Bringing together music bloggers to discuss music highlights from July, August and September
Our assembled cast of music bloggers and broadcasters return after a few months away to share their thoughts on July, August and September 2024 in music.
Joining 5-9 editor, Andrew Belt, to answer the questions are:
Gemma Cockrell is a PR account executive and freelance journalist based in Nottingham. You’re most likely to find her listening to live music in one of Nottingham’s brilliant music venues or speaking about motorsport on her podcast, Down To The Tyre.
Adam Reeve is an editor/writer + other things-er for various places over many years. Currently for Dead Good Music - a music blog that pairs music and oranges together like you wouldn't believe.
Phil Taylor (aka Music Observer) lives in the East Midlands and spends a disproportionate amount of his time listening to music, attending gigs and wearing band T-shirts.
Phil is obsessed with music of all genres, with a leaning towards alt-pop, folk, indie rock and post-punk. He started his blog in 2021 as a way of sharing his feelings about good music; it quickly grew into a fully fledged venture with a focus on new releases as well as live reviews and interviews. He now writes for other publications including LeftLion, The Songbird, CLASH, DIY Neu Bulletin and Music in Leicester.
Matthew McLister is a freelance writer and music fan based in Glasgow with a degree in History (University of Glasgow). Passionate about new guitar music and indie bands, he writes features for Gigwise and HeadStuff Media. During lockdown he launched the Blinded by the Floodlights indie website and has even produced his own podcast. By day, he works in Corporate Communications.
Xenia Evans is the founder of WHAT A TUNE.
She is a former A&R manager, with a background in music PR, editorial, publishing and synch licensing. Xenia is currently part of the team at This Is Music, a management agency which represents some of the biggest names in electronic music.
WHAT A TUNE was started with the ambition of introducing new audiences to the rich world of non-English language music, be it Mexican folk, French hip hop, or Mongolian heavy metal.
5-9: Oasis's return, a new line-up for Linkin Park, English Teacher's Mercury win... what's been the most exciting thing in the music world for you these past few months?
Big news: Oasis's return had everyone talking (photo credit: Simon Emmett)
Gemma: Oasis’s return was probably the most shocking for me - even though I guess it was inevitable eventually! Everyone I know was talking about it and trying to get tickets. That was a moment which was big within the music world, but also just big in general. People I’ve never even had conversations about music with were bringing it up! I think even people who aren’t as interested in music as I am, were excited about it.
Andrew: I have to agree here in terms of the scale of Oasis's return and people I know who don't usually mention music saying they were getting tickets. The clamour for their return has always been there, but seeing it in reality really drove home just how huge the band is, love them or hate them.
That was the biggest moment for me, but more shocking was Linkin Park's return - not only in terms of surprise value, but also the immediate controversy surrounding their new vocalist which, disappointingly, doesn't sit well with some of Chester Bennington's family.
Finally, without the live performances, the Mercury Prize was a rather strange affair, but English Teacher were fully deserving of the accolade - very pleased for them.
Phil: That Mercury win was definitely up there - it felt like a real vindication of the hard work that band have put in, and a win for great music too.
Don't get me started on Oasis...! But one good thing that came out of the ticketing debacle has been the focus on pricing and the struggle to make a decent living at the grassroots. Every little bit of publicity helps. Things need to change - I'm not sure they will any time soon - it's going to be a long haul - but perhaps there are some signs of momentum building (Coldplay's decision to donate 10% of the proceeds of their big shows next year to the Music Venue Trust is a step in the right direction).
Matthew: Oasis's return was massively exciting, well at least at first. The five-hour Ticketmaster queue then difficulties once at the front and being kicked to the back did leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth.
I’d say the return of The Cure is filling me with a lot of excitement at the moment. New albums by Fat Dog, The Smile and a host of others have kept us excited!
Stray Kids's historic moment at Hyde Park was appreciated by Xenia
Xenia: Stray Kids made history as the first male K-pop idol group to headline BST Festival in July, it was a joyous and historical moment, a symbolic snapshot of the reigning worldwide influence of Korean culture.
Adam: For me personally, buying tickets to see Sunflower Thieves in April. It has been a long time coming, and I cannot wait to finally hear their music live. In terms of the music industry, probably seeing all of the marketing and hype surrounding the brat remix album. Seeing all of those billboards with various names pop up in random areas was very cool.
5-9: What were your favourite albums in July, Aug and Sep?
Phil, Gemma, Andrew and Matthew were impressed by Wunderhorse's Midas
Xenia: Dar Disku's self-titled album is dedicated to reviving vintage North African and Middle Eastern music, via the hook-laden sound of Algerian Raï or the grooves of Egyptian disco, and steered by their experience DJing as part of the London electronic scene.
In the same month, rising Norwegian artist Synne Vo released her debut album Kanskje det går te helvete. An overall well-produced pop record balanced between emotive ballads and upbeat singalong tunes.
