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Published by Mason Oldridge, 6 June 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Two sisters become embroiled in the world of the rich in this lavish new Netflix limited series. Devon is struggling to care for her father Bruce, who has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and travels to ask for help from her younger sister Simone, only to be disturbed by her close relationship with her boss Michaela. Billed as a dark comedy, Sirens is much more of a psychological thriller. Intriguing and compelling throughout, this series diverts expectations and changes direction constantly. It probably wouldn’t have succeeded as much without its interesting and entertaining selection of characters. Julianne Moore is terrifying as Michaela and Kevin Bacon is charming as Peter, while the pain and trauma of their upbringing is felt through Meghann Fahy and Milly Alcock as Devon and Simone respectively. Furthermore, Bill Camp conveys Bruce’s condition well and Felix Solis is both funny and likeable as Jose, worlds away from his diabolical cartel boss role in Ozark. Throughout the series, Michaela is presented as an evil mistress, a suspected cult leader and murderer who has brainwashed Simone into her way of life, and Devon is seen to be the only one aware of this who can rescue her from under this spell. Therefore, it is all the more shocking when Peter divorces Michaela, has her escorted off the property and begins a relationship with Simone out of leftfield. As Michaela quietly leaves on the ferry, it shows how she was never really a villain. In a chilling final scene, Simone smiles at her new position, having essentially replaced and betrayed the woman she practically worshipped, perhaps a statement on how wealth and status defines who is the villain rather than the individual themselves? Additionally, Devon turns down Morgan’s offer to go sailing in order to return to Buffalo with her father, despite teasing a happy ending for her. Sirens is a truly unique show like no other and is bound to keep viewers glued to their screens all along. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 28 May 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! We head back to Shadyside for the first time since the original trilogy for a new slasher horror. First of all, it is important to understand how this instalment fits into the franchise. It is set in 1988, ten years after the Camp Nightwing massacre and six years before the Fier curse is broken. The film tells of one of the many Shadyside murder cases. Despite its ties to the franchise, it could be watched standalone and it features no supernatural elements. It is Senior Prom at Shadyside High School and there are six contenders for prom queen: five popular girls and Lori Granger, an outcast due to the rumour that her mother killed her father, until a masked figure begins brutally murdering them. Unfortunately, the plot is unoriginal and covers almost every slasher movie trope. The narrative is predictable and the killer reveal is unsurprising. However, the ending saves the film a little. There is the secondary reveal that Nancy was the accomplice and she murdered Lori’s father as he left her for Lori’s mother. Tiffany is also revealed to be involved. Lori triumphs over the Falconers, which sees her finally own her identity, proclaiming “I’m Lori fucking Granger”. Additionally, Nancy’s blood forming the Witch’s Mark is a nice nod to the Fier curse. Despite this, the basic simplicity of this instalment is disappointing, all the more so given the complex and epic story of the trilogy, which itself is a 10/10. Let’s hope the next films, currently in development, are more in line with the quality of the originals. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 20 May 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Jason Watkins and Robson Green go head-to-head in this new Channel 5 original drama. Newly retired detective Huw Miller is tormented by the case of the Ripton Stalker - a serial killer he was never able to catch. When his new neighbour across the street repairman Patrick Harbottle uses the killer’s catchphrase used to taunt Huw, he is convinced he has finally found his man. There seems to be one main question posed from the premise: is it him? And if so, isn’t that a little bit predictable and obvious? Well, it is heavily implied it is him before we learn that it is, but we also learn that the series is less about that and more about the game: the hunt for Huw and the chase for Patrick. Patrick likes to psychologically manipulate people and does so in framing Huw in which the residents believe Huw is guilty. However, as convincing as Patrick may be, it still seems a little far-fetched that, when dead bodies start piling up at the same time that a single new neighbour has moved in, they don’t suspect him over Huw. However, Patrick appears to have flown too close to the sun when he targets Huw as an encounter with his daughter results in him being exposed as the killer. In a tense showdown in Huw’s basement, Patrick stabs Huw as the police arrest him. The series delivers an open-ended conclusion as it is not revealed whether Huw survived the stabbing. This can be seen as poetic justice as Patrick claims that Huw would not survive five minutes without him, though ultimately Huw did deserve to live out his retirement happily after having made amends with his family. Jason Watkins is stellar as always and, along with Robson Green’s unsettling charm, this tense thriller is a nice quick watch. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 14 May 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Tina Fey creates, produces, writes and leads on this modern retelling of the 1981 film. A friendship group of three couples: Jack and Kate; Nick and Anne; Danny and Claude find their quarterly vacations (one in each season) rocked when Nick announces he is leaving Anne and finds himself a younger model. Ginny is presented as ‘the other woman’ and a midlife crisis for Nick, despite him claiming to be happier than ever. Nick’s decisions are disapproved of by the group, though this seems unfair as Anne is seen to be a boring and distant wife in spite of Nick’s best efforts and his relationship with Ginny sees him experience the excitement he craved and proves to be real love. Furthermore, the group are unhappy with Ginny’s tropical eco resort, even though the place is stunning and offers them a new experience. However, it is nice to see Steve Carrell in a more serious role and demonstrate his acting talent can go beyond comedy. There’s enough deviation from the original to justify a remake, though unfortunately, this 21st century adaptation touches on being woke. One of the couples is swapped out for an interracial same-sex pairing. Ginny’s sober and vegan friends can be excused as this serves the purpose of seeing Nick struggle to fit in, though Danny’s open relationship with Claude, engagement in a casual threesome and carefree approach to taking cocaine going relatively unmentioned is a little unsettling. While the premise sounds promising, the drama primarily stems from conflict within the couples, often arising over minor things that generally wouldn’t put a dent in long-term marriages, showing the characters to be oversensitive and not reflective of reality. However, Nick’s sudden death comes as a shock and the ending in which Ginny is revealed to be pregnant leaves it open for another season. There may be some comedic moments sprinkled in, notably Claude’s attempt to find out if Terry was a past lover, and it is easy-watching, but ultimately what we are left with is a show of middle-aged couples unnecessarily bickering. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 May 2025 Italian singer Damiano David breaks away from the heavy rock sound of his Eurovision-winning band Måneskin for a softer solo debut. Funny Little Fears incorporates acoustic guitar, ballads and - dare I say it - pop music. David’s harsh, gravely and contrastingly gentle vocals sound foreign in such a different landscape to the glam rocker’s usual setting but nicely adapts to the new environment. Furthermore, he trades in anger and excitement for vulnerability and romance, producing a more raw and honest record. Equally as passionate, but against a vastly altered backdrop. Voices is a pop-esque single reminiscent of John Newman, Angel is fun and playful with its keys, Mars stands out as the highlight thanks to its eerie guitar riff whereas Perfect Life features dreamy vocals and Solitude (No One Understands Me) excels due to its innovative lyrics. Such energy may be lacking without his bandmates, and Italian-language tracks are a missed opportunity here, but nevertheless David’s impressively powerful vocals - and indeed vocal control - shine through again as he establishes his own unique sound as a solo artist. Just please don’t be too long away from the band! 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 8 May 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! After a controversial fourth season in London, we return to where it all began, New York City, as the story of Joe Goldberg comes full circle. Joe is living with wife Kate and son Henry, now in the spotlight as the husband of a CEO. Their marriage turns stale as Kate learns of his feelings towards killing and the extent of his actions, just as Joe has his head turned by his bookshop employee Bronte. The episodes are thrilling from the outset as Joe sets about dealing with those attempting to undermine Kate within the organisation, including her Uncle Bob and twin sisters Reagan and Maddie, all while trying to keep Bronte as nothing more than a fantasy for him. As with the previous season, there’s a shocking mid-season twist in that Bronte was catfishing him as part of a group attempting to avenge Beck’s death, something revealed as he is live-streamed murdering one of them! The next episode is compelling as Bronte recalls the backstory to the police and episode seven is fascinating as the truth circulates all across the internet and Joe gives an interview to defend himself, inadvertently breaking down for real over his childhood trauma. Joe and Bronte reunite but time is ticking as Kate works to bring him down. The finale sees Joe and a now-enlightened Bronte engage in a tense game of cat-and-mouse. There are some harrowing scenes too as Henry calls his father a monster, breaking him, and Joe begs Bronte to kill him as the police descend. Furthermore, there is the unexpected welcome return of Will Bettelheim as he helps Joe acquire fake IDs. The ending delivers in parts though disappoints in others. Joe is brought to justice for his crimes and the truth prevails. However, Bronte was set to be the one to do this, yet instead conducted a poorly executed plan that backfired. Additionally, Kate gets away with her crimes and keeps custody of Henry, who would have been better returned to Dante and Lansing. In the bleak final scene, an imprisoned Joe receives sexualised fan mail and states “maybe the problem isn’t me - maybe it’s you”, a stark commentary on the psychology behind violent fantasies. Gripping scenes and mind-blowing twists, along with Penn Badgley’s charming aura as always, sees the psychological thriller back on top form in what is possibly the best season. Goodbye, you. 9/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 24 April 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Jill Halfpenny leads on the latest Channel 5 drama, focusing on a neighbourhood feud stemming from a kitchen extension. The premise may seem boring as a kitchen extension doesn’t exactly sound entertaining, though it is soon learnt that an affair is a major factor in the conflict. When Emma and John decide to extend their property, they start receiving dead magpies with threatening messages. However, they aren’t short of enemies: friends Sonia and Alan (John is having an affair with Sonia), elderly couple Derek and Barbara (who disapprove of the build as it could move their tree in memory of their missing son Marcus), self-proclaimed ornithologist and CCTV-obsessed busybody Nick, dodgy builder Lee, Emma’s criminal father Terry and police officer Andi (who was suspended as a result of Emma and so takes revenge using Emma’s angsty teen daughter Beth). Unfortunately, the pacing is incredibly slow and doesn’t justify being a six-part series as there appears to be a whole lot of nothing going on; it feels the majority of the viewing is looking out of windows and watching CCTV. However, the series does provide a satisfactory resolution as it is revealed Nick killed Alan in revenge for the birds. Emma seems more concerned with proving her husband’s innocence than finding her missing and likely in danger daughter, despite learning of his recent infidelity, which feels somewhat unrealistic, though still results in a heartwarming reunion. Furthermore, the young man interested in the house up for sale at the start of the series decides to move in and is revealed to be Marcus, offering Barbara, now free of her abusive husband, a happy ending, in what is a nice touch. On the whole, the plot is decent, though should have been told in a more concise timeframe. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 18 April 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The most mind-bending and thought-provoking anthology series on television is back with five new original stories and its first ever sequel. Common People, starring Chris O’Dowd and Rashida Jones, follows a woman who must subscribe to a service to remain alive after having a stroke and her husband who goes to desperate lengths to afford the rising costs. The episode serves as a stark commentary on streaming services’ evolving pricing tiers and is particularly clever in its reference to ad-based plans. Bête Noire follows an employee at a food company whose perception of reality begins to change when an old classmate from school joins the business. The unexplainable events lead to an impatience to discover the truth, though the reveal of alternate universes being used for revenge and bizarre conclusion is enjoyable. Hotel Reverie sees an A-list actor take part in an AI reboot of a classic 1940s film and subsequently become stuck in the virtual world, having to stick to the script to stay alive. Parallels can be drawn between Emma Corrin’s character Dorothy Chambers and real-life Judy Garland, while the black-and-white set pieces make for a visual masterpiece. Plaything sees an eccentric reviewer, masterfully portrayed by Peter Capaldi, recall his involvement in a murder and its link to a 1990s video game. While not the most compelling episode to watch, the unnerving performance of both versions of Cameron Walker and the shocking ending of the singularity event make for chilling viewing. Eulogy is an emotional episode in which a lonely man uses technology that allows him to step into old photographs to recall memories from them. As the episode progresses, we learn his version of events is only one side of the story and the guide is a digital avatar of his girlfriends’ illegitimate daughter, while the tear-jerking ending in which he discovers the letter and finally remembers her face deserves the utmost praise and retrospectively elevates the rest of the episode. In USS Callister: Into Infinity, the digital clones embark on a mission to survive, while in the real world, the extent of James Walton’s villainy is revealed. This sequel may feel somewhat unnecessary but is a truly cinematic instalment that serves as an epic season finale. With every episode featuring fictional technology, stories based around real-life tech like in prior seasons are missed. However, with more gripping tales and its trademark innovative endings that could only come from the complex mind of Charlie Brooker, Black Mirror remains as terrifyingly addictive as ever! 9/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 April 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Argentina is the home of the first Latin America series to adapt a Harlan Coben novel as part of the ongoing Netflix deal. It follows Ema Garay, a journalist who exposes criminals in a feature called Caught, as she publicly shames Leo Mercer, a local who runs a kids club, as a child abuser, only to discover he may be innocent and have been framed. Elsewhere, teenager Martina goes missing. Caught is relatively generous with its story progression in comparison to other Coben adaptations. Despite the majority of the series following Ema’s investigation into finding the true culprit, Leo is murdered by Facu in episode two, Martina is revealed to be dead mid-series and we also learn of Fran Briguel’s involvement and Leo and Marcos’ childhood crime prior to the conclusion. Like most other Coben series, we are provided with a reveal and final twist. Both are satisfactory; the reveal that Marcos was the real perpetrator is interesting as it turned out his motive was money and land rather than sexual gratification and the final twist that Armando killed Martina is surprising as it was initially believed her death was linked to the older man she was talking to. Furthermore, the final minutes deliver an additional twist as Leo is revealed to have survived. Ema acts as more of a detective than a journalist and puts her life at risk from doing so, though it can be argued she goes above and beyond in an attempt to clear Leo’s name as she was the one who falsely accused him in the first place, which led to his supposed death. However, the side element of Ema’s husband having been killed in a hit-and-run by a drunk driver feels unrelated and unnecessary to the plot. Overall, Caught provides a strong story with enough development throughout to keep viewers engaged, something not every Coben series has been able to do. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 27 March 2025 Stranger Things star Joe Keery releases new music under his alias Djo, following last year’s viral hit End of Beginning. Keery masters his own unique sound, blending synth, piano and both electric and acoustic guitar, along with underlying 70s and 80s influence. The Crux opens to otherworldly noises on Lonesome Is A State of Mind, a track that progresses throughout towards a synth-wrapped drum beat finale. Link utilises electric guitar, Potion features dreamy acoustic guitar and Delete Ya is an enjoyable single thanks to its fun chorus. Egg is innovative and emulates a progressive rock essence while Charlie’s Garden is playful with its keys. Back on You opens with choral music that cleverly moulds into the first verse whereas Crux is a beautiful closer; an incredibly wholesome song with a heartfelt message. However, the highlight has to be lead single Basic Being Basic. This synth-heavy release revels in its electronic sounds, spoken word verses, addictive earworm chorus and a bridge reminiscent of Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire. In addition to his acting career, Keery has established himself as a talented musician too. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 25 March 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! There’s thrilling twists and turns in this fast-paced Channel 5 original drama. Zoe is struggling to adapt to her role as stepmum in the family with her husband Chris and his children Amber and Noah, especially as she lost her own child at birth as a teen and has desperately wanted her own since. The family hires French au pair Sandrine, though the young woman brings with her a sinister motive. Initially, the plot sounds similar to prior Channel 5 drama The Cuckoo as both feature a family who welcome a stranger with a secret agenda into their home, though it soon outperforms the former. The pacing is very rapid with many events happening per episode and progression occurring earlier than expected in places, so much so that it is surprising everything was fitted into the four-part miniseries, which makes for constant compelling viewing. When the family discovers that Sandrine is evil and she reveals that she is Zoe’s daughter, neither revelation was expected this early on and the remainder of the series cleverly takes a different path. Furthermore, George’s role in the adoption followed by Chris’ involvement in the true operation keeps the narrative in high gear and the drama continues until the final moments as Chris is arrested in front of his family. Sarah Bretton earns praise for her performance, particularly the scene in which her mother reveals that her baby didn’t die, as does Ludmilla Makowski for portraying both convincing malice (which draws comparison to Killing Eve’s Villanelle) and vulnerability. Without a lull, this miniseries is truly gripping and supersedes expectations from a Freeview production. