Picky Bs
@pickybs.com
Podcast and website. Great music, miserable people.
@pickybastards elsewhere.
@pickybastards elsewhere.
Happy #valentinesday you lovely set of bastards, you.
Feels like a perfect time for us to rant about the love songs we hate.
But we're trying to be more joyful in #2026, so we'll also be telling you about the #love songs we love as well.
pickybs.com/2026/02/14/t...
Feels like a perfect time for us to rant about the love songs we hate.
But we're trying to be more joyful in #2026, so we'll also be telling you about the #love songs we love as well.
pickybs.com/2026/02/14/t...
The Love Songs We Love (and the Love Songs We Hate)
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone – we love you. We also love music, as you know. And whatever genre or style of music you love, you can almost guarantee it will be littered with love son…
pickybs.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Happy #valentinesday you lovely set of bastards, you.
Feels like a perfect time for us to rant about the love songs we hate.
But we're trying to be more joyful in #2026, so we'll also be telling you about the #love songs we love as well.
pickybs.com/2026/02/14/t...
Feels like a perfect time for us to rant about the love songs we hate.
But we're trying to be more joyful in #2026, so we'll also be telling you about the #love songs we love as well.
pickybs.com/2026/02/14/t...
What a show from @dominiehooper.bsky.social last night at Gullivers.
Absolutely incredible. I was already a big fan of the album, but seeing it performed live in that way just absolutely elevated it. Amazing.
Absolutely incredible. I was already a big fan of the album, but seeing it performed live in that way just absolutely elevated it. Amazing.
February 5, 2026 at 2:33 PM
What a show from @dominiehooper.bsky.social last night at Gullivers.
Absolutely incredible. I was already a big fan of the album, but seeing it performed live in that way just absolutely elevated it. Amazing.
Absolutely incredible. I was already a big fan of the album, but seeing it performed live in that way just absolutely elevated it. Amazing.
It's time for the Picky Bastards to tell you about the best music we heard in January:
pickybs.com/2026/01/30/t...
pickybs.com/2026/01/30/t...
The best things we heard in January 2026
We’ve not done one of these for a while, so we’re starting 2026 as we mean to go on. Here are the month’s highlights from the Picky Bs team… James Spearing With few new rele…
pickybs.com
January 31, 2026 at 2:10 PM
It's time for the Picky Bastards to tell you about the best music we heard in January:
pickybs.com/2026/01/30/t...
pickybs.com/2026/01/30/t...
Just a couple more 2025 recaps to go, and then I promise we'll start talking about 2026.
Here's @sleepyrick.bsky.social with his best and worst music of 2025. Although it's 90% Geese to be honest.
I think Rick likes Geese.
pickybs.com/2026/01/23/2...
Here's @sleepyrick.bsky.social with his best and worst music of 2025. Although it's 90% Geese to be honest.
I think Rick likes Geese.
pickybs.com/2026/01/23/2...
2025 Recap No5: Rick Larson
Best Album—Geese “Getting Killed” This was the Year of Geese. Why resist it and why would I want to? Since I first heard the title song from 3D Country this band has staked out its own territory in…
pickybs.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Just a couple more 2025 recaps to go, and then I promise we'll start talking about 2026.
Here's @sleepyrick.bsky.social with his best and worst music of 2025. Although it's 90% Geese to be honest.
I think Rick likes Geese.
pickybs.com/2026/01/23/2...
Here's @sleepyrick.bsky.social with his best and worst music of 2025. Although it's 90% Geese to be honest.
I think Rick likes Geese.
pickybs.com/2026/01/23/2...
We've got another 2025 recap live on the site today.
Long time Picky Bastard #podcast host, Matt Paul, tells us about the #music that mattered to him in 2025.
Read his words on Rosalia, Wolf Alice, Little Simz, Lambrini Girls, Ditz and more:
pickybs.com/2026/01/21/2...
Long time Picky Bastard #podcast host, Matt Paul, tells us about the #music that mattered to him in 2025.
