Liam Gallagher John Squire
Liam Gallagher John Squire
PARLOPHONE
A match made in cagoule-wearing heaven for music fans of a certain stripe, but the collision of Liam Gallagher's vocals and John Squire's Hendrixian guitar playing is an alchemy that can mesmerise more than just Oasis/The Stone Roses diehards. Arguably the best record either has been involved in for decades. ★★★★
"Gallagher's quartz-edged voice is the perfect plating for Squire’s roving guitar gymnastics." Read MOJO's review in full.
READ MORE: Liam Gallagher: “We put an offer on the table for Oasis and Noel said no”
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IDLES
Tangk
PARTISAN
On their fifth album, Bristolian post punks IDLES laid down their more overtly political lyrical Molotovs for a more personal approach. With Radiohead producer Nigel Goodrich helping to expand the group's sonic horizons, Tangk's love-bombing proved to be as effective as anything they've done. ★★★★
“IDLES have sought other means beyond brute force – the art of persuasion.” Read MOJO’s review in full.
IDLES Joe Talbot interviewed: "He's not my king! Prove to me different, you can't!"
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Brittany Howard
What Now
ISLAND
For her second solo album, the former Alabama Shakes singer pushed further and deeper into the sonic terrain she began to map out on 2019’s Jamie, fusing pulsating Moroder disco, On The Corner-like jazz, future funk and more to dazzling effect. ★★★★
“What Now captures Howard’s joy – the joy that she finds in singing, in flitting through different forms, and in saying the difficult bits through brilliant song” Read MOJO’s review in full.
Brittany Howard Interviewed::a[]{href='https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/stories/brittany-howard-interviewed/' }“Prince kissed me on the cheek… Next thing I know, he’d passed away”
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The Smile
Wall Of Eyes
XL RECORDINGS
On 2022’s A Light For Attracting Attention, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood’s Radiohead-adjacent project The Smile delivered an album that stood up next to Radiohead’s very best. For the follow-up, Yorke, Greenwood and drummer Tom Skinner ventured further out, Wall Of Eyes’ proggy textures revealing their charms and details only upon repeat listens. ★★★★
“Until Radiohead return, or even if they never regroup, The Smile will do just nicely…” Read MOJO’s review in full.
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Gruff Rhys
Sadness Sets Me Free
ROUGH TRADE
The former Super Furry Animal’s 25th (or so) solo LP delivers an exquisite balance of the melancholic and melodious, its songs delivering self-criticism and sadness from within a trojan horse of buoyant chamber pop (Bad Friend), breezy Tropicália (They Sold My Home To Build A Skyscraper), ‘70s pop-soul (Celestial Candyfloss) and gingham-clad honky-tonk (the title track). ★★★★
“A stoical and pro-active salve against troubles local and global…” Read MOJO’s review in full.
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Sleater-Kinney
Little Rope
LOMO VISTA
Unmoored by personal tragedy, on their eleventh album Sleater-Kinney’s Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker find strength in one another and the defiant power of their music, tracks such as opener Hell stringing a classic Sleater-Kinney highwire between the personal and the political. ★★★★
“If Little Rope offers consolation, it mainly comes from the fact of its existence – dynamic, defiant, self-aware…” Read MOJO’s review in full
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Bill Ryder Jones
Iechyd Da
DOMINO
Triumphant songs of defeat and desperation from the finest piano-in-the-sandpit songwriter of his generation. For his fifth solo album, the former Coral guitarist pulls an achingly beautiful set from the depths of his inner turmoil. ★★★★
“Iechyd Da is lyrically stark, but Ryder-Jones saves his most silvery linings for its darkest clouds…” Read MOJO’s review in full.
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