The Student Playlist

Showcasing the Best New Music, Curating the Classics

Category Reviews

REVIEW: Merchandise – ‘A Corpse Wired For Sound’ (4AD)

Merchandise’s Anglophile influences are still very much apparent on ‘A Corpse Wired For Sound’, but it’s a stepping stone towards something greater.

REVIEW: Boxed In – Melt (Nettwerk)

‘Melt’ doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, but it’s exciting to hear a promising young band begin to experiment.

REVIEW: Warpaint – ‘Heads Up’ (Rough Trade)

Despite areas of ‘Heads Up’ being more accessible than its predecessor, Warpaint continue to reap rewards from their intricate playing style.

REVIEW: Preoccupations – ‘Preoccupations’ (Jagjaguwar)

‘Preoccupations’ crackles with nervous energy and tension, and serves to buttress the impressive and innovative post-punk of the band’s debut last year.

REVIEW: Cymbals Eat Guitars – ‘Pretty Years’ (Sinderlyn)

If you hadn’t been sold on Cymbals Eat Guitars already, then you’re unlikely to be by the end of ‘Pretty Years’.

REVIEW: Deap Vally – ‘Femejism’ (Cooking Vinyl)

Where ‘Sistrionix’ was anthemic and immediate in its delivery, ‘Femejism’ is a well-measured affair that improves upon each listen.

REVIEW: Bastille – ‘Wild World’ (Virgin / Universal)

Had ‘Wild World’ actually been wild and taken risks then perhaps it could reach the heights hoped, instead we are left with a see-through attempt at stardom that ultimately is crushed by its own weight.

REVIEW: Wilco – ‘Schmilco’ (dBpm)

While there’s probably less enduring material here for Tweedy’s hardcore fans to pore over for years to come, ‘Schmilco’ is a great entry point for newcomers looking for a way into a discography stretching back to 1995.

REVIEW: M.I.A. – ‘AIM’ (Interscope / Polydor)

If ‘AIM’ really is Maya Arulpragasam signing off, it’s the sound of her doing so in solid, unspectacular style rather than with a bang.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ‘Skeleton Tree’ (Bad Seed Ltd.)

A work of extreme beauty whose emotional power often borders on the physical, ‘Skeleton Tree’ will richly reward those who are willing to give it repeated listens.