Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood joins forces with Israeli rockstar Dudu Tassa for a powerful, and at times haunting, celebration of Middle Eastern sound.
DUDU TASSA AND JONNY GREENWOOD
Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood joins forces with Israeli rockstar Dudu Tassa for a powerful, and at times haunting, celebration of Middle Eastern sound.
The pair helm the collaboration Jarak Qaribak, which brings together vocalists and musicians from throughout the Middle East for a special album of cross-border collaborations.
The nine-track collection combines electronic sounds reminiscent of the 1970s with Greenwood's gentle twanging, drum-machine beats and Arabic lyrics.
"When people listen to this music, I really love to imagine them thinking... 'what is this? What's going on?'" says Tassa.
Jarak Qaribak delivers just that for those who may not be au fait with the esoterism of Middle Eastern genres - a sound that is unfamiliar and, at times, jarring to a Western ear, although it remains sonically pleasing.
Greenwood and Tassa have succeeded in bringing together artists from across a turbulent geographical region, despite bureaucratic challenges, to create a truly intriguing musical collection.
(Review by Michael Bedigan)
THIS IS THE KIT
CAREFUL OF YOUR KEEPERS
The Indie-folk collective and soothing vocals of Paris-based Kate Stables, This Is The Kit are back with their sixth album - and it's a corker. Their long-standing cult success on the folk circuit shows no signs of slowing down, with catchy and accomplished new single Inside Outside, which starts minimalistic and escalates in complexity.
The 10-track Careful Of Your Keepers has sympathetic use of brass instruments throughout, the dulcet tones of the flugelhorn even making an appearance, and soft drums - leaving the stage for Stables' outstanding voice, some tracks with a spoken word quality, and her joyful banjo or guitar.
Other highlights include Take You To Sleep for its subtle jazz feel, This Is When The Sky Gets Big with its haunting undernotes, and the beautiful Stuck In A Room. Set to take on festivals and tours in the UK, Europe and the US this year, their understated and unshowy brilliance may not be under the mainstream radar for long.
(Review by Lauren Taylor)
NIALL HORAN
THE SHOW
After two studio albums and a number of years honing his craft as a solo artist, it feels like Niall Horan has carved out his musical individuality in The Show.
His third offering not only shows off his impressive vocal range but also his song writing abilities with lyrics that cut through the pop beats.
The 10-track record opens with lead single Heaven, and the punchy bassline, layered harmonies and hopeless, romantic subject feels reminiscent of Horan's days in One Direction.
However, the Irish singer-songwriter ensures his vocal talents are put on display, with falsetto tones coming through strongly in If You Leave Me.
The tempo of the album's title track also oscillates, slowing down to place more focus on reflective lines such as, "If everything was easy, nothing ever broke / If everything was simple, how would we know? / How to fix your tears? / How to fake a show? / How to paint a smile? / Yeah, how would we know?"
Horan later dabbles across genres with Save My Life featuring a saxophone solo among bright, percussion-heavy '80s-style beats while You Could Start A Cult reverts to an acoustic style with gentle guitar strums and harmonica.
Some of the pop-focused tracks feel slightly repetitive but his exploration of the tumultuous nature of a relationship feels honest and refreshing.
8.5/10
CHRISTINE AND THE QUEENS
PARANOIA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE
The fourth album from French singer-songwriter Chris, known as Christine And The Queens, provides a vast, epic journey in search of love.
Paranoia, Angels, True Love is the follow up to 2022's Redcar Les Adorables Etoiles and continues the theme of self-discovery and transformation.
The enormous project comprises 20 songs stretching across over 90 minutes, expanding across atmospheric soundscapes and is teamed with theatrical production, having been heavily inspired by the Tony Kushner play Angels In America.
The last line of opening track Overture sees Chris proclaim, "From where I stand, everything is glorious", before embarking on an odyssey of introspection. The airy pop beats of Marvin Descending has Chris wishing to be "as free as you can be", while Track 10 finds Chris desperate for human contact, pleading for his lover to take him dancing.
Pachelbel's Canon in D Major is sampled on Full Of Life, which offers an early break from the synth-laden pop numbers, with Chris declaring, "pain shifting, rising" during the opening moments of the song. Looking outwardly, pop queen Madonna and US rapper 070 Shake dutifully lend their assistance on several tracks.
The most ambitious offering yet from Christine And The Queens successfully demonstrates his vulnerable lyricism, rich, delicate vocals and flamboyant showmanship.
(Review by Alexander Hoggard)
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