The Architect.

Wallis Bird’s fourth album, Architect, is an examination of self and the space it inhabits. We talk to her about the foundations upon which it was built.

“I realised that through my own rootlessness and migrational lifestyle, I was only identified by what I was wearing … so it led me to self-search, seek home.”

[rating=5]
April 19, 2014
Lucius storm Eire’s capital on Record Store Day and prove that the Brooklyn quintet can hold their own in the city that lives and breathes live music.

“There’s something revitalizing about witnessing a band completely unconcerned with genres or music labeling. Their sole mission is to create great songs in whatever way or shape they see fit.”

Whitechapel Gallery, London – E1 7QX • April 16 – June 22, 2014

The Whitechapel Gallery retrospective of Chris Marker’s work digs deep into his oeuvre and asks its audience, “Wanna know more?”

“The poetry and pain of failed politics and the reverence and risk in populist modes of expression and communication are recurring and sometimes co-dependent essences in the air throughout this retrospective.”

[rating=4]
Cert: 15 • US: 8 x 30 min • HBO • January 19, 2014

Whilst Looking is not perfect, it admirably holds up a refreshingly astute and sometimes critical mirror to contemporary gay life.

“Finally, queer filmmakers seem comfortable balancing explicit representations of sex with (or against) the fuzzier feelings, without sacrificing emotional complexity or social commentary.”

April 23, 2014

The ‘Tundra’ effect. Polari Safari by David Shenton.

The Body Electric.

Milosh’s fourth album, Jetlag, is an exploration of intimacy. He talks about his songwriting and the journey he has taken making electronic music.

” I’m really trying to personally fight this major label mentality; this commercial ‘let’s just market a product’ approach by getting writers involved and their two cents in because they want it to be a commercial success. I find that whole thing gross.”

On The Other Side.

A retrospective of the inimitable Tori Amos’ finest B-sides, rarities and cover versions.

“The B-sides are not merely the songs that ‘didn’t make the cut’ of the album; they are the ones that are strong enough to stand up on their own.”

[rating=3]
140 min • Above the Stag, London • Until May 4, 2014

Saucy songs, tongue-in-cheek fun, and Kenneth Williams steals the show. That sounds about right.

“Cruising number ‘Another Night, Another Man’ is one of the show’s stand out songs, making George Michael’s previous nod to male toilet activity, ‘Outside’, look like a nursery rhyme in comparison.”

[rating=3]
Released April 01, 2014
White Hinterland sounds fantastic on Baby, an album full of amazing, buzzing sounds and enduring passions.

“It is because of Diesel’s incredibly felt and centrally placed vocals that this is a collection of tracks that cry out for melodies that support the strength of her performances.”

A Little Respect.

Exclusive: Scarlette Fever covers Erasure’s ‘A Little Respect’ for Polari Magazine.