No Frills Reviews
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A forgotten piece in the jigsaw of rock history, and one of the earliest entries in the metal canon.
From the archives, a review of the obscure proto-metal classic, Randy Holden’s Population II.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2023/02/14/m...
From the archives, a review of the obscure proto-metal classic, Randy Holden’s Population II.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2023/02/14/m...
August 1, 2025 at 12:34 PM
A forgotten piece in the jigsaw of rock history, and one of the earliest entries in the metal canon.
From the archives, a review of the obscure proto-metal classic, Randy Holden’s Population II.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2023/02/14/m...
From the archives, a review of the obscure proto-metal classic, Randy Holden’s Population II.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2023/02/14/m...
Starting a new series of bite size daily recommendations. Our first track of the day is a glorious slice of electro-pop hedonism from NYC’s Shallowhalo.
Read more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/27/t...
Read more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/27/t...
July 27, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Starting a new series of bite size daily recommendations. Our first track of the day is a glorious slice of electro-pop hedonism from NYC’s Shallowhalo.
Read more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/27/t...
Read more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/27/t...
Continuing our mid-year review, with a selection of under the radar gems, including Jay Cinema (@jaycinema.bsky.social) & Nobody Jones (@deathbombarc.bsky.social).
Here’s our pick of the best albums you haven’t heard of:
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/09/2...
Here’s our pick of the best albums you haven’t heard of:
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/09/2...
July 9, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Continuing our mid-year review, with a selection of under the radar gems, including Jay Cinema (@jaycinema.bsky.social) & Nobody Jones (@deathbombarc.bsky.social).
Here’s our pick of the best albums you haven’t heard of:
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/09/2...
Here’s our pick of the best albums you haven’t heard of:
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/09/2...
Glass Beams getting the 6 Music Dad-approved world music slot on the BBC Glastonbury coverage. Called it last year.
nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/17/i...
nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/17/i...
June 27, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Glass Beams getting the 6 Music Dad-approved world music slot on the BBC Glastonbury coverage. Called it last year.
nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/17/i...
nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/17/i...
Album Review: Hamilton Leithauser - This Side of the Island
An enjoyably ragged collection that compliments the untamed charm of one of this century’s great rock voices
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/06/09/a...
An enjoyably ragged collection that compliments the untamed charm of one of this century’s great rock voices
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/06/09/a...
June 9, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Album Review: Hamilton Leithauser - This Side of the Island
An enjoyably ragged collection that compliments the untamed charm of one of this century’s great rock voices
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/06/09/a...
An enjoyably ragged collection that compliments the untamed charm of one of this century’s great rock voices
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/06/09/a...
Our Tracks of the month for April. 15 must hears, including a lost Springsteen classic, the next big name in British rap, and the bombastic return of WU LYF.
More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/05/01/t...
More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/05/01/t...
May 1, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Our Tracks of the month for April. 15 must hears, including a lost Springsteen classic, the next big name in British rap, and the bombastic return of WU LYF.
More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/05/01/t...
More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/05/01/t...
Album Review: Self Esteem - A Complicated Woman
“There’s hints of greatnesss as Self Esteem makes her stadium-sized ambitions clear, but it slips into a caricature version of her best work.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/29/a...
“There’s hints of greatnesss as Self Esteem makes her stadium-sized ambitions clear, but it slips into a caricature version of her best work.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/29/a...
April 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Album Review: Self Esteem - A Complicated Woman
“There’s hints of greatnesss as Self Esteem makes her stadium-sized ambitions clear, but it slips into a caricature version of her best work.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/29/a...
“There’s hints of greatnesss as Self Esteem makes her stadium-sized ambitions clear, but it slips into a caricature version of her best work.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/29/a...
Album Review: Fatboi Sharif & Driveby - Let Me Out (via @deathbombarc.bsky.social)
“The spirit of Sharif’s work lies in expressionism; his use of harsh, hauntingly evocative imagery capturing life’s absurd horrors.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/27/a...
“The spirit of Sharif’s work lies in expressionism; his use of harsh, hauntingly evocative imagery capturing life’s absurd horrors.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/27/a...