Phil: July: The Felice Brothers - Valley Of Abandoned Songs. They're one of my favourite US bands making music which is honest, road-weary, yet strangely comforting.
August: I'm not sure what was going on that month, but there were loads of great albums out! I love the energy of Wunderhorse (Midas), the dark, raw catharsis of Mothica (Kissing Death) and - in contrast - the healing beauty of Wrest (Everything's Nothing Forever Again). I also really enjoyed the new ones from Fontaines D.C. and Del Water Gap, while Nottingham's rap sensation Cappo released a stunning, hard-hitting record called S.T.A.R.V.E. which I strongly recommend.
September: My top album of last month without hesitation is the debut by Dolores Forever. It's Nothing is an absolutely stupendous, thrilling record. The other one I have to mention is Same Mistake Twice by The Howl & The Hum, in a new incarnation. Sam Griffiths is a master songwriter and pours so much emotion into every track, with brilliantly poetic lyricism.
Gemma: I’m going to cheat and pick two from August and one from September, rather than one from each month in the question.
August: Midas by Wunderhorse - even more so now I’ve seen the band live. It really makes you realise how special they are.
My second pick for August is YOYOTTA by Molly Payton, which was released on the same day and is equally deserving of a mention.
September: My Method Actor by Nilüfer Yanya. It feels like she’s really come into her own on this one - it’s her best work yet. I can’t wait to see her live in December.
Andrew: Totally agree that Midas is a great rock record, though keeping my choices fully in keeping with my Album of the Month podcast selections: so, King of the Mischievous South Vol. 2 by Denzel Curry for July, Romance by Fontaines D.C. for August and Ness by Hayden Thorpe for September.
Adam: July: Lava La Rue's STARFACE. An eclectic blend of funk, soul and hip-hop that's nearly an hour long, but doesn't feel like it at all. It is weird in parts, but almost revels in being a little strange, and makes sure to bring things back around with a really nice groove or two.
August: Fontaines D.C.'s Romance. I cannot get enough of this album. It's up there with the best albums of the year, and is arguably their best to date. The shift into a nu-metal sound really makes the record flow nicely, and it's still full of the poetry, riffs and hooks that make them so good.
September: I wasn't expecting to enjoy it so much but Blossoms's Gary. The singles hadn't blown me away initially, but they sound so much better under the context of the full album. I really like it. Their throwback sound really works, and it feels like stepping into the '70s, with references to a big gorilla. What's not to like?
Matthew: For September I’ll say Fat Dog’s debut WOOF, August would be Wunderhorse (Midas) and July SOFT PLAY’s latest (HEAVY JELLY).
5-9: What were the best songs in those months?
'Out of this World' by Alexandra Leaving was Adam's favourite track over the past few months (photo credit: Laurie Barraclough)
Adam: Alexandra Leaving released her newest single 'Out Of This World' last month, and it is the song I turn to when I wanna run a little harder. It is loud and full of riffs. I was already a fan after her EP dropped earlier in the year, but this single really confirmed that.
Xenia: Zaho de Sagazan is one of the most-hyped about artists in France right now. She recently released the single 'Ô Travers' - the first single of her upcoming sophomore album. Her knack for a song and melody writing never fails to impressive me. I can't wait to hear her new album.
Sticking with France, Clara Luciani just released the single 'Tout Pour Moi' - the follow-up single to her acclaimed 2021 album Cœur, further leaning into the ABBA aesthetic of a driving melody, heavy on the bright keyboards and driving melodies, but also that added extra French touch of je ne sais quoi.
Gemma: I’m going to do the same thing here and list two from September rather than one from July. I’m not sure if it’s simply because September was such a good month for music, or if I have recency bias… or my memory just isn’t good enough to remember July…
August: 'Thank Goodness' by Hope Tala. I’ve been loving all of the singles she’s been dropping lately and this one is no different. It’s uplifting and upbeat, which was perfect for the summer months.
September: 'I Tried To Act Your Age' by Chrissy Costanza. Her full debut EP was just released and it’s brilliant, but this track is the highlight. I also want to shoutout 'Alma' from Kaeto’s mixtape INTRO, which was also released in September.
Matthew: Amyl and the Sniffers - 'Chewing Gum', The Smile - 'Zero Sum' and Father John Misty - 'Screamland'.
Phil: July: 'Alright, OK!' by Bored Marsh; 'Talk to Me' by Beau
August: 'Lost In Your Orbit' - Wrest; 'Bedroom Floor' - Hana Lili
September: 'Oh, To Be Cool' - Ber; 'Tell Your Friends You Love Them' - Hachiku
Andrew: For July, I'll go with 'Summon' by Joe Goddard and Hayden Thorpe, 'Worms on Tarmac' by SOFT PLAY and 'Summertime Voodoo' by Highly Suspect. August: 'Here's the Thing' by Fontaines D.C., 'Big Life' by Pom Poko and 'Green' by Tycho. September: 'She' by Hayden Thorpe, 'All My Freaks' by Divorce and 'NEVERALIVE.' by ROMderful and SIPHO.
