Out Today: The Smile - Wall of Eyes

One of the most eagerly awaited releases this year is undoubtedly The Smiles' second album, titled "Wall of Eyes," which is out today. This album is anticipated to feature a collection of ideas that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcasing the band's creative response to the unique challenges of the time. As a prelude to the album, three singles have already been released, with one notably sharing the same title as the upcoming album, offering listeners a glimpse into the musical journey that awaits.

Allie X - Off With Her Tits

Allie X has recently premiered the third single and accompanying video for her track "Off With Her Tits." This song is part of her upcoming album, 'Girl With No Face,' scheduled for release on February 24th

Kim Gordon - Bye Bye (Single)

Kim Gordon has unveiled a new track titled "Bye Bye" from her upcoming third solo album, 'The Collective,' slated for release on March 8th, 2024.

WATCH: Suki Waterhouse - OMG

Continuing her artistic journey, Suki Waterhouse returns with another captivating release after the success of last year's favorite single and video, "To Love." Her latest offering, accompanied by stunning visuals, is the new song titled "OMG."

Ride - Peace Sign (Single)

Ride has unveiled their comeback single, "Peace Sign," signaling the arrival of their 10th studio album titled "Interplay," scheduled for release on March 29th.

Retrovision: Ash - Girl from Mars

"Girl from Mars" stands as the second single released by the Irish band Ash, extracted from their debut album, "1977." This song made its debut in 1995 and marked their first breakthrough, securing a spot in the prestigious UK Top 40 charts. 

WATCH: Christine and the Queens - Stayin' Alive

Christine and the Queens have revealed the music video for Stayin' Alive and a very interesting rendition of the Bee Gees classic. The accompanied music video was filmed directed by Chris himself and it was filmed in Venice.

Best of 2023 - Song of the Year

Following the Album list, our list of the best songs is also a testament to the remarkable talent that graced the scene in 2023. We witnessed the triumphant return of legends like Depeche Mode, Everything But the Girl, and Blur, alongside the rise of exceptional newcomers such as The Last Dinner Party. It's undeniable that female artists took center stage, dominating the musical landscape with their creativity and prowess. Here's our list of the best songs that highlighted the year:

Hemlocke Springs - Sever The Blight

Christine and the Queens - To Be Honest

Depeche Mode - Ghost Again

Lana Del Rey  - Candy Necklace

Suki Waterhouse - To Love

Slowdive - Kisses

Tove Lo - I Like You

The Last Dinner Party - My Lady of Mercy

Kali Uchis - I Wish You Roses

Glüme - Queen of LA

...

Next Wave: The Last Dinner Party

Formed in the vibrant musical landscape of London in 2021, The Last Dinner Party stands as a promising all-female band carving their niche in the Indie Pop market. With four singles under their belt, their talent has caught the attention of Island Records, leading to an exciting development – the upcoming release of their debut album, 'Prelude to Ecstasy,' slated for February 2023.

Credit: Phoebe Fox for NME

Inspired by the iconic David Bowie, The Last Dinner Party brings a fresh and dynamic energy to the indie pop scene. Drawing comparisons to contemporaries such as Florence and the Machine, Warpaint, and Wet Leg, the band showcases a blend of influences that promise a captivating and unique musical journey. With their swift rise and the anticipation surrounding their debut album, The Last Dinner Party is undoubtedly a band to watch, contributing to the vibrant and evolving landscape of indie pop.

Retrovision: Tricky - Black Steel

"Black Steel" stands out as one of Tricky's most successful single releases during the 90s. This distinctive track is a cover version of Public Enemy's "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos," and what sets Tricky's rendition apart is the inclusion of Martina Topley Bird and the transformation of the song is notable for its replacement of rap with singing. The addition of a guitar arrangement creates a completely different atmospheric experience and impression of the song. Tricky's version of "Black Steel" is widely regarded as one of the best cover versions ever recorded, showcasing the artist's ability to reinterpret and breathe new life into iconic tracks from different genres.

Best of 2023 - The Album List

Absolutely thrilled to share our favorite releases from this remarkable year in music. It's a joy to witness the triumphant return of seasoned veterans who have graced the industry for decades, alongside the exciting emergence of new talents. What unites these diverse artists is their remarkable ability, each within their own genre, to reinvent themselves with their recent releases. Here are the ten albums that collectively represent the artistic evolution and enduring brilliance of musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape of 2023.

Best of 1992 - The Singles List

 Following Freddie Mercury's death in November 1991, one of the significant events of 1992 was his tribute concert held five months later. Tickets for the event sold out within three hours of going on sale, despite no performers being announced apart from the remaining members of Queen. A star-studded lineup including Elton John, George Michael, Axl Rose, Metallica, Annie Lennox, and many others paid tribute to the late Freddie Mercury.

