Katie Macbeth's Portfolio.

Stereoboard.com • 13th December 2024

The List: Stereoboard's Best Albums of 2024 - Stereoboard

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Welcome to Stereoboard's Album of the Year rundown for 2024, where we delve into 12 months of head-spinning, pulse-quickening, thought-provoking music. Join us.

Forget ‘Brat’ summer — this was ‘Brat’ year. Charli XCX’s impetuous sixth effort is a masterpiece that became a movement, later spawning remixes and reinventions that added new sounds and eye-popping collaborations with Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande and Troye Sivan, to name just a few. While ‘Crash’ show...

Stereoboard.com • 2nd December 2024

Gwen Stefani - Bouquet (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Gwen Stefani’s early solo work slotted into a vibrant era of pop music, with the infectious energy and bold attitude of songs such as Hollaback Girl and What You Waiting For? offering a refreshing extension of her latter-day work with No Doubt. If her new album is anything to go by, though, the past couple of decades have eroded the rebellious spirit that once defined her music.

While ‘Bouquet’ showcases her vocal strengths, it’s generally subdued and lacking in the edge that made her a pop ico...

Stereoboard.com • 30th October 2024

Halsey - The Great Impersonator (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Halsey’s ‘The Great Impersonator’ was introduced with a bit of hero-worship. Recreating  iconic photoshoots from Fiona Apple, Aaliyah, Dolores O’Riordan, Britney Spears, Stevie Nicks, and Bruce Springsteen, she provided a fascinating peek into the musical influences that informed album five. Equally, though, it was shaped by her experience of living with lupus and a rare T-cell disorder while being a young mother. As a result, this is a profound exploration of identity, illness, and the power of...

Katie Speaks! • 30th October 2024

Scissor Sisters: A Glamorous Reunion and a Timeless Debut

It’s 2004, the UK Singles and Album Charts are alive with the rhythms of guitar-driven indie rock. Oasis, Coldplay, and Franz Ferdinand dominate the airways, however, amidst this rock-centric landscape, a flamboyant, eclectic band from New York City burst onto the scene, ready to shake things up: Scissor Sisters. The band's self-titled debut album, released on February 2nd, 2004, was nothing short of a cultural revelation for the British music landscape. With disco-infused beats and theatrical f...

Indie is not a genre • 24th October 2024

Soccer Mommy - Evergreen Review - Indie is not a genre

Sophie Allison, also known by her stage name Soccer Mommy, has returned with her highly anticipated fourth album, Evergreen. This introspective and tender record explores themes of grief, loss, and the complexities of the human experience. Despite delving into these heavy themes, the album manages to strike a delicate balance and capture feelings of hope and resilience.


Allison has shown remarkable growth in her songwriting since her early days. The songs on Evergreen display a remarkable ble...

Indie is not a genre • 24th October 2024

Elias Rønnenfelt - Heavy Glory Review - Indie is not a genre

Elias Rønnenfelt’s debut solo album, Heavy Glory, is a kaleidoscopic exploration of sound. Known primarily for his work with the restless Danish rockers Iceage, Rønnenfelt’s willingness to experiment has always been evident. However, the album’s eclectic nature may leave some fans yearning for the cohesive energy and direction that characterised his band’s output.


The album is a kaleidoscopic exploration of sound, ranging from raw, lo-fi demos to polished, studio-produced tracks. While refres...

Katie Speaks! • 23rd October 2024

The Dark Side of the Spotlight: The Mental Health Toll on Artists

The music industry, often depicted as a world of glitz and creativity, conceals a darker side that often goes unnoticed: the toll it takes on the mental well-being of its artists. The pressures of fame, relentless touring schedules, and constant public scrutiny can lead to overwhelming levels of stress, anxiety, and even depression. The industry must take a more proactive approach to addressing the mental health needs of its artists, recognising that their well-being is just as important as thei...

Stereoboard.com • 8th October 2024

SOPHIE - SOPHIE (Album Review)

Almost four years on from her death, SOPHIE’s influence continues to reverberate. Numerous artists operating in disparate genres have paid tribute to her groundbreaking work, showcasing a profound and lasting impact on contemporary music. Honouring her legacy, though, poses a complex challenge.

