Hit Singles

Hit Singles

Introducing the new issue of Uncut

THERE have been many twists in the long-running saga of Pink Floyd, but few could have predicted the events of May 20, 2018. On stage in Camden’s Dingwalls, Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets opened a surprising new chapter in the band’s story, reviving the three-minute pop fantasias and cosmic-progressive freakouts of the Floyd’s foundational years before The Dark Side Of The Moon. In our cover story, Mason looks back on the creation of this magnificent, irregular music, while along with his co-conspirators in the Saucers, he explains how – and why – they’ve brought it back to life. “The best Pink Floyd gigs were voyages of discovery, accompanied by a sense of mystery and adventure,” Mason tells Uncut. “I was excited about playing music with a sense of freedom, music that involved improvisation. That’s what Saucerful Of Secrets is all about.” HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME There’s plenty about creativity, and what fuels it, in the rest of the magazine – whether it be the open-hearted songwriting of Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker, the harmonic brilliance of The Beach Boys or the careworn poetry of Townes Van Zandt. In a typically wideranging issue, we head off in further… Read More →

Hit Singles

Send us your questions for Vini Reilly

Vini Reilly has fans in high places. When God appeared to Tony Wilson in the film 24 Hour Party People, it was to suggest that he release a Durutti Column greatest hits. As the Lord Almighty correctly observed, “It’s good music to chill out to.” The Durutti Column were the first band signed to Factory Records in 1978, although they soon became a de facto Vini Reilly solo project (with staunch assistance down the years from drummer Bruce Mitchell and others). The group’s music – quiet, pensive, beautiful – was in stark contrast to the punk scene Reilly came up in as guitarist for Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds. His delicate playing incorporated scales and techniques from classical and flamenco traditions rarely heard in rock. Occasionally The Durutti Column’s music has drifted towards the zeitgeist, as on 1989’s quasi-Balearic Vini Reilly album, soon to be reissued as a five-disc box set. Advertisement The year before, he played a key role on Morrissey’s debut Viva Hate. But mostly Reilly has preferred to do his own thing, maintaining a rare purity of vision. So, what do you want to ask a singular British guitar genius? Send your questions to audiencewith@uncut.co.uk by Wednesday… Read More →

Hit Singles

Introducing the Ultimate Genre Guide: Singer-Songwriter

My first meeting with a giant in the field of singer-songwriting wasn’t in an LA canyon, but somewhere on a hill outside San Francisco. Tasked 25 years ago with interviewing Neil Young for NME, myself and a photographer took a long taxi ride outside the city and up to what was then apparently one of Neil’s incognito hangs – a homey restaurant within a wooded area called the Mountain House. As we pulled up and stepped out of the taxi in our unCalifornian black clothing, we were greeted by a genial voice: “Great,” it announced, wryly. “The English are here!” This, of course, was Elliott Roberts, then 30 years into a role which he occupied for over half a century, quietly influencing the careers of the most single-minded and ungovernable artists in music history: Neil Young of course, but also Crosby, Stills and Nash, and our cover star, Joni Mitchell. These artists, their contemporaries, kindred spirits and fellow travellers like James Taylor, Carole King, Judee Sill and Jackson Browne are at the heart of this publication. They are also what we think of when we talk about the art of the singer-songwriter: the song as an investigation of the self,… Read More →

Hit Singles

Aziza Brahim – Mawja

Aziza Brahim’s homeland of Western Sahara is listed by the UN as the last remaining colony in Africa. Under Spanish control until 1976, the territory was then annexed by Morocco and has been under occupation ever since. Denied self-determination, many of its people, the Sahrawi, were forced into exile in refugee camps in the Algerian desert. Those camps are where Brahim was born, her mother having fled the family’s ancestral home following Morocco’s military invasion. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME Growing up, Brahim recalls singing as the principal form of entertainment, and she was soon setting to music the verse of her grandmother, Lkhadra Mint Mabruk, a celebrated Sahrawi writer, revolutionary and feminist hero known as “the poet of the rifle”. Advertisement In her teens Brahim was educated in Cuba before returning to the desert in 1995, where she joined the National Sahrawi Music Group. She then chose Spain as a suitable base from which to raise the plight of her oppressed people via her music. After releasing her debut album in 2012 – which included settings of her grandmother’s poems – she was signed by… Read More →