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 17 March 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! We head to Poland for the latest Netflix adaptation of a Harlan Coben novel. In this Polish-language miniseries, Greta’s life is turned upside down when she receives an old photograph and her husband goes missing. She then becomes entangled in a dangerous investigation looking for him as he is kidnapped and beaten by a merciless villain. One thing learnt from the other Netflix adaptations of Coben’s novels is that questions are posed throughout the series with the answers all coming at the end. Therefore, it is vital with these series to keep the episodes prior to the finale interesting too. Fortunately, Just One Look does this thanks to Greta’s self investigation running concurrent with the police’s, Kamila’s neighbour-watching, the menacing actions of the ruthless hitman and the hints to a link with the fire from 15 years ago. Despite this, it still doesn’t quite make for compelling viewing. The series runs it down to the wire to answer all the built-up questions and justice prevails as Greta obtains a recording from Sandra, though not before the shock twist that sees a rescued Jacek die in hospital following a reconciliation with his wife. Coben once again provides a solid mystery, though this is definitely one of the poorer instalments in the Netflix-Coben partnership. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 7 March 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Sky presents this new comedy-drama from Chris O’Dowd about a Northern Irish town with a history of alien visitations. The series provides a promising premise. Hollywood producer Wendy Patterson (Christina Hendricks) returns to her hometown of Drumbán for a production 25 years after she and her boyfriend Séamus Proctor (Paddy Considine in a very convincing Irish accent) were abducted and she admitted it while he denied it. Unfortunately, this interesting concept doesn’t deliver due to its incredibly slow pacing and not much more than what is offered in the synopsis actually happens! The first episode is primarily centred around the town’s committee convincing the film crew to choose them as the production location, which is as dull as it sounds. There is some slight progress in the third episode as Séamus, worried that his daughter Joanne has been taken when she goes missing on her 18th birthday, finally admits to the townsfolk what happened to him, only for Wendy to deny her involvement in a turn of revenge, leading to the residents mocking him. There is finally some worthwhile movement in the final episode as barmaid Shelley’s reclusive father teams up with Wendy and Séamus to save the doctor’s family when he realises his home is a centrepoint for the alien activity. The only upside to the snail speed development is that it is easy-watching, meaning the lulls aren’t too painful to get through. Séamus’ family drama can relate to the plot as it shows how his life has turned out as a result of his abduction, though the subplot of the disastrous film production stands out as being totally irrelevant as well as being the much less interesting part of the show. Credit where due though, the show boasts a strong cast, with Considine as the standout and much of the comedy arising from the locals. Much like the real life alien abduction stories, there’s plenty of excitement around the theme but ultimately a whole lot of nothing happening! 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 21 February 2025 Canadian pop superstar Tate McRae is back, leaning more into R&B and turning up the sexuality. A bumper 15-track album, So Close to What is packed with high-energy pop songs set to drum beats and trap sounds and the revealing album cover can be seen as a tease of the explicit content to feature across the tracklist. Latest single Sports Car is easily the standout. Opening to high-pitch trumpet sounds, with seductive whispering on the chorus, not-so-subtle sexually provocative lyrics, infectious cowbell and hauntingly sinister music throughout, this track makes for a seriously epic banger. Unfortunately, there is less variation when compared to its predecessor, which offered more balanced instrumentation, including some more stripped back alternatives to highlight McRae’s vocal talent. That said, closing track Nostalgia tones it down to feature acoustic guitar, creating a more delicate and vulnerable offering. Despite the lack of variation, Tate McRae further establishes her namesake as an artist with the look, the moves and the sound, cementing herself as one of the best in the 21st century female pop industry. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 10 February 2025 The Wombats will be hoping for another number one with their sixth album Oh! The Ocean. The record opens on silky sounding lead single Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want To Come, though Can’t Say No is the strongest of the singles on offer. Gut Punch is joined by 80s-style keys and its joyfully rapid chorus makes for a seriously catchy tune, while My Head Is Not My Friend tackles the difficult topic of mental health, which the trio have previously touched upon with their 2011 track Anti-D. Reality Is A Wild Ride evokes the hip hop sounds of A Tribe Called Quest, Swerve (101) is built around a sinister riff whereas Grim Reaper and Lobster are dreamy. However, Kate Moss is easily the standout thanks to its epic electronic distortion and its Moby-esque piano. Several tracks are disappointingly more mellowed and less emotionally-charged than what we’re used to hearing from the rockers but the quality still remains stable. The boys might not reach the same level of emotion as much as on some of their previous releases, but with their trademark sound still present and some unpredictability too, Oh! The Ocean is a decent next instalment. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 27 January 2025 Circa Waves maintain their traditional indie sound on their sixth studio album, teased to be the first in a two-part series. The record opens on the singles, which are standard indie tracks. The following songs are more chilled, with Blue Damselfly being particularly dreamy, while Everything Changed is the heaviest on the album and the strongest too thanks to its additional boost of energy. Unfortunately, Circa Waves fall victim to the straightforward rock sound that lacks creativity and originality as the majority of tracks succumb to inevitably becoming background noise. Potential was demonstrated through the experimental sound on 2020 single Sad Happy which makes this basicness all the more disappointing. Overall, Death & Love, at its worst, sounds like teenagers doing band practice in their dad’s garage but, at its best, sounds like decent indie rock tunes with more depth and emotion, levelling out to be somewhat of a mixed bag, albeit leaning more into the negative side. 5/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 22 January 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! There’s more love and heartbreak as the teen romcom series continues on Netflix. Kitty enters her second semester of her