iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 26/01/2026

The latest single from Merseyside’s @dreammachinehq.bsky.social sees them take on the wall of sound, with the bittersweet beauty of a 60’s girl group. Frontman, Zak McDonnell, tells us about his essential Phil Spector productions. Read here 👉 nofrillsreviews.com/2026/01/25/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 12/01/2026

Released OTD in 2024: Bruiser Wolf - My Story Got Stories A step forward from one of rap’s most unique voices. Revisit our review👇 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2024/01/23/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 02/01/2026

No.26 in our top albums of 2025 was Let Me Out by hip-hop experimentalists Fatboi Sharif & Driveby. “A disconcerting but utterly compelling album” Read our full review 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/27/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 31/12/2025

No.34 in our albums of the year was the latest from The Walkmen frontman, Hamilton Leithauser. “An enjoyably ragged collection that compliments the untamed charm of one of this century’s great rock voices” Read our full review🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/06/09/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 27/12/2025

One of 2025’s most slept on albums. Our no.3 for the year. Pale Black Negative by Rhys Langston. The genre-abolitionist delivers a boundary-blurring opus that is as accessible as it is inventive. Read our review to find out more: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/03/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 26/12/2025

Benjamin’s Booker’s LOWER was our top album of 2025. Revisit our review to find out why: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/04/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 21/12/2025

No Frills Reviews Top 50 Albums of 2025 Out full top 50 countdown is up on the blog now. Check if your favourites made it and discover some hidden gems along the way. Read Here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/12/21/2...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 20/12/2025

The debut from enigmatic scouse rapper, EsDeeKid (not Timothée Chalamet) features in our top EPs of 2025. Full top 20 here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/12/05/2...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 01/08/2025

A forgotten piece in the jigsaw of rock history, and one of the earliest entries in the metal canon. From the archives, a review of the obscure proto-metal classic, Randy Holden’s Population II. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2023/02/14/m...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 27/07/2025

Starting a new series of bite size daily recommendations. Our first track of the day is a glorious slice of electro-pop hedonism from NYC’s Shallowhalo. Read more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/27/t...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 09/07/2025

Continuing our mid-year review, with a selection of under the radar gems, including Jay Cinema (@jaycinema.bsky.social) & Nobody Jones (@deathbombarc.bsky.social). Here’s our pick of the best albums you haven’t heard of: 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/07/09/2...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 27/06/2025

Glass Beams getting the 6 Music Dad-approved world music slot on the BBC Glastonbury coverage. Called it last year. nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/17/i...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 09/06/2025

Album Review: Hamilton Leithauser - This Side of the Island An enjoyably ragged collection that compliments the untamed charm of one of this century’s great rock voices Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/06/09/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 01/05/2025

Our Tracks of the month for April. 15 must hears, including a lost Springsteen classic, the next big name in British rap, and the bombastic return of WU LYF. More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/05/01/t...

No Frills Reviews Tracks of the Month for April 2025. Featuring:
Abigail Lapell
Billy Nomates
Bruce Springsteen
Grief Club
ialive
Jim Legxacy
Komparrison
Lightheaded
The Moonlandingz
OCENPSIEA
Rhys Langston
Seb Lowe
Stealing Sheep
Wife Patrol
WU LYF

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 29/04/2025

Album Review: Self Esteem - A Complicated Woman “There’s hints of greatnesss as Self Esteem makes her stadium-sized ambitions clear, but it slips into a caricature version of her best work.” Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/29/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 27/04/2025

Album Review: Fatboi Sharif & Driveby - Let Me Out (via @deathbombarc.bsky.social) “The spirit of Sharif’s work lies in expressionism; his use of harsh, hauntingly evocative imagery capturing life’s absurd horrors.” Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/27/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 24/04/2025

EP Review: Westside Gunn - HEELS HAVE EYES Tied to his latest venture as a wrestling promoter, it was only appropriate to look at this through the lens of wrestling. - “This is Ric Flair as the touring NWA champ of the 80’s.” Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/24/e...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 15/04/2025

New Review - A debut of rapid-fire, chaotic punk absurdity from up-and-coming Teeside trio, Perfect Chicken. “like Big Black as fronted by a disgruntled, medieval knight” (this isn’t even hyperbole, there’s actually a song that sounds like that) Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/15/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 09/04/2025

A review of one of 2025’s hidden gems from the rap underground. Coulrophobia by Mach-Hommy collaborator, Big Cheeko. “A soul-infused slow-burner of thoughtful street rap” 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/09/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 05/04/2025

Released OTD 1 yr ago: The Libertines - All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade The excitement of 20 yrs ago may have faded, but The Libertines offer up their most fully realised vision of Albion yet, as it changes before their eyes. Revisit our full review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/05/01/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 04/04/2025

A belated review of my AOTY so far, LOWER by Benjamin Booker. “Contrasting harsh industrial rock and hip-hop with ethereal pop beauty, Booker delivers a experimental masterclass filled with bleakly beautiful songwriting” Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/04/04/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 31/03/2025

Tracks of the Week - our favourites of this this week’s new releases, including: - The Maximum Alt-Country of @labrador-tunes.bsky.social - The vibrant mess of PUNCHBAG - A raw confessional from YG Plus more here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/31/t...

Tracks of the week, including:
The Barker Band
The High & Mighty
Labrador
Little Strange
PUNCHBAG
YG

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 26/03/2025

Album Review: @nahreally.bsky.social - Secret Pankcake The New Jersey-via-Massachusetts rapper follows up one of 2024’s best albums with a low-stakes showcase of what makes him so listenable Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/26/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 25/03/2025

Our latest selection of must hear tracks. Including: - Kae Tempest’s powerful return - Matt Berninger’s most exciting work in years - Tay Jordan transporting 90s West Coast rap to the streets of South East London. More here: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/25/t...

Tracks of the week, featuring:
Billy Nomates
The Null Club
Tay Jordan
Jolie Laide
Brown Horse
Matt Berninger
Kae Tempest
Perennial

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 12/03/2025

Our latest roundup of must-hear tracks includes the continued star-making run of Doechii, the disconcerting experimental Rap of Fatboi Sharif, and a blistering post-punk anthem from Lincoln’s Televised Mind. Check out all the picks👇 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/12/t...

Tracks of the week, with:
BIG SPECIAL
The Bloody Beetroots & Bob Vylan
Doechii
Fatboi Sharif & Driveby
Goat + MC Yallah
Motorbike
Rhys Langston
Televised Mind
Twat Union

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 08/03/2025

Released OTD 1 Year ago: The Rhythm Method - Peachy No. 2 in our top albums of 2024. Revisit our review - “A relatable ode to belatedly coming-of-age in the tradition of great British pop” 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/13/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 04/03/2025

New album review: Sam Fender - People Watching The Geordie star shoots for greatness but falls short by too often forcing the issue 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/03/04/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 25/02/2025

Album Review: The Lumineers - Automatic “the further they get from the stomp-clap catchiness of their biggest hits, it becomes increasingly apparent that they just aren’t a very interesting band.” 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/25/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 19/02/2025

Our pick of must hear tracks this week. Including some Valentine’s Day hating from JPEGMAFIA, a debut of wild-eyed, electro-pop nihilism from PUNCHBAG, and the return of post-hardcore heroes, Mclusky 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/19/t...

Tracks of the week featuring:
Ben Kweller
Fake Dad
fakemink
JPEGMAFIA
Macklemore
Mclusky
PUNCHBAG
Snakes With Tits

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 14/02/2025

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 14/02/2025

Released OTD 1 year ago: Fatboi Sharif & Roper Williams - Something About Shirley Avabr garde hip-hop that’s warped and disturbing, yet utterly magnetic. Revisit our review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/02/19/e...

Artwork for Something About Shirley by Fatboi Sharif & Roper Williams

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 10/02/2025

UK music fans - help shape the future of live music by taking this short survey. The Music Fans’ Voice survey gives you the chance to have your say to inform government and industry decision making in the future. Take the survey here: musicfansvoice.uk

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 10/02/2025

Tracks of the week - our pick of 9 new releases you should be listening to. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/10/t...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 02/02/2025

Tracks of the week: 6 new selections featuring Brother Ali, Infinity Knives, Jesse Welles, KNEECAP, lavender, & Sophie Hunter. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/02/02/t...

No Frills Reviews’ Tracks of the week 02/02/25

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 26/01/2025

A bumper edition of tracks of the week, with 12 picks taking in weirdo-punk to a laid-back underground rap ear-worm. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/26/t...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 19/01/2025

Check out our top 6 tracks of the week, featuring an indie rock banger from Bartees Strange, and a 1975 cult-classic from Ted Lucas. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/19/t...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 19/01/2025

Released OTD 1 year ago: The debut from alt-country six-piece, Brown Horse. Evoking Harvest-era Neil Young on an album of roots rock heartbreakers and foot-stompers. It made no.16 in our top albums of 2024: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/12/12/2...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 18/01/2025

“A wide-screen vision of small-time encounters… everyday mundanity wrapped in the language of epic poetry.” A review of our no. 1 album of 2024, BIG SPECIAL - POSTINDUSTRIAL HOMETOWN BLUES 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/15/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 12/01/2025

New post on the blog with our favourite tracks of the week. Featuring new ones from Bob Vylan, DARKSIDE, & Hamilton Leithauser. Rap picks including @sankofafw.bsky.social + more. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/12/t...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 12/01/2025

Released OTD 1 year ago: Bruiser Wolf - My Story Got Stories Revisit our review - “One of rap’s most unique voices proves he’s far more than a gimmick with an enjoyable album that’s full of contradictions” Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/01/23/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 12/01/2025

With a new album due next month, revisit our review of the debut from The Fall alumni, HOUSE Of ALL. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/03/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 09/01/2025

New Review on the blog: a look at the return of Redman with Muddy Waters Too. A 90’s throwback; for better and for worse Full Review: nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/09/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 06/01/2025

Resolving to finish this review series in 2025. A beginner’s guide to/exploration of cult indie legends, Half Man Half Biscuit. Currently about half way through the discography, can catch up on all the editions so far here: nofrillsreviews.com/2024/01/10/g...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 05/01/2025

“Music made for the sake of an obligatory album/tour cycle.” A review of 2023’s Council Skies by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/02/a...

Album cover: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds - Council Skies

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 03/01/2025

Continuing to sort through our archives. Here’s a review from May 23 of the excellent debut from indie-psych eccentrics @dreammachinehq.bsky.social (who followed it up with an equally strong album in 24) 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/02/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 03/01/2025

More from the archives. A review of James Redmond’s psych-pop gem, Video City II, on @av8records.bsky.social 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/02/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 01/01/2025

In case you missed any of our 2024 year end roundups. You can check them all out below. Our top albums, songs, and EPs. Some of our favourite artists of the year give their picks. Plus, a bit of hating with our most overrated albums. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2025/01/01/2...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 31/12/2024

And to round it off, here’s our least read review of 2024. But, I liked it. My favourite UK rap album of the year, Being Poor Is Expensive by Bashy. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2024/09/26/a...

Bashy - Being Poor is Expensive album cover

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 31/12/2024

From April on what ended up as our no.2 AOTY. Peachy by The Rhythm Method “A relatable ode to belatedly coming-of-age in the tradition of great British pop” 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2024/04/13/a...

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No Frills Reviews @nofrillsreviews.com · 31/12/2024

Another early favourite from February. Trying to do justice to the disturbingly thrilling, Something About Shirley, from Fatboi Sharif & Roper Williams. 🔗 nofrillsreviews.com/2024/02/19/e...

Fatboi Sharif & Roper Williams’ Something About Shirley cover art

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