Hit Singles

How To Buy Jerry Garcia And Friends

TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME With the reissue of Jerry Garcia and David Grisman’s So What, a meandering and lovely acoustic jazz set from 1998, Jon Dale singles out other collaborative highlights from the Grateful Dead frontman’s extra-curricular career… Advertisement JERRY GARCIA & DAVID GRISMAN So What (reissue, 1998) ORG MUSIC Advertisement 7/10 A curious album, this one. Garcia and Grisman were long-time collaborators, having met in the late ’60s, which led to Grisman appearing on the Grateful Dead’s 1970 album American Beauty; they’d soon play together in bluegrass band Old & In The Way, and later, in the ’90s, they released a string of collaborative albums, including an album of children’s music (Not For Kids Only). There were many strings to their collective bow, then, and while their focus did tend to be on bluegrass and folk – Grisman combined these genres with jazz into a form he called Dawg Music – So What feels like a bit of an outlier, given its focus on acoustic jazz. They take on a few Miles Davis tunes here, flexing from a spirited “So What” to a tender… Read More →

Hit Singles

Hear Paul Weller’s new single, “Soul Wondering”

Paul Weller has released a taster for his new studio album. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME You can hear “Soul Wondering”, the first single taken from 66, below. Advertisement [embedded content] 66 is released on May 24 on Polydor Records. The album will be available on all major streaming platforms, CD and vinyl. It’s been produced by Weller and recorded at his Black Barn studio over the course of three years with a host of guest musicians including Suggs (“Ship Of Fools”), Noel Gallagher (“Jumble Queen”) and Bobby Gillespie (“Soul Wondering”). 66 also sees the co-writing return of Erland Cooper and duo White Label, and string arrangements from Hannah Peel. Additionally, there are two collaborations with French producer and recording artist Christophe Vaillant (Le Superhomard) while Brooklyn trio Say She She add vocals to “In Full Flight”. Other collaborators include Dr Robert, Richard Hawley, Steve Brooks and Max Beesley. The tracklisting for 66 is: Advertisement Ship of Fools Flying Fish Jumble Queen Nothing My Best Friend’s Coat * Rise Up Singing I Woke Up A Glimpse of You * Sleepy Hollow In Full Flight ** Soul… Read More →

Hit Singles

U of Soul Embraces Identity and Resilience in Latest Release “The Outsider”

San Francisco-based band U of Soul delivers a powerful message of self-discovery and perseverance with their newest single, “The Outsider.” Through classic vocals and a melodic, catchy chorus, “The Outsider” serves as more than just a song; it’s a poignant lesson in life. With lyrics urging listeners to remain strong and keep moving forward, U of Soul captures the essence of resilience amidst life’s challenges. The track explores themes of identity and belonging, portraying the journey of an individual navigating the complexities of existence. While the lead vocals narrate the tale of a solitary figure, the instrumental track sets a mood that is simultaneously hopeful and uplifting. “The Outsider” is a testament to U of Soul‘s musical prowess and their ability to craft authentic, soul-stirring performances. The band’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the song, from the tight, solid arrangement to the soulful lead vocals that channel deep emotions reminiscent of blues and jazz roots. Incorporating traditional band instruments like drums, bass, piano, and percussion, U of Soul infuses the song with rich layers of sound. Strings, Hammond B3 organ, guitar, synthesizers, and background vocals add depth and texture, creating a dynamic listening experience. Throughout… Read More →

Hit Singles

I’m New Here – Conchúr White

The term ‘dreampop’ is often used in these pages, but it seems to apply to Conchúr White’s work in a slightly different way to that of his ethereally inclined contemporaries. In the songs of his debut album Swirling Violets, dreams – surreal visions and imaginings of the afterlife – form a recurring theme, framed within beautifully soft-sung acoustic vignettes and chamber pop confections. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME “I got friends who died a thousand different times, strewn across the sky,” run the first words of opening track “The Holy Death”, luring us into a world of “surreal settings with tangible messages”, as he has previously put it. Northern Irishman White (his first name is pronounced “Conor”) has seen his profile grow over the past couple of years thanks to slots opening for the likes of John Grant, John Cale and The Magnetic Fields. Meanwhile, last year’s “Atonia” single, inspired by studies of sleep paralysis, proved an enticing precursor to Swirling Violets. Advertisement “I’ve long had an interest in filmmakers like David Lynch and stuff like Carl Jung’s The Red Book,” says White. “I spent a… Read More →

