About Sound

A lot can happen in a decade. 10 years ago, to most people, Donald Trump was that billionaire guy from America who made a cameo appearance in Home Alone 2, Brexit was but a twinkle in Nigel Farage’s myopic brain and Rusty Shackle, from Caldicot, were a bunch of mates… Read more

Some artists are everywhere, a seemingly perpetual presence at every turn on social media. And that’s fine, it’s a dog eat dog world out there, everyone clambering over everyone else for hits ‘n’ views and the attention of an audience being increasingly swayed away by streaming services, podcasts and taking… Read more

Of the current crop of young guitar bands making their way in South Wales at the moment, The Rotanas are certainly in the upper echelon, particularly when it comes to creating rousing, swaggering tunes with ear wormy choruses. New single “Scores on the Doors” exhibit A. Their first single of… Read more

I’ll be honest, when this one came through, I was a little tentative and now I’ve listened to this five track ep a few times…I’m more than a little tentative. What do I know about piano jazz? The answer to that question could be written on half a leaf of… Read more

From Bubblewrap Collective comes “Babanod” by Cardiff’s favourite psyche duo HMS Morris, with this specially made for Welsh Language Music Day release, which in case you didn’t know is TODAY (that’s 7 February). Due to my inability to speak any Welsh (I know, I know), I’m not in a position to… Read more

After the release of the phenomenally good “Edge In Wordways” in 2018, Mike Dennis returns with this brilliant ep. As always with his releases, “Three Trees pt.1” is a multifaceted composition that offers deep insight into the psyche of the looping, violin playing rapper. Mike Dennis is a unique talent… Read more

Barry, for better or worse, is synonymous with probably two things. Firstly, the pleasure beach/holiday destination in a state of seemingly permanent decline and secondly, for being half of the location for the much-loved BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey. Just because it’s popular, it doesn’t mean it’s any good though,… Read more

Never judge a book by a cover, we’re told. Sound advice overall, but there are always exceptions. When you hear of a band called Head Noise, with an album called “Über-Fantastique”, with the cover sleeve like that (see below), your first instinct is that the album is going to be… Read more

“Working To Design” is the project by solo artist DUNKIE, otherwise known as Anthony Price. It is an album that feels like a long lost pal on first listen, but such is the warmth, stark realism and relatability it’s more like your best mate once you’re a few listens in.… Read more

Welcome to part 2 of the “Best of NP 2019”! These tracks have been added to part one so you can listen to them all in one place RIGHT HERE. As I mentioned in my part 1 review, 2019 has been a cracking year for artists around these parts and… Read more