Indie is not a genre • 3rd October 2024

Float Along 2024 Review - Indie is not a genre

As the summer festival season winds down, Sheffield’s Float Along emerges as a vibrant musical encore that captivates the city. Now in its third year, this multi-venue showcase takes over The Leadmill, Sidney & Matilda, and Corporation, transforming Sheffield city centre into a mesmerising musical wonderland that caters to a diverse range of tastes. Known for its exceptional line-ups featuring the most promising acts in the industry, Float Along offers an experience like no other. In addition to...

Indie is not a genre • 19th September 2024

Jack Jones - Jack Jones - Indie is not a genre

Jack Jones has had quite the career, most would be familiar with his work as the front-man of Trampolene and as the lead guitarist of Peter Doherty and the Puta Madres, and now he goes up a gear once more, releasing his debut, self-titled, solo album, unveiling a deeply reflective and personal side to his work. 


The album commences with the captivating track ‘Make It So,’ which stands out right from the beginning. With its cinematic and atmospheric qualities, the song skillfully takes the lis...

Indie is not a genre • 12th September 2024

Deadletter - Hysterical Strength Review - Indie is not a genre

It is no secret that the UK and Ireland seem flooded with numerous new post-punk and art-rock outfits that typically receive international acclaim for their stereotypically melancholy lyrics juxtaposed by high-energy instrumentation. London-based Deadletter are the latest to step up to the podium, releasing their debut album, Hysterical Strength, following the success of several singles, an EP, and sold-out shows across the UK and Europe. The album showcases Deadletter at the peak of their creat...

BBC News • 1st September 2024

'Mad for it!': Fans rejoice as band announces reunion after 15 years apart

The Rock n' Roll Stars are back... See you down the frontpublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 27 August15:08 BST 27 AugustJamie WhiteheadLive editorImage source, Getty ImagesWell the worst-kept secret in music is now officially out. Oasis - without question one of the biggest bands this country has ever produced - are back for a string of reunion shows next year. It's been a long-time coming. When Noel and Liam Gallagher walk on stage in Cardiff next July, it'll be the first show the brothers...

Stereoboard.com • 1st September 2024

Fontaines D.C. - Romance (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Fontaines D.C. have earned a reputation as a band that won’t sit still, and yet ‘Romance’ still registers as a significant transformation. Since releasing 2022’s ‘Skinty Fia’, itself a reinvention of their earlier post-punk sound, there has been a shift from baggy T-shirts and trackie bottoms to sitting front-row at Milan Fashion Week, a change of record labels from Partisan to XL, and a switching out of producers, with James Ford tagging in after recent work with The Last Dinner Party, Depeche...

Stereoboard.com • 9th August 2024

Camila Cabello - C,XOXO (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Photo: Dimitrious Giannoudis

Camila Cabello’s musical journey has had a consistent theme of self-discovery. Released in 2022, 'Familia' was an embrace of her Cuban roots, where her 2019 album 'Romance' reflected the process of moving on from past relationships. Now, ‘C,XOXO’ ventures into new musical territory, offering 11 tracks that blend R&B and hip hop influences with occasional hints of hyperpop, presenting a willingness to explore new sounds and experiment.

I Luv It opens things but, des...

Stereoboard.com • 9th August 2024

Remi Wolf - Big Ideas (Album Review) - Stereoboard

‘Big Ideas’ is a transformative release for Remi Wolf, boldly, almost audaciously redefining genre boundaries, but it’s reflected by the emotional minutiae of her life. These songs draw heavily on the transient nature of her life experiences — from her brief time as a competitive skier to her appearances on American Idol — and pull together an overall theme of impermanence that’s reflected by its many shifts in tone.

The LP opens with Cinderella, a vibrant and dynamic single that serves as a mu...

DIY • 27th June 2024

DIY’s 20 Best Songs of 2024 (so far)

It barely seems a few weeks ago that we were packing away the Christmas baubles and trying to resist turning up the heating, but we are in fact now a whole six months into the year. And in that time, there’s been no shortage of cracking tunes to wrap your ears around. From where we’re sitting, the first half of 2024 has seen the pop girlies dominate cultural conversations in a big way (or certainly DIY’s in-office conversations, at any rate), but the bands on this list have also proved that guit...