April 27, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Album Review: Fatboi Sharif & Driveby - Let Me Out (via @deathbombarc.bsky.social)
“The spirit of Sharif’s work lies in expressionism; his use of harsh, hauntingly evocative imagery capturing life’s absurd horrors.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/27/a...
“The spirit of Sharif’s work lies in expressionism; his use of harsh, hauntingly evocative imagery capturing life’s absurd horrors.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/27/a...
EP Review: Westside Gunn - HEELS HAVE EYES
Tied to his latest venture as a wrestling promoter, it was only appropriate to look at this through the lens of wrestling. - “This is Ric Flair as the touring NWA champ of the 80’s.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/24/e...
Tied to his latest venture as a wrestling promoter, it was only appropriate to look at this through the lens of wrestling. - “This is Ric Flair as the touring NWA champ of the 80’s.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/24/e...
April 24, 2025 at 7:48 PM
EP Review: Westside Gunn - HEELS HAVE EYES
Tied to his latest venture as a wrestling promoter, it was only appropriate to look at this through the lens of wrestling. - “This is Ric Flair as the touring NWA champ of the 80’s.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/24/e...
Tied to his latest venture as a wrestling promoter, it was only appropriate to look at this through the lens of wrestling. - “This is Ric Flair as the touring NWA champ of the 80’s.”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/24/e...
New Review - A debut of rapid-fire, chaotic punk absurdity from up-and-coming Teeside trio, Perfect Chicken.
“like Big Black as fronted by a disgruntled, medieval knight” (this isn’t even hyperbole, there’s actually a song that sounds like that)
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/15/a...
“like Big Black as fronted by a disgruntled, medieval knight” (this isn’t even hyperbole, there’s actually a song that sounds like that)
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/15/a...
April 15, 2025 at 10:09 PM
New Review - A debut of rapid-fire, chaotic punk absurdity from up-and-coming Teeside trio, Perfect Chicken.
“like Big Black as fronted by a disgruntled, medieval knight” (this isn’t even hyperbole, there’s actually a song that sounds like that)
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/15/a...
“like Big Black as fronted by a disgruntled, medieval knight” (this isn’t even hyperbole, there’s actually a song that sounds like that)
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/15/a...
A review of one of 2025’s hidden gems from the rap underground.
Coulrophobia by Mach-Hommy collaborator, Big Cheeko.
“A soul-infused slow-burner of thoughtful street rap”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/09/a...
Coulrophobia by Mach-Hommy collaborator, Big Cheeko.
“A soul-infused slow-burner of thoughtful street rap”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/09/a...
April 9, 2025 at 12:58 PM
A review of one of 2025’s hidden gems from the rap underground.
Coulrophobia by Mach-Hommy collaborator, Big Cheeko.
“A soul-infused slow-burner of thoughtful street rap”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/09/a...
Coulrophobia by Mach-Hommy collaborator, Big Cheeko.
“A soul-infused slow-burner of thoughtful street rap”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/09/a...
Released OTD 1 yr ago: The Libertines - All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade
The excitement of 20 yrs ago may have faded, but The Libertines offer up their most fully realised vision of Albion yet, as it changes before their eyes.
Revisit our full review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/05/01/a...
The excitement of 20 yrs ago may have faded, but The Libertines offer up their most fully realised vision of Albion yet, as it changes before their eyes.
Revisit our full review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/05/01/a...
April 5, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Released OTD 1 yr ago: The Libertines - All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade
The excitement of 20 yrs ago may have faded, but The Libertines offer up their most fully realised vision of Albion yet, as it changes before their eyes.
Revisit our full review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/05/01/a...
The excitement of 20 yrs ago may have faded, but The Libertines offer up their most fully realised vision of Albion yet, as it changes before their eyes.
Revisit our full review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/05/01/a...
A belated review of my AOTY so far, LOWER by Benjamin Booker.
“Contrasting harsh industrial rock and hip-hop with ethereal pop beauty, Booker delivers a experimental masterclass filled with bleakly beautiful songwriting”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/04/a...
“Contrasting harsh industrial rock and hip-hop with ethereal pop beauty, Booker delivers a experimental masterclass filled with bleakly beautiful songwriting”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/04/a...
