Ever wondered what your favourite artists were listening to this year? Well, we were and decided to catch up with the acts we interviewed this year and asked them about their 2022 highlights. Make sure you check out the recommended records and tunes and, if you like, revisit our feature stories with the artists.
"Quartets 3+4" is an ode to the beauty of the string quartet. Placed in a contemporary context, Peter Gregson balances electronics with the traditional richness of the quartet. In doing so, he questions how we perceive and compose classical music in the 21st century. Elana Shapiro sits down with Gregson to discuss the Quartets album project, his experience of composing for film and more broadly, the past few years of his career.
On her debut album "Mouthful Of Glass" the Chicago-based multi-talent gives deep insights into her process of self-reflection putting the colorful world of her mind into sound. Taking over our "For Folk's Sake" series for the first time, NBHAP author Lilly Timme called up Macie Stewart to talk about her journey through almost every musical genre, and how leaving genre boundaries and expectations behind led her to new inspiration.
The Londoner five-piece Ezra Collective released their exuberant new record "Where I'm Meant To Be" via Partisan Records in November. It follows their debut record "You Can't Steal My Joy". We caught up with the band's drummer Femi Koleoso to talk about the role that joy plays in his life, the Londoner music community, and the similarities between jazz and boxing.
The London-based singer-songwriter Sophie Jamieson has finally delivered her long-awaited debut LP, which channels the overbearing battles between dark spirits and hope for the light. Explore the captivating delirium of "Choosing" along with an update of our weekly newcomer selection.
Emotions run deep in Son Little's music. The Philadelphia-born singer and songwriter, Aaron Livingston, recently released the bluesy, retro-soul-inspired Like Neptune. His new record emerged out of an intense and difficult time. We caught the artist in an extended Zoom interview to talk about personal growth, change, and reclaimed vulnerability.
TW: sexual abuse
It is not hard to imagine French indie pop darlings Phoenix sitting in a room together. Ideas bubbling. Song sketches effortlessly turning into a bigger picture and the four longtime friends and (soul) brothers spending hours getting lost in the joy of playing music together. All while their music is doing the talking and a subconscious understanding kicks in. With their seventh album to date, Phoenix have returned with a refined and charming sound on "Alpha Zulu". A conversation about the value and stimulating effect of art, the privilege of recording inside a museum and the most rewarding moments of making music together after over two decades.
With a hunger for creative adventure this new band steps out of all the white noise of young groups that are emerging in the digital age. On their debut EP “Reality Cravings” the group faces the rough reality of our times with subtle musical beauty and we think you should discover it immediately.