ALBUM REVIEW: AYSAY – MAL - Joyzine AySay are Copenhagen-based and led by singer Luna Ersahin who combines Anatolian folk and Nordic pop through her Danish/Kurdish heritage.

"sunlight seems to shine through every track"

Paul F Cook reviews the "uplifting beats and soaring tunes" of AySay's new album 'Mal' which mixes Anatolian folk and Nordic pop. Out on V2 Records.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: PICTISH TRAIL – LIFE SLIME - Joyzine Life Slime is the new release from Pictish Trail, and despite being the product of the “personal tumult” following a relationship break-up there is still a great deal of warmth radiating through the m...

"as magnificent, heart-rending, uplifting and honest on the fiftieth listen as it did on the first"

Paul F Cook reviews the "perfect mix of the electronic and the analogue" on Pictish Trail's new album 'Life Slime'. Released by Fire Records.

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@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: DÄLEK – BRILLIANCE OF A FALLING MOON - Joyzine dälek’s 'Brilliance Of A Falling Moon' is a rap album that sonically goes to the edge of chaos but dälek has a way emboldening the listener by speaking truth to power.

"An album that so comprehensively distils the anger you feel towards the state of the world right now that you get chills listening to it"

Paul F Cook reviews the "angry symbiosis" of words & music on dälek's release 'Brilliance Of A Falling Moon'.

@daleknwk.bsky.social
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ALBUM REVIEW: TOPSY TURVY – FIGHTING THE GINORMOUS MACHO NACHO - Joyzine Topsy Turvy’s new album 'Fighting the Ginormous Macho Nacho' has the low rumble of bass, gravel guitar, pounding drums, super-catchy vocals and some great ooh-aah backing vocals.

"the difference between film and digital; it feels real and alive and not created by an AI prompt"

Paul F Cook reviews the "low rumble of bass, gravel guitar, pounding drums, super-catchy vocals" of Topsy Turvey's new album 'Fighting the Ginormous Macho Nacho'.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: ANGINE DE POITRINE – VOL.II - Joyzine Angine de Poitrine play microtonal music, one on a guitar/bass double neck and one on drums. Their new album is their second album and it’s called Vol. II.

"Their technical proficiency is awash with humour and mesmerising tunes that quicken the pulse and a promote a euphoric sense of happiness"

Paul F Cook reviews the "sexy staccato" of intergalactic microtonal duo Angine de Poitrine and their new album 'Vol.II'

@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: HAIKU SALUT & MEG MORLEY – THE LOST SCORE - Joyzine The songs that make up 'The Lost Score' were originally written to be performed as a live score for the 1930 German silent film People on Sunday commissioned by Birmingham’s Flatpack Film Festival.

"Haiku Salut’s perfect balance of the electronic with the acoustic, coupled with the jazz and classical elegance of Meg Morley’s piano playing"

Paul F Cook reviews 'The Lost Score' by Haiku Salut & Meg Morley .Out on Lo Recordings.

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ALBUM REVIEW: AURE – PRINTEMPS - Joyzine Printemps is the new album from Aure Delaroière and it’s a gentle delight that perfectly accompanies the turning of the seasons, from winter into the spring of its title.

"These are songs that dispel the cold and dark of winter and usher in the optimism and warmth of the sun waking up in spring"

Paul F Cook reviews the "beatific voice and buoyant guitar playing" of Aure on her new album 'Printemps'

@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: THE FOOT & LEG CLINIC – SIT DOWN FOR ROCK AND ROLL - Joyzine 'Sit Down for Rock and Roll' From The Foot & Leg Clinic is a fabulous ramble through music that’s rooted in their modern take on rock but also diversifies into angular indie and lightly psychedelic fo...

"The Foot & Leg Clinic move from acoustic to electric and fun to frenzy with ease"

Paul F Cook reviews the "angular indie and lightly psychedelic folk" of The Foot & Leg Clinic's new album 'Sit Down for Rock and Roll'.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

SINGLE REVIEW: PICTISH TRAIL – LIFE SLIME - Joyzine 'Life Slime' is the new single and title track of Pictish Trails forthcoming album. The video features Johnny Lynch being covered in 170 litres of pink slime.

"Oscar & Isla cooked the slime fresh, so it was warm when it was being poured on me"

Paul F Cook reviews the "the slime of the century" in the video for Pictish Trail's new single 'Life Slime', the title track from his forthcoming album.

@pictishtrail.bsky.social
@paulfcook.bsky.social

SINGLE REVIEW: ANNIE DRESSNER – DUMB BOY - Joyzine ‘Dumb Boy’ is the new single from NYC singer-songwriter Annie Dressner and, from the hooky opening guitar riff, we are transported back to a world of 90s music television, vibrant colours and the angs...

