Skip to main content
Trending
  • INTERVIEW: M the Myth on ‘Pin-Up Boy,’ Social Media Insights & 2025 Plans
  • Kaiser Chiefs announce 2025 UK outdoor shows to celebrate 20 years of ‘Employment’
  • IN FOCUS// The Waeve at Village Underground, London
  • INHALER announce new album ‘Open Wide’ & biggest ever UK tour
  • BBC2 to Celebrate The Cure’s New Album ‘Songs of a Lost World’ with a Special Evening of Programming
  • facebookopen social link in new tab
  • twitteropen social link in new tab
  • Youtubeopen social link in new tab
  • instagramopen social link in new tab
  • pinterestopen social link in new tab
  • Spotifyopen social link in new tab
  • linkedinopen social link in new tab
XS Noize | Independent Music News
  • News
        • Kaiser Chiefs
          Gigs

          Kaiser Chiefs announce 2025 UK outdoor shows to celebrate 20 years of ‘Employment’

          November 1, 2024

          After announcing a massive hometown show at Leeds’ Temple Newsam Park for May 2025, to celebrate 20 years of their iconic debut album Employment, Yorkshire indie icons Kaiser Chiefs announce further 20th anniversary celebration shows […]

          INHALER 
          News

          INHALER announce new album ‘Open Wide’ & biggest ever UK tour

          November 1, 2024

          INHALER has today announced details of their new album alongside their biggest-ever UK tour and a string of dates in Europe and Asia. The Dublin four-piece will release their third album, ‘Open Wide,’ on February 7th via Polydor […]

          IN FOCUS// The Cure at The SSE Arena Belfast
          News

          BBC2 to Celebrate The Cure’s New Album ‘Songs of a Lost World’ with a Special Evening of Programming

          November 1, 2024

          THE CURE’s long-awaited, critically acclaimed new album, SONGS OF A LOST WORLD, their first new release in 16 years, is out now. The band will be performing their only scheduled show of the year tonight […]

  • Reviews
        • Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Cure - Songs of a Lost World
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: The Cure – Songs of a Lost World

          October 25, 2024

          After a sixteen-year wait, Songs of a Lost World, The Cure’s highly anticipated fourteenth studio album, has finally arrived. Rumours about the release date began circulating as far back as 2018, a testament to frontman […]

          Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
          Album Reviews

          ALBUM REVIEW: Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness

          October 24, 2024

          Honest – perhaps the best way to define this Melbourne four-piece, which grew from the city’s pub-rock scene. There’s no flannel, no pretences, just good old-fashioned, down-to-earth music and attitude. In this overly antiseptic world, […]

        • Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Y/N - Esther Yi
          Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Y/N – Esther Yi

          October 30, 2023

          K-Pop has reached an international audience. This year, BLACKPINK made history as the first K-pop band to headline a major UK festival at Hyde Park. The media’s coverage of BTS member’s enlistment into compulsory military […]

          BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes
          Book Reviews

          BOOK REVIEW: Sophomore Songs by Clarke Geddes

          August 29, 2023

          How does one become qualified to write a fictional music novel? The author of Sophomore Songs offers some clues. Growing up reading NME, doing a stint at Clash, drumming for several bands on and off, and […]

        • Classic Albums

          ‘Pop’ at 25: Looking back at the orphan child in U2's discography 2
          Classic Albums

          ‘Pop’ at 26: Looking back at the orphan child in U2’s discography

          March 3, 2022

          In March of 1997, 26 years ago, U2 released their much anticipated ninth studio album POP; for fans and critics alike, it quickly became their most polarizing release. There is a prevailing feeling that POP […]

          CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran 2
          Album Reviews

          CLASSIC ALBUM: Duran Duran – Duran Duran

          June 17, 2021

          This week sees the 40th anniversary of Duran Duran’s self-titled debut album. XS Noize looks back on this momentous release from a band that would become the ‘Fab Five’ of the ‘80s. It was December […]

        • Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Dhani Harrison at EartH, London
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Dhani Harrison at EartH, London

          October 24, 2024

          Anticipation was high when Dhani Harrison released his debut album IN///PARALLEL in 2017. Prior to that, he had already established himself as a thoughtful and accomplished musician through his work with bands like The New […]

          Crowded House
          Live Reviews

          LIVE REVIEW: Crowded House at O2 Arena, London

          October 12, 2024

          Crowded House has been remarkably prolific in recent years, with a quarter of their albums released in the 2020s—a striking feat for a band that first formed in 1985. This makes sense, given the band’s […]

        • Round Up

          XS Noize Best Albums of 2018
          Round Up

          XS Noize Best Albums of 2018

          December 22, 2018

          2018 has been an incredible year for albums. The year saw the strongest new acts in decades release their debuts, as well as a number of alternative legends returning to top form. The world of dance […]

