Interview: Zuzu
Zuzu Words and Photos by Gary Lambert Zuzu is a pop star. As I walked into Motor Museum Recording Studio in Liverpool on a grey winter’s day, it seemed as though the clouds were peeled back and the calendar spun through to June as the human ball of energy that is Zuzu came into view. … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: SHE DREW THE GUN
She Drew The Gun Future Yard, Birkenhead, 19 September 2020 Words and Photos by Gary Lambert The live music scene has been devastated by the response to COVID-19, venues are closing all over the country, and both doom and gloom are present like Red Stripe and Jack Daniels in the hearts and minds of music … Continue reading
Album Review: Red Rum Club – The Hollow Of Humdrum
Red Rum Club The Hollow Of Humdrum Released: 02.10.2020 Words: Elena Katrina Red Rum Club then, a band I (and many of team popped) have had the pleasure to witness blossom over years and years of hard graft, of both their live set and honing their musical craft. This album, The Hollow of Humdrum, is … Continue reading
Just Listen: The Cribs – Running Into You
The Cribs Running Into You Words by Jim Mumby The triumphant return of Wakefield’s own rock-n-roll-royalty The Cribs, is heralded by the release of their latest single Running into You from their upcoming 8th studio album Night Network. Breaking free recently from the tangled web of management wranglings and redressing the doom-laden rumour mill murmurings … Continue reading
Album Review: Marsicans – Ursa Major
Marsicans Ursa Major Words by Amy Butcher Now I don’t know if it’s been made obvious to everyone yet, but here at Popped Music we’re MASSIVE fans of Marsicans and have been for a really long time. When the Leeds lads announced they’d be releasing their debut album, the first reaction from our hive brain was “FINALLY!” … Continue reading
Just Listen: Cassia – Don’t Make A Scene
Cassia Don’t Make A Scene Words by Gary Lambert Cassia, Macclesfield’s answer to Vampire Weekend, have a new release out, Don’t Make A Scene, and once again they’ve found a way to transport you from wherever you are and whatever you are doing to a car driving through the USA lit by a balmy sunset … Continue reading
Album Review: Willie J Healey – Twin Heavy
Wille J Healey Twin Heavy Words and Live Photography by Amy Butcher The last few weeks, like a lot of 2020, have been fantastic for new music and Willie J Healey’s sophomore album Twin Heavy is no exception! I’ve been a fan of the Oxford musician for a year or so now; there’s something about … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: THE LIBERTINES
The Libertines Virgin Money Unity Arena, Newcastle, 29 August 2020 Words and Photos by Gary Lambert Yes, we all know the socially-distant gigs at Newcastle’s makeshift arena at Gosforth Park aren’t the most visceral of prospects, and it is very easy to offer criticism of them as corporate blandness masquerading as a music festival, but … Continue reading
LIVE REVIEW: FILTHY TRICKS
Filthy Tricks The Snig, Widnes, 22nd August 2020 Words and Photos by Gary Lambert It took a while, but after one hundred and sixty days I was finally at a gig once more. I had spent a lot of time imagining my first gig back, but I don’t think that I expected it to be … Continue reading
Just Listen: Magick Mountain – Infinity x 2
Magick Mountain Infinity X2 Words by Nicholas Jacques Magick Mountain are back with another sharp slice of heavy psych rock which continues to conjure up satisfying tremors. This latest prime cut, Infinity X2, effortlessly blends melodic King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard tones with gargantuan solos that moan and flow in glorious fashion – there is plenty … Continue reading
Just Listen: Campfire Social – Awake in the Wake of a Wave
Campfire Social Awake in the Wake of a Wave Words by Stephen Birch The sad song is a pop music staple that has been with us as long as it’s first exponents realised the power of an effective minor chord structure. Guitar Pop has been a natural refuge for the outsider and their feelings of distance from … Continue reading
EP Review: LibraLibra – Hail Mary
LibraLibra Hail Mary Words by Gary Lambert I work on the rule of thumb that some people are fans of LibraLibra and some people just haven’t heard them yet. With their first EP release Hail Mary, the Brighton-based four-piece are ready to increase their fans once more. If you’re just scanning this article, I’ll save … Continue reading
Just Listen: The Lemon Twigs – No One Holds You (Closer Than The One You Haven’t Met)
The Lemon Twigs No One Holds You (Closer Than The One You Haven’t Met) Words by Jim Mumby The Lemon Twigs can do no wrong with a back-catalogue of releases already stamped with ’quality assurance’. Having one platform boot firmly in Old Texan Saloon Bar music and another high-kicking into the belly of 80’s American … Continue reading
Just Listen: The Ninth Wave – I’m Only Going To Hurt You
The Ninth Wave I’m Only Going To Hurt You Words by Jim Mumby Any of those smuggly-smirking melophiles with their highly systemised record collections will be left head-scratching before slowly reaching towards the ‘Dungeon-Synth/Post-Punk-Noir’ section, momentarily pausing with a mindset to edging The Ninth Wave ever closer to the ‘Angst-IDM/New Beat’ sounds of Confetti’s and … Continue reading
Just Listen: Chappaqua Wrestling – Football
Chappaqua Wrestling Football Words by Jim Mumby By honing their musical prowess, the guitar-focussed indie-rock soundscapes of recent times are a far departure from what I felt was flat-sounding four-track EP1. It seems Chappaqua Wrestling have managed to shake off any influential contagions, to emerge unscathed and invigorated with a much more professional and richer sound of … Continue reading
Just Listen: K I T – Warm
K I T Warm Words by Gary Lambert The debut release of K I T does not feel like that of a singer trying to find his voice and feet. Instead we are treated to a pop song that is rousing, mature, and sounds like the sort of track an artist would put out to … Continue reading
