Album Review: SPELLING, ‘Portrait of My Heart’
Spellbinding, ethereal, and bizarre—three words that effortlessly capture the essence of any SPELLING record. Since 2018, frontwoman Chrystia Cabral has been the face of SPELLING, starting with their introductory demos Hard to Please and My Other Voice. From there, Cabral set the tone for SPELLING as an experimental project with a progressive sound and DIY […]
Agender, Expatriate Post-Punk Riot Grrrls, Go ‘Berserk’ on Their Fourth Album
Romy Hoffman has found herself at more than her fair share of crossroads after more than three decades in music. The front woman of self-described “pastiche post-punk” band Agender has previously navigated the worlds of hip-hop, electronica, and alternative rock across various projects. She also started her life anew in Sydney, New York City and […]
Saul Rivers Was Going Through Hell. Then, He Kept Going
Photo credit: Shervin Words by: David James Young For most of 2023, things were looking up for singer-songwriter Saul Rivers. He relocated from New York to Los Angeles and released his third EP, Late Bloomer—a suave, slick record melding vintage R&B with cutting-edge pop. With new opportunities flowing in after the pandemic’s disruption, Rivers prepared […]
‘Avicii: I’m Tim’: The Dark Reality Behind Fame and Success
Words by: Laviea Thomas Relentless workdays, late-night clubbing, and excessive alcohol—Netflix’s Avicii: I’m Tim reveals the harsh truth behind the glitz and glamour of an artist’s life offstage. In late 2024, Netflix released a powerful two-part documentary on the life and tragic death of global EDM icon Avicii. A prolific producer and DJ, Avicii’s music […]
Album Review: Delivery, ‘Force Majeure’
Words by: Sam Walker-Smart We all need an adrenaline kick after the holidays. The lack of sunlight, overindulgence in food, and losing track of the days can take a toll on anyone. Luckily, Australia’s Delivery is here to kick off 2025 with a bang. Just two weeks into the new year, the Melbourne-based garage punks […]
CONE Picks: Best Indie Albums of 2024
2024 was a standout year for music, filled with exceptional releases and unforgettable moments. While mainstream artists dominated the spotlight—dropping blockbuster albums, headlining NFL halftime shows, and filling arenas—the indie music scene also thrived. From Cheekface’s It’s Sorted (New Professor Music) to Vincent Lima’s Versions of Uncertainty, the indie community delivered some of the most […]
Live Recap: White Denim @ Rough Trade, Bristol
Photo Credit: Rhys Dolman Words: Sam Walker-Smart Hoping to end a year of gigs with scorching riffs and 10ccs of pure funk, I’m headed to Rough Trade Bristol to catch White Denim’s intimate in-store show. Always a promising live proposition, the James Petralli-led outfit was in town to promote their latest album, 12, an excellent […]
Live Recap: Mattiel @ Strange Brew, Bristol
Photo credit: Rhys Dolman Words by: Sam Walker-Smart If there’s ever a day to indulge in some crooning, it’s a Sunday. Returning to the laid-back atmosphere of Fairfax Street’s Strange Brew, we were treated to just that by Amsterdam’s one and only Cosmic Crooner. Decked out in a flared suit, shades, and a high-collared shirt, […]
Album Review: The Cure, ‘Songs of a Lost World’
Words by: David James Young For the first three minutes and 20 seconds of Songs of a Lost World—The Cure’s first new album since 2008—listeners are thrust into a freefall of sorts. With ambient textures and atmospherics reminiscent of the band’s 1989 game-changer Disintegration, Jason Cooper’s slow-motion drum pattern is moored by Simon Gallup’s signature, […]
Live Recap: Been Stellar at The Fleece, Bristol
Photo credit: Rhys Dolman Words by: Sam Walker-Smart With icy winds and occasional snow flurries blowing through the dark streets of Bristol, Wednesday’s weather seemed purposefully set for a Been Stellar show. 2024 has been a busy year for the band, with their label debut Scream From New York earning them well-deserved praise on both […]