Hit Singles

Hit Singles

Watch Low’s Alan Sparhawk play four new songs

Back in November, Alan Sparhawk played an emotional set in Utrecht’s Jacobikerk as part of Le Guess Who? festival – his first European show since the death of his wife and Low bandmate Mimi Parker. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Backed by his son Cyrus on bass, Owen Mahon on drums and Dave Carroll (of Trampled By Turtles) on electric banjo, Sparhawk combined songs destined for a future solo album with jams by his and Cyrus’s funk sideline, Derecho Rhythm Section. Watch Sparhawk and band play “Get High”, “Salvation”, “Impossible Day” and “Want It Back” below: You can read Uncut’s full review of Alan Sparhawk at Le Guess Who? in the January 2024 issue of Uncut, available to purchase online by clicking here. Le Guess Who? 2024 takes place in Utrecht from November 7-10.

Hit Singles

Send us your questions for Irmin Schmidt

“When we founded the group,” Can’s Irmin Schmidt once confided to Uncut, “we didn’t know where we will go.” As it turned out, they went places no other band has been, before or since. The Köln outfit were one of the most unique, influential and exhilarating groups in rock, as evidenced by their ongoing programme of live releases from the mid-1970s. The latest, Live In Paris 1973, is the first in the series to feature the inimitable presence of vocalist Damo Suzuki, who sadly passed away last month, leaving Schmidt as the last surviving member of Can. The keyboardist has long since been the curator of the band’s legacy, co-authoring 2018’s All Gates Open: The Story Of Can with sometime Uncut writer Rob Young. But he’s also written a great deal of music outside Can, including numerous film and TV soundtracks and an opera based on Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast. So, what do you want to ask a free-rock titan? Send your questions to audiencewith@uncut.co.uk by Friday (March 22) and Irmin will answer the best ones in a future issue of Uncut.

Hit Singles

Yard Act – Where’s My Utopia?

Whatever you say they are, that’s what they’re not. It’s a natural impulse of any band who have experienced sudden acclaim, and the reductive hype that goes with it, to kick hard against it creatively. Sometimes that’s to the point of commercial self-harm. So when Yard Act’s follow-up to their 2022 debut, the Mercury-nominated, The Overload, is peppered with sardonic self-referential asides, you’re immediately struck by the suspicion that this is their stab at leaving every party that would have them as members. The disagreeable second album, if you will. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE “I was hot property once but now the promise has gone,” James Smith sneers on opening track “An Illusion”, and the inward focus continues on the biz-baiting anti-anthem “We Make Hits” (“and if this isn’t a hit, we’ll say it’s ironic”). As if his spiritual uncle and namesake Mark E has been reborn as an acolyte of the Arctic Monkeys, Smith relates, “We know there’s no surprising/Anyone with eyes and ears round here that we’re all gonna sink.” Advertisement That’s one of several such barbs, either side of Smith witheringly referring to his own band… Read More →

Hit Singles

Sheer Mag – Playing Favorites

For a while there Sheer Mag were the last great American indie band, releasing singles, EPs, compilations and at least two classic albums on their own shoestring Wilsun RC imprint based out of Fishtown, Philadelphia. But it’s only fitting that they finally signed on the dotted line with Jack White’s Third Man Records. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Though they’re not quite ready for the label’s hand-crafted, lathe-cut, heavyweight vinyl treatment – the quintessential Sheer Mag format you feel might still be a busted-up, unspooled old cassette you find at the side of the road outside a gas station somewhere on I-10 – you could say that Sheer Mag are the true spiritual heirs of The White Stripes. Advertisement If the Stripes’ artfully homespun, high-concept primitivism was the perfect expression of the USA’s garage band soul at the turn of the century, then the Philly quartet are the modern equivalent. Both the Mag and the Stripes are bands that have thrived on limitations. In fact, what mono was for Jack and Meg, you might say compression is for Sheer Mag. Look at the wave form for “Eat It Or Beat… Read More →

Hit Singles

I’m New Here – Arushi Jain

Three years ago, the Delhi-born, US-based composer Arushi Jain quit her comfortable tech job in San Francisco and headed to New York to become an artist full-time. Since then, it’s not gone too badly. Jain, who styles herself the ‘Modular Princess’ after her musical practice, released Under The Lilac Sky in 2021, a beautiful meditation rooted in the Indian classical tradition that also veers into seriously mind-expanding psychedelia. The album fell victim to the pandemic but has since come to resonate with a growing audience who appreciate transportive synthesiser jams, including James Holden, Arooj Aftab, Floating Points and Suzanne Ciani. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE “I think I’m finally over ‘San Francisco Arushi’ and entering a different version of me that’s craving human connection a bit more,” says Jain, 30, from her Brooklyn apartment. “In San Francisco you had to make things happen because there wasn’t much going on. In New York I want to meet more artists and write with them.” Advertisement Jain was taught classical music at a number of prestigious schools in India before she moved to the Bay Area at 18 to study computer science at… Read More →

