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  • INHALER announce new album ‘Open Wide’ & biggest ever UK tour
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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 […]

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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.
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ALBUM REVIEW: Temples - Hot Motion
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Temples – Hot Motion

September 24, 2019 Sandra Blemster

Temples return with their third album Hot Motion on ATO Records, their first on this label. First appearing on the music scene back in 2012 with the single ‘Shelter Song’ they have brought their own […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Black Futures - Never Not Nothing
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Black Futures – Never Not Nothing

September 6, 2019 Sandra Blemster

It’s hard to believe that Black Futures is just two people with the trippy names of Space and Vibes. They released their first single in September 2017 Karma Ya Dig? a slice of industrial space-age […]

TRACK OF THE DAY: Cold Water Swimmers –  Burn Your Idols
Track Of The Day

TRACK OF THE DAY: Cold Water Swimmers – Burn Your Idols

June 21, 2019 Sandra Blemster

Hot off the heels of their previous single in March the delicious Summer Breeze, Cold Water Swimmers release their new single Burn Your Idols on June 21st 2019.  It was recorded with long-time collaborator Simon […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley – Further
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Richard Hawley – Further

June 3, 2019 Sandra Blemster

2019 is quite a year for Richard Hawley. As well as releasing his eighth studio album Further, a musical has been released based on his songs. Standing At the Sky’s Edge premiered at his hometown, […]

FEATURE: You Are Not Alone Festival (YANA) this Saturday March 30th, Manchester 2
Features

FEATURE: You Are Not Alone Festival (YANA) this Saturday March 30th, Manchester

March 27, 2019 Sandra Blemster

This coming Saturday, March 30th Manchester plays host to a multi-venue event in aid of Manchester Mind (the not-for-profit based charity for Mental Health). All profits go straight back to Manchester Mind. The festival will […]

REVIEW: Cold Water Swimmers Double A-Side 'Summer Breeze' / 'I’ll Be Your Witness' - Listen Now
Track Of The Day

REVIEW: Cold Water Swimmers Double A-Side ‘Summer Breeze’ / ‘I’ll Be Your Witness’ – Listen Now

March 18, 2019 Sandra Blemster

The Cold Water Swimmers played their debut gig in May 2018 in Manchester’s Northern Quarter area which I attended. At the time I was struck by how raw and direct they came across. Fronted by […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Brian Jonestown Massacre - The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Brian Jonestown Massacre – The Brian Jonestown Massacre

March 10, 2019 Sandra Blemster

Ever since the 1990s, The Brian Jonestown Massacre have released an inexhaustible discography with their psychedelic 60s soaked music. They are the brainchild of Anton Newcombe and found certain notoriety in the 2004 documentary DIG! […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Ten Fé - ‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Ten Fé – ‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’

March 3, 2019 Sandra Blemster

Two years on from the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Hit the Light, Ten Fe are back with their follow-up. Future Perfect, Present Tense, is due out March 8th on Some Kinda Love/PIAS […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Telekinesis - Effluxion
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Telekinesis – Effluxion

February 15, 2019 Sandra Blemster

According to the Oxford English Dictionary Effluxion means the action of flowing out. And when Michael Benjamin Lerner aka Telekinesis first heard the word he said: “I looked it up and it felt really indicative […]

TRACK OF THE DAY: Catfish and the Bottlemen - 'Longshot' - Listen Now
Track Of The Day

TRACK OF THE DAY: Catfish and the Bottlemen – ‘Longshot’ – Listen Now

January 9, 2019 Sandra Blemster

Catfish and the Bottlemen are back with their latest single Longshot. The single is released Tuesday 8th January 2019 ahead of their third album due out in the Spring. It’s been quite a ride for […]

THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT Rockarchive Exhibition now at Manchester Central Library
Features

THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT Rockarchive Exhibition now at Manchester Central Library

January 3, 2019 Sandra Blemster

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out is a free exhibition running at Manchester Central Library celebrating the famous history of Manchester’s music scene. Curated by photographer Jill Furmanovsky the founder of Rockarchive.com and […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Manic Street Preachers - This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours, 20th Year Collector’s Edition
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Manic Street Preachers – This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours (20th Anniversary Edition)

December 5, 2018 Sandra Blemster

On December 7th 2018, the Manic Street Preachers release a 20th Year Collector’s Edition of their fifth album, This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. The title comes from a part of a speech by […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Brix & the Extricated - Breaking State
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Brix & the Extricated – Breaking State

November 11, 2018 Sandra Blemster

Breaking State is the follow-up album to last year’s highly awaited debut album Part 2 from Brix and the Extricated, released by Grit Over Glamour. The cover art features an iconic animation designed by Rufus […]

ALBUM REVIEW: Mole - Danger Island
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: Mole – Danger Island

October 19, 2018 Sandra Blemster

Danger Island is the debut solo album from singer-songwriter MOLE. A double album of 21 tracks, that has taken more than five years to make. MOLE is the solo project of Californian-born singer, songwriter and […]

THE SLOW READERS CLUB announce 'For All Here To Observe' Acoustic EP
Album Reviews

REVIEW: The Slow Readers Club –  For All Here To Observe EP

September 19, 2018 Sandra Blemster

Manchester indie-electronic favourites The Slow Readers Club have released a new acoustic EP, For All Here To Observe, this month on  September 14th via Modern Sky. The EP features tracks spanning across their entire career including songs, […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Vryll Society – Course of the Satellite
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Vryll Society – Course of the Satellite

July 27, 2018 Sandra Blemster

Liverpool’s The Vryll Society have played the long game. In 2015 they released their debut single Deep Blue Skies on the Deltasonic label (run by the late Alan Wills who discovered the Coral). They have […]

REVIEW: Cold Water Swimmers - 'She’s Falling Apart / Everything We’ve Ever Had (we’ve had to fight for)'
Album Reviews

REVIEW: Cold Water Swimmers – ‘She’s Falling Apart / Everything We’ve Ever Had (we’ve had to fight for)’

July 17, 2018 Sandra Blemster

“You begin to hyperventilate, within seconds your heart begins to race and your blood pressure spikes….” Cold Water Swimmers were formed in Manchester in February 2018 when the winter seemed to have gone on forever. They […]

ALBUM REVIEW: The Alarm - Equals
Album Reviews

ALBUM REVIEW: The Alarm – Equals

June 24, 2018 Sandra Blemster

Since their formation in 1981 in the Welsh town of Rhyl the Alarm has sold six million albums and managed to clock up 17 Top Fifty singles in the UK. The original members of Mike […]

TRACK OF THE DAY: Polar States New Single - 'ROADS'
Track Of The Day

TRACK OF THE DAY: Polar States New Single – ‘ROADS’

May 30, 2018 Sandra Blemster

Polar States release their new single Roads alongside their music video this month (24th May). This is their first release with Larry Hibbitt producer for Sundara Karma and Nothing But Thieves. This is another slice […]

PSYCH ICONS: An Exhibition by DUNSTAN DOODLES Foundation Coffee House, Manchester – Thursday 10th May
Features 2

PSYCH ICONS: An Exhibition by DUNSTAN DOODLES Foundation Coffee House, Manchester – Thursday 10th May

May 14, 2018 Sandra Blemster

The first time I came across Dunstan Doodles’ work (aka Dunstan Carter) was last March when I reviewed the Grafters OV Denton EP for XS Noize. The cover featured a picture of a boy with […]

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