The Student Playlist

Showcasing the Best New Music, Curating the Classics

Posts by Matthew Watkin

REVIEW: Beak> – ‘Life Goes On’ EP (Invada)

With their latest EP ‘Life Goes On’, Geoff Barrow’s side-project Beak> quietly affirms itself as one of Britain’s most boundary-pushing bands.

REVIEW: Slowthai – ‘Nothing Great About Britain’ (Method Records)

Tyron Frampton delivers a blackly humorous state-of-the-nation address on his excellent debut Slowthai album ‘Nothing Great About Britain’.

CLASSIC ’90s: Weezer – ‘Weezer’ (‘The Blue Album’)

An album of endearing yet emotionally sharp power-pop that’s resonated with generations of outcasts, Weezer’s ‘The Blue Album’ turns 25.

REVIEW: The Drums – ‘Brutalism’ (Anti-)

Jonny Pierce’s songwriting maintains its sense of purpose on ‘Brutalism’, as he continues to marshal The Drums solo.

REVIEW: Indoor Pets – ‘Be Content’ (Wichita)

Indoor Pets’ story so far has been a bit of a struggle, but ‘Be Content’ is a great pay-off, brimming with fun and loud indie-pop.

REVIEW: Hand Habits – ‘placeholder’ (Saddle Creek)

Having worked with Kevin Morby and The War On Drugs as a guitarist, Meg Duffy shows herself to be a classy and poignant songwriter on her second Hand Habits album ‘placeholder’.

REVIEW: TEEN – ‘Good Fruit’ (Carpark Records)

TEEN’s fourth album ‘Good Fruit’ once again demonstrates the Lieberson sisters’ unique ability to examine the ups and downs of human relationships.

REVIEW: Methyl Ethel – ‘Triage’ (4AD)

Written and recorded almost entirely by singer Jake Webb, Methyl Ethel’s third album ‘Triage’ takes too few risks to be truly great.

REVIEW: HEALTH – ‘Vol. 4 :: Slaves Of Fear’ (Loma Vista)

HEALTH’s doom-laden noise rock formula is still compelling on ‘Vol. 4 :: Slaves Of Fear’, but needs to be melded with new ideas.