Hit Singles

J Mascis – My Life In Music

The Dinosaur Jr mainman shares his formative freak-outs: “Nick Cave was my fashion icon in college” PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE THE ROLLING STONES Advertisement Exile On Main Street ROLLING STONES RECORDS, 1972 I remember my mom giving me money to go grocery shopping and I stopped at the record store first and bought – took that off the top and then spent the rest of the money on food. And, yeah, I still listen to it. There’s so many songs on it that you’re always discovering a different song. I like that it’s kinda murky-sounding, there’s something magical about it. I didn’t really know anything about [the legend of its making] as a kid. It was just the record itself, the sound. They seemed to be taking off, from surviving the ’60s and then suddenly jumping into something that I really liked. Their guitar-playing inspired me, Mick Taylor and Keith Richards together. Advertisement THE STOOGES The Stooges ELEKTRA, 1969 When I was maybe 11 or 12, I got the Rolling Stone Record Guide, and I would try to collect all the albums that had five stars. I definitely discovered… Read More →

Hit Singles

Steve Harley dies at 73

Steve Harley has died aged 73. The news was confirmed by his family in a statement, who said: “We are devastated to announce that our wonderful husband and father has passed away peacefully at home, with his family by his side.” Harley, who had been receiving cancer treatment, had cancelled a run of shows last year, writing on his website that it was a “heartbreaking” decision. Advertisement “It’s tiresome, and tiring. But the fight is on… And thankfully the cursed intruder is not affecting the voice. I sing and play most evenings.” PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE His family said Harley had “passed away peacefully at home”, adding: “We know he will be desperately missed by people all over the world.” Advertisement “Whoever you know him as, his heart exuded only core elements. Passion, kindness, generosity. And much more, in abundance,” his wife Dorothy and children Kerr and Greta wrote in a statement. “The birdsong from his woodland that he loved so much was singing for him. His home has been filled with the sounds and laughter of his four grandchildren.” Born Stephen Nice in south London in 1951, he… Read More →

Hit Singles

Hear Brian Eno’s new song, “All I Remember”

Brian Eno has released a new song, All I Remember“. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Taken from the soundtrack to Gary Hustwit‘s upcoming documentary, Eno, this contemplative piece finds Eno in rare, reflective mood, referencing early influences like Ketty Lester, Dee Clark and Bobby Vee and recalling childhood experiences. Eno – the official soundtrack to the film will be released by UMR on April 19. The film receives its UK premier at London’s Barbican the following day.

Hit Singles

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds announce The Wild God Tour

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will tour in support of their upcoming studio album, The Wild God. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE The band will play 27 shows across 17 countries, beginning on September 24 in Oberhausen, Germany and ending in Paris, France on November 17. Advertisement They will play 6 shows across the UK. Support will come from one of 3 special guests across the dates – Dry Cleaning, The Murder Capital and Black Country, New Road. The tour follows hot on the heels of their 18th studio album, Wild God, which is released on August 30. Advertisement The live line-up for the band is Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Martyn Casey, Jim Sclavunos, George Vjestica, Larry Mullins and Carly Paradis. Tickets on sale Friday March 22, 10am local time here. The tour dates are: September 2024 24 Oberhausen, Germany – Rudolf Weber-ARENA (with Dry Cleaning) 26 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome (Dry Cleaning) 29 Berlin, Germany – Uber Arena (Dry Cleaning) October 2024 2 Oslo, Norway – Oslo Spektrum (Dry Cleaning) 3 Stockholm, Sweden – Hovet (Dry Cleaning) 5 Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena (Dry Cleaning) 8 Hamburg, Germany –… Read More →

Hit Singles

Hear Mark Knopfler’s new version of “Going Home (Theme From Local Hero)”