We've now collated the monthly song picks into one, easy-to-find playlist, which also includes picks by 5-9 editor, Andrew Belt, and 5-9 Album of the Month hosts, Karl Blakesley and Kiley Larsen. Listen below:
5-9: What was your most enjoyable recent gig?
Dolores Forever provided Phil with his best gig experience of late
Phil: I caught Dolores Forever at their album launch at Rough Trade East - a short, intimate show but with the full band. It was absolutely brilliant - just purely honest and joyful.
Also, Chalk out of Belfast are doing amazing things, blasting techno/ noise rock. I saw them headlining at Twisterella (a great day overall) and they literally blew me away. So loud, so brash, so beautiful.
Matthew: Despite getting married in September, I still had a health dose of gig-age over the past three months.
LCD Soundsystem at the Barrowlands was genuinely an all-timer for me, while Wunderhorse at the same venue proved why the recent hype is worth it. I also had a great nostalgic night at the Hydro watching Death Cab For Cutie and Postal Service celebrate 20 years of their two most famous albums.
Adam: Jungle at The O2. My other half and I were hesitant to go, but we were so glad we did. They put on a fantastic performance, and their sound translated so well to a live audience. Their high energy, but laid back vibes really came across well, and allowed the crowd to dance as hard or as little as they wanted. I have never seen it where the entire audience is dancing before, and it really brought good vibes to the night.
Xenia: I went to see Hungarian sensation Azahriah the other day, and it was genuinely the best concert I've been to all year. I don't speak a word of Hungarian outside of "my hovercraft is full of eels", which, unsurprisingly, has yet to come in useful, however the artist's charisma and versatility as well as the infectious energy in the room made it a very memorable experience.
Andrew: Not a gig as such, but End of the Road Festival at the end of August. The festival which always delivers and this year was blessed by phenomenal performances from the likes of CMAT, Palehound, English Teacher, The Lemon Twigs and Sprints.
Gemma: I mentioned it earlier in these answers, but Wunderhorse at Rock City. I went with fellow 5-9 contributor Karl and we were both blown away. It was genuinely one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to!
5-9: What's your favourite Halloween tune?
'Zombie' by The Cranberries is good any time of year - though perhaps finds its home during Halloween
Adam: I'd have to say 'Monster Mash', because not many songs can bring dance and potato like that. Honourable mention to 'Burn The Witch' by Queens of the Stone Age too.
Andrew: 'Monster Mash' is an absolute classic! 'Time Warp' kills it too, but for horror-tinged conventional songs, would go with the likes of 'Zombie' by The Cranberries, '(Don't Fear) The Reaper' by Blue Oyster Cult, 'Monster' by The Automatic and 'Psycho Killer' by Talking Heads.
Matthew: Jack White - 'Fear of the Dawn' fits the bill for this, right?
Phil: This may be one of the hardest questions you've ever asked me...! I'm not really a fan of novelty or themed tunes, but I do like dark, spooky sounds. Those vibes come big time from the 'Venom Remix' by Little Simz (from Venom: Let There Be Carnage) and most stuff by clipping. - for ultimate discomfort check out 'Nothing Is Safe', particularly the NPR Tiny Desk 'live' version here.
Gemma: Much like Christmas music, I’m not big on Halloween music either. However, I am seeing Nottingham band Bloodworm on Halloween this year so I’m going to take this moment to recommend them. Their music isn’t particularly Halloweeny but they’re well worth your time!
Xenia: 'Sztoj pa moru' performed by a cappella Polish folk group Laboratorium Pieśni. Their rendition of this traditional song, accompanied only by a shamanic drum, is raw and deeply affecting. It's one of my all-time favourite songs. I listen to it every year and it never fails to take me on a journey.
When work is stressful sometimes locking yourself in the bathroom or sitting on the floor in the mailroom and trying to take deep breaths just doesn't cut it. This song is your sign to follow your primal calling to dance barefoot in the forest and utter a long guttural howl at the full moon. Trust me.
Thanks for taking part in 5-9's Q3 roundtable! Look forward to catching up next month!
To keep up to date with Gemma: @gemcockrell on X.
For Adam: @adamsoundsgood and @deadgoodblog on X.
For Phil: @MusicObserver1 on X and @music_observed on Instagram.
For Matthew: @matthewmclister on X.
For Xenia: @whatatuneblog on Instagram, on Facebook and Spotify.
For a further deep dive into the last few months' music, listen to 5-9's Album of the Month podcasts.
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