Music Features

Top Tracks of 2015: Individual Favourites

Before we unleash our tracks of the year list onto the world, here's a selection of under-appreciated gems hand-picked by the No Ripcord roster.

Click here for the selection...

Lennon & McCartney: Songwriters for Hire

In the early years of Beatlemania, John Lennon and Paul McCartney were a highly prolific songwriting team. Notwithstanding the pressures of manager and publishers, endless tours, crazy fans, and a nosy press, they found time to write for others, either together or alone.

Angel Aguilar has the full story...

Joe Blogs #9: Am I Common People?

As we reach the anniversary of Pulp's much-loved Different Class album, Joe Rivers examines the cultural significance of its most famous track through the prism of his own life experiences.

In that case, I'll have rum and Coca-Cola...

Our Favourite Shop: Thirty Years On

This year marked the 30th anniversary of The Style Council's Our Favourite Shop. Mick Talbot has called the album a diary of the times, but what's surprising, thirty years on, is how little has changed.

Angel Aguilar takes us back...

Overlooked Albums #42: Cocteau Twins - Blue Bell Knoll

Blue Bell Knoll marked a turning point for Cocteau Twins, as it was the first record to receive major-label distribution in an already illustrious career.

Angel Aguilar is lost in the dream...

Second Chance Selection: January-June 2015

What happens to those albums that we love that never make it onto the No Ripcord review pages for whatever reason? Here are the albums from the first half of 2015 that we haven't yet given the attention that they richly deserve...

Discover our picks here...

Ornette Coleman - R.I.P.

We just lost one of the greats, folks.

Alan Shulman pays tribute...

The Goffin & King Songbook

Carole King and Gerry Goffin met in college in 1958, thus beginning a fruitful partnership that gradually turned into a troubled marriage. The music they created together, though, caught the mood of a generation and has stood the test of time as they continue to be covered by new artists.

Angel Aguilar takes us back...