In the same year, Kylie Minogue ended her longstanding collaboration with Stock Aitken Waterman, with whom she had been recording music since 1987. Meanwhile, George Michael took on a different battle with Sony, filing a lawsuit against them for allegedly failing to promote his album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1." However, he would ultimately lose the case in June 1994.

In November 1992, Factory Records was declared bankrupt. The label, founded in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, boasted releases by iconic acts such as Joy Division, New Order, OMD, and others from the 80s. Their catalogue was subsequently sold to London Records.

On the UK charts, "Bohemian Rhapsody" made a return to the hit list in January. Shakespeare's Sister enjoyed the longest-running number one with "Stay," topping the charts for eight weeks. Additionally, Euro dance had a standout year, with Snap's "Rhythm is a Dancer" holding the top spot for six weeks.

Erasure also made a comeback in 1992 with their ABBA tribute, topping the charts for five weeks in June with their "Abba-esque" EP, featuring the hit "Take a Chance on Me."

01. Manic Street Preachers - Motorcycle Emptiness

02. The Cranberries - Dreams

03. R.E.M - Drive

04. Tori Amos - Crucify

05. Madonna - Erotica

06. Nirvana - Lithium

07. Sade - No Ordinary Love

08. Shakespeare's Sister - Stay

09. Neil Young - Harvest Moon

10. Electronic - Disappointed

11. The Cure - Friday, I'm in Love

12. Annie Lennox - Why

13. Sophie B. Hawkins - Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover

14. Alice in Chains - Would?

15. Suede - Drowners

16. The Sisters of Mercy - Temple of Love (1992)

17. Ride - Twisterella 

18. Nirvana - Come As You Are

19. Marc Almond - Days of Pearly Spencer

20. Neil Young - Harvest Moon

21. Opus III - It's a Fine Day

22. Pulp - Babes

23. The Future Sound of London - Papua New Guinea

24. Faith No More - Midlife Crisis

25. The Cure - High

26. U2 - Even Better Than The Real Thing

27. Orbital - Halycon

28. Tasmin Archer - Sleeping Satellite

29. Tori Amos  - Silent All These Years

30. Bruce Springsteen  - Human Touch

31. George Michael - Too Funky

32. Snap - Rhythm is a Dancer

33. R.E.M. - Man on the Moon

34. Siouxsie and the Banshees - Face to Face

35. Erasure - Breath of Life

36. Sonic Youth - 100%

37. Verve - Superstar

38. Madonna - Deeper and Deeper

39. Prodigy - Out of Space

40. Metallica - Where ever I May Roam

41. Shakespeare's Sister - I Don't Care

42. Annie Lennox - Walking on Broken Glass

43. Jesus and the Mary Chain - Reverence

44. Red Hot Chill Peppers - Under The Bridge

45. U2 - One

46. 2 Unlimited - Twilight Zone

47. Felix - Don't You Want Me

48. Elton John - The One

49. Ace of Base - All That She Wants

50. Lightning Seeds - Life of Riley

Best of 1992 - The Album List

Following Freddie Mercury's death in November 1991, one of the significant events of 1992 was his tribute concert held five months later. Tickets for the event sold out within three hours of going on sale, despite no performers being announced apart from the remaining members of Queen. A star-studded lineup including Elton John, George Michael, Axl Rose, Metallica, Annie Lennox, and many others paid tribute to the late Freddie Mercury.

In the same year, Kylie Minogue ended her longstanding collaboration with Stock Aitken Waterman, with whom she had been recording music since 1987. Meanwhile, George Michael took on a different battle with Sony, filing a lawsuit against them for allegedly failing to promote his album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1." However, he would ultimately lose the case in June 1994.

In November of 1992, Factory Records was declared bankrupt. The label, founded in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, boasted releases by iconic acts such as Joy Division, New Order, OMD, and others from the 80s. Their catalogue was subsequently sold to London Records.

On the UK charts, "Bohemian Rhapsody" made a return to the hit list in January. Shakespeare's Sister enjoyed the longest-running number one with "Stay," topping the charts for eight weeks. Additionally, Eurodance had a standout year, with Snap's "Rhythm is a Dancer" holding the top spot for six weeks.

Erasure also made a comeback in 1992 with their Abba tribute, topping the charts for five weeks in June with their "Abba-esque" EP, featuring the hit "Take a Chance on Me."

01. R.E.M. - Automatic for the People

02. Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes

03. Sade - Love Deluxe

04. The Cure - Wish

05. Madonna - Erotica

06. Ride - Going Blank Again

07. Alice in Chains - Dirt

08. Shakespear's Sister - Hormonally Yours

09. Annie Lennox - Why

10. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Honey's Dead