The Student Playlist

Showcasing the Best New Music, Curating the Classics

Posts by Jacob Kendrew

REVIEW: Kaiser Chiefs – ‘Duck’ (Polydor / Universal)

Kaiser Chiefs once accurately expressed dissatisfaction with the modern world, but now that 2019 is genuinely a mess, they’re making prosaic, generic ‘anthems’ with no distinguishing qualities.

REVIEW: The Black Keys – ‘”Let’s Rock”‘ (Nonesuch / WEA)

Parting ways with Brian Burton on production, The Black Keys’ first album in five years is a very obvious homage to classic rock and blues.

REVIEW: The Raconteurs – ‘Help Us Stranger’ (Third Man Records)

Reforming for the first time in over a decade, Jack White’s The Raconteurs opt to play it comparatively safe on ‘Help Us Stranger’, notwithstanding some moments of weirdness.

REVIEW: The Amazons – ‘Future Dust’ (Universal / Fiction)

Matt Thomson’s claims for The Amazons’ second album ‘Future Dust’ fall short, with a collection of unremarkable rock riffs and bland over-production.

REVIEW: Anderson .Paak – ‘Ventura’ (Aftermath / 12 Tone)

Rounding off the ‘beach series’ in style, Anderson .Paak’s third album ‘Ventura’ is yet another masterful creation of hip-hop, soul, disco and funk.

REVIEW: Pom Poko – ‘Birthday’ (Bella Union)

Energetic, creative and brilliantly unpredictable, debut album ‘Birthday’ shows why Pom Poko have been one of the most talked-about newcomers in indie.

REVIEW: Girlpool – ‘What Chaos Is Imaginary’ (Anti-)

Girlpool’s third studio album ‘What Chaos Is Imaginary’ is uncharacteristically lethargic and lacking in ideas compared to their previous records.