Trixie’s bears many of the hallmarks the group would, a few years later, become celebrated for. Several hooks and melodies offer up the kind of earworms that helped establish Squeeze as one of the UK’s most dependable and radio-friendly singles bands, and there is already an astonishing maturity to Difford’s lyrics, often taking the form of poignant character studies. [Feb 2026, p.98]

Sometimes predictably frustrating, sometimes pleasingly fresh, Make-up Is A Lie is a reminder that Morrissey probably couldn’t stop at this stage of the game, much less change. [Mar 2026, p.100]

Praying at the church of Eighties pop and boingy synths - from Madonna to Tears For Fears - they add just enough heavy-ish rock detail to prevent it getting sickly-sweet, and the beaming bravado wins you over. [Feb 2026, p.101]

The musical palette has broadened, the lyrics sharpened. [Mar 2026, p.104]

The Mirror radiates a collaborative spirit if curiosity, seeking - and finding - wonder and mystery in the everyday. [Mar 2025, p.103]

These shoegaze lovers from Philadelphia pick up where they left off with their first record in five years. Nothing excel at dynamics. [Mar 2026, p.105]

The intensity with which she details her local ecosystem is something to behold. .... On this evidence, the cult of Mitski isn't about to die down anytime soon. [Feb 2026, p.102]

The result is a record of many radiant treasures, inviting and rewarding maximum immersion. [Mar 2026, p.105]

Arguably his most intimate and revealing album yet. [Mar 2026, p.102]

The Mountain is a rich, rewarding take on living with and after loss, brimming with feeling, character and vibrant pop purpose. [Feb 2026, p.100]

These are more than covers, more bold reworkings. [Mar 2026, p.102]

It's the polar opposite of Moby's early hardcore punk and dancefloor output, so go elsewhere if that's your preference. [Mar 2026, p.104]

Allow Embraced For A Second As We Die to wash over you and it's superior AOR. .... Given time though, Bergman's melodies and phrasing come to fore, revealing the strength of her writing. [Mar 2026, p.102]

Great stuff. [Mar 2026, p.105]

The music is at its most interesting when it veers off at a tangent - the snappy organ fuelled Social Climbing Scene and the loping gait of the title track. [Mar 2026, p.104]

They whack the volume up to 11 million, and warp familiar songs with a blend of manic posturing and slick postering. [Mar 2026, p.105]

Epic stuff. [Mar 2026, p.105]

At times it is bracing. .... But the piano ballads are often delightful. [Mar 2026, p.103]

Hen Ogledd make music on their fifth album which feels rooted in something more timeless than simple pop. [Feb 2026, p.101]

Filled to the brim with explicit language and sexual overtones and charged with throbbing beats, it would be right at home in any queer club in Amsterdam. [Mar 2026, p.105]

These are assured, solid songs by very good musicians, albeit lacking a killer punch or any wild, barrier-pushing inspiration. [Feb 2025, p.102]

Rather than simply regurgitating their heroes, the classic songwriting at the heart of the tension ensures it's an instantly welcoming experience. [Feb 2026, p.101]

Strange Life makes for a very agreeable comeback. [Feb 2026, p.101]

Matt's gobby vocals recall Popscene-era Blur, with Issey's guitars driving the Britpop-y enthusiasm of Geraldine, Newsflash's staccato New Wave and Throwing in a chewy solo among Come On Now's glam racket. [Feb 2026, p.102]

All in All, a fond if sometimes overly polite farewell. [Jan 2026, p.101]

Smith's career detour feels like a rather wan aside from a singer spread somewhat thin. [Christmas 2025, p.135]

often esoteric and elusive, EXPO is also a warmly alluring art-rock declaration of determined intent. [Feb 2026, p.103]

As closer I'll Ask Her lands a sharp-edged critique of closed-ranks machismo, URGH's urgency of purpose is the loudest takeaway here. [Feb 2026, p.101]