Hit Singles

Illie Vega’s Debut Single “Straight to It”: A Raw Narrative of Urban Realities

In the heart of New York City’s concrete jungle, Illie Vega emerges as a voice unapologetically rooted in the streets, delivering a gritty narrative through his debut single, “Straight to It.” Far from the glossy façade of mainstream hip-hop, Illie’s raw and unfiltered portrayal of urban realities offers listeners a compelling glimpse into his world. “Straight to It” isn’t just a song; it’s a sonic journey through the alleys and avenues of Illie’s hometown. With beats that pulsate like the rhythm of the city and lyrics that cut through the noise, Illie paints a vivid picture of life in the urban sprawl, where survival is a daily battle and resilience is a badge of honor. Drawing inspiration from the raw energy of his surroundings, Illie Vega’s music is a reflection of the struggles and triumphs of his community. Influenced by the likes of Central Cee, A Boogie, Russ, Gunna, Nas, Lil Wayne, and 50 Cent, Illie channels the storytelling prowess and wordplay mastery of his predecessors, infusing his own unique perspective into the mix. In “Straight to It,” Illie Vega confronts the harsh realities of street life with unflinching honesty, offering a voice to those who are often overlooked and… Read More →

Hit Singles

Four Beatles biopics to be directed by Sam Mendes

Separate biopics of each of the four Beatles will be the directed by Sam Mendes. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME According to Mendes’ creative vision, the four feature films – one from each band member’s point-of-view – will intersect to tell the Fabs’ story. “I’m honoured to be telling the story of the greatest rock band of all time, and excited to challenge the notion of what constitutes a trip to the movies,” said Mendes. This is the first time Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the families of John Lennon and George Harrison – have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film. According to a statement, ‘the dating cadence of the films, the details of which will be shared closer to release, will be innovative and groundbreaking.’

Hit Singles

When Pirates Ruled The Waves

A misty November morning in 1964. Radio Caroline’s 21-year-old breakfast DJ Tony Blackburn awoke early in his cabin and wandered up on deck. The sight that greeted him was like a scene from Powell & Pressburger’s The Battle Of The River Plate. The thick sea mist slowly cleared, revealing a huge ship – twice the size of Caroline’s – anchored a fair distance away. Three-and-a-half miles off the coast of Essex, Caroline suddenly had company. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME The new arrival was the MV Galaxy, a 780-ton former WWII minesweeper. Now it was to be the home of Radio London (‘Big L’), an American-financed station that would give Caroline – the original UK pirate, launched seven months before – a serious run for its money. Radio London would play an all-day diet of the best ’60s pop (Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks) as well as helping to ‘break’ many important bands of that decade, notably The Byrds, The Animals, The Small Faces, The Move and Cream. The Perfumed Garden, a show hosted by John Peel from March to August 1967, would earn a dedicated late-night… Read More →

Hit Singles

17-track Brian Eno compilation to accompany new doc

Gary Hustwit’s experimental “never the same twice” documentary about Brian Eno will get its UK premiere at London’s Barbican on April 20. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME The day before that, UMR will released an accompanying soundtrack album, featuring 17 Brian Eno tracks culled from throughout his career, including three previously unreleased recordings. Hear one of those, “Lighthouse #429”, below: You can pre-order the album on double black vinyl, double pink and blue vinyl or CD here. If you place an order by 4PM GMT on Wednesday (February 21), you will receive exclusive access to the ticket pre-sale for the Eno film premiere at the Barbican on April 20, including a live discussion with Brian Eno, Gary Hustwit and the film’s creative technologist Brendan Dawes. Watch a trailer for Eno below:

Hit Singles

Power Unleashes Fiery Energy with “Wasabi” – A Vibrant Ode to Passion

In the bustling realm of contemporary hip-hop, Power emerges as a dynamic force, infusing his latest release, “Wasabi,” with an electrifying energy that pulses through every beat. Hailing from the bustling streets of Los Angeles, Power’s music resonates with a raw authenticity that speaks to the soul. “Wasabi” isn’t just a song; it’s a vibrant ode to passion and desire. With lyrics that sizzle with intensity and a beat that pulses with infectious energy, Power invites listeners to immerse themselves in a world of fiery romance and unbridled emotion. In the accompanying music video, Power takes viewers on a visual journey that mirrors the song’s explosive energy. From sleek sports cars to neon-lit cityscapes, each frame bursts with color and life, capturing the essence of a love that burns bright and unyielding. As an artist deeply rooted in the hip-hop tradition, Power draws inspiration from a diverse range of influences, blending elements of rap, R&B, and pop to create a sound that is uniquely his own. With “Wasabi,” he showcases his versatility as a songwriter and performer, effortlessly weaving together catchy hooks and memorable verses that linger long after the music fades. But “Wasabi” isn’t just about the music; it’s… Read More →

