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Showing posts with the label The Empty Page

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The Music Observer 10: Looking back at 2023 [Singles]

on December 16, 2023

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The Empty Page: Big Nasty Palpitations

on May 31, 2023

alt-punk alternative duo indie Manchester The Empty Page

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New release horizon scanner:

11/1/25 - Rosie Gault: Dim lights
29/1/25 - Dictator: Middle of the road (EP)
7/2/25 - Arliston: Disappointment machine (Album)
28/2/25 - Hachiku: The joys of being pure at heart (Album(

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YNES: Fake What Your Mama Gave Ya [Interview]

YNES is one of those artists who just personifies indie integrity. If you've never heard her music, it can be a bit hard to pigeon-hole (aptly enough): there are elements of indie rock, alt-pop and all those other good things there - but in the end it really can't be described as anything other than the "YNES sound". The Coventry-based artist's latest single ' Fake What Your Mama Gave Ya ' is typically honest, wittily-hard-hitting, and unwaveringly on message. The song calls out what YNES calls "the struggle of middle-class indie boys who dominate the industry" (we all know who they are). "Not built for a 9 to 5? Good job you don't need one", she sings. This single is also a good example of why, to me, YNES represents the punk ethos in its truest sense - calling out the unjust, unfair and frankly annoying elements of modern society. She also delivers some great song-writing, following the traditions of some of the best socially-c...

William The Conqueror: Move On

I woke up this morning with Move On in my head. It's the first track from William the Conqueror's most recent album (Maverick Thinker). This sort of occurrence is usually a good sign of a perfect candidate for the blog, so I had no choice but to follow the guidance of fate. I was tempted to write about the whole album, but having just done an album post yesterday, I thought I'd stick to just a single track, for now (although I've include a link to the whole LP below). But I think I need to put this in some context. As mentioned, this is the opening track (of 10), and what an intro this is - it brings energy and drive immediately, and really sets the scene for what's to come on the rest of the record perfectly. I can also imagine how well this would work as an opener to a live show. William the Conqueror purveys exceptionally good quality bluesy rock, which in some parts turns a bit rootsy, with a Southern US twist. And these guys are from Cornwall. There are influ...

Casii Stephan: Without A Box

'Without A Box' is one of those songs that made me stop and just listen, put everything down, and just pause. Four minutes and 38 seconds of my time is all it took at first, but that turned into many repeat listens, and I'm sure the impact will last much longer. First up, that suspenseful ambient guitar noise, buried deep and starting off barely perceptible. As you become aware of that sound and wonder if the tune is going to unsettle more than comfort, softened and soothing piano chords arrive and take over. That piano gives the first anchor to the song. And then, Casii Stephan 's voice joins in. What a voice that is. It bridges so many gaps, spanning grounds of folk, soul and pop. It remains restrained for a good three minutes, acting as an emotive, soulful and captivating anchor as well as a leading element to the song. Later, Casii really opens up, allowing an internal energy to be set free through her vocal chords. But you sense rather than hear the potential for ...

Taylor Swift: The Tortured Poets Department: the Anthology [Album]

This blog focuses on music from smaller, independent artists – but sometimes there are big releases which deserve attention, too. Taylor Swift is an artist who's hard to ignore, and I don't want to ignore her because I've really enjoyed lots of her music in the past. So when 'The Tortured Poets Department' finally dropped last Friday, I found myself writing a track-by-track reaction post. As you'll see, this means a partial departure from my usual Music Observer golden rule: I only write about music I love. (There are countless other reviews of the album; ones I think are particularly worth reading are those on Pitchfork , CLASH and The Guardian .) Part 1 1. Fortnight feat. Post Malone - Great synth vibes, although a bit like 'Last Christmas' (is that necessarily bad though?). I like this chilled way of starting a massive double album like this. With so much ahead, it feels like TS is pacing herself. There's no real chorus or build - an interesting...

Grace Calver: My Life and Its Disasters [EP]

It’s just over a year since Grace Calver released arguably one of the best ever songs related to the undead - her debut single, ‘Zombie Conversations’ - pivoting from popular music blogger to accomplished artist in a way which felt natural and preordained. And now, here’s her debut EP, building on the success and catchiness of that first release. The brilliantly named 'My Life and Its Disasters' is five tracks of Grace Calver's well polished, finely honed brand of dream-pop-meets-grunge, sugar-coated angst rock. It’s an infectious, deceptively innocent style of writing - like a rainbow with a pot of boiling oil at the end. And let's also not forget that Grace plays all the tuned instruments, too, leaving only the drums to be outsourced (in this case to Oscar Liddiard). Two of the tracks on this EP are brand new, and perhaps best represent where Grace is now as an artist. She’s come a long way in a very short time, playing countless live shows, including several festiva...