Review: Modal Soul – Nujabes

2005 This album certainly isn’t bad, but I’ve listened to it about three times through and I can’t get into it. I don’t know what it is. The ingredients are good: well-constructed beats, an eclectic range of influences including jazz, hip-hop, rock and some Latin thrown in there, some solid enough vocal performances from guest...

Review: Graduation – Kanye West

2007 “People talk so much shit about me at barber shops, they forget to get they hair cut,” raps Kanye West on “Everything I Am”. I can’t say I ever forgot to get my hair cut, even if you’d think so judging by the mop I was rocking in my teenage years. But I definitely...

Review: Nancy & Lee – Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood

1968 I've always liked Nancy Sinatra's voice, but I was surprised how well Lee Hazelwood's complemented it. The two seem to have real chemistry despite the story that this album came about after Frank Sinatra asked Hazelwood to do it to jump start his daughter's career. There's a nice range of songs on the album,...

The Queen’s Gambit: Double Review

After watching Netflix's The Queen's Gambit, Sophie and I found that we had much to discuss - and disagree about. I suggested we put our contrasting views into writing and publish them side-by-side. What follows is the result. Enjoy, and be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below. Alone, but...

Consumerism, Populism and Short-Term Fixes: Why ‘Trash of the Titans’ is The Simpsons’ Most Important Episode

This episode explores, with startling pertinence, the consumerism that drives our cherished national holidays, the seductive power of populism and the dangers of seeking quick fixes to big problems