April 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM
A belated review of my AOTY so far, LOWER by Benjamin Booker.
“Contrasting harsh industrial rock and hip-hop with ethereal pop beauty, Booker delivers a experimental masterclass filled with bleakly beautiful songwriting”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/04/a...
“Contrasting harsh industrial rock and hip-hop with ethereal pop beauty, Booker delivers a experimental masterclass filled with bleakly beautiful songwriting”
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/04/a...
Tracks of the Week - our favourites of this this week’s new releases, including:
- The Maximum Alt-Country of @labrador-tunes.bsky.social
- The vibrant mess of PUNCHBAG
- A raw confessional from YG
Plus more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/31/t...
- The Maximum Alt-Country of @labrador-tunes.bsky.social
- The vibrant mess of PUNCHBAG
- A raw confessional from YG
Plus more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/31/t...
March 31, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Tracks of the Week - our favourites of this this week’s new releases, including:
- The Maximum Alt-Country of @labrador-tunes.bsky.social
- The vibrant mess of PUNCHBAG
- A raw confessional from YG
Plus more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/31/t...
- The Maximum Alt-Country of @labrador-tunes.bsky.social
- The vibrant mess of PUNCHBAG
- A raw confessional from YG
Plus more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/31/t...
Album Review: @nahreally.bsky.social - Secret Pankcake
The New Jersey-via-Massachusetts rapper follows up one of 2024’s best albums with a low-stakes showcase of what makes him so listenable
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/26/a...
The New Jersey-via-Massachusetts rapper follows up one of 2024’s best albums with a low-stakes showcase of what makes him so listenable
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/26/a...
March 26, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Album Review: @nahreally.bsky.social - Secret Pankcake
The New Jersey-via-Massachusetts rapper follows up one of 2024’s best albums with a low-stakes showcase of what makes him so listenable
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/26/a...
The New Jersey-via-Massachusetts rapper follows up one of 2024’s best albums with a low-stakes showcase of what makes him so listenable
Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/26/a...
Our latest selection of must hear tracks. Including:
- Kae Tempest’s powerful return
- Matt Berninger’s most exciting work in years
- Tay Jordan transporting 90s West Coast rap to the streets of South East London.
More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/25/t...
- Kae Tempest’s powerful return
- Matt Berninger’s most exciting work in years
- Tay Jordan transporting 90s West Coast rap to the streets of South East London.
More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/25/t...
March 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Our latest selection of must hear tracks. Including:
- Kae Tempest’s powerful return
- Matt Berninger’s most exciting work in years
- Tay Jordan transporting 90s West Coast rap to the streets of South East London.
More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/25/t...
- Kae Tempest’s powerful return
- Matt Berninger’s most exciting work in years
- Tay Jordan transporting 90s West Coast rap to the streets of South East London.
More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/25/t...
Our latest roundup of must-hear tracks includes the continued star-making run of Doechii, the disconcerting experimental
Rap of Fatboi Sharif, and a blistering post-punk anthem from Lincoln’s Televised Mind.
Check out all the picks👇
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/12/t...
Rap of Fatboi Sharif, and a blistering post-punk anthem from Lincoln’s Televised Mind.
Check out all the picks👇
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/12/t...
March 12, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Our latest roundup of must-hear tracks includes the continued star-making run of Doechii, the disconcerting experimental
Rap of Fatboi Sharif, and a blistering post-punk anthem from Lincoln’s Televised Mind.
Check out all the picks👇
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/12/t...
Rap of Fatboi Sharif, and a blistering post-punk anthem from Lincoln’s Televised Mind.
Check out all the picks👇
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/12/t...
Released OTD 1 Year ago: The Rhythm Method - Peachy
No. 2 in our top albums of 2024. Revisit our review - “A relatable ode to belatedly coming-of-age in the tradition of great British pop”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/13/a...
No. 2 in our top albums of 2024. Revisit our review - “A relatable ode to belatedly coming-of-age in the tradition of great British pop”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/13/a...
March 8, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Released OTD 1 Year ago: The Rhythm Method - Peachy
No. 2 in our top albums of 2024. Revisit our review - “A relatable ode to belatedly coming-of-age in the tradition of great British pop”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/13/a...