"a cracking riff, great backing, and a chorus that’ll be stuck in your head for days"

Paul F Cook reviews the "languid rock-vibe" of Annie Dressner's new single 'Dumb Boy'.

@anniedressner.bsky.social
@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: HAZEL CITY – GOBLYNMARKYTT - Joyzine Hazel City is the project of Chicago’s Clay Frankel who wrote, recorded and produced the sophomore album goblynmarkytt. There is a golden hour glow to all the tracks, and the warmth of the album radia...

"fits beautifully into the liminal space between being asleep and awake"

Paul F Cook reviews the "soporific" and "intoxicating" album 'goblynmarkytt' from Chicago's Hazel City.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

FILM REVIEW: THE STRAIGHT STORY – DAVID LYNCH, 4K UHD BLU-RAY DVD - Joyzine 'The Straight Story' is David Lynch's 1999 film based on the 1994 true story of 73-year-old Alvin Straight who, on hearing of his estranged brother’s stroke, decides to make the 240-mile journey from ...

"I think The Straight Story is one of his best, and most completely satisfying, films"

Paul F Cook reviews David Lynch's 1999 release 'The Straight Story' which "luxuriates in its characters and setting". Now on remastered 4K/UHD DVD through STUDIOCANAL.

@studiocanal.co.uk
@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: ALTIN GÜN – GARIP - Joyzine Altin Gün are the Amsterdam-based band that have been bridging the gap between Turkish folk and psychedelia since 2018. Garip is their sixth studio album and shows them at the height of their powers a...

"the music of Altin Gün swirls and rotates, constantly shifting in myriad ways"

Paul F Cook reviews Altin Gün's tribute to legendary Turkish folk star Neşet Ertaş on 'Garip'. Released through Glitterbeat Records.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: ANDY AQUARIUS, KIMI RECOR – SCHLAFES BRUDER - Joyzine On 'Schlafes Bruder' harpist Andy Aquarius has collaborated with Kimi Recor who is a Berlin-based sonic artist, sound therapist, and educator.

"It should be the case that if you look up the word tranquillity online it will provide you a link to Andy Aquarius"

Paul F Cook reviews the "haunting and transcendent" 'Schlafes Bruder', the new album from Andy Aquarius and Kim Recor.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

LIVE REVIEW: SESSA + BARNEY KEEN – STRANGE BREW, BRISTOL - Joyzine What better antidote to the endless rain that has dogged the start of 2026 than to spend a night basking in the sunshine from Sessa and support act Barney Keen at Strange Brew in Bristol.

"tonight was a masterclass in how the best music can stop time and hold an audience in rapture"

Paul F Cook was at Strange Brew in Bristol for a spectacular show from Sessa with support from the "naturally charismatic" Barney Keen.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: RANIL Y SU CONJUNTO TROPICAL – GALAXIA TROPICAL - Joyzine 'Galaxia Tropical' is Analog Africa’s 43rd release and features a selection of tracks from Ranil y Su Conjunto Tropical.

"Ranil’s voice is warm and unembellished as it tap dances over the percussion"

Paul F Cook reviews 'Galaxia Tropical' Analog Africa's compilation of tracks by Peruvian singer Ranil. 14 outstanding cuts to "to indulge all your rhythm needs".

@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: AYKA – DOGGY BAG - Joyzine Ayka is the recording name of Norwegian-Turkish artist Ayça Lingaas and new album 'Doggy Bag' Doggy Bag is raw around the edges but totally captivating.

"it’s a breath of fresh air to listen to something that is unpolished, free from auto-tune, and truly genuine"

Paul F Cook reviews the "uncut gem" that is Ayka's new album 'Doggy Bag'.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: ANNIE GARDINER – SLEEPING DOGS - Joyzine Sleeping Dogs is Annie Gardiner's second solo album under her own name and, once again, the emotive nature of her dark folk is captivating and replete with the poetry of storytelling and allusion.

"Annie Gardiner has gone subterranean deep to mine these precious songs from ancient caves and bring them into the light"

Paul F Cook reviews the "poetry of storytelling and allusion" of Annie Gardiner's new album 'Sleeping Dogs'.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

LIVE REVIEW: DEATH MACHINE + ASTRID CORDES – HOTEL CECIL, COPENHAGEN - Joyzine The Death Machine gig is on a cold night in Copenhagen, and the warmth of venue Hotel Cecil is inversely proportional to the -3°C outside. Death Machine by name, life affirming by nature.