Mark Knopfler has released an all-star version of “Going Home (Theme From Local Hero” under the name Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America. It features over 60 big-name musicians, including Jeff Beck (in the final recording he made before he died last year), David Gilmour, Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Ringo Starr, Joan Armatrading, Eric Clapton, Ron Wood, Joan Jett, Duane Eddy, Hank Marvin, Nile Rodgers, Brian May, Sting, Tony Iommi, Joe Walsh and many more. “I really had no idea that it was going to be like this,” says Knopfler. “Before I knew where I was, Pete Townshend had come into my studio armed with a guitar and an amp. And that first Pete power chord… man, I tell you. We were in that territory, and it was just fantastic. And it went on from there. Eric [Clapton] came in, played great, just one tasty lick after another. Then Jeff Beck’s contribution arrived and that was spellbinding. I think what we’ve had is an embarrassment of riches, really.” Advertisement [embedded content] You can download the single here. It is also available on CD, 12″ vinyl with etched B-side, and deluxe CD+Blu-Ray, all… Read More →

Hit Singles

Peter KingKing: From Rhythm to Soul – A Fusion of Music and Business Brews Sweet Melodies

Los Angeles-born singer-songwriter Peter KingKing defies easy categorization. He’s a multi-faceted talent who blends musical passion with sharp business acumen. While managing car dealerships across the country, KingKing finds solace and artistic expression through his soulful music. KingKing’s love affair with music began in his youth. The melodies of the guitar and the rhythmic pulse of the drums became his haven. This early influence translates into his music today, where his lyrics paint vivid portraits of love, longing, and life’s complexities with raw authenticity. His music resonates deeply because it cuts through the noise and connects directly with the listener’s core. “Sweeter Than,” his latest release, exemplifies this artistic power. It’s a captivating exploration of infatuation, weaving a narrative of love and yearning with the skill of a seasoned storyteller. The track’s infectious beats and catchy hooks perfectly capture the universal experience of desiring something just out of reach. “True (You) Pt. 1” and “True (You) Pt. 2” further solidify KingKing’s artistic versatility. These soulful compositions lay bare the intricate experiences of love and heartbreak. He welcomes listeners into a world of unflinching honesty and vulnerability, where lyrics shift between passionate declarations of devotion and somber reflections on loss. It’s… Read More →

Hit Singles

Introducing…The 172-page Definitive Edition Ultimate Music Guide to The Smiths 

Strange to think about it in these terms now that Johnny Marr is a solo artist and Morrissey is doing his best to please only himself; after the lawsuits and the contractual revelations. Still: the driving principle and greatest strength of The Smiths was always unity – the unique quality they had as a band. Forty years on from the release of their debut album, it’s that which we celebrate with our the 172-page Definitive Edition of our Ultimate Music Guide to The Smiths. As Mike Joyce writes in his introduction to the magazine, the band had a quality which remained mysterious even to those closest to it. “The music we were playing was so different, and it stayed like that throughout the Smiths’ career,” Mike says. “It wasn’t punk or reggae or vaudeville, or something with big anthemic tunes but at the same time it was all of that. The band was never about the four individuals. You could say the same about the Beatles or the Stones: how did it work? Why did it work? It just happened that way, as a unit. What we were creating was so magical and diverse it drew us all in.” Advertisement As… Read More →

Hit Singles

Hear Myriam Gendron’s new track, “Long Way Home”

Myriam Gendron has announced details of her third album. The follow-up to Not So Deep As A Well (2014) and Ma délire –Songs of love, lost & found (2021), Mayday will be released on May 10 via Thrill Jockey & Feeding Tube. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Advertisement In the meantime, Gendron has shared some new music from the album. You can hear “Long Way Home” below: [embedded content] Mayday finds Gendron accompanied by the guitarist Marisa Anderson and drummer Jim White, as well as Montreal bassist Cédric Dind-Lavoie, Bill Nace (Body/Head) and saxophonist Zoh Amba. The tracklisting for Mayday is: Advertisement There Is No East Or West Long Way Home Terres brûlées Dorothy’s Blues La Luz La belle Françoise (pour Sylvie) Lully Lullay Look Down That Lonesome Road Quand j’étais jeune et belle Berceuse Gendron is also touring America this spring: March 22 – Knoxville, TN – Big Ears FestivalApril 2 – Minneapolis, MN – The CedarApril 4 – Rock Island, IL – Rozz ToxApril 5 – Milwaukee, WI – Wilson CenterApril 6 – Chicago, IL – Judson & MooreApril 26 – Williamstown, MA – Clark Art InstituteMay 16 – New York, NY – Le Poisson… Read More →