          The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP
          Round Up

          The Best Of October 2018 PLAYLIST + ROUND-UP

          October 29, 2018

          Welcome to the October 2018 edition of our monthly new music playlist, which is available to listen to and watch via YouTube. If you enjoy any of the songs featured here, we encourage you to support […]

        • In Focus

          IN FOCUS// The Waeve at Village Underground, London Credit: Denise Esposito
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// The Waeve at Village Underground, London

          November 1, 2024

          On October 29, 2024, The Waeve (Graham Coxon and Rose Elinor Dougall) performed a sold-out show at London’s Village Underground. This concert marked their largest headline performance to date, celebrating the release of their second […]

          IN FOCUS// Lacuna Coil at Rock City, Nottingham Credit: Alina Salihbekova
          IN FOCUS

          IN FOCUS// Lacuna Coil at Rock City, Nottingham

          October 31, 2024

          Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil delivered an electrifying performance at Rock City in Nottingham just days before Halloween, setting the perfect tone for the spooky season. The band’s dynamic vocal duo—Cristina Scabbia and Andrea […]

  • Gigs
        • Kaiser Chiefs
          Gigs

          Kaiser Chiefs announce 2025 UK outdoor shows to celebrate 20 years of ‘Employment’

          November 1, 2024

          After announcing a massive hometown show at Leeds’ Temple Newsam Park for May 2025, to celebrate 20 years of their iconic debut album Employment, Yorkshire indie icons Kaiser Chiefs announce further 20th anniversary celebration shows […]

          The Horrors
          Gigs

          To mark Halloween, The Horrors release new track ‘Trial By Fire’

          October 31, 2024

          To mark Halloween, The Horrors today release ‘Trial By Fire’, the second track to be taken from their recently announced sixth studio album ‘Night Life’, out March 21st via Fiction Records. The band will play […]

          Scissor Sisters
          Gigs

          Scissor Sisters Return To Celebrate The 20th Anniversary Of Their No.1 Album ‘Scissor Sisters’

          October 31, 2024

          The long-awaited reunion that fans have been clamouring for is here: Scissor Sisters are back and readying their first live shows in over 12 years. 2024 marks the 20-year anniversary of the band’s debut album […]

  • Interviews
        • M the Myth
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: M the Myth on ‘Pin-Up Boy,’ Social Media Insights & 2025 Plans

          November 1, 2024

          M the Myth is someone not afraid to break boundaries. An artist who identifies as trans-non-binary, both they and their music represent what it means to be unashamedly yourself. Myth’s music serves as a mouthpiece […]

          KiKi Holli
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: KiKi Holli Discusses Her New Single ‘WIN U OVER’

          October 21, 2024

          Los Angeles-based, multi-faceted pop singer-songwriter KiKi Holli recently released her new single, “WIN U OVER,” a contagious Nu Disco track produced by Grammy-nominated Ethan Allen. “WIN U OVER” follows on the heels of Holli’s dance […]

          Hana Giraldo
          Interviews

          INTERVIEW: Hana Giraldo Talks ‘Reputation’, Artistic Influences & Social Media

          September 20, 2024

          They say talent often runs in the family, for Hana Giraldo, that has undoubtedly proven to be true. As the daughter of iconic musicians Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Hana has carved her path in […]

  • Podcast
        • Into the Depths: Sister Ghost Discusses the Creation of 'Beyond the Water'
          Podcasts

          Into the Depths: Sister Ghost Discusses the Creation of ‘Beyond the Water’

          October 30, 2024

          In Episode #198 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Irish artist Sister Ghost about her long-awaited debut album, Beyond The Water. Recorded in Los Angeles in the summer of 2022 with producer […]

          Wendy James
          Podcasts

          Shaping the Past and Future: Wendy James on Her New Album ‘The Shape of History’

          October 23, 2024

          In Episode #197 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Wendy James about her new album, The Shape Of History. English singer-songwriter Wendy James burst onto the British music scene in 1988 as […]

          Unveiling Ecce Homo: Gavin Friday on Music, Art, and Self-Expression
          Podcasts

          Gavin Friday Unveils the Creative Journey Behind His New Album ‘Ecce Homo’

          October 16, 2024

          In Episode #196 of The XS Noize Podcast, host Mark Millar interviews Irish renaissance man Gavin Friday about his highly anticipated new solo album Ecce Homo out 25th October. The new album – produced by […]

  • About Us
  • Contribute
  • Home
  • Author
  • Sandrablemster

Articles by Sandra Blemster

Xsnoize Author
Sandra Blemster
Sandra mainly writes about indie/rock bands and has written many features, album reviews and interviews for XS Noize. Favourite bands and albums is a long list but to name a few Horslips, REM, Love, The Doors, Let It Bee – Voice of the Beehive, Velvet Underground and Nico album. (Ozric Tentacles live), October Drift. Sandra likes yoga, reading a good book, watching films, Netflix and drinking wine.
Website LinkedIn
Gruff Rhys - Sadness Sets Me Free
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Gruff Rhys – Sadness Sets Me Free

