days
Follow us on Social Media
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’
Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!
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!
Share this review on Social Media
Categories
All Ears Avow
Horrors
Follow us on Social Media
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’
Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!
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!
Share our review on Social Media!
Categories
Full Pelt Magazine
Vol. 105
Follow us on Social Media
Categories
AFI
Silver Bleeds the Black Sun…
Follow us on Social Media
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’
Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!
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.
Share this review on Social Media
Categories
Idlewild
Idlewild
Follow us on Social Media
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’
Find Full Pelt Music on YouTube!
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!
Share this review on Social Media