Hit Singles

Grandaddy – Blu Wav

The great gift of Grandaddy records has always been their ability to immerse the listener in a distinct musical landscape. The small-city drift of Under The Western Freeway, the humidity of 2000’s The Sophtware Slump. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME The band’s sixth studio album belongs to somewhere new again: in part rooted in Modesto, the California city where songwriter Jason Lytle was raised, and to where he returned in 2016, setting up a home studio. It belongs, too, to neighbouring Nevada, where in recent years Lytle has liked to take long desert drives. And in some way it is a record of Tennessee – on one of his roadtrips, Lytle having heard Patti Page’s 1950 recording “Tennessee Waltz” spilling out of the car radio, and wondering whether maybe heartbreak didn’t sound something like pedal steel. Advertisement Various heartbreaks run through Blu Wav. Not least the loss of long-term Grandaddy member Kevin Garcia, who died suddenly of a stroke in 2017. Garcia’s passing was the latest downswing in the life of a band that had often been unsettled, and was sometimes barely a band at all…. Read More →

Hit Singles

Brittany Howard – What Now

Following the release of their second album, Sound & Color, Alabama Shakes were slated to scale even greater heights than a US Number One album and four Grammy Awards. However, Brittany Howard had reached a crossroads. Her decision to step away in 2018 wasn’t a move against the band – “incredible” is how she described the Shakes’ achievements to Uncut – but rather towards creative and personal fulfilment. The wisdom of that move was borne out by Jaime, her 2019 solo debut, which landed as a tour de force of funk, jazzy R&B, soul and blues-edged rock, corralled into songs about everything from racism to a childhood crush on an older girl. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME If that stylistic departure both surprised and impressed, Howard has trumped it with the follow-up, a Jaime 2.0 likely to secure her status as an auteur in terms of both conception and execution. It’s a bigger, freer-thinking and more dynamically audacious record; one which uses lessons learned from her debut – chiefly, to forget any fear and trust herself – while uniting her disparate musical loves and, with long-term… Read More →

Hit Singles

Pearl Jam: “10 million records, that’s such a crazy number”

With news that Pearl Jam are releasing Dark Matter, their 12th studio album, on April 19, we dip back into the Uncut archives for this Album By Album feature from Take 109, from June 2006. Pearl Jam are, along with Mudhoney, grunge’s great survivors. Guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament were in the Seattle genre’s first band, Green River, then Mother Love Bone, whose singer Andy Wood, in what would become a Seattle disease, fatally overdosed on heroin on the verge of success. But when charismatic, beautiful, tortured singer Eddie Vedder joined the pair in 1990, alongside co-guitarist Mike McCready and a succession of drummers (Soundgarden’s Matt Cameron took the seat with 2000’s Binaural), Pearl Jam swiftly became America’s biggest rock band. Sometimes sneered at in the UK for perceived self-pity, in the US Vedder’s sympathetic lyrics of teen sufferation made him a generational figurehead second only to Kurt Cobain. Later refusal to release singles, videos or even tour for a time shed millions of fans. But their albums have actually improved, seeing them bloom into a classic, morally concerned, spiritually questing American band. When Uncut visits them at their Seattle office, founders Gossard and Ament pair up, then… Read More →

Hit Singles

The Making Of “Bra” by Cymande

A key scene in new documentary Getting It Back: The Story Of Cymande shows how DJ Jazzy Jay used to cut between two turntables to extend the exuberant breakdown of “Bra”, sending a Bronx block party into raptures. It’s no surprise that the track became a foundation stone of hip-hop, sampled by Sugarhill Gang, Gang Starr and De La Soul, as well as on Raze’s early house hit “Jack The Groove”. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME [embedded content] Advertisement So who were the impossibly funky crew behind it? Surely they were from Harlem or New Orleans? Or maybe Kingston or Lagos? Nope. “Bra”’s co-writers Patrick Patterson and Steve Scipio grew up on the same street in Balham, south London, after their families emigrated to the UK from Guyana when they were kids. Coming of age in the late ’60s, they envisioned a band that would capture the spirit of the times – black pride, peace and love – while celebrating their Caribbean heritage. Their name came from a popular calypso about “a dove and pigeon fighting over a piece of pepper” – Cymande was the dove… Read More →

