The Goo 1
Reviews Albums Ailbhe Reddy - Endless Affair Ailb
he Reddy is cool. She’s a cool girl. Whatever IT is, she has IT in spades on her new album Endless Affair. This is London-based Reddy’s second album and while it has her trademark Indie-girl stamp, it’s a top pop record too. With her debut Personal History released as the pandemic hit, Reddy’s latest offering really feels like her chance to shine. A heady mix of high octane jangly guitar, original lyrics & some quieter reflection, this album seals Ailbhe Reddy’s star power. Produced by Tommy McLaughlin, Endless Affair is a well polished record, but scuffed in all the right places. Cover art matters. Coloured vinyl matters. Endless Affair matters. It’s what we really need right now. A little bit last night, a lot Ailbhe Reddy. This girl can read the room. Just look at that cover shot by Ruth Medjber (bonus points if you can name all of the Irish artists featured). “Shitshow” is that dried-in mascara moment after the party, when flashbacks come to haunt you in your duvet-tangled bed. Reddy’s ability to laugh at herself PAGE 12 is refreshing; brings me back to those girl singers like Louise from Sleeper or Sonya from Echobelly who always seemed to be having a good time, enjoying the rock’n’roll ride. “Last To Leave” continues the theme, another morning-after lament berating the mad, bad, ear-chewing behaviour fuelled by booze, that we all know too well. I’m reading a brilliant Irish-inLondon slant to it. “A Mess” is a pure guitar pop gem. Girl band sounds of the 90s (hello Elastica) come in waves of “Ooh-oooohwoo”. But with Reddy’s fresh take, these are today’s songs. “Damage” is a meandering melody of a love song. So easy to get along with. Ailbhe Reddy’s sweet honey voice is by no means saccharine, but soothing all the same. “Bloom” and “Pray For Me” bring a more subdued Reddy, highlighting her ability to switch from scissor kick energy to acoustic contemplation. Each song compliments the next; Ailbhe Reddy has captured an overall experience here. Endless Affair is a perfectly timed, perfectly executed, perfectly imperfect pop album. And do check out Ailbhe Reddy online too, her music videos are a whole lot of crazy fun. LB PERFECTLY TIMED, PERFECTLY EXECUTED, PERFECTLY IMPERFECT Drew Makes Noise - Let the Whole Tape Run Belfast indie-pop artist; Drew Makes Noise emulates a purposefully DIY and eclectic collection of tracks across his forthcoming album Let the Whole Tape Run. Drew started as guitarist with indie/dance crossover act Ed Zealous and since the group’s disbandment, Drew has turned his focus to creating solo tracks himself in his home studio. Immersed in a cacophony of synths, electronic effects and orchestral tones Drew’s been cultivating an indie-pop-rockgrunge musical identity. Fusing multiple genres and techniques Drews chaotic production process results in an equally scattered music style encompassing all facets of his musicality and experimentation. With little technical abilities on drums and piano Drew writes these features of his music from his own imagination, instilling an unstrained sense of playfulness and creativity into his experimental music. Drew includes acoustic instruments as well as electronic synths to create interestingly intricate tracks which capture the listeners attention. Taking inLORNA BROWN / LISA MULLALY / ADHAMH O’CAOIMH / ANDREW LAMBERT spiration from artists such as Flaming Lips and Sonic Youth Drew uses his music to produce a mood enhancing funk-infused album that's perfect for the summer. LM Alfa Mist - Variables Alfa Sekitoleko has come a long way from his hip-hop sampling teenage years. Honing his compositional chops whilst attending school, he was led via those samples to the dark path of jazz and improvisation, and worked toward channelling the relentless trauma of growing up as a person of colour in London into music of substance, consideration, and of grace. The opening track from his latest offering is a genre transcending exploratory jam, electric guitar and trumpet exchanging crimson flecked lead lines over a dynamic push and pull of percussion and is perhaps, the least calm thing I have heard of the young UK artist thus far. His longtime bassist and collaborator, Kaya Thomas-Dyke lends her beautiful voice to a sublime cut from the record, hip hop filtered through cosmic