Reviews of Habibi Funk 031, Kayatibu, and The Good Ones
Latest editorial
Mad about the personal and political
Bob Oram talks to singer-songwriter MADDY CARTY about her great new single
SIMON DUFF relishes the cross contamination of Damien Hirst’s greatest hits by street artists from France and the US
In view of the grooming gangs inquiry, SIMON PARSONS feels the relevance of this powerful examination of trauma suffered at Medomsley Youth Detention Centre
JOHN GREEN doubts the motivations of a US war photographer who never questions why, or for whom, she is producing images of imperialist conflict
MARIA DUARTE reviews Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, Hedda, The Mastermind, and Regretting You
TONY CONWAY welcomes a thrilling and concise history of Hope not Hate, that is also a manual full of tactical advice
PAUL DONOVAN welcomes an inspiring account of living with deafness that has important lessons for the treatment of deaf people in today’s UK
SUPERB singer-songwriters are a rare breed, especially those whose work effortlessly combines the personal with the political. Maddy Carty is one such, whether as a writer for other performers and labels or as an artist in her own right.
Her new single Make Me Mad is a slice of soulful pop brilliance. With a stripped-down but pulsing beat, powerful melodies and smooth, totally engaging vocals, she twists the narrative of turmoil in any relationship by celebrating the point between despair and overwhelming love with an intense sincerity.
The way she sings and emphasises “you” is the catchiest hook of the year in a song that everyone can empathise with at some point in their life.
Similar stories
With most of recorded history dominated by the voices of men, LYNNE WALSH encourages sisters to read the memoirs of women – and to write their own too
LEIGH CARRIAGE remembers Roberta Flack, a spellbinding virtuoso of musical interpretation
The Star's critic MARIA DUARTE recommends an impressive impersonation of Bob Dylan
CHRIS SEARLE speaks with US trumpeter NATE WOOLEY