FEATURES

Interviews, opinion, playlists, rankings

INTERVIEWS

THE ‘ONE TO WATCH’ INTERVIEW

Sarah McQuaid: ‘I’d call out song requests to my mum in the next room’

The singer-songwriter on her musical childhood, listening to the Beatles on her Mickey Mouse turntable and how her mother's death sent her in a new creative direction.

Questions by David Rea

11 October 2025

INTERVIEW

Emma Swift: ‘I'm an analogue baby in a digital dream’

Since the release of Blonde on the Tracks, her album of Bob Dylan covers, Emma Swift has been to hell and back. At this turning point in her career, she told State of Sound about her breakdown and the stunning new album which came out of it.

Questions by David Rea

12 September 2025

Shapes Like People: ‘I almost decapitated Kylie Minogue with a scissor kick’

THE ‘ONE TO WATCH’ INTERVIEW

When Kat Mann challenged husband Carl to write songs to pitch to Kylie Minogue, neither of them knew it would lead to the formation of Shapes Like People — nor a glistening debut album. David Rea spoke to them to find out more.

Questions by David Rea

6 September 2024

THE ‘ONE TO WATCH’ INTERVIEW

Paul Garside: ‘A whole new world opened up’

The London singer-songwriter on taking classical music to the school disco and how giving up set him free.

Questions by David Rea

1 September 2025

THE BIG IDEA

THE BIG IDEA

How Taylor Swift can save the music industry

With the imminent release of her new album, The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift is poised to become bigger than ever. Meanwhile the music industry is in existential crisis. Can all-conquering Miss Americana do something about it?

by David Rea

13 September 2025

Born to Run: Could Springsteen run for president in 2028?

THE BIG IDEA

In the age of celebrity politicians, is Bruce Springsteen better placed than Reagan, Schwarzenegger and Trump to run for office?

by David Rea

6 September 2024

PLAYLISTS

PLAYLIST

A playlist curated by Sleaford Mods

At nearly 16 hours long, the collection includes singer-songwriters, 1960s British folk, ska, New York punk, Billy Nomates, Grace Jones, Cate Le Bon and David Bowie.

by David Rea

27 September 2025

PLAYLIST

‘That don't make it junk’: the best of Leonard Cohen’s deep cuts

We take a deep dive into Laughing Len’s back catalogue and come up with some barnacled treasures.

by David Rea

13 September 2025

PLAYLIST

An introduction to baroque folk

There has always been a melancholy and autumnal feel to baroque folk, and October seems like the perfect month for this introduction to the genre.

by David Rea

27 September 2025

PLAYLIST

Chrome: The October collection

This is your portal to the best new music from the evergreen grassroots. This month: The Red Tack, Balloon, Firstimers and Ross Wylde.

by David Rea

4 October 2025

PLAYLIST

Secret friends: The September collection

This is your portal to the best new music from the evergreen grassroots. This month: Shapes Like People, Sarah McQuaid and Paul Garside.

by David Rea

1 September 2025

FEATURES

INTERVIEWS

Sarah McQuaid: ‘I’d call out song requests to my mum in the next room’

Emma Swift: ‘I'm an analogue baby in a digital dream’

Shapes Like People: ‘I almost decapitated Kylie Minogue with a scissor kick’

Paul Garside: ‘A whole new world opened up’

THE BIG IDEA

How Taylor Swift can save the music industry

Born to Run: Could Springsteen run for president in 2028?

PLAYLISTS

A playlist curated by Sleaford Mods

‘That don't make it junk’: the best of Leonard Cohen’s deep cuts

An introduction to baroque folk

Chrome: The October collection

Secret friends: The September collection

MOST POPULAR

Born to Run: Could Bruce Springsteen run for president in 2028?

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Will Spotify finally be forced into fairer artist payouts?

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Mother nature’s sons: how the Beatles regenerated after the split

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Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are a-Changin' at 60

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David Byrne shares wedding playlist

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Shapes Like People: ‘I almost decapitated Kylie Minogue with a scissor kick’

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The Resurrection Game, Emma Swift

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Oasis’ Definitely Maybe at 30

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Robyn Hitchcock: Blissful transcendence in East London

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Ticking Haze, Shapes Like People

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A new issue every Saturday morning…