Stereoboard.com • 25th June 2024

Lola Young - This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Lola Young’s path seemed to have been set out for her — the young singer-songwriter has a John Lewis Christmas ad plus BBC Sound of… and Brit Rising Star award nominations under her belt already — but her debut album ‘This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway’ isn’t interested in following an easy roadmap. Its 11 tracks showcase genuine musical range while offering comfort and tranquillity amid romantic turmoil. Wish You Were Dead is a compelling, emotionally-charged anthem that delves deep into the stru

DIY • 24th June 2024

The rise and rise of Dua Lipa

Over the past decade, Dua Lipa has gone from breakthrough buzzy name to bona fide global megastar. This weekend, she’s set to tick off what is arguably THE most coveted item on any artist’s career bucket-list - headlining Glastonbury Festival’s Pyramid Stage in front of a tens of thousands-strong crowd. But how did she get here? Let’s get (future) nostalgic…It’s hard to imagine a chart without Dua Lipa in it, but in reality it’s been less than a decade since the Albanian and English singer-songw...

Indie is not a genre • 31st May 2024

Dot to Dot Proves Once Again Why It’s The Best Festival Of Its Kind

Dot to Dot has a rich history as a mainstay in the festival calendar, dating back to its inaugural event in 2005. At that time, the festival encompassed only three venues: The Social (now known as The Bodega), Rescue Rooms, and Stealth. Since its inception, Dot to Dot has experienced significant growth, expanding to include Bristol with the festival amassing the two cities on the same weekend, with over 150 artists performing on over 15 stages in their respective cities.

The festival has establ

Indie is not a genre • 20th May 2024

7 Unmissable Acts at Dot to Dot Festival Nottingham: Who to See This Weekend

The highly anticipated festival season finally returns this weekend with Dot to Dot Festival set to lead the way at one of the first major events. The festival will kick off in Bristol this Saturday, followed by Nottingham on Sunday (tickets here*). Taking over more than 15 venues in each city, both cities are set to become a music lover’s paradise this Bank Holiday weekend. Showcasing a diverse lineup of over 150 emerging artists, attendees can expect to discover the very best in new music. Add

Indie is not a genre • 9th May 2024

Big Special - Postindustrial Hometown Blues Album Review

Post-punk has been making its mark on the UK for several years now, a scene spearheaded by the likes of IDLES, Shame, and Soft Play (FKA Slaves), and it comes as no surprise – with an abundance of reasons to want to rebel and a multitude of grievances to express, the conditions are ripe for the genre’s resurgence. Big Special fill a gap in the market for the genre, offering a voice from the perspective of the Midlands, and their debut album, Postindustrial Hometown Blues, firmly establishes the

Stereoboard.com • 8th May 2024

Nell Mescal - Can I Miss It For A Minute? (Album Review) - Stereoboard

Nell Mescal has garnered attention on social media for both her raw, personal TikToks and witty comments on the output of her older brother, actor Paul Mescal. Her engaging approach has helped develop a fanbase even before the arrival of her debut EP, ‘Can I Miss It For A Minute?’, which should cement her position as one to watch. Its five tracks each feel like a peek into Mescal’s diary as she explores growing up, friendship break-ups, and moving away to London after leaving school to boost her

Stereoboard.com • 3rd May 2024

Fat White Family - Forgiveness Is Yours (Album Review) - Stereoboard

It hasn’t always been easy for Fat White Family’s music to cut through the noise, the drugs, the nudity, the provocation and the headlines. But the south London art-rock band’s fourth album, their first in five years, showcases a newfound sense of refinement as they explore various genres with a chameleonic approach. ‘Forgiveness Is Yours’ starts on solid, familiar ground, though, as opener The Archivist exemplifies the band's unique essence, blending poetic lyrics with ethereal woodwind element

Indie is not a genre • 19th April 2024

Pillow Queens - Name Your Sorrow Review

Pillow Queens’ latest album, Name Your Sorrow, signifies a significant shift for the band, as they strive to be more transparent and vulnerable. This evolution is evident in their sound and the personal growth of each member of the four-piece group. Inspired by the poem ‘Atlantis’ by Irish writer and poet Eavan Boland, which explores the quest for a word that can encapsulate irrevocable loss, the album serves as a means for Pillow Queens to transcend the limitations of language in expressing emo