scholarship at KISS, where Alex’s father Professor Lee is the new principal and Min-ho’s celebrity father Mr Moon is a new investor launching a performing arts programme. We learn Kitty rejected Min-Ho on the plane and she is lusting after Yuri, who is in a relationship with Juliana, and the three of them are awkwardly sharing a dorm room, along with new student Stella, a devoutly religious girl who begins a relationship with Min-ho but is harbouring a dark secret. Elsewhere, Dae begins a relationship with his talent show rival Eunice and Q with his track rival Jin and Kitty continues to explore her mother’s history in Korea, discovering new family ties. Never has such a trail of unrequited love been so complicated, which somewhat culminates in the skiing trip episode as everyone finds out that Kitty and Yuri shared a kiss, Q has secretly invited Jin over and Kitty wrote a love letter for Yuri. The cabin fever theme boosts the episode as one of the strongest in the season as the enclosed space allows for heightened emotions as the secrets are discovered. Offering up some relief from the primary romance element is Kitty’s continued exploration into her mother’s history in Korea as she discovers her mother’s love interest Simon was actually her cousin and they were trying to reunite the family. Although less interesting than the other storylines, it nicely offers more variation to the series. Furthermore, a visit from Peter and a guest appearance from Margot provides a sweet link to the original film series too. With a satisfactory ending, XO, Kitty delivers on another successful season left open for a potential third, should it be recommissioned! 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 16 January 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix’s partnership with author Harlan Coben continues with this latest instalment. Kat Donovan is a detective inspector whose life is turned upside down when she finds her fiancé who disappeared without trace 11 years ago on a dating app, truths about her father who was murdered are discovered as his convicted killer is announced to be dying and a teenager approaches her to help find his missing mother. Missing You is in the vein of other Coben adaptations but frustrates as it creates questions throughout though doesn’t offer answers until the end, making the rest of the episodes irritatingly bland. Events happen but fail to provide a what or a why. However, explanations are provided in the final episode and allows us to piece together what really happened as the truth surrounding her missing fiancé, her murdered father and Titus’ criminal operations are all revealed. Interestingly, despite being horrified at discovering Josh is responsible for her father’s death, as they sit side by side on the bed in the final scene, she moves her finger over to meet Josh’s, suggesting she still loves him and is considering staying together. Credit due for such a shocking hint that deviates from the expected outcome. In conclusion, the series provides a decent mystery but when compared to some of the other Coben series, this one ultimately falls a little bit flat. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 31 December 2024 TV: One Day Film: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl Artist: Chappell Roan Song: Nemo- The Code Album: Dua Lipa- Radical Optimism

Published by Mason Oldridge, 2 January 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! After 14 years, everyone’s favourite cheese-loving inventor and his loyal canine companion are back for a new adventure, along with fiction’s greatest villain! The much-anticipated and long-awaited return sees Wallace invent a robotic garden gnome called Norbot, much to the disgruntlement of Gromit. However, things go awry when Feathers McGraw, the evil penguin from the 1993 special The Wrong Trousers, remotely hacks and manipulates the new invention from his cell, as we learn from a flashback that his punishment was imprisonment at a zoo. The storyline succeeds as the iconic duo race against time to stop Feathers and his army of robots from completing the mission they thwarted the first time: stealing the Blue Diamond. There is anticipation as we anxiously await the robot turning sinister, shock as we learn the valuable jewel was hidden by Feathers in Wallace’s teapot the whole time and action as the film culminates in a dangerous chase on an aqueduct. The comedy is strong too, most notably the hilarious way Norbot charges himself. There is also a genius nod to Feather’s chicken disguise from The Wrong Trousers as he once again dons the red rubber glove as headgear, which Wallace again falls for. Reece Shearsmith is brilliant voicing Norbot, while Peter Kay returns to bring his Boltonian tone to Chief Inspector Mackintosh, though it can’t be denied the strongest characters are the non-verbal ones. Also, credit is due for how the current and relevant concerns surrounding AI are addressed. Norbot may be handy and productive but lacks the personal element of human contribution which sees the gardening done in an efficient yet unsightly manner and allows him to be controlled by an evil handler.  Perhaps the greatest strength though is the impressive way thoughts and emotions are conveyed on the silent stop-motion characters. Examples of this included Feathers beaded with sweat as he attempts to access the computer whilst not waking the guard and his forlorn reaction to his failure as he rides off into Yorkshire. The second feature-length endeavour and sixth instalment overall, Vengeance Most Fowl is as strong as its predecessors, if not more so. Wallace & Gromit is a true British classic and deserves its critical acclaim that saw it crowned the second-most watched programme on Christmas Day and Audio Visual’s Film of 2024. 10/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 10 January 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Get ready for more green tracksuits and pink jumpsuits as we head back to South Korea for the return of Netflix’s most-viewed series! The second season follows Gi-hun on his mission to confront the Front Man and stop the games once and for all, while Jun-ho and the crew search for the island. In the first episode, Gi-hun, hiding in an abandoned motel three years on, has hired his former loan shark and his team to locate the recruiter. This episode explores the mysterious character further but maintains the mystique as he destroys the bread in front of the homeless people in a psychotic rage, forces Mr Kim and Woo-seok to play a sinister game of rock, paper, scissors and challenges Gi-hun to Russian roulette, subsequently losing. His sadistic personality is captivating and chilling to watch as the first episode alone is truly gripping! As Gi-hun re-enters the games, he uses his prior knowledge to guide the new set of players through Red Light, Green Light, shouting verbal instructions, primarily “hold still” while covering his mouth to not be detected, in an epic scene. There are some