Hit Singles

Mike Scott and Peter Gabriel pay tribute to Karl Wallinger

Karl Wallinger, the World Party frontman and former member of The Waterboys, has died aged 66. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Described by his publicist as “presciently ahead of his time”, Wallinger was born in Prestatyn, Wales, working in a variety of roles within the music industry – including as the musical director of The Rocky Horror Show – before joining the Waterboys at the end of the sessions for their 1984 album, A Pagan Place. Advertisement He remained a Waterboy for their This Is The Sea album, leaving to form World Party late in 1985. World Party’s first album, Private Revolution, was released in 1987 and included the hit “Ship Of Fools“; the same year, Wallinger also worked on Sinéad O’Connor’s 1987 debut, The Lion And The Cobra. World Party’s fourth album, Egyptology, featured “She’s the One“, which later became a Number One hit for Robbie Williams. Advertisement World Party’s fifth and final studio album, Dumbing Up, was released in 2000; Wallinger suffered a brain aneurysm the following year. Wallinger is survived by his wife Suzie Zamit, son Louis Wallinger, daughter Nancy Zamit and two grandchildren. Mike Scott paid… Read More →

Hit Singles

Deezy Baby 971 Drops Raw and Relatable “It Ain’t Personal”

Deezy Baby 971, the rising star hailing from Guadeloupe, showcases his unfiltered talent and authentic storytelling in his latest release, “It Ain’t Personal.” With a passion for music that ignited at the tender age of 2, Deezy‘s journey into the rap scene has been fueled by his diverse influences, ranging from 2Pac and Biggie to Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. In “It Ain’t Personal,” Deezy delivers hard-hitting verses over a mesmerizing beat, blending his Guadeloupean roots with modern hip-hop vibes. With lyrics that reflect both personal experiences and societal commentary, Deezy’s authenticity shines through as he navigates themes of ambition, loyalty, and resilience. Beyond his musical endeavors, Deezy Baby 971 is also the founder of Black Water Records, an independent label dedicated to empowering artists and fostering creativity. Through his label, Deezy provides a platform for fellow musicians to express themselves freely and retain control over their art. With “It Ain’t Personal,” Deezy Baby 971 continues to make waves in the industry, showcasing his versatility as an artist and his unwavering commitment to his craft. As anticipation builds for his upcoming album, Deezy’s raw talent and heartfelt storytelling promise to captivate audiences worldwide. Stay tuned for more updates from Deezy… Read More →

Hit Singles

Joanna Newsom announces live dates

Joanna Newsom has announced a residency at Hollywood Forever’s Masonic Lodge in Los Angeles. Dubbed ‘the Strings/Keys Reincidence‘, Newsom will play five shows in May. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE The residency includes a matinee show where Newom will “tailor the setlist to be not only suitable for children, but specifically designed with them in mind,” says an accompanying statement. Newsom last performed on March 22, 2024, as the unbilled support for the Fleet Foxes at the Belasco in Los Angeles, where she played an hour-long set. Aside from the Masonic Lodge residency, Newsom is also due to perform at the all-ages Kilby Block Party festival in Salt Lake City on May 10. The dates are: Wednesday, May 15, 2024Thursday, May 16, 2024Friday, May 17, 2024Saturday, May 18, 2024 *Sunday, May 19, 2024 matinee show

Hit Singles

Rizzy Rackz Drops Authentic Vibes with “Loving Me Baby”

From the heart of Richmond, Virginia, emerges Rizzy Rackz, a rising force in the realm of hip-hop. Born and bred amidst the challenges of low-income neighborhoods and high crime rates, Rizzy’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and an unyielding passion for music. Affectionately known as “Rackz” among his peers, Rizzy earned his moniker for his remarkable ability to accumulate wealth without extravagant spending—a testament to his resourcefulness and street-smart acumen. However, it was a harrowing incident involving his toddler daughter that ignited his musical journey. A distressing phone call informing him of her brush with mortality in a Southside Richmond shooting spurred Rizzy to channel his pain, resilience, and determination into his craft. Driven by an unwavering resolve to defy the odds, Rizzy embarked on a quest to craft a sound that resonates with authenticity and substance. His album, Risky Business, stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to authenticity, featuring a blend of soulful melodies, trap-inspired beats, and thought-provoking lyrics that delve deep into his personal experiences and convictions. One standout track, “Loving Me Baby,” captures the essence of Rizzy‘s artistry—a seamless fusion of infectious hooks, smooth delivery, and raw emotion. Despite initial reservations about its simplicity,… Read More →

Hit Singles

Heldon – Electronique Guerilla (reissue, 1974)

