Back catalogue: Rock (All)

Review: French-Canadians Margaux Sauve and Louis-Etienne Santais are Ghostly Kisses the internationally acclaimed pop pairing that has got a hardcore following of fans all over the globe. They impressed with their debut album Heaven not that long ago and now return with Darkroom, which focuses on the feelings we all had during the pandemic of loneliness. Both artists set up in separate rooms during the writing process and sent snippets to each other to only finalise when they eventually met up which they think ensured they brought "more depth" to their process.

Review: Quebec City-based singer/songwriter Margaux Suave and collaborator/producer Louis-Etienne Santais earned plenty of praise for their first album as Ghostly Kisses, 2022's Heaven, Wait. It framed the project as a new iteration of dream-pop, with the pair drawing inspiration from melancholic synth-pop, downtempo, hazy indie-pop and lo-fi soul. Sophomore set Darkroom continues in this vein while subtly expanding the pair's sonic horizons. Throughout, they shuffle attractively between string-laden trip-hop ('There Is No More Space'), dreamy two-step pop ('Golden Eyes'), slow-motion, Balearic-tinged synth-pop ('Lonesome Hero'), twinkling deep house-pop ('Calm Down') and orchestrated ambient pop ('Silver Screen').

Review: Norwegian indie talent Girl In Red kicked off her musical journey by sharing her home-recorded tunes as a teenager back in 2017. She has since become renowned for her raw lyrics and for delving into the everyday struggles and intricacies of relationships and has won a legion of fans, not least among them Taylor Swift,who invited her out on tour. Her breakout moment came with the viral sensation 'I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend,' followed by the enchanting 'We Fell in Love in October' in 2018. Fast forward to 2021, she unveiled her debut full-length album and soared up the charts. Now she is back with I'm Doing It Again Baby which comes on limited gatefold red vinyl and is full of more of her guitar-driven melodic indie-pop sounds and singalong hooks.

Review: This collection plunges into Godley & Creme's eccentric post-10cc years, a whirlwind of boundary-pushing pop and inventive production. Tracks like 'An Englishman in New York' burst with surreal humour and layered arrangements, showcasing their knack for storytelling through off-kilter melodies. Meanwhile, 'Snack Attack' plays with genre, blending funk-laden grooves and absurdist charm. These songs aren't just quirky diversions-they're windows into the duo's fearless approach to dismantling pop conventions. Packed with vocal harmonies, synth experiments, and a sprinkle of the absurd, this box set is a reminder of how Godley & Creme rewrote the rules for art-pop.

Review: Conan Gray has spoken openly about the catalyst for Found Heaven - an ill-fated toe-step into the murky world of relationships and, then, love, followed by painful heartbreak. The American singer-songwriter was still processing the fallout when the first promo interviews for this record hit the presses. That he says the trauma was worth it speaks volumes about who he is, and the mindset that feeds into his music. It might also be due to the fact Found Heaven is a glorious beast. A thoughtful curveball thrown by a man whose reputation for melancholia is well-known, this is almost like the musical version of what happens to us all after an intense emotional experience - transformation. So, think power balladry, synth-soaked anthems and a kind of 1980s nostalgic experimentation. It's weird and wonderful.

Review: If you're over the age of 30 it's probably quite alarming to think David Gray's monumental smash hit single 'Babylon' is now almost a quarter century old. A track that appeared everywhere, from TV ads to films to the radio for the next 25 years or so, it's the sort of song that artists can find it incredibly hard to come back from. Career defining, but also limiting, its enormous success melding with the very identity of the person who made it. Dear Life, Gray's 13th studio album and his first since 2021's Skellig, proves how unfair that familiar pattern can be. Deft songwriting and first class musicianship abound, although the record is unlikely to win any new disciples - this is very much Gray doing Gray the right way, a soft rock-pop-jazz-tronica workout that's easy to get along with, and get a little lost in - it's going to be just what the therapist ordered for those already converted.

Review: Margo Guryan's solo album, Take A Picture, originally released in 1968, has attained cult status for its enchanting blend of honeyed vocals and sophisticated songwriting. Known for her influence on soft-pop and dream-pop genres, Guryan's album features the iconic track 'Sunday Morning,' later covered by Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell. This reissue, now available on vinyl, features Guryan's jazz background shining through in her meticulous compositions, which have been praised for their funky sunshine arrangements and lush melodies. As a renowned songwriter, her works have been performed by artists ranging from Astrud Gilberto to Harry Belafonte. Take A Picture stands as a bridge between Burt Bacharach's sophistication and the indie pop stylings of Belle & Sebastian, influencing artists like the Wondermints and even inspiring Diablo Cody during the creation of Juno. Despite critical acclaim, Guryan preferred the role of songwriter over performer, reflecting her dedication to musical craft and independence from the spotlight.

