Yirga wears his influences too obviously on the introspective solo pieces, but these are early days. [Aug 2012, p.83]

A highly evolved exercise in absorption and restraint. [Dec 2018, p.28]

A vivid, shapeshifting debut album. [Nov 2013, p.74]

The results are weirdly and pleasingly dislocated. [Aug 2021, p.29]

Cheatahs brings to mind the era's second-tier acts, such as Swervedriver and Drop Nineteens--faint praise, but praise all the same. [Mar 2014, p.73]

At its best it feels emblematic of California: merging a sunny disposition with the hard, ragged terrain of the desert. [Aug 2019, p.29]

The cartoonish skank of "Too Original" is business as usual, but Peace Is The Mission is often reflective. [Aug 2015, p.76]

If that means she sometimes leans into apparently clichéd sentiments on “Keep Calm Carry On”, “Do Or Die”, the Buddhism-evoking “Om Shanti Om” or even her gossamer-soft cover of Dire Straits’ “Why Worry”, her whispery vocal style, often accompanied by plucked acoustic guitar and understated strings, still captivates. [Jun 2024, p.30]

There’s no brave new frontier here – and perhaps in these strange times many of us don’t really want to be challenged. Rather, these simple pleasures, full of reassurance and a satisfying indulgence, will keep us warm while we adjust to the ‘new normal’ – whatever that may eventually turn out to be.

It's an austere, difficult listen, but it's frequently thrilling. [Dec 2018, p.33]

Melancholy, noir-ish electro textures dominate on the deceptively lovely "Imi" and the deliciously mangled techno-tribal ballad "Black Boots", but Tagaq's punk-metal side is never far away. [Apr 2026, p.37]

The mood here is uplifting and thankful – for family, friends, opportunity – as she mostly forgoes her usual country-folk stylings for something closer to R&B and impressionistic pop. [Jun 2021, p.28]

Los Lobos play their myriad (and rather dazzlingly) legacies straight, swerving masterfully from irrepressible dance-floor faves to Spanish styles to tearjerker folk-rock ballads. [Nov 2013, p.74]

A complex, powerful crossover record that still manages to feel awesomely authentic. ... The English-and French-lanugae cuts are less successful. [Apr 2017, p.25]

Convenanza is only Weatherall's second album, but it feels as if he's been making this fantastic, moody music all his life. [Apr 2016, p.82]

It's surprisingly polite, at times. [Jun 2019, p.34]

The best music here is more evocative of their own past triumphs like 2014's "Do It Again" EP with Robyn. [Jan 2023, p.25]

A beautifully structured 11-song suite of jazz-inflected folk, check-shirted country-pop, confessional indie and more; the sound of a slight hangover clearing on a sunny morning. [Sep 2025, p.37]

Each [track] is assembled like an audio drama, starting with static noises and amusing spoken-word fragments before frequent musical plot changes. [Aug 2015, p.77]

This is perhaps her most conventional release. [Jul 2024, p.39]

The schizophrenic tone changes recall the experimentation of Deerhoof, yet the overall sound is as natural as The Flaming Lips. [Jan 2005, p.132]

A startling album of high-spirited pick'n'mix pop. [Nov 2004, p.122]

An eccentric collection that only adds to his mystique. [Dec 2017, p.26]

These are quite logical, tuneful explorations. [Dec 2019, p.32]

For the most part [it] is worth the wait. [Feb 2007, p.74]

A different, more elegant affair. [than 2014's Mosaic]. [Feb 2017, p.38]

He's at his best on the more downbeat moments. [Apr 2017, p.35]

Unsurprisingly, after nearly 30 years their hang-loose attitude is now tempered with a little socio-political reflection, although "Black Eyes"--a stomping, sown-dirty homage to hedonism--is a standout. [May 2017, p.25]