LIVE REVIEW: DEATH MACHINE + ASTRID CORDES – HOTEL CECIL, COPENHAGEN

Paul F Cook was Hotel Cecil in Copenhagen to see the "life affirming" and "widescreen wonder" of Death Machine with perfect support from Astrid Cordes with her "natural charm" and "fabulous voice".

@paulfcook.bsky.social

SINGLE REVIEW: LEG PUPPY 2.0 – LANYARD MAN - Joyzine ‘Lanyard Man’ is a bittersweet release as 2026 is Leg Puppy 2.0’s 10th Anniversary bringing their 10th, and final, album.

"This is a look at a life that is every bit as plastic and disposable as the lanyard itself"

Paul F Cook reviews the "unsettling backdrop" and "inbuilt sneer" of Leg Puppy 2.0's new single 'Lanyard Man'.

@legpuppy20.bsky.social
@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: YĪN YĪN – YATTA! - Joyzine Yatta! Is the new album from Maastricht band YĪN YĪN who manage to balance an eclectic range of musical styles such as Italian and Space Disco, Library Music, and psychedelic sounds.

"the spaced out sounds of Italo Disco, library music, psychedelia, and guitars that can be surf in one track, sitar-like in another"

Paul F Cook reviews the "eclectic range of musical styles" on YĪN YĪN's new album 'Yatta!'

@paulfcook.bsky.social

SINGLE REVIEW: CHROMA – STRAIGHT MEN - Joyzine CHROMA announce their new album (out in April) with a bang as they release the single ‘Straight Men’ which tackles the attitude of men towards women head-on.

"Knockout riffs & driving rhythms...an amazing vocal performance that is part sneer, part fear"

Paul F Cook the "glam rock power" of CHROMA's new single 'Straight Men'. Out on Alcopop! Records.

@chromabanduk.bsky.social
@ilovealcopop.bsky.social
@paulfcook.bsky.social

ALBUM REVIEW: IMARHAN – ESSAM - Joyzine 'Essam' is the fourth studio album from Imarhan and is a swaying, undulating, uplifting joy and their finest release to date.

"a swaying, undulating, uplifting joy"

Paul F Cook reviews the "supreme sense of family and friendship" woven into Imarhan's new album 'Essam'. Released through City Slang Records.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

Do It! 😄

And how does it sound? Any crackers on there?

Things of 2025: Joyzine Editor Paul Maps shares his favourite music and culture of the year - Joyzine It's the final day of our Things of 2025 celebration and we end with the choices of Joyzine's founder and editor since 2003, Paul Maps.

THINGS OF 2025 #8 - PAUL MAPS, EDITOR

It's the final day of Things of 2025 with a selection from Joyzine's founder Paul Maps which Includes albums from New Eves & Deerhoof, Slime City‘s ‘This Song Costs £2,000’, 'Only Connect' & 'Alma’s Not Normal' on TV & the great work of Music Venue Trust.

THINGS OF 2025: PAUL F COOK SHARES HIS FAVOURITE MUSIC AND CULTURE OF THE YEAR - Joyzine Joyzine's Deputy Editor shares his music and culture highlights of 2025.

THINGS OF 2025 #7 - PAUL F COOK
Today it's Deputy Editor Paul F Cook's highlights include albums by Cerys Hafana, Death Machine, Ghostwoman, Felbm, Dead Pioneers Pip Blom & Willem Smit, Adam Ross' single & Chris Frantz's book 'Remain In Love'.

@songsbyadamross.bsky.social
@felbm.bsky.social

My 100th review for Joyzine in 2025!

ALBUM REVIEW: HAYWARDxDÄLEK - Joyzine On the new release 'HAYWARDxDÄLEK', rapper/producer Dälek has worked with drummer Charles Hayward bringing New Jersey and South East London together in a collision of industrial beats and unsettling s...

"unresolved chords and beats that sometimes keep the ship from crashing on the rocks and at other times are the rocks" + "the power & clarity of Dälek’s voice"

Paul F Cook reviews rapper/producer Dälek's collaboration with drummer Charles Hayward on 'HAYWARDxDÄLEK'.

@paulfcook.bsky.social

SINGLE REVIEW: iiis – CHAIRS / ARMS - Joyzine iiis (pronounced ‘eyes) are an Oxford-based 3-piece and their new double-A single is 'Chairs' and 'Arms' which demonstrate beautiful restraint and a compelling poetic tunefulness.

"two tracks that demonstrate beautiful restraint and a compelling poetic tunefulness"

Paul F Cook reviews the "quiet tension" of iiis new double-A single 'Chairs'/'Arms'.

@iiisbandoxford.bsky.social
@paulfcook.bsky.social