January 30, 2024 Sandra Blemster

Gruff Rhys releases his new album Sadness Sets Me Free on Rough Trade Records. Amazingly, this is the 25th album he has released in his 35-year career, individually and collaboratively, and as a member of […]

Nicky Wire - Intimism
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Nicky Wire – Intimism

August 1, 2023 Sandra Blemster

Nicky Wire, bassist and lyricist for Welsh band Manic Street Preachers, has released a solo album as a follow-up to his 2006 debut, I Killed the Zeitgeist. Intimism is 12 songs released on Bandcamp, produced by […]

Booker T. & The MG’s - Green Onions Deluxe (60th Anniversary)
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Booker T. & The MG’s – Green Onions Deluxe (60th Anniversary)

February 23, 2023 Sandra Blemster

In 1962, a record was created, through a spur-of-the-moment jam, of four musicians in Memphis, Tennessee. That record, ‘Green Onions’, went on to become the most popular instrumental ever recorded. Released in the summer of […]

The Slow Readers Club - Knowledge Freedom Power
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Slow Readers Club – Knowledge Freedom Power

February 21, 2023 Sandra Blemster

Manchester quartet, The Slow Readers Club are back with their sixth studio album Knowledge Freedom Power. Following on from their 2020 Top 10 album The Joy of the Return which was released around the time […]

Voice Of The Beehive - ‘LET IT BEE’ 35th Anniversary Edition
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Voice Of The Beehive – ‘LET IT BEE’ 35th Anniversary Edition

November 22, 2022 Sandra Blemster

Ah, Voice of the Beehive, that takes me back. They first came into my existence somewhere back in 1987 with their video “I Say Nothing”, a dayglo, kickass ‘indie’ record that went straight for the […]

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Changes
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Changes

October 31, 2022 Sandra Blemster

First conceived in 2017, a year in which King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, the Australian psychedelic six, released five new albums, it’s only just arriving now. Band member Stu Mackenzie states: “I think of […]

October Drift - I Don't Belong Anywhere
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: October Drift – I Don’t Belong Anywhere

October 18, 2022 Sandra Blemster

I Don’t Belong Anywhere is October Drift’s follow-up to their debut album Forever Whatever in 2020. The Taunton quartet have been playing most of their lives (since age 13) and are Alex Bispham (bass), Chris […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Arthur Brown - Long Long Road
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Arthur Brown – Long Long Road

June 20, 2022 Sandra Blemster

Arthur Brown is back! The original God of Hellfire releases his new album Long Long Road this week, on his 80th birthday, featuring multi-instrumentalist Rik Patten. Arthur Brown released the pulsating, career-defining track, Fire, in 1968, […]

LIVE REVIEW: The Unstoppable Arthur Brown @ Sale Waterside Arts Centre
Live Reviews

LIVE REVIEW: The Unstoppable Arthur Brown @ Sale Waterside Arts Centre

June 6, 2022 Sandra Blemster

‘I am the god of hellfire, and I bring you…!’ The people of Sale, Manchester, were treated to a visual/aural experience this Friday evening. Arthur Brown, rock legend of the mesmerizing 60s track Fire, is […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Placebo – Never Let Me Go
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Placebo – Never Let Me Go

March 20, 2022 Sandra Blemster

Vocalist and guitarist Brian Molko and bassist Stefan Olsdal who make up Placebo, return, this time as a duo, following the departure of drummer Steve Forrest in 2015. It’s been almost nine years since they […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Ashcroft - Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1 2
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Ashcroft – Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1

October 25, 2021 Sandra Blemster

Richard Ashcroft releases his new album Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1 on October 29th. It contains 12 newly recorded acoustic versions of songs from his time in The Verve (including the classic Urban Hymns album) and […]

ALBUM REVIEW: James - All The Colours Of You
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: James – All The Colours Of You

June 1, 2021 Sandra Blemster

James releases their 16th studio album on June 4th, All The Colours Of You. Recorded partly before the pandemic, it’s produced by Jacknife Lee, the Grammy award-winning producer for U2, REM and The Killers, to […]

REVIEW: October Drift - Naked EP 2
Album Reviews

REVIEW: October Drift – Naked EP

November 2, 2020 Sandra Blemster

October Drift returns with their acoustic EP Naked released on Physical Education Records on 6th November. This follows on from the success of their debut album Forever Whatever, released earlier this year, which received critical […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Slow Readers Club - 91 Days In Isolation
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Slow Readers Club – 91 Days In Isolation

