Music

Indie, alternative, hip-hop, experimental — sounds that matter.

God Don't Like It: The Sacred and Profane in Music

From the fire and brimstone of old blues to the dark cabaret of Nick Cave, musicians have long wrestled with sin, redemption, and the divine. This tension between the sacred and the profane has fueled some of music's most powerful and enduring work.

Jamie Park·22 July 2011

MUSIC

Redhookers – Vespers

Glasgow's own Redhookers deliver a dose of cathartic, intelligent noise on their 2010 album, Vespers. It's a record that confirms their status as one of the city's most compelling underground acts.

Martin Reid·15 February 2010

MUSIC

Madlib's Invasion: 12 Months, 12 Albums

In 2010, the enigmatic producer Madlib is embarking on an audacious project: releasing a new album every month for a year. It's a deluge of creative genius that solidifies his status as one of hip-hop's most prolific and visionary artists.

Fiona MacDonald·20 January 2010

MUSIC

The xx: An Echo in the Quiet

With their self-titled debut, The xx have crafted a masterpiece of minimalist pop that is both intimate and immense. Their sound is a testament to the power of negative space, a quiet revolution in a loud world.

Martin Reid·5 September 2009

MUSIC

Aidan Moffat: I Can Hear Your Heart

In a unique collaboration with jazz pianist Bill Wells, Aidan Moffat has created a piece of music from the most intimate sound of all: the prenatal heartbeat of his unborn child. The result is a startlingly beautiful and profoundly personal work.

Jamie Park·12 April 2009

MUSIC

Dark Was the Night: A Charity Masterpiece

Curated by The National's Aaron and Bryce Dessner, the 'Dark Was the Night' compilation is a landmark achievement, both as a fundraising effort and as a snapshot of indie rock's creative zenith. It is, simply put, one of the greatest compilations ever assembled.

Fiona MacDonald·25 February 2009

MUSIC

A Light That Never Goes Out: The Smiths Today

More than two decades after their acrimonious split, the music of The Smiths continues to resonate with a visceral power. We explore the enduring legacy of a band that turned melancholy into a flag of defiance for generations of outsiders.

Sarah Connell·18 November 2008

MUSIC

Top 5 Slept-On Grunge Classics

Beyond the ubiquity of Nirvana and Pearl Jam lies a trove of brilliant, heavy bands who helped define the Seattle sound. We dig up five classics from the era that deserve a permanent spot in your rotation.

Sarah Connell·10 May 2007