Bernard Zuel
@bernardzuel.bsky.social
Writer & critic (SMH, Guardian, Rhythms & everything found at bernardzuel.net) teacher (Sydney University), podcaster, host/facilitator (anywhere you want me), media trainer (you talk, I help). Opinions definitely are those of my employer - moi.
Dive into the maelstrom that is Rosalia's Lux, an album with everything doubled, then more, that says playing safe is for weaklings who need a second name. Pop, flamenco, orchestras & arthouse, Bjork, hip hop, opera & Ariana Grande. What the ...?
www.bernardzuel.net/post/rosalia...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/rosalia...
November 20, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Dive into the maelstrom that is Rosalia's Lux, an album with everything doubled, then more, that says playing safe is for weaklings who need a second name. Pop, flamenco, orchestras & arthouse, Bjork, hip hop, opera & Ariana Grande. What the ...?
www.bernardzuel.net/post/rosalia...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/rosalia...
Not one of mine, obviously: they’re lovely, of course. #morningpop #thursdayvinyl #pentangle #cruelsister
November 19, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Not one of mine, obviously: they’re lovely, of course. #morningpop #thursdayvinyl #pentangle #cruelsister
So, Rosalia? A review which begins "This album is nuts. Properly, completely, outrageously, wonderfully nuts" is a warning or lure. Depends how you feel about pop with florid runs, wild changes, unlikely combinations, immaculate moments & thrilling risks.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/rosalia...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/rosalia...
November 19, 2025 at 8:41 PM
So, Rosalia? A review which begins "This album is nuts. Properly, completely, outrageously, wonderfully nuts" is a warning or lure. Depends how you feel about pop with florid runs, wild changes, unlikely combinations, immaculate moments & thrilling risks.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/rosalia...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/rosalia...
Love is a killing thing, as I hear people say. #morningpop #erlandandthecarnival
November 19, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Love is a killing thing, as I hear people say. #morningpop #erlandandthecarnival
Your midweek reminder that you do want to hear this playlist. It has Brigitte Fontaine, Linda Thompson & Beyonce; Bob Dylan, FKA twigs & Haim+Bon Iver; Dar Williams, Models & Stella Donnelly; Courtney Marie Andrews Frank Sinatra & Tristen; Romy +12 more.
open.spotify.com/playlist/1Er...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1Er...
November 19, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Your midweek reminder that you do want to hear this playlist. It has Brigitte Fontaine, Linda Thompson & Beyonce; Bob Dylan, FKA twigs & Haim+Bon Iver; Dar Williams, Models & Stella Donnelly; Courtney Marie Andrews Frank Sinatra & Tristen; Romy +12 more.
open.spotify.com/playlist/1Er...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1Er...
What role did Kasey Chambers play in the destruction of a pre-teen girl's psyche? Can you remember JohnPaulGeorgeRingo? How did these things lead to that girl singing "motherfu...," in the house?
What Comes To Mind, the series that goes in hard & stays there.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
What Comes To Mind, the series that goes in hard & stays there.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
November 19, 2025 at 2:24 AM
What role did Kasey Chambers play in the destruction of a pre-teen girl's psyche? Can you remember JohnPaulGeorgeRingo? How did these things lead to that girl singing "motherfu...," in the house?
What Comes To Mind, the series that goes in hard & stays there.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
What Comes To Mind, the series that goes in hard & stays there.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
I got 7 weeks in county boys but I don’t blame the man. #morningpop #wednesdayvinyl #billystrings #highwayprayers
November 18, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I got 7 weeks in county boys but I don’t blame the man. #morningpop #wednesdayvinyl #billystrings #highwayprayers
A Stuart Spence photo from the archives, a young Kasey Chambers in the rockpools ... what comes to mind? Ways to influence/manipulate young brains, correctly identifying four godheads, & a good Kernaghan in the house & car. It's all happening.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
November 18, 2025 at 8:35 PM
A Stuart Spence photo from the archives, a young Kasey Chambers in the rockpools ... what comes to mind? Ways to influence/manipulate young brains, correctly identifying four godheads, & a good Kernaghan in the house & car. It's all happening.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/what-co...
November 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Teen Jesus And The Jean Teaser & Belair Lip Bombs prove that if you give a woman & man a guitar, they can play for an hour; but teach them how to play a guitar & they can give you two hugely enjoyable albums of pop music, with drollery, classicism & brevity.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/the-bel...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/the-bel...
November 18, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Teen Jesus And The Jean Teaser & Belair Lip Bombs prove that if you give a woman & man a guitar, they can play for an hour; but teach them how to play a guitar & they can give you two hugely enjoyable albums of pop music, with drollery, classicism & brevity.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/the-bel...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/the-bel...
