Picky Bs
@pickybs.com
Podcast and website. Great music, miserable people.
@pickybastards elsewhere.
@pickybastards elsewhere.
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...
As well as our latest podcast, we've also got our best of the month for March on the site today. Check out our latest picks including:
Lady Gaga
DJ Koze
Great Grandpa
Julien Baker & TORRES
and Kae Tempest
pickybs.com/2025/04/03/t...
Lady Gaga
DJ Koze
Great Grandpa
Julien Baker & TORRES
and Kae Tempest
pickybs.com/2025/04/03/t...
The best things we heard in March
Sam Atkins: I’m sure there will be some other people who pick out fantastic recent albums by Benefits, or Sharon Van Etten as their best of the month. And deservedly so. But I won’t be able to summ…
pickybs.com
April 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
As well as our latest podcast, we've also got our best of the month for March on the site today. Check out our latest picks including:
Lady Gaga
DJ Koze
Great Grandpa
Julien Baker & TORRES
and Kae Tempest
pickybs.com/2025/04/03/t...
Lady Gaga
DJ Koze
Great Grandpa
Julien Baker & TORRES
and Kae Tempest
pickybs.com/2025/04/03/t...
NEW PODCAST: Episode 86 of the music podcast full of disagreements and hopefully great music. The usual four new releases, classic album and Why I Love sections appear for the 86th time.
pickybs.com/2025/04/02/p...
pickybs.com/2025/04/02/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 86
On Episode 86 of Picky Bastards we have new releases by Sharon Van Etten, Antony Szmierek, LISA and Everything Is Recorded. This month’s classic album is from Willie Nelson with Red Headed St…
pickybs.com
April 2, 2025 at 9:59 PM
NEW PODCAST: Episode 86 of the music podcast full of disagreements and hopefully great music. The usual four new releases, classic album and Why I Love sections appear for the 86th time.
pickybs.com/2025/04/02/p...
pickybs.com/2025/04/02/p...
'It only took me a few seconds over Clara Mann’s debut album to know I was on to a winner.'
Read today's album review from @franslater.bsky.social
pickybs.com/2025/03/31/r...
Read today's album review from @franslater.bsky.social
pickybs.com/2025/03/31/r...
March 31, 2025 at 10:14 AM
'It only took me a few seconds over Clara Mann’s debut album to know I was on to a winner.'
Read today's album review from @franslater.bsky.social
pickybs.com/2025/03/31/r...
Read today's album review from @franslater.bsky.social
pickybs.com/2025/03/31/r...
LIVE REVIEW: David Gray at O2 Apollo Manchester.
‘The most striking thing about David Gray’s presence on stage is how much he loses himself in these songs.’
pickybs.com/2025/03/26/l...
‘The most striking thing about David Gray’s presence on stage is how much he loses himself in these songs.’
pickybs.com/2025/03/26/l...
LIVE: David Gray – O2 Apollo, Manchester
There’s usually some specific people in my life that say they are jealous when I mention I’m off to a gig. My brother, my gig buddies or fellow Bastards from this very website, it’s usually the sam…
pickybs.com
March 26, 2025 at 8:53 AM
LIVE REVIEW: David Gray at O2 Apollo Manchester.
‘The most striking thing about David Gray’s presence on stage is how much he loses himself in these songs.’
pickybs.com/2025/03/26/l...
‘The most striking thing about David Gray’s presence on stage is how much he loses himself in these songs.’
pickybs.com/2025/03/26/l...
We have a brand new podcast coming your way soon, but for now make sure to listen to Episode 85, including this hot take on FKA Twigs from @atkinssam.bsky.social.
pickybs.com/2025/03/03/p...
pickybs.com/2025/03/03/p...
March 24, 2025 at 8:29 AM
We have a brand new podcast coming your way soon, but for now make sure to listen to Episode 85, including this hot take on FKA Twigs from @atkinssam.bsky.social.
pickybs.com/2025/03/03/p...
pickybs.com/2025/03/03/p...
NEW PODCAST:
The Bastards are back and reviewing albums by Victoria Canal, Ditz, FKA Twigs and Central Cee. While this month's classic album is by Fugazi and Fran tells us why he loves This Is The Kit.
Go listen in all the usual places here:
pickybs.com/2025/03/03/p...
The Bastards are back and reviewing albums by Victoria Canal, Ditz, FKA Twigs and Central Cee. While this month's classic album is by Fugazi and Fran tells us why he loves This Is The Kit.
Go listen in all the usual places here:
pickybs.com/2025/03/03/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 85
On Episode 85 of Picky Bastards we have new releases by Victoria Canal, FKA Twigs, Ditz and Central Cee. This month’s classic album is from Fugazi with The Argument and then Fran tells us why…
pickybs.com
March 9, 2025 at 3:42 PM
NEW PODCAST:
The Bastards are back and reviewing albums by Victoria Canal, Ditz, FKA Twigs and Central Cee. While this month's classic album is by Fugazi and Fran tells us why he loves This Is The Kit.
Go listen in all the usual places here:
pickybs.com/2025/03/03/p...
The Bastards are back and reviewing albums by Victoria Canal, Ditz, FKA Twigs and Central Cee. While this month's classic album is by Fugazi and Fran tells us why he loves This Is The Kit.
Go listen in all the usual places here:
pickybs.com/2025/03/03/p...
LIVE REVIEW: Laura Marling at Albert Hall Manchester.
@atkinssam.bsky.social reviews show one of Laura Marling’s three show residency at one of Manchester’s most stunning venues.
pickybs.com/2025/03/06/l...
@atkinssam.bsky.social reviews show one of Laura Marling’s three show residency at one of Manchester’s most stunning venues.
pickybs.com/2025/03/06/l...
LIVE: Laura Marling – Albert Hall, Manchester
There are artists that play in venues that just make sense. Where a building and a place becomes one with the artist playing there. That’s exactly how I feel whenever Laura Marling plays Albert Hal…
pickybs.com
March 6, 2025 at 11:41 AM
LIVE REVIEW: Laura Marling at Albert Hall Manchester.
@atkinssam.bsky.social reviews show one of Laura Marling’s three show residency at one of Manchester’s most stunning venues.
pickybs.com/2025/03/06/l...
@atkinssam.bsky.social reviews show one of Laura Marling’s three show residency at one of Manchester’s most stunning venues.
pickybs.com/2025/03/06/l...
Today we have an album review of Eusexua by FKA Twigs. Read what @tomburrows.bsky.social thought of this huge album over on Picky Bs. pickybs.com/2025/02/21/r...
REVIEW: FKA Twigs – Eusexua
An FKA Twigs album is an event album. For those of us who still care about the album as a medium, it’s very exciting when a talented artist shares this passion. As someone who works in many spaces …
pickybs.com
February 21, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Today we have an album review of Eusexua by FKA Twigs. Read what @tomburrows.bsky.social thought of this huge album over on Picky Bs. pickybs.com/2025/02/21/r...
NEW PODCAST: Bastards are back for 2025 with more complaining and even better music.
pickybs.com/2025/02/05/p...
pickybs.com/2025/02/05/p...
Picky Bastards Episode 84
On Episode 84 of Picky Bastards we have new releases by Franz Ferdinand, Moonchild Sanelly, Ethel Cain and Lambrini Girls. This month’s classic album is from Rufus Wainwright with Want One an…
pickybs.com
February 8, 2025 at 6:14 PM
NEW PODCAST: Bastards are back for 2025 with more complaining and even better music.
pickybs.com/2025/02/05/p...
pickybs.com/2025/02/05/p...