Review: Margo Guryan's Take a Picture is a charming artifact of late '60s pop, blending the orchestral sophistication of Burt Bacharach with the dreamy resonance of early Belle & Sebastian. Guryan, a seasoned songwriter with credits including Ornette Coleman and Harry Belafonte, crafted a singular album that's both a lush time capsule and a showcase of her unique vision. Now released on gold vinyl, the production is richly adorned with horns, strings, and sweet harmonies, creating a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. Tracks like 'Sunday Morning' (later covered by Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell) and 'Sun' radiate a carefree energy, capturing the essence of Sunshine Pop. Ballads like 'Think Of Rain' and 'Thoughts' are very nostalgic, while 'Love' intriguingly veers into Psychedelic Rock. Take a Picture endures as a delightful reminder of its era, offering a glimpse into a bygone musical sensibility with Guryan's endearing, Doo-Wop-inspired vocals at its core.

Review: Numero's comprehensive collection, Words and Music, offers a deep dive into the eclectic catalog of cult singer-songwriter Margo Guryan. Beyond her viral hit 'Why Do I Cry?', Guryan's music showcases a breadth of scope that extends far beyond the Billboard charts. Trained in jazz and inspired by the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, her 1968 debut album Take A Picture exemplifies her ambition and talent, blending bright harmonies, cheeky lyrics, and taut breaks with unusual jazz flourishes. Despite initial obscurity, Guryan's music found renewed appreciation in the 90s and beyond, with tracks like 'I Don't Intend to Spend Christmas Without You' gaining traction. Numero's exhaustive set includes her entire discography, from the Take A Picture LP to vintage demos and unreleased recordings, showcasing Guryan's evolution from her early jazz influences to her later chamber pop experiments. Words and Music is a testament to Guryan's enduring musical legacy and wide-ranging influences.

Review: Margo Guryan, best known for penning hits like 'Sunday Morning,' had a musical vision that extended far beyond the Billboard charts. A jazz student who collaborated with Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry, Guryan found inspiration in the Beach Boys' 'Pet Sounds,' which led her to create the organ-led 'Think of Rain' for her 1968 debut album, 'Take A Picture.' Despite its commercial potential, the album, filled with bright harmonies, cheeky lyrics, and jazz flourishes, failed to break through due to Guryan's disinterest in touring and the label's lack of promotion. Guryan's music was rediscovered in the 90s, with renewed interest sparked by Saint Etienne's cover of 'I Don't Intend to Spend Christmas Without You.' In 2001, she released a set of vintage demos, reconnecting with a new generation of fans. Following her passing in 2021, her track 'Why Do I Cry?' went viral, prompting Numero to compile her entire discography into an exhaustive set. This collection includes 'Take A Picture,' additional tracks from Beatball Records' 2009 edition, the '25 Demos' album and 16 unreleased recordings. Spanning from 1956 to 1975, this compilation showcases Guryan's evolution from her early jazz-influenced tracks to her later ambitious chamber pop, reflecting her wide-reaching musical inclinations and unique wordplay.

Review: Like Someone I Know features reinterpretations of Margo Guryan's timeless songs by a diverse lineup of artists, including TOPS, Clairo, Empress Of, and Margo Price. Guryan, a talented singer-songwriter and pianist, released her only album, Take a Picture, in 1968, which, despite initial obscurity, has become a cornerstone of the sunshine-pop genre. Her compositions reflect a sophisticated understanding of love and uncertainty, showcasing a delicate yet powerful songwriting style. Guryan's artistry gained renewed recognition in recent years, particularly after her haunting track 'Why Do I Cry' went viral on TikTok shortly before her passing in 2021. This tribute album celebrates her influence, allowing modern musicians to explore her work while maintaining the essence of her original sound. Tracks like McDoom's atmospheric take on 'Thoughts' and Frankie Cosmos' playful rendition of 'Take a Picture' highlight Guryan's remarkable craftsmanship and emotional depth. By donating a portion of proceeds to affordable reproductive health services, this compilation not only honours Guryan's legacy but also reaffirms the lasting impact of her music, proving that her work continues to resonate across generations.