Read his words on Rosalia, Wolf Alice, Little Simz, Lambrini Girls, Ditz and more:
pickybs.com/2026/01/21/2...
2025 recap No. 4: Matt Paul
Today it’s the fourth in our series of 2025 recaps, looking back at some of the highlights and lowlights of the previous 12 months. Matt Paul takes us on a quick tour of the music that got hi…
pickybs.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:17 AM
We've got another 2025 recap live on the site today.
Long time Picky Bastard #podcast host, Matt Paul, tells us about the #music that mattered to him in 2025.
Read his words on Rosalia, Wolf Alice, Little Simz, Lambrini Girls, Ditz and more:
pickybs.com/2026/01/21/2...
Long time Picky Bastard #podcast host, Matt Paul, tells us about the #music that mattered to him in 2025.
Read his words on Rosalia, Wolf Alice, Little Simz, Lambrini Girls, Ditz and more:
pickybs.com/2026/01/21/2...
Our writers continue to look back at their musical highlights and lowlights from last year.
Head over to the website to read what James had to say about Chloe Foy, @ellenbethabdi.bsky.social, Kelly Lee Owens, @dograce.bsky.social and more:
pickybs.com/2026/01/19/2...
Head over to the website to read what James had to say about Chloe Foy, @ellenbethabdi.bsky.social, Kelly Lee Owens, @dograce.bsky.social and more:
pickybs.com/2026/01/19/2...
2025 recap No. 3: James Spearing
Today it’s the third in our series of 2025 recaps, looking back at some of the highlights and lowlights of the previous 12 months. James Spearing takes us through everything musical that move…
pickybs.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Our writers continue to look back at their musical highlights and lowlights from last year.
Head over to the website to read what James had to say about Chloe Foy, @ellenbethabdi.bsky.social, Kelly Lee Owens, @dograce.bsky.social and more:
pickybs.com/2026/01/19/2...
Head over to the website to read what James had to say about Chloe Foy, @ellenbethabdi.bsky.social, Kelly Lee Owens, @dograce.bsky.social and more:
pickybs.com/2026/01/19/2...
Happy New Year Bastards!
We've been quiet for a while, but hoping to be back with a bang.
We just published the first in a series of 2025 recaps from our writers.
pickybs.com/2026/01/15/2...
We've been quiet for a while, but hoping to be back with a bang.
We just published the first in a series of 2025 recaps from our writers.
pickybs.com/2026/01/15/2...
2025 Recap No1: Fran Slater
Happy New Year you absolute set of bastards, you. We hope 2026 is full of joy, miserable music, and more miserable music. Regular readers will have noticed we were particularly quiet in 2025, espec…
pickybs.com
January 15, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Happy New Year Bastards!
We've been quiet for a while, but hoping to be back with a bang.
We just published the first in a series of 2025 recaps from our writers.
pickybs.com/2026/01/15/2...
We've been quiet for a while, but hoping to be back with a bang.
We just published the first in a series of 2025 recaps from our writers.
pickybs.com/2026/01/15/2...
What did our panel make of the latest album Deadbeat from Tame Impala? Hotly debated online but did we agree on the podcast?
pickybs.com/2025/12/04/p...
pickybs.com/2025/12/04/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 93
On Episode 93 of Picky Bastards we are back with hosts Fran, Matt and Sam. We have new releases by Sigrid, Dave, Tame Impala and Just Mustard. This month’s classic album is Folksinger by Dave…
pickybs.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
What did our panel make of the latest album Deadbeat from Tame Impala? Hotly debated online but did we agree on the podcast?
pickybs.com/2025/12/04/p...
pickybs.com/2025/12/04/p...
NEW PODCAST:
Episode 93 of Picky Bs and we are back with 4 more new releases, a classic album and a Why I Love. This month's playlist includes
Sigrid
Dave
Tame Impala
Just Mustard
Dave Van Ronk
TORRES
pickybs.com/2025/12/04/p...
