The idea that a band may have an intrinsic, essential core, a vital ethos that makes them them, is an intriguing one… I am genuinely excited to share that my first ever @thelineofbestfit.com byline is now online! Read all about the awesome Girl Scout here: www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/int...

TBT when I wrote about @charlixcxofficial.bsky.social open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

Why I’ve finally enjoyed a Charli xcx album… open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

Did you know I publish a weekly post with new music, a video and some recommended reading? Here's today's! musicobserved.substack.com/p/no-groundh...

Yana Couto is a Polish musician working with piano and field recordings. She was one of the artists I met at ESNS. I spoke to her about her unique approach to music and the importance of "salt" in life... musicobserved.substack.com/p/yana-couto...

This was a really great album to get immersed in 🎶

I got back on Saturday from 3 days in Groningen at ESNS (aka Eurosonic), one of the most fun, mind-blowing, musical gatherings and a very cool way to start 2026. I discovered loads of new artists - you can read all about it on @clashmusic.com ... www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

A labyrinth of new music, ESNS continues to be the best place to discover fresh talent - Phil Taylor picks out the highlights from this year's trip to Groningen... www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

10 artists, 7 questions... My end of year special is now online! Find out musicians' thoughts on Secret Santa, best gifts ever, plans for 2026, and of course whether it really should be Christmas every day... musicobserved.substack.com/p/christmas-...

My final top 10!! The songs that meant most to me this year … musicobserved.substack.com/p/songs-of-t...

We’ve arrived - the Music Observer end of the year lists are here! Starting today with EPs… 10 top picks and some honourable mentions too… Ready to read now musicobserved.substack.com/p/eps-of-the...

A random Gracie post today open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

Another @diymagazine.bsky.social NEU Bulletin out today! Thrilled to see my Cliffords mini-review heading it up this time :) diymag.com/feature/the-...

Last year I selected 8 artists who I thought should be followed in 2025 — Today I’m revisiting them to see how it worked out… musicobserved.substack.com/p/revisited-...

Live Report: Live At Leeds - In The City 2025 Karl Blakesley goes in search of the next big thing - KEO, Child Of Prague, Last Train (and more!) prove to be highlights... www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

Played Cymru is our in-depth look at the Welsh music scene... This month, Tom Morgan profiles The Family Battenberg, Po Griff, Asidhara, Hollow Blessings, CATTY + Why Horses? www.clashmusic.com/features/pla...

Holly Humberstone: Die Happy open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

Some thoughts on last week‘s @adwaithmusic.bsky.social gig at the legendary 100 Club! open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

Ellur has a brilliant new EP out today!

Yesterday I somehow managed to publish my regular Monday new music post despite a very hard day. Have a read! Coincidentally, all the artists I featured are from Scotland… open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

I write quite a lot outside of my Substack blog. One of my favourites is the @diymagazine.bsky.social Neu Bulletin — short (~100 word) reviews of new music. It’s always a great list. I wrote two for this week’s edition (Chloe Qisha and Cardinals)... diymag.com/feature/the-...

Whether Monday is just beginning or ending for you, check out my new post with lots of new music recommendations… musicobserved.substack.com/p/treat-or-t...

This is what a small and brilliant music festival looks like open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

Live Report: Twisterella Festival All eyes are on the North East this month - what better time to soak up new music in Middlesborough, then? Phil Taylor picks out the key sets - www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

I'm back with more new music stuff - have a read: musicobserved.substack.com/p/this-serve...

It’s that time of year again … Twisterella is a small multi venue festival that punches well above … I’ve written a bit about it here: musicobserved.substack.com/p/twisterell...

Calling independent artists! If you’re looking for some support and feedback on publicising your music without spending a fortune, I think I can help! musicobserved.substack.com/p/how-to-sta...

I caught up with Americana-meets-pop/rock artist Amber Saqladi recently, to find out about her newest music and delve a bit deeper into what makes her tick. She shared some great stories and insights... musicobserved.substack.com/p/letting-go...

One of the best albums of the year is finally out. SPRINTS - All That Is Over. Also, you know when you actually really like your own writing? That’s how I feel about this review! Check it out: musicobserved.substack.com/p/sprints-al...

In town this weekend? If so we'd highly recommend you making a trip to see the 'Relic' exhibition by Kid30 and friends . It's open til Sunday, free to get in and likely to be one of those 'we were there' moments... leftlion.co.uk/features/202...

I’ve got news… My brand new zine is out now! Download below (all free) ⬇️ musicobserved.substack.com/p/music-obse...

Sharing an oldie but goodie today - an @oddbeholder.bsky.social track from 2021 which has left a clear impact on me … 🎶😎 open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

This is how my Monday post turned out this week - check it out for new music and a great video! open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

Some gigs just hit different. Tuesday's performance by Ella Clayton at Dalston Curve Garden in London just made all the clichés valid: magical, wondrous, atmospheric. All that and more. You can read more on the blog (in fact, please do!) musicobserved.substack.com/p/ella-clayt...

"I try to be as truthful as possible!" Sydney Rose is relishing her viral moment - and using it to chart untold depths in her pop gaze. www.clashmusic.com/features/i-t...

Exceptional trip is a great description... still living these memories :-)

Trying to remember to post on Bluesky (part 9)

My little preview of next month’s Gothenburg mega party…

New! Not just one but two gig reports… in one post! What am I doing? Anyway you can read my thoughts on better joy at The Old Blue Last and @bottlemoth.bsky.social at The Grace here: musicobserved.substack.com/p/two-gigs-o...

AISHLTBM: U2’s The Joshua Tree Read my thoughts on it in my latest post — better late than never 😝 musicobserved.substack.com/p/albums-i-s...

It’s a quiet thing… here’s today’s Monday music update featuring better joy, @joeycollins.bsky.social @jackrasmussen.net @somebodyschild.bsky.social and India Arkin musicobserved.substack.com/p/whose-chil...

Hello! What’s up everyone? I’m trying to get more active here (famous last words 😂) so let’s start by recommending an album: Somebody’s Child - When Youth Fades Away. Truly a beautiful, bittersweet listen. You can read along via my @clashmusic.com review: www.clashmusic.com/reviews/some...

Never Looking Back: Victoria Canal Taking a break from her whirlwind schedule, the songwriter talks coping with pressure, tight-knit family bonds + new material... www.clashmusic.com/features/nev...

Genuinely honoured to have spent time with Victoria Canal for this @clashmusic.com interview - What a great person she is! We talked about her, still fresh, debut album, the rigours of touring, and the pleasure and pain of social media www.clashmusic.com/features/nev...

Want to read a Monday new music update on a Tuesday? Now’s your chance to make that maverick move! Blu Syrup / Kayla Grace / Two of the same 🎶 And a video to accompany @japanesebreakfast.bsky.social ’s new album 💿 musicobserved.substack.com/p/the-monday...

I decided to try something a little bit different this week and do an audio essay instead of a written one. All the usual news and recommendations are here in this week's newsletter too www.drownedinsound.org/are-music-sc... Shoutout @modelactriz.com @404media.co @negativewhite.com & more

For St Patrick’s Day, 1 hour of music created by bands from the island of Ireland ☘️ From post punk to alt pop and some old favourites too 🎶🫶 open.spotify.com/playlist/2cp...