Hit Singles

Neil Young & Crazy Horse announce album and tour dates

The tour and FU##IN’ UP are both due in April Neil Young & Crazy Horse are back on tour in April and May this year, with an album called FU##IN’ UP due as well. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME Advertisement The 16-date Love Earth tour begins in San Diego. The line-up features Young, Ralph Molina and Billy Talbot with presumably Micah Nelson once again deputising for Nils Lofren, who’ll be fulfilling his E Street Band duties with Bruce Springsteen at that time. Wednesday, April 24 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air TheatreThursday, April 25 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air TheatreSaturday, April 27 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort AmphitheatreWednesday, May 01 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance AmphitheaterThursday, May 02 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis PavilionSunday, May 05 – Huntsville, AL – Orion AmphitheaterTuesday, May 07 – Atlanta, GA – Ameris Bank AmphitheatreWednesday, May 08 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank AmphitheaterSaturday, May 11 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube LiveSunday, May 12 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage PavilionTuesday, May 14 – Queens, NY –… Read More →

Hit Singles

Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets annouce new tour dates

Set the controls! Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets will head out on a new UK tour later this year, including a show at London’s Royal Albert Hall. TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME Advertisement This is the Saucers first UK tour since their May 2022 Echoes Tour. Since then, they have since played extensively through America and Europe. Their stop-off at the Royal Albert Hall is significant: The Pink Floyd first played there on December 12, 1966, as part of an Oxfam benefit evening. They subsequently returned to the venue in 1967, 1969 and 1970. Meanwhile, Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets made their Royal Albert Hall debut in 2022. Says Mason, “Six years ago when I got behind the drums again and we started playing the early Pink Floyd material, it was a real pleasure on so many levels. Many of the tracks had never actually been played live, so to have performed them all over the world has been something we’ve all enjoyed immensely. To get the opportunity to come back to the UK for another tour is something the band and I had been hoping we would be… Read More →

Hit Singles

Inside this month’s free Uncut CD

Julia Holter, Phosphorescent, The Jesus And Mary Chain and more appear on our Real Live Wire compilation All copies of the March 2024 issue of Uncut come with a free, 15-track CD – Real Live Wire – that showcases the wealth of great new music on offer this month, from The Jesus And Mary Chain, Julia Holter and Phosphorescent to Rosali, Sam Lee and Dean McPhee. Now dive in… TALKING HEADS ARE ON THE COVER OF THE NEW UNCUT – HAVE A COPY SENT STRAIGHT TO YOUR HOME Advertisement 1 ROSALIRewindOn her fourth album, Bite Down, Rosali Middleman has created one of the first great LPs of 2024, a wildly inventive breakup record. Head to page 54, where we catch up with the singer-songwriter in her new home of North Carolina. 2 SHEER MAGMoonstruckAfter years on their own label, the Philly gang have signed to Third Man for their new album, Playing Favorites. As our lead review reveals, on page 22, it’s an eclectic, bounding journey of a record, with Tina Halladay in fine voice over the group’s garagey amalgamations of punk, country and disco. 3 THE HANGING STARSDisbelievingStraight from Edwyn Collins’ studio in the Highlands comes the latest from this London country group,… Read More →

Hit Singles

The Steel Crows: Reshaping Classic Rock with a Modern Edge

Orlando, Florida, has birthed a new force in the rock scene, and they go by the name of The Steel Crows. A band that thrives on infusing classic rock with a contemporary twist, The Steel Crows are set to unleash their debut album, aptly titled The Steel Crows, on January 12th. This eight-track masterpiece not only pays homage to the timeless sounds of the 1970s and 1980s but also positions the band as pioneers of a new wave of rock enthusiasts. The journey of The Steel Crows began in Naples, Florida, where lead vocalist and guitarist Henry Minor kindled his passion for classic rock. At the tender age of 16, he took the initiative to form a band, and the flame kept burning brighter. However, it wasn’t until the band’s relocation to Orlando in August 2022 that things truly began to take flight. From the humble beginnings of local dive bars to their first out-of-state show, The Steel Crows have rapidly cultivated a following of over 22,000 fans across various platforms. Drawing inspiration from rock legends such as Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and Guns N’ Roses, The Steel Crows have crafted a sound that pulsates with driving rhythms and captivating… Read More →