Episode 93 of Picky Bs and we are back with 4 more new releases, a classic album and a Why I Love. This month's playlist includes
Sigrid
Dave
Tame Impala
Just Mustard
Dave Van Ronk
TORRES
pickybs.com/2025/12/04/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 93
On Episode 93 of Picky Bastards we are back with hosts Fran, Matt and Sam. We have new releases by Sigrid, Dave, Tame Impala and Just Mustard. This month’s classic album is Folksinger by Dave…
pickybs.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:22 PM
NEW PODCAST:
Episode 93 of Picky Bs and we are back with 4 more new releases, a classic album and a Why I Love. This month's playlist includes
Sigrid
Dave
Tame Impala
Just Mustard
Dave Van Ronk
TORRES
pickybs.com/2025/12/04/p...
Episode 93 of Picky Bs and we are back with 4 more new releases, a classic album and a Why I Love. This month's playlist includes
Sigrid
Dave
Tame Impala
Just Mustard
Dave Van Ronk
TORRES
pickybs.com/2025/12/04/p...
Which of the albums on the Mercury Prize shortlist did we agree was the worthy winner? (Spoiler: We didn’t agree)
pickybs.com/2025/09/28/p...
pickybs.com/2025/09/28/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 91: Mercury Prize 2025
On Episode 91 of Picky Bastards we are back talking about our favourite music award the Mercury Music Prize. This month the regular bastards are joined by Tom Burrows to discuss all 12 of this year…
pickybs.com
October 1, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Which of the albums on the Mercury Prize shortlist did we agree was the worthy winner? (Spoiler: We didn’t agree)
pickybs.com/2025/09/28/p...
pickybs.com/2025/09/28/p...
NEW PODCAST: Mercury Prize 2025 Special
Our annual argument about the 12 albums shortlisted for the Mercury Prize is here. We discuss which albums deserve to win, who we think is the winner, as well as which album is the worst on the shortlist.
pickybs.com/2025/09/28/p...
Our annual argument about the 12 albums shortlisted for the Mercury Prize is here. We discuss which albums deserve to win, who we think is the winner, as well as which album is the worst on the shortlist.
pickybs.com/2025/09/28/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 91: Mercury Prize 2025
On Episode 91 of Picky Bastards we are back talking about our favourite music award the Mercury Music Prize. This month the regular bastards are joined by Tom Burrows to discuss all 12 of this year…
pickybs.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:43 PM
NEW PODCAST: Mercury Prize 2025 Special
Our annual argument about the 12 albums shortlisted for the Mercury Prize is here. We discuss which albums deserve to win, who we think is the winner, as well as which album is the worst on the shortlist.
pickybs.com/2025/09/28/p...
Our annual argument about the 12 albums shortlisted for the Mercury Prize is here. We discuss which albums deserve to win, who we think is the winner, as well as which album is the worst on the shortlist.
pickybs.com/2025/09/28/p...
Ahead of the Mercury Prize announcement next week, we've put together our own shortlist of albums we feel deserve a nomination.
Read our picks here 👇🏻
pickybs.com/2025/09/05/t...
And listen to the playlist here 👇🏻
open.spotify.com/playlist/3dw...
Read our picks here 👇🏻
pickybs.com/2025/09/05/t...
And listen to the playlist here 👇🏻
open.spotify.com/playlist/3dw...
The Picky Bastards Mercury Prize shortlist 2025
Another year and another Mercury Prize shortlist for us to dive into. Before we argue with each other about the actual Shortlist (podcast event of the year incoming), let’s shout about the albums w…
pickybs.com
September 5, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Ahead of the Mercury Prize announcement next week, we've put together our own shortlist of albums we feel deserve a nomination.
Read our picks here 👇🏻
pickybs.com/2025/09/05/t...
And listen to the playlist here 👇🏻
open.spotify.com/playlist/3dw...
Read our picks here 👇🏻
pickybs.com/2025/09/05/t...
