Series 2, Episode 3 – Dominie Hooper on processing trauma through music, the joy of teaching creativity, and being a hopeful ‘hidden gem’ In this insightful interview, musician Dominie Hooper talks to me about the journey of creating her debut album, the emotional challenges of the music industry, and how her music serves as a reflec…

I'm really pleased with this episode, so I hope you'll give it a listen:

mentalnotespodcast.com/2026/04/23/s...

It's time for Episode 3 of Series 2 of the #podcast, and one I was extremely excited for.

@dominiehooper.bsky.social released one of my favourite albums of 2025, so it was a joy to sit down with her to discuss #music and #mentalhealth.

Episode 3 of Series 2 of Mental Notes will be with you later this week, where I'll be talking to the wonderful Dominie Hooper

While you're waiting for, though, please do catch up on the cracking chat I had with Brain Leak. It's one that's not to be missed.

mentalnotespodcast.com/2026/04/13/s...

LIVE: Art School Girlfriend, Gorilla, Manchester, 16/04/26 As we sat down for a pint after Art School Girlfriend’s set at Gorilla, my friend turned to me and said they were surprised by how much I enjoyed the artist we’d just been watching. I h…

Our man Fran Slater was at the Art School Girlfriend show at Gorilla last Thursday.

Head over to pickybs.com or follow the link in below to read what he thought of the show.

pickybs.com/2026/04/21/l...

Series 2, episode 2 – Brain leak on addiction, using songwriting as expression and, randomly, the joys of joinery As Series 2 of Mental Notes continues, Tara Gabriella Engelhardt – also known as Brain Leak – talks to me about her recent music. We dive into some of her lyrics, exploring how they relate to menta…

wonderful @brainleak__ for Episode 2 of the latest series of Mental Notes.

We talk #lyrics, #mentalhealth, #addiction, #performance and much more.

Search Mental Notes on your #podcast app or follow the link below:

mentalnotespodcast.com/2026/04/13/s...

Series 2, episode 2 – Brain leak on addiction, using songwriting as expression and, randomly, the joys of joinery As Series 2 of Mental Notes continues, Tara Gabriella Engelhardt – also known as Brain Leak – talks to me about her recent music. We dive into some of her lyrics, exploring how they relate to menta…

Loved this chat with Tara - she was incredibly open. I hope you'll give it a listen.

mentalnotespodcast.com/2026/04/13/s...

Join me for Episode 2 of Series 2 of the Mental Notes #podcast.

This week's guest is Brain Leak , who joins me to discuss #music, #mentalhealth, #addiction, and #songwriting.

I'll be recording Episode 2 tomorrow, but, for now, tune into Series 2, Episode 1 of the Mental Notes #podcast to hear me and Tenderness talk about #music and #mentalhealth.

Search Mental Notes on your podcast app or follow the link below to give it a listen.

mentalnotespodcast.com/2026/04/03/s...

Don't miss Episode 1 of the second series of the Mental Notes #podcast, where I talk to Tenderness about the #mentalhealth effect of releasing your #debutalbum.

Search Mental Notes on your podcast app or follow the link below to give it a listen.

mentalnotespodcast.com/2026/04/03/s...

Series 2, Episode 1 – tenderness talks overcoming grief through music, songs that give you hope, and choosing a band name you’re not ashamed of As Series 2 of Mental Notes kicks off, Katie Beth Young – also known as Tenderness – talks to me about her debut solo album True. We take a deep dive into some of her lyrics, explo…

Search Mental Notes on your #podcast app or follow the link below to hear @tenderness_songs talk about her new #album, #lyrics that resonate with #mentalhealth, and much more.

mentalnotespodcast.com/2026/04/03/s...

Series 2 of the Mental Notes #podcast is here, as I talk to @Tender about #music and #mentalhealth.

We cover #songwriting, lyrics, the invisible labour of #performance, and much more.

Search Mental Notes on your podcast app or follow the link:

mentalnotespodcast.com/2026/04/03/s...

Mental Notes Podcast Music and mental health, in podcast form

The Mental Notes #podcast finally has a website.

Go and subscribe before Series 2 launches on Friday - all new episodes will come straight to your inbox:

mentalnotespodcast.com

I started recording Series 2 of the #podcast this week.

Keep your eyes peeled for Episode 1 with Tenderness, coming later this week.

First gig of the year last night. Had to be @dreamwife - honestly might be my favourite performers on the planet, always such a good mix of power and fun.

Largely new material last night, but still had the room in the palms of their hands. Smashed it.

On the surface, it's another indie album that seems to take a variety of the expected influences. But there's also something odd an unique about almost every moment, a changeable tone that makes the album engrossing, fun, and affecting.

I definitely didn't get this one straight away, but something kept me coming back. After several listens to It's A Beautiful Place by Water From Your Eyes, I'm now fully convinced it deserves to be on all those end of year lists it appeared on.

After spending some time, though, I can definitely see whst people love about this album. I'm not sure if I feel the same way yet, but I'm definitely willing to spend more time and find out.

That isn't what I got. This album melds hip-hop, R&B, rock and more - on first listen i found it pretty jarring, not really sure how I felt about the softer, sung moments.

Black British Music (2025) had been recommended to me by several people, but I never got around to it.

I've had to give this a few listens as I'd been expecting a pretty hard-core hip-hop album (I don't know why).

I'm not 100% sure what it is, given it mixes sounds from R&B, indie, jazz, and even punk. But when it works, it really works.

I was pretty close to dismissing The Passionate Ones by Nourished By Time on first listen, but I'm glad that I didn't. I still need more time before I can say what I think of it for certain, but it is definitely an engaging and interesting piece of work.

It maintains his oddball, abstract style but manages to sound more accessible and mainstream at the same time. I'm fully engaged with this after a first few listens.

Thank God I'm the kind of music geek who makes pointless lists like this Albums I Missed in 2025 one.

Billy Woods releases so many albums, that I can kind of forgive myself for missing this one on release.

I wish I hadn't, though. I really like Billy already, but this album is a step forward for him if you ask me.

I've given Baby! By Dijon a few listens now and it's clearly very accomplished. It's sounds so crisp, the production is fantastic, and he's got a huge voice.

Is it for me? No. But all those things still stand.

Well, I tried to give the Addison Rae album a listen - strongly not for me. But then I'm strongly not the market for it, either - feels like Taylor Swift lite and I don't like Taylor Swift, so...

I can definitely see what the fuss is about with this one.

@thelilyallen.bsky.social was up first, and I have to say I never expected to enjoy a Lily Allen album so much - even after people told me I would. It's got shades of Self Esteem, which is a plus for me, but also bags of Lily personality and huge props for putting it all on the line in the lyrics.

Album of The Year - Music Reviews, Ratings, Charts, News Top music of the year. Featuring album reviews, ratings, charts, year end lists and more.

Now I'm finally through with my own Albums of the Year list (which you can find on Instagram @mental_notes_podcast), I've been going through the top 100 over on albumoftheyear.org and making a playlist of the albums I missed.

Glad I was there, though - an outstanding performance.

It's weird seeing a band you love and knowing that it's the last time you'll see them. Torn between respecting them bowing out at their peak, and wondering why a band that seem so tight on stage would call it a day.