October 18, 2020 Sandra Blemster

Back in March, I reviewed the fourth studio album by The Slow Readers Club The Joy of the Return. I hardly expected, seven months later, to be reviewing a follow-up but then we’ve had a […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Doves - The Universal Want
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Doves – The Universal Want

September 6, 2020 Sandra Blemster

Manchester band Doves release their fifth album The Universal Want on 11th September 2020. Made up of Jimi Goodwin (vocals/guitar), Jez Williams, (guitar/vocals) and brother Andy (drums/vocals) plus unofficial tour fourth member Martin Rebelski (multi-instrumentalist […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Proud Mary - Songs From Catalina
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Proud Mary – Songs From Catalina

June 23, 2020 Sandra Blemster

Manchester band Proud Mary are back after a seven-year break with their new album Songs From Catalina, out 26th June. Proud Mary comprises Greg Griffin (vocals), Paul ‘Spot’ Newsome (guitars, bass, keys, drums, harmonica and […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Hightown Pirates - All of the Above
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Hightown Pirates – All of the Above

April 28, 2020 Sandra Blemster

The Hightown Pirates was formed by Simon Mason. He penned the critically acclaimed rock n roll memoir Too High Too Far Too Soon: Tales from a Dubious Past in 2013. Back in the 90s, Mason […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Slow Readers Club - The Joy Of The Return
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Slow Readers Club – The Joy Of The Return

March 16, 2020 Sandra Blemster

Manchester’s The Slow Readers Club are back with a fourth album, The Joy Of The Return, out on March 20th via Modern Sky UK. It’s recorded at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool and produced by […]

INTERVIEW: From the Altar to the Mainstage - A Chat with OCTOBER DRIFT 3
Interviews

INTERVIEW: From the Altar to the Mainstage – A Chat with OCTOBER DRIFT

February 16, 2020 Sandra Blemster

October Drift don’t take shortcuts. With their own personal style of intense guitar-driven, emotionally charged music the Taunton, Somerset quartet of Kiran Roy, Chris Holmes, Alex Bispham and Daniel Young have toured around the country […]

BRIX & THE EXTRICATED release their new album 'Super Blood Wolf Moon' on 25th October
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Brix & The Extricated – Super Blood Wolf Moon

October 21, 2019 Sandra Blemster

Brix & The Extricated are back to release their third studio album Super Blood Wolf Moon on 25th October nearly a year on from their last one Breaking State, which saw them move on from […]

Posts pagination

1 2 … 5 »

LATEST REVIEWS

  • ALBUM REVIEW: The Cure - Songs of a Lost World
    ALBUM REVIEW: The Cure – Songs of a Lost World
    October 25, 2024
  • Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
    ALBUM REVIEW: Amyl and The Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness
    October 24, 2024
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Soccer Mommy – Evergreen
    ALBUM REVIEW: Soccer Mommy – Evergreen
    October 24, 2024
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Bastille “&” (Ampersand)
    ALBUM REVIEW: Bastille – “&”
    October 23, 2024
  • Sun Ra & His Arkestra
    ALBUM REVIEW: Sun Ra & His Arkestra – Kingdom of Discipline
    October 23, 2024
  • Dolores Forever – It’s Nothing
    ALBUM REVIEW: Dolores Forever – It’s Nothing
    October 21, 2024

TOP UK MUSIC BLOG 2024

Vuelio top 10 blog 2024

Trending

  • VIDEO PREMIERE: Pamela Sue Mann - Ouch
    VIDEO PREMIERE: Pamela Sue Mann – Ouch
  • ON THE TURNTABLE: Lou Donaldson - Mr Shing-A-Ling
    ON THE TURNTABLE: Lou Donaldson – Mr Shing-A-Ling
  • THE HIGH KINGS perform a special ST PATRICK'S DAY show tonight with special guest Chloe Agnew
    THE HIGH KINGS perform a special ST PATRICK’S DAY show tonight with special guest Chloe Agnew
  • SERATONES Announce debut album ‘GET GONE’ - Listen to track
    SERATONES Announce debut album ‘GET GONE’ – Listen to track
  • Janet Devlin
    Navigating the “Emotional Rodeo” with Irish Songstress Janet Devlin
  • ALBUM REVIEW: Paul Weller - On Sunset
    ALBUM REVIEW: Paul Weller – On Sunset
  • SHONA BROWN TO RELEASE A SINGLE PER MONTH
    SHONA BROWN TO RELEASE A SINGLE PER MONTH
  • Multi-platinum, Grammy nominated 'PLAIN WHITE T'S' return with new album and single
    Multi-platinum, Grammy nominated ‘PLAIN WHITE T’S’ return with new album and single
eire wave logo
  • Terms Of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2024 | XS Noize. Website by Skyhaven Media