And listen to the playlist here 👇🏻
open.spotify.com/playlist/3dw...
The best things we listened to in July. What were you listening to last month?
pickybs.com/2025/08/08/t...
pickybs.com/2025/08/08/t...
The best things we heard in July 2025
Rick Larson – Did you see the Osees at Glastonbury? I didn’t because I live in California, but I did see them this month at the Mosswood Meltdown, the annual Oakland celebration of punk…
pickybs.com
August 10, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The best things we listened to in July. What were you listening to last month?
pickybs.com/2025/08/08/t...
pickybs.com/2025/08/08/t...
Hello! We've been on a bit of a break, but there's a brand new review on the website.
The new For Those I Love album, Carving The Stone, is out today.
Tom Burrows has shared his verdict. He loved the last, but does the new one deliver?
pickybs.com/2025/08/08/r...
The new For Those I Love album, Carving The Stone, is out today.
Tom Burrows has shared his verdict. He loved the last, but does the new one deliver?
pickybs.com/2025/08/08/r...
REVIEW: For Those I Love – Carving The Stone
I loved the first For Those I Love album, released back in 2021. I was a few months late to it, but was instantly taken on first listen. It is a record absolutely brimming with love and pain in equ…
pickybs.com
August 8, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Hello! We've been on a bit of a break, but there's a brand new review on the website.
The new For Those I Love album, Carving The Stone, is out today.
Tom Burrows has shared his verdict. He loved the last, but does the new one deliver?
pickybs.com/2025/08/08/r...
The new For Those I Love album, Carving The Stone, is out today.
Tom Burrows has shared his verdict. He loved the last, but does the new one deliver?
pickybs.com/2025/08/08/r...
NEW PODCAST:
It's Episode 89 of Picky Bs and this month's playlist was:
Little Simz – Lotus
Shura – I Got Too Sad For My Friends
McKinley Dixon – Magic, Alive!
Lifeguard – Ripped and Torn
Big L – Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Why I Love – Bob Dylan
pickybs.com/2025/07/11/p...
It's Episode 89 of Picky Bs and this month's playlist was:
Little Simz – Lotus
Shura – I Got Too Sad For My Friends
McKinley Dixon – Magic, Alive!
Lifeguard – Ripped and Torn
Big L – Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Why I Love – Bob Dylan
pickybs.com/2025/07/11/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 89
On Episode 89 of Picky Bastards we are back with hosts Fran, Matt and Sam. We have new releases by Little Simz, Shura, Mckinley Dixon and Lifeguard. This month’s classic album is Lifestylez o…
pickybs.com
July 12, 2025 at 1:32 PM
NEW PODCAST:
It's Episode 89 of Picky Bs and this month's playlist was:
Little Simz – Lotus
Shura – I Got Too Sad For My Friends
McKinley Dixon – Magic, Alive!
Lifeguard – Ripped and Torn
Big L – Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Why I Love – Bob Dylan
pickybs.com/2025/07/11/p...
It's Episode 89 of Picky Bs and this month's playlist was:
Little Simz – Lotus
Shura – I Got Too Sad For My Friends
McKinley Dixon – Magic, Alive!
Lifeguard – Ripped and Torn
Big L – Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Why I Love – Bob Dylan
pickybs.com/2025/07/11/p...
ALBUM REVIEW: Kae Tempest - Self Titled
One of our most anticipated albums of 2025 is out today. Read why @atkinssam.bsky.social was ‘overwhelmed’ by this album over on Picky Bs.
pickybs.com/2025/07/04/r...
One of our most anticipated albums of 2025 is out today. Read why @atkinssam.bsky.social was ‘overwhelmed’ by this album over on Picky Bs.
pickybs.com/2025/07/04/r...
REVIEW: Kae Tempest – Self Titled
‘Their most personal album’ is a phrase that gets mentioned in more album reviews than you can count. It’s an often lazy attempt to make an artist’s album sound slightly more interesting, or that t…
pickybs.com
July 4, 2025 at 7:35 AM
ALBUM REVIEW: Kae Tempest - Self Titled
One of our most anticipated albums of 2025 is out today. Read why @atkinssam.bsky.social was ‘overwhelmed’ by this album over on Picky Bs.
pickybs.com/2025/07/04/r...
