The Student Playlist

Showcasing the Best New Music, Curating the Classics

Posts by Matthew Watkin

REVIEW: Sorry – ‘925’ (Domino)

Drawing on pop, post-punk, grunge and jazz, Asha Lorenz and Louis O’Bryen miraculously make their influences cohere on their first Sorry album ‘925’.

REVIEW: Phantogram – ‘Ceremony’ (Republic)

Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter’s fourth Phantogram album ‘Ceremony’ is like a well-acted film without a strong enough story.

REVIEW: Shopping – ‘All Or Nothing’ (Fat Cat)

Rachel Aggs’ latest Shopping album ‘All Or Nothing’ finds their wiry, anxious and kinetic post-punk formula very much un-messed with.

REVIEW: Greentea Peng – ‘Rising’ EP (Different Recordings / TENNNN)

Cool, refined and expertly marshaling an array of influences from R&B to dub, Greentea Peng’s latest EP ‘Rising’ showcases an exceptional talent.

REVIEW: Rex Orange County – ‘Pony’ (Sony)

Alex O’Connor’s major-label debut as Rex Orange County, ‘Pony’ contains all the affectionate charm that has made him such a hot property.

REVIEW: Girl Band – ‘The Talkies’ (Rough Trade)

A hulking beast of bleak experimentalism, Girl Band’s second effort ‘The Talkies’ is bewildering yet emotionally cathartic.

Mercury Prize 2019 – Preview

The 28th edition of the Mercury Prize is nearly upon – but which of the 12 acts stands the best chance of scooping the grand prize?

REVIEW: Ezra Furman – ‘Twelve Nudes’ (Bella Union)

Returning to a more basic, garage-punk sound, ‘Twelve Nudes’ is a short, consistent blast of intelligence and energy directed at the parlous state of society in 2019.