His name may not resonate as widely as those of Germany’s kosmische luminaries, but Richard Pinhas is now acknowledged as a significant player on the European electronic-rock scene of the 1970s, through both his solo work and with his band, Heldon. Named after the republic in Norman Spinrad’s bizarre, science fantasy/metafiction work, The Iron Dream, the group have always been essentially a solo project with changing guest lists. Between 1974-79 they released eight albums, before Pinhas was plunged deep into depression in 1983 and all but disappeared for a decade. However, 1992 marked the start of an intensely prolific and ongoing creative streak, featuring many recordings under his own name as well as collaborations with later generations of experimental musicians, including Merzbow, Wolf Eyes, Oren Ambarchi, Stephen O’Malley and Ruins’ Yoshida Tatsuya. Now 72, Pinhas is still recording and playing live; just 18 months ago, Heldon released a new album. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Their debut Electronique Guerilla is the latest in their run of ’70s reissues and marks its 50th anniversary in limited-edition, coloured vinyl form. Originally released on Pinhas’s own Disjuncta label, it serves as a great… Read More →

Hit Singles

Liam Gallagher John Squire – Liam Gallagher John Squire

Imagine the Stone Roses with an immeasurably better singer modelled on Ian Brown, or Oasis with a dazzling lead guitarist. Liam Gallagher and John Squire have, and the resulting album plays to their strengths. Though coming almost out of the blue, it’s the most logical team-up among the remnants of Manchester’s old indie-rock imperium, currently awash with severed alliances searching for completion. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE Liam and Noel were a more extreme version of Morrissey and Marr’s sundering of stellar charisma and musical genius, with Liam’s songwriting vestigial when Oasis split in 2009, and Noel’s vocals reserved for sensitive, doubting songs Our Kid couldn’t sing. Innately cautious, Noel’s albums have nudged at the edges of Oasis’s formula, finding on last year’s Council Skies a sweet spot between middle-aged reflection on his Burnage past and canny Oasis-esque bangers. Liam also hinted at maturity on 2022’s C’mon You Know, but he’s generally been laser-focused on claiming Oasis’s essence and audience for himself, replaying Knebworth, and Definitely Maybe on June’s upcoming 30th-anniversary tour. Advertisement Squire was more evenly partnered with Ian Brown in The Stone Roses, but has also proved dependent… Read More →

Hit Singles

Oren Ambarchi: album by album

Oren Ambarchi’s future path was defined by a serendipitous mix-up in his grandfather’s Sydney junkshop. Taking home what he thought was a copy of Iron Maiden’s Number Of The Beast, the record inside turned out to be Miles Davis’s even more nefarious Live-Evil. “I was really confused,” recalls Ambarchi. “The music was just bizarre. To my ears it sounded completely chaotic and didn’t make any sense. But I stuck with it, and became really obsessed with [Davis’s] music from that point onwards. It opened the door to a lot of things.” Not only did his grandad’s shop inculcate an early love of freaky sounds, it provided the tools for Ambarchi’s first sonic investigations: “I was bringing home effect pedals and reel-to-reel machines, so I started fooling around with that stuff at home.” He spent his teenage years drumming in free-jazz and noise-rock bands, but was always intrigued by the possibilities of pure sound. When a bandmate abandoned an old guitar in their rehearsal studio, he couldn’t resist picking it up, incorporating its buzzes and clangs into his vivid sound collages. “I always loved guitar, I always loved rock music, but I think I came at it from a different route.”… Read More →

Hit Singles

The making of Love’s “She Comes In Colors”

Love’s reputation rests on their dazzling third album, 1967’s Forever Changes. But the journey there involved several different stops. Not least among these is “She Comes In Colors” – a jazzier, flute and harpsichord-peppered Arthur Lee composition from 1966’s Da Capo. The Los Angeles band’s second album – named after a musical term meaning “back to the beginning” – took a pivotal step on the odyssey from their eponymous debut’s garage rock towards an ornate, psychedelic form of rock’n’roll. PINK FLOYD ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – ORDER YOUR COPY HERE “The first album was more minimalist, with everything recorded live,” recalls guitarist Johnny Echols, sipping ginger beer on a tour bus in Leeds, shortly before performing the hallowed catalogue with The Love Band. “But Da Capo was a more grown-up album. We wanted to push the envelope. I’m very proud of ‘She Comes In Colors’, because we’d been known as a garage rock band but suddenly jazz musicians would come up to us and ask, ‘How on earth did you guys come up with that..?’” Advertisement The seeds of this adventure had been sown shortly before the main album sessions, when Love entered Sunset Sound Recorders’… Read More →