One of our most anticipated albums of 2025 is out today. Read why @atkinssam.bsky.social was ‘overwhelmed’ by this album over on Picky Bs.
pickybs.com/2025/07/04/r...
NEW PODCAST:
Episode 88 of Picky Bs includes us arguing about album from SENTRIES, Jenny Hval, Blondshell and Model/Actriz.
The classic album is from Selena and Sam tells us why he loves Robbie Williams & Take That.
Listen here: pickybs.com/2025/06/13/p...
Episode 88 of Picky Bs includes us arguing about album from SENTRIES, Jenny Hval, Blondshell and Model/Actriz.
The classic album is from Selena and Sam tells us why he loves Robbie Williams & Take That.
Listen here: pickybs.com/2025/06/13/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 88
On Episode 88 of Picky Bastards we are back with hosts Fran, Matt and Sam. We have new releases by SENTRIES, Blondshell, Jenny Hval and Model/Actriz. This month’s classic album is Amor Prohib…
pickybs.com
June 14, 2025 at 8:40 AM
NEW PODCAST:
Episode 88 of Picky Bs includes us arguing about album from SENTRIES, Jenny Hval, Blondshell and Model/Actriz.
The classic album is from Selena and Sam tells us why he loves Robbie Williams & Take That.
Listen here: pickybs.com/2025/06/13/p...
Episode 88 of Picky Bs includes us arguing about album from SENTRIES, Jenny Hval, Blondshell and Model/Actriz.
The classic album is from Selena and Sam tells us why he loves Robbie Williams & Take That.
Listen here: pickybs.com/2025/06/13/p...
'I felt like I’d got rid of my insecurities about making music and adjusted my philosophies about that kind of thing.'
pickybs.com/2025/06/06/i...
pickybs.com/2025/06/06/i...
INTERVIEW: Big Special
Hello, hello. It’s a while since we’ve had an interview to share over here at Picky Bastards, so it’s particularly exciting to be returning to the format by chatting to the band w…
pickybs.com
June 6, 2025 at 2:29 PM
'I felt like I’d got rid of my insecurities about making music and adjusted my philosophies about that kind of thing.'
pickybs.com/2025/06/06/i...
pickybs.com/2025/06/06/i...
Yep. We only went and interviewed Big Special, winners of our podcast Album of the Year in 2024:
pickybs.com/2025/06/06/i...
pickybs.com/2025/06/06/i...
INTERVIEW: Big Special
Hello, hello. It’s a while since we’ve had an interview to share over here at Picky Bastards, so it’s particularly exciting to be returning to the format by chatting to the band w…
pickybs.com
June 6, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Yep. We only went and interviewed Big Special, winners of our podcast Album of the Year in 2024:
pickybs.com/2025/06/06/i...
pickybs.com/2025/06/06/i...
NEW PODCAST:
This month's playlist includes:
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunetts (& sad women)
Greentea Peng – TELL DEM IT’S SUNNY
Backxwash – Only Dust Remains
YHWH Nailgun – 45 Pounds
Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
Minutemen – Double Nickels on the Dime
pickybs.com/2025/05/09/p...
This month's playlist includes:
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunetts (& sad women)
Greentea Peng – TELL DEM IT’S SUNNY
Backxwash – Only Dust Remains
YHWH Nailgun – 45 Pounds
Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
Minutemen – Double Nickels on the Dime
pickybs.com/2025/05/09/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 87
On Episode 87 of Picky Bastards we are joined by special guest Rick Larson. We have new releases by Japanese Breakfast, Greentea Peng, Backxwash and YHWH Nailgun. This month’s classic album i…
pickybs.com
May 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
NEW PODCAST:
This month's playlist includes:
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunetts (& sad women)
Greentea Peng – TELL DEM IT’S SUNNY
Backxwash – Only Dust Remains
YHWH Nailgun – 45 Pounds
Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
Minutemen – Double Nickels on the Dime
pickybs.com/2025/05/09/p...