November 17, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Not here for a haircut but a good time, from the wilds of Melbourne & Canberra come "two bands playing terribly unfashionable guitar rock, each with a touch of sophistication & a balancing touch of simplicity": Belair Lip Bombs & Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/the-bel...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/the-bel...
November 17, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Not here for a haircut but a good time, from the wilds of Melbourne & Canberra come "two bands playing terribly unfashionable guitar rock, each with a touch of sophistication & a balancing touch of simplicity": Belair Lip Bombs & Teen Jesus & The Jean Teasers.
www.bernardzuel.net/post/the-bel...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/the-bel...
Apparently there’s a little spot for you. Which is nice. But you may need to give it up for love. Oh. #morningpop #tuesdayvinyl #kylieminogue #fever
November 17, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Apparently there’s a little spot for you. Which is nice. But you may need to give it up for love. Oh. #morningpop #tuesdayvinyl #kylieminogue #fever
Who's in this week's playlist? Norah Jones+Rufus Wainwright & Bonnie Prince Billy+John Anderson; Brigitte Fontaine & Valerie June, Haim+Bon Iver & Sir Douglas Quintet; Dar Williams & Linda Thompson; Muireann Bradley & Models; Bob Dylan & Patty Griffin; Beyonce +more
open.spotify.com/playlist/1Er...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1Er...
November 17, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Who's in this week's playlist? Norah Jones+Rufus Wainwright & Bonnie Prince Billy+John Anderson; Brigitte Fontaine & Valerie June, Haim+Bon Iver & Sir Douglas Quintet; Dar Williams & Linda Thompson; Muireann Bradley & Models; Bob Dylan & Patty Griffin; Beyonce +more
open.spotify.com/playlist/1Er...
open.spotify.com/playlist/1Er...
November 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
New playlist! Quietly Stella Donnelly, Skullcrusher & Frank Sinatra, less quietly Massive Attack, Romy & Terrell Stafford. Moments of FKA twigs, Tristen & Velvet Underground, with Patty Griffin, Bill Callahan & The Golden Dregs. Plus Models, Courtney Marie Andrews
www.bernardzuel.net/post/cons-an...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/cons-an...
November 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
New playlist! Quietly Stella Donnelly, Skullcrusher & Frank Sinatra, less quietly Massive Attack, Romy & Terrell Stafford. Moments of FKA twigs, Tristen & Velvet Underground, with Patty Griffin, Bill Callahan & The Golden Dregs. Plus Models, Courtney Marie Andrews
www.bernardzuel.net/post/cons-an...
www.bernardzuel.net/post/cons-an...
November 16, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I hope she doesn’t mean Carlingford. #morningpop #sundayvinyl #emmylouharris #quartermooninatencenttown
November 16, 2025 at 12:20 AM
I hope she doesn’t mean Carlingford. #morningpop #sundayvinyl #emmylouharris #quartermooninatencenttown
November 15, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Post-XL, pre-lunch. I’m told Dave Studdert hates his record. He may not be the best judge. #morningpop #saturdayvinyl #tactics #thegreatgusto
November 15, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Post-XL, pre-lunch. I’m told Dave Studdert hates his record. He may not be the best judge. #morningpop #saturdayvinyl #tactics #thegreatgusto
Blossoms in your hair, snow on your cheek. Gifted not thrifted (thanks John E). #morningpop #saturdayvinyl #xlcapris #weeds
November 14, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Blossoms in your hair, snow on your cheek. Gifted not thrifted (thanks John E). #morningpop #saturdayvinyl #xlcapris #weeds
Saturday read (& listen) #3. A hummable playlist comes with Billy Joe Shaver & Travis Tritt next to Psychedelic Porn Crumpets & DZ Deathrays, Stella Donnelly & Emma Swift with Sierra Ferrell & Courtney Marie Andrews; Margo Price & Models near Buckingham/Nicks. Yes!
open.spotify.com/playlist/6f9...
open.spotify.com/playlist/6f9...
November 14, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Saturday read (& listen) #3. A hummable playlist comes with Billy Joe Shaver & Travis Tritt next to Psychedelic Porn Crumpets & DZ Deathrays, Stella Donnelly & Emma Swift with Sierra Ferrell & Courtney Marie Andrews; Margo Price & Models near Buckingham/Nicks. Yes!
open.spotify.com/playlist/6f9...
open.spotify.com/playlist/6f9...
More mutton chops, more south. #morningpop #bozscaggs
November 13, 2025 at 9:22 PM
More mutton chops, more south. #morningpop #bozscaggs
What can I say? Some days you just want the best emollient. #morningpop #fridayvinyl #bozscaggs #silkdegrees
November 13, 2025 at 8:40 PM
What can I say? Some days you just want the best emollient. #morningpop #fridayvinyl #bozscaggs #silkdegrees
November 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM