Idlewild's Roddy Woomble reviews the biggest new music

New music reviews Idlewild Roddy Woomble Radiohead Spectre Kanye Sia

Photo: Press

If there's one word that Gigwise would use to describe Idlewild, it would be 'survivors'. For nearly two decades, they've outlived countless trends, fads and shifts in scene, staying so ultimately true to their essence. They're still standing today - releasing one of 2015's finest albums with Everything Ever Written.

So who better to be an authority on the biggest and best new music releases? We know, so we asked frontman Roddy Woomble to wrap his ears around the new tracks released this week and over the Christmas break - featuring the likes of Radiohead, Sia, Kanye West, Savages, LCD Soundsystem, Aphex Twin, DJ Shadow, Blossoms and many, many more.

Check out his verdict below.

The band are gearing up to release the live album, Idlewild Live In 2015 - released on 19 February. Pre-order the album here.

DJ Shadow - 'Swerve'
"If you knew how to work computers, I’m sure you could have a lot of fun making this sort of stuff up. It’s not much fun to listen to though. In equal parts clever / pointless."

Radiohead - 'Spectre'
"I have seen them live twice - once opening for Kingmaker in 1992 and once at Earl’s Court in 2007. I don’t own any of their records, but I like them. I feel the same way about Radiohead as I do about oysters. I would never order them in a restaurant, but I know they are good for me. They are best eaten very fresh, with a squeeze of lemon."

Kanye West - 'Facts'
"I don’t like this. There’s something very unappealing about him, and his personality comes though in his words and delivery. He is certainly full of sincerity when talking about his trainers and all his money. What a weirdo. Compared to Chuck D or GZA, he sounds like a clown, albeit a clown that can talk very fast."

LCD soundsytem - 'Christmas Will Break Your Heart'
"I like Christmas time and Christmas songs belong in a hopeful realm, where the fire is crackling, the mulled wine tastes good, and the family are all getting along together. I get that he’s trying to subvert the genre and fill it with a bit of sadness and melancholy, but you have to ask yourself, what is the point?"

Aphex Twin - 'T17 Phase Out'
"My favourite thing so far. I have several Apex Twin records - I don’t put them on much but he’s a dependably good and interesting artist. I would enjoy listening to this driving around the highlands in the rain."

Hudson Mowhawke - 'Escape'
"This sounds like it would be a lot of fun to listen to in a club if you’re drunk and having a good time with a group of friends. But I’m alone, sitting at a computer listening as I type this and i’m not having fun currently. I like his name though."

Shark Dentist - 'Stranger'
"My first thought is that this sounds like Ride or something released in 1991. But I was an indie fan in 1991, so instantly it appeals to me in a nostalgic way. I wonder if Shark Dentist still have better songs to write, though."

Blossoms - 'At Most A Kiss'
"I have a feeling that this is not music made for me (a 39-year-old man) and more for younger folk. It’s got a good tune and all and sounds accomplished for a new band. I
like Neil Young & Crazy Horse. This doesn’t sound like that."

Sea Pinks - 'Yr Horoscope'
"I enjoyed it when it was on - this time I was getting nostalgia for late 80’s indie. They are inspired by ‘Sea Glass And Bleached Grass’ and that make me like them."

Sunflower Bean - 'Easier Said'
"This is getting me nostalgic for 90’s and 80’s indie combined. It’s got a sweetness in the vocals and guitar line that draws me into it. I like it when lyricists use everyday
phrases as hooklines in the chorus - “easier said than done" is the example here. Good work, Sunflower Bean."

The Coral - 'Chasing The Tail Of A Dream'
"Liverpudlian dudes always know how to sing and I like the vocals straight away. I’ve seen them a bunch of times over the years on various festival bills we’ve shared and they have always been an excellent live band. I’m not sure this is their best tune, but the production is good, and I like the guitar solo."

Sia - 'Reaper' (Feat Kanye West)
"I grew up listening to punk rock. Nirvana released Nevermind when I was 14. I like vocalists and bands who have more of a disdain for perfection. That’s not to say this Sia tune is bad - I’m sure it will be massively popular, soundtracking the shopping malls of the world. An empty experience for me though."

Savages - 'Adore'
"This is pretty good, I’ve read a lot about them, but never listened. I thought they were a punk band to be honest, maybe this is the ballad. They have a good, striking look. I can imagine people getting really into them, they’ve got a good visual and musical identity and they seem smart. It’s a shame that is a rare thing in new bands."