This month's playlist includes:
Japanese Breakfast – For Melancholy Brunetts (& sad women)
Greentea Peng – TELL DEM IT’S SUNNY
Backxwash – Only Dust Remains
YHWH Nailgun – 45 Pounds
Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
Minutemen – Double Nickels on the Dime
pickybs.com/2025/05/09/p...
'Make sure you give them a listen before they go big.'
@franslater.bsky.social reviews the debut album from Prima Queen:
pickybs.com/2025/04/25/r...
@franslater.bsky.social reviews the debut album from Prima Queen:
pickybs.com/2025/04/25/r...
REVIEW: Prima Queen – The Prize
Having randomly caught Prima Queen at a festival last year, I have been excited to see what they would bring when their debut album finally hit the shelves. Their set caught my attention because of…
pickybs.com
April 28, 2025 at 8:08 AM
'Make sure you give them a listen before they go big.'
@franslater.bsky.social reviews the debut album from Prima Queen:
pickybs.com/2025/04/25/r...
@franslater.bsky.social reviews the debut album from Prima Queen:
pickybs.com/2025/04/25/r...
It's debut release day for Prima Queen. Here's @franslater.bsky.social with his thoughts on the album: pickybs.com/2025/04/25/r...
REVIEW: Prima Queen – The Prize
Having randomly caught Prima Queen at a festival last year, I have been excited to see what they would bring when their debut album finally hit the shelves. Their set caught my attention because of…
pickybs.com
April 25, 2025 at 3:02 PM
It's debut release day for Prima Queen. Here's @franslater.bsky.social with his thoughts on the album: pickybs.com/2025/04/25/r...
ALBUM REVIEW: A Complicated Woman - Self Esteem
‘The most obvious praise I can level on A Complicated Woman is that it has purpose.’
@atkinssam.bsky.social reviews the long awaited 3rd album from Picky B’s favourite Self Esteem.
pickybs.com/2025/04/21/r...
‘The most obvious praise I can level on A Complicated Woman is that it has purpose.’
@atkinssam.bsky.social reviews the long awaited 3rd album from Picky B’s favourite Self Esteem.
pickybs.com/2025/04/21/r...
REVIEW: Self Esteem – A Complicated Woman
Having a vision for an album, for a moment of your career as an artist, or even just for a single performance is something so many musicians strive for. I know many could argue that Rebecca Lucy Ta…
pickybs.com
April 21, 2025 at 8:43 AM
ALBUM REVIEW: A Complicated Woman - Self Esteem
‘The most obvious praise I can level on A Complicated Woman is that it has purpose.’
@atkinssam.bsky.social reviews the long awaited 3rd album from Picky B’s favourite Self Esteem.
pickybs.com/2025/04/21/r...
‘The most obvious praise I can level on A Complicated Woman is that it has purpose.’
@atkinssam.bsky.social reviews the long awaited 3rd album from Picky B’s favourite Self Esteem.
pickybs.com/2025/04/21/r...
The Picky Bs got Divorced last night at Gorilla. Read what we made of the gig on the site today
@divorcehq.bsky.social
pickybs.com/2025/04/04/l...
@divorcehq.bsky.social
pickybs.com/2025/04/04/l...
LIVE: Divorce at Gorilla, Manchester
When an email with the subject line ‘Confirming Divorce’ arrived in the Picky Bastards inbox yesterday we joked among ourselves about this being bad news. This joke isn’t lost on the band who…
pickybs.com
April 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM
The Picky Bs got Divorced last night at Gorilla. Read what we made of the gig on the site today
@divorcehq.bsky.social
pickybs.com/2025/04/04/l...
@divorcehq.bsky.social
pickybs.com/2025/04/04/l...
