Music

Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Adrian Ng

The queen of tumblrcore returns with her sophomore album boldly titled Ultraviolence, perhaps a reference to Anthony Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange? Thus, the pop culture collage that is Del Rey’s music continues. In all honesty, it’s almost easier to start asking what isn’t a reference when analysing Read more...

Giveaway: Arcee - The Cool Zone EP

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Adrian Ng

Local rapper Arcee is giving away two copies of her debut EP, both of which will be signed by the artist herself. To be in to win, keep an eye on the Critic Facebook page this week for details on how to enter. Her EP launch takes place on 12 July and it’s free entry, so if you’re a hip-hop Read more...

Alex G - DSU

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Peter McCall

Rating: B+ Though DSU is Alex Giannascoli’s first album to be released on Brooklyn-based label Orchid Tapes, it’s the sixth to be uploaded to the 21-year-old’s Bandcamp page (where you can get it for free!). I first heard Alex G’s music through a girl I used to follow on tumblr who would post Read more...

New this week / Singles in review

Posted 1:08pm Sunday 6th July 2014 by Adrian Ng

Sharon Van Etten - Every Time The Sun Comes Up The second single from her upcoming album Are We There Yet. Sharon Van Etten crafts yet another melancholic folk song, this time over an affected drum machine. Her voice is full of substance and carries a heaviness that is beautiful, as well Read more...

Swans - To Be Kind

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Basti Menkes

Rating: A+ Since their inception in the 1980s, experimental rockers Swans have attracted many superlatives: biggest, loudest, darkest, heaviest. To many folk, Michael Gira and company epitomise music as an extreme experience. Whether percussively punishing as they were in the ‘80s, or gothic Read more...

Download of the week: Salad Boys - Salad Boys (NZ)

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Adrian Ng

Salad Boys are a band from Christchurch, and this album features some incredible chill-out pop songs. Featuring members of T54, the guitar playing is magnificent. Eight songs, lo-fi, dreamy and fun. Sometimes surfy, sometimes upbeat, bringing to mind Flying Nun glory days. Salad Boys is now Read more...

Pop Strangers - Fortuna

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Adrian Ng

Popstrangers are serious about this music thing, and so they should be. Since 2012 not only have they signed to Carpark Records, they’ve also made the bold decision of moving all the way to London. With a slew of strong singles since then (“Country Kills,” “Don’t Be Afraid”), I’ve found myself Read more...

New this week / Singles in review

Posted 2:07pm Sunday 25th May 2014 by Adrian Ng

Sharon Van Etten - Every Time the Sun Comes Up The second single from her upcoming album Are We There Yet. Sharon Van Etten crafts yet another melancholic folk song, this time over an affected drum machine. Her voice is full of substance and carries a heaviness that is beautiful, as Read more...

Download of the week: Sheep, Dog and Wolf - Ablutophobia EP (NZ)

Posted 4:32pm Sunday 18th May 2014 by Adrian Ng

Sheep, Dog and Wolf is the project of prolific New Zealand musician Daniel McBride, recorded in 2011 when he was only 17. He says, “My name is Daniel McBride, 17 years of age, and Ablutophobia EP is the result of nine months on-and-off recording in a tiny little studio I’ve managed to set up Read more...

The Phoenix Foundation - Tom's Lunch EP

Posted 4:32pm Sunday 18th May 2014 by Adrian Ng

Rating: A- In the fall of 2013, New Zealand pop heavyweights The Phoenix Foundation released their sprawling double album Fandango to widespread acclaim. The album featured two drummers, with longtime member Richie Singleton leaving the band in the midst of making the album to focus on Read more...