No. 2 in our top albums of 2024. Revisit our review - “A relatable ode to belatedly coming-of-age in the tradition of great British pop”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/13/a...
New album review: Sam Fender - People Watching
The Geordie star shoots for greatness but falls short by too often forcing the issue
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/04/a...
The Geordie star shoots for greatness but falls short by too often forcing the issue
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/04/a...
March 4, 2025 at 7:46 AM
New album review: Sam Fender - People Watching
The Geordie star shoots for greatness but falls short by too often forcing the issue
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/04/a...
The Geordie star shoots for greatness but falls short by too often forcing the issue
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/04/a...
Album Review: The Lumineers - Automatic
“the further they get from the stomp-clap catchiness of their biggest hits, it becomes increasingly apparent that they just aren’t a very interesting band.”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/25/a...
“the further they get from the stomp-clap catchiness of their biggest hits, it becomes increasingly apparent that they just aren’t a very interesting band.”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/25/a...
February 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Album Review: The Lumineers - Automatic
“the further they get from the stomp-clap catchiness of their biggest hits, it becomes increasingly apparent that they just aren’t a very interesting band.”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/25/a...
“the further they get from the stomp-clap catchiness of their biggest hits, it becomes increasingly apparent that they just aren’t a very interesting band.”
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/25/a...
Our pick of must hear tracks this week. Including some Valentine’s Day hating from JPEGMAFIA, a debut of wild-eyed, electro-pop nihilism from PUNCHBAG, and the return of post-hardcore heroes, Mclusky
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/19/t...
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/19/t...
February 19, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Our pick of must hear tracks this week. Including some Valentine’s Day hating from JPEGMAFIA, a debut of wild-eyed, electro-pop nihilism from PUNCHBAG, and the return of post-hardcore heroes, Mclusky
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/19/t...
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/19/t...
A forgotten piece in the jigsaw of rock history, and one of the earliest entries in the metal canon.
From the archives, a review of the obscure proto-metal classic, Randy Holden’s Population II.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2023/02/14/m...
From the archives, a review of the obscure proto-metal classic, Randy Holden’s Population II.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2023/02/14/m...
February 14, 2025 at 5:28 PM
A forgotten piece in the jigsaw of rock history, and one of the earliest entries in the metal canon.
From the archives, a review of the obscure proto-metal classic, Randy Holden’s Population II.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2023/02/14/m...
From the archives, a review of the obscure proto-metal classic, Randy Holden’s Population II.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2023/02/14/m...
Released OTD 1 year ago: Fatboi Sharif & Roper Williams - Something About Shirley
Avabr garde hip-hop that’s warped and disturbing, yet utterly magnetic.
Revisit our review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/02/19/e...
Avabr garde hip-hop that’s warped and disturbing, yet utterly magnetic.
Revisit our review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/02/19/e...
February 14, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Released OTD 1 year ago: Fatboi Sharif & Roper Williams - Something About Shirley
Avabr garde hip-hop that’s warped and disturbing, yet utterly magnetic.
Revisit our review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/02/19/e...
Avabr garde hip-hop that’s warped and disturbing, yet utterly magnetic.
Revisit our review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/02/19/e...
UK music fans - help shape the future of live music by taking this short survey.
The Music Fans’ Voice survey gives you the chance to have your say to inform government and industry
decision making in the future.
Take the survey here: musicfansvoice.uk
The Music Fans’ Voice survey gives you the chance to have your say to inform government and industry
decision making in the future.
Take the survey here: musicfansvoice.uk
February 10, 2025 at 9:53 AM
UK music fans - help shape the future of live music by taking this short survey.
The Music Fans’ Voice survey gives you the chance to have your say to inform government and industry
decision making in the future.
Take the survey here: musicfansvoice.uk
The Music Fans’ Voice survey gives you the chance to have your say to inform government and industry
decision making in the future.
Take the survey here: musicfansvoice.uk
Tracks of the week - our pick of 9 new releases you should be listening to.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/10/t...
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/10/t...
February 10, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Tracks of the week - our pick of 9 new releases you should be listening to.
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/10/t...
🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/10/t...