interesting characters introduced in the new batch. Allies form around Gi-hun. Much of the comedy arises from egotistical rapper Thanos, who takes pills that result in his erratic behaviour. However, a shock twist sees the Front Man enter the games as player 001 and pretend to support Gi-hun, his true identity unbeknown to the protagonist. The format is changed this year as new games are introduced and players are given the chance to vote to stay or leave after each game. Seemingly a democratic process, the public voting system divides the camp into two opposing sides and is as compelling to watch as the deadly games themselves. Once again, credit is due for the contrast between the colourful set design and childlike music and the high stakes and gory results. In the final episode, Gi-hun and his allies take cover during the overnight onslaught before overpowering the guards and beginning their massacre in a fight to reach management. It is refreshing to see the good guys succeeding but the inevitable happens as the Front Man eventually returns to his side and forces Gi-hun to watch his friend die as a consequence of his uprising. The shootout is action-packed, unpredictable and most of all thrilling! The post-credits scene teases a giant robotic boy alongside the now-infamous girl as we eagerly await the third and final season to find out if Gi-hun can finally put a stop to the dystopian horror! 9/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 7 January 2025 After experimentation on their past few albums, Franz Ferdinand appear to be returning to their rock origins on their first album in 7 years, with some surprises thrown in for good measure. The Human Fear delves into the different fears we experience in life and how we can also chase the thrill they create as they are what make us human. Lead single Audacious may suggest the Scottish rockers are slowing down but the rest of the tracklist shows this is not the case. Everydaydreamer opens to slick bass and is complemented by its backing vocals, The Doctor sees a return of the synth and Tell Me I Should Say features a piano intro. Black Eyelashes is truly unique with its Middle Eastern influences whereas The Birds touches upon the theme of regret and excels placing the rhythm guitar at the centre. Night or Day challenges to be the standout with its incredibly catchy chorus, while its verses contain playful keys and strained vocals not before heard by Kapranos. However, Hooked has to be the highlight thanks to its totally unexpected and addictive electronic riff. With more enjoyable tracks and unforeseen sounds, Franz Ferdinand prove they’ve still got it. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 3 January 2025 CONTAINS SPOILERS! 12 million viewers tuned in on Christmas Day to see if Smithy said “yes” to Nessa five years ago as the legendary sitcom wraps up after 17 years. The finale opens with preparations for Smithy’s wedding… to Sonia. We learn that Nessa’s proposal went unanswered after Gavin interrupted and it was never mentioned again. Elsewhere, Gavin and Stacey try out roleplaying and Gwen has a new mystery man. There are some funny comedy moments throughout the feature-length episode such as Smithy oversleeping for his stag events and resolving to have his arm broken as the only reasonable explanation to his fiancé, Pete’s dread over getting back together with Dawn, Bryn’s reaction to the reveal that Dave Coaches is Gwen’s new partner and how everyone who encouraged Gavin to speak up goes quiet when he eventually does so at the ceremony. However, there were less comedic moments as the priority for the finale was properly concluding the much-loved series, which it successfully does so. After an emotional scene in which growing audience members proclaim their disapproval of Smithy and Sonia’s wedding, Sonia angrily tells Smithy that he won’t find anyone better than her, to which he replies “I already did, 17 years ago in Leicester Square” in a truly tear-jerking moment. A race to Southampton Docks then pursues with the gang aboard Dave’s coach for Smithy to confess his love to Nessa before she sets sail on a cargo ship for work. Refusing to propose again, Smithy is the one who gets down on one knee this time as we fast-forward to the wedding we all wanted to see this Christmas. The episode ends with the group photographed together and the series has nicely wrapped everything up. Well, except for finding out what happened on the fishing trip, but I think we can allow for that! Focusing on two down-to-Earth families as their lives overlap thanks to the titular couple’s blossoming romance, Gavin & Stacey is one of the most successful sitcoms of all time and it is easy to see why its perfect finale drew overwhelming viewing figures. 10/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 20 December 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Ted Danson leads on this comedy-drama from The Good Place creator Michael Schur. Charles is a lonely widow who is encouraged by his daughter Emily to find a new project or hobby. He answers an ad from private investigator Julie, who is looking for someone to go undercover at a retirement home to investigate the disappearance of a resident’s necklace. Posing as a new arrival, Charles moves into Pacific View for 30 days, though starts to find himself enjoying his new social life and caring for his new neighbours, jeopardising the investigation. There is a delicate balance of comedy, warmth and sadness to make for a touching story. Much of the comedy arises from Charles’ excitement over being a spy and subsequently his lack of skill at being one, particularly when he discovers his first suspect Jan has died. The warmth comes from the relationships he establishes with the residents; Virginia and Florence help him settle in, he cares for Gladys and he strikes up a close friendship with Calbert. Elsewhere, there is a touch of sadness sprinkled in such as Charles still struggling with the loss of his wife, Florence’s passing, Gladys’ memory loss and eventual move to the memory care unit and coming to terms with declining health from ageing in general. However, there is one theme prevalent throughout which is dementia. Charles’ wife died from the disease but in the end it proves to be a more defining part of the show than initially believed as it is revealed Gladys is the thief, though unintentionally as a result of her confusion, cleverly highlighting the issue and how the illness can affect people. As Charles’ cover is blown, he faces backlash from Didi and the residents, upset at his deceit. There is a tear-jerking moment as he breaks down when clearing out his wife’s possessions with Emily but the show delivers on a happy ending as Charles visits Pacific View for Virginia and Elliot’s wedding with the residents appearing to have forgiven him. Furthermore, Julie enlists Charles for a new mission in the final scenes, linking to the already commissioned second season. If you’re looking for a short, feel-good, heartwarming series to watch, you won’t get better than this. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 10 December 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The jungle drums could be heard once again as a new batch of celebrities headed down under. The famous faces challenging themselves this year were Coronation Street star Alan Halsall, N-Dubz singer Tulisa, McFly star Danny Jones, boxing legend Barry McGuigan, Loose Women panellist Jane Moore, social media influencer GK Barry, Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough, media personality Coleen Rooney, TV and radio presenter Melvin Odoom and professional dancer Oti Mabuse. This year’s camp was widely known as one of the best lineups, in part due to how everyone opened up early on and the lack of fallouts. It is seemingly an annual tradition for one to become the target for everyday trials and this time was no different as it was Dean heading down to the trial clearing each morning. Saying the infamous words early on, his performance each day slowly improved, though later on, he was criticised for not evenly contributing to the camp chores. Late arrivals Love Island star Maura Higgins and the Reverend Richard Coles entered the luxurious Junkyard camp, though had to convince the others that they were living in poverty to win everyone a buffet, which created some of the most hilarious moments in the series. There were emotional times such as Barry talking about his daughter’s death, Danny opening up about his anxiety and therapy and Oti comforting a struggling Melvin. There were budding friendships too as Danny and Barry adopted a father-son relationship, Oti and Melvin were like siblings and there was the unlikely companionship between Richard and GK. As always, there were funny and interesting conversations in camp too, such as Coleen discussing the Wagatha Christie trial and life in the Rooney household, Tulisa on her drug trial and Maura on the media’s twisted reporting of her personal life, though it was Richard who had the most bizarre stories! Ultimately, it was Danny who was deservingly crowned King of the Jungle. With more terrifying trials, madcap challenges, hilarious moments, plus some insightful and emotive ones, I’m a Celebrity continues to reign as the champion of British reality TV. 9/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 December 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Britt Robertson and Chad Michael Murray take the helm in Netflix’s latest festive romcom. Ashley is living her dream as a Broadway dancer in a Christmas show, until one day she is replaced by a younger performer. This leads her back to her sleepy hometown Sycamore Creek, where her elderly parents run struggling venue The Rhythm Room. Upon discovering the $30k debt, she makes it her personal mission to raise the funds, doing so by using her expertise as a dancer to create an all-male revue. She enlists Luke, the resident handyman, and the two begin falling for each other. The blossoming romance between the two leads may be unoriginal and cheesy, but the plot revolving around saving her parents’ club gives it a nice layer of heart and warmth. Additionally, there are further feel-good moments such as Luke finding the new experience that pushes him out of his comfort zone ultimately brings him happiness and Ashley falling back in love with her hometown alongside the realisation that fulfilment comes from people rather than achieving aspirations. There isn’t really any comedy in the film but the plot is carried by the romance and showbiz elements anyway. The Merry Gentlemen is almost exactly as you would expect. Predictable but nonetheless heartwarming. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 6 December 2024 Blackpink singer Rosé leaves her K-pop sound behind and leans into more Western pop for her solo debut. The album opens on Number One Girl, a piano ballad that shines a spotlight on the New Zealand / South Korean singer’s powerful vocals. 2am is set to a trap beat, Two Years features synth, Not The Same is centred around a Latin-style acoustic guitar, while latest single Toxic Till the End contains an electronic backing. Elsewhere, Gameboy employs a catchy chorus and Stay A Little Longer is another ballad which emphasises her vocal abilities, before Dance All Night closes the record with its chilled vibes. Despite this, not every track is worthy of merit as some run the risk of fading as background music. However, lead single Apt. is easily the standout. Inspired by the South Korean drinking game, it adopts a playground-like chant in what becomes an inescapable earworm. Having enjoyed international commercial success, the hit features Bruno Mars, whose soulful and silky vocals elevate the track to another level. With an array of instrumentation and strong vocals, Rosé proves she has the staying talent to stand alone as a solo artist. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 31 October 2023 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Mike Flanagan is back with his annual Halloween horror series, this time adapted from the works of gothic writer Edgar Allan Poe. The series sees ageing pharmaceuticals company CEO Roderick Usher sitting down with lawyer Auguste Dupin in an abandoned house to give him his “confession”. He recounts the six grisly deaths of his adult children while haunted by their corpses, told through flashbacks, whilst also slowly revealing a crucial act from New Years Eve 1979. The series has less reliance on jump scares and instead disturbs with gory and shocking scenes, with each episode focusing on one of the children, culminating in their gruesome death. First is youngest son Prospero, who holds a prestigious orgy. He is teased by a mysterious tempress he doesn’t recall inviting, before the sprinkler system releases acid, burning everyone in attendance to a pile of flesh as the episode abruptly ends. Each following episode will grip as it becomes apparent each ends with a violent death. The following deaths included mauled by a gorilla, falling over a balcony, stabbing themselves after becoming delusional, impaled with falling glass and being sliced in half whilst paralysed. All of them are tormented by this same mysterious woman that was at the orgy, though it is shown the deaths are somewhat deserved as it is apparent the family are evil in relation to being extremely wealthy from the corrupt organisation they were born into. In the final episode, we learn the full extent of what occurred that New Year. Roderick was a whistleblower, assisting Auguste to expose the corruption within the company Roderick was working and unfairly treated at, before double-crossing him in an effort to take over the company. He and Madeline then drugged and bricked in his manager, though the mysterious woman is aware of their crime and offers them a deal: have the world but their bloodline dies with them, to which they accept, showcasing their greed and desire. Back in the present, Roderick and Madeline also meet their deaths and the woman is revealed to be a shapeshifting crow, bringing comeuppance and representing justice. Flanagan’s other series have always fallen victim to comparison with his untouchable first series The Haunting of Hill House, which in fairness is the best, though this comes a close second. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 18 September 2023 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix’s latest romcom heads straight to the number one spot on its opening weekend. The film sees Hadley, an American flying to London for her dad’s wedding, share a plane ride with Oliver, a British student flying home for his dying mum’s memorial. The pair strike up a naturally-occurring instant bond and the remainder of the film sees them seeking each other again. However, the narrator Jameela Jamil explains how this film isn’t about love but rather “fate”; something explored from the start as Hadley was supposed to be on a different plane but missed her planned flight. There is also a heavy focus on statistics, in relation to being the topic of study for Oliver at Yale. There is an apparent connection between the two on the plane from the moment Oliver comforts Hadley during take-off and is felt from the audience at home thanks to Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy’s superb performances. It turns out both are experiencing challenging situations in their own lives as Hadley never forgave her father for leaving and Ben is saddened by his mother’s impending death, with Rob Delaney and Sally Phillips also deserving credit for their portrayal of their respective roles. The disappointment and sadness felt by Hadley and Oliver can be seen in their facial expressions, leaving their eventual reunion to be a real tearjerker. The film has a nice plot, sending a message that love will find a way, but it is the level of emotion from the protagonists that earns this film such a high score. 10/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 25 November 2024 Industrial rocker Marilyn Manson and his eponymous band return with a new studio album littered with references to religion and death. Lead single As Sick As The Secrets Within was the first taste of the new material and its sinister lyrics align with the music video’s disturbing imagery. Nod If You Understand is the heaviest on the album. Utilising vocal distortion, the track culminates in hammering drums and whining guitar. Sacreligious is a less heavier option whereas Death Is Not a Costume contains a drum beat reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails’ Closer. However, Raise the Red Flag is easily the highlight as a darkly epic anthem built around a haunting melody. Closing the album is Sacrifice of the Mass. Featuring Radiohead-style acoustic guitar, the final track becomes somewhat of a rock opera, albeit in their trademark gothic vein. Despite being their twelfth release, the group prove they can still turn out new music to the quality of their 90s heyday. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 18 November 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The latest in Netflix’s string of festive releases is a romantic take on Frosty the Snowman. Lacey Chabert stars as grieving widow Kathy, who places a red scarf on a snowman sculpture one night, only for him to magically come to life. Naked, he takes some overalls from a clothing shop, from which he is given the name Jack. As the town comes to love their friendly new resident, the sheriff is determined to catch the culprit for streaking and theft. As Jack struggles to adjust to human life, Kathy initially believes him to be insane and takes him to a doctor to be examined, in scenes unimpressively similar to Elf. Parallels can also be drawn in how Jack’s joyous personality improves the mood of those around him. However, this comparison fades as the women in town meet Jack and he adopts a hunky handyman persona more aligned with the gardener from Desperate Housewives. The plot is undeniably cheesy but, despite being basic and predictable, can still be enjoyed at face value as the chemistry feels real between the two leads. However, the comedy falls flat as the jokes aren’t funny and the sheriff’s attempts at appearing cool and important are rather cringeworthy. Hot Frosty is a sweet tale of love and kindness, though definitely more rom than com. 5/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 15 November 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The North Carolina-set teen drama is back with a new mission… and back on top form. The Pogues’ new fortune allows them to set up a new home and business for themselves: Poguelandia 2.0, but, when JJ bets their last gold nugget on himself in a dirt bike race he ultimately loses, they cannot afford to pay their property tax and reluctantly accept the offer they were made at the end of last season to help locate Blackbeard’s treasure. They are hired by Wes Genrette, whose ancestor killed the legendary pirate and whose family have been cursed ever since, as he believes finding the treasure will break the curse. However, also on the same mission are ruthless mercenaries who will stop at nothing to find the goods first. After the relative disappointment of last season, Season 4 can be seen as a return to the quality of the first two. This season brings with it an epic new villain in Chandler Groff, Wes’ son-in-law. Groff inhabits a charm that masks his greed and deceitfulness, similar to that of Ward Cameron, making him an enthralling and entertaining baddie to watch. Following the season finale, we can assume he will appear as the main antagonist in next season too! There are many memorable moments but perhaps the most atmospheric is JJ’s rampage in an angry response to the outcome of the town council meeting. Perfectly set to Fontaine D.C.’s Starburster, the police struggle to cope with the public unrest in a truly haunting scene. The season finale is, once again, cinematic. An action-packed race amidst a sandstorm in Morocco culminates with JJ discovering the crown, though the victory is short-lived as Groff returns, steals the crown, and stabs JJ to death in revenge for leaving him in the well. JJ’s death is totally unforeseen though retrospectively explains why he took centre stage this season. A fifth and final season is on the way and, with a death among the main cast bound to change the tone and revenge on their mind, the final visit to OBX is set to be an exciting one. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 8 March 2023 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The Pogues’ treasure-hunting moves in a whole new direction as we return to OBX and beyond. Season 3 begins where the Season 2 finale left off, with the Pogues stranded on a deserted island: the self-proclaimed Poguelandia. Unfortunately, this is one of few moments we get this season of our favourite gang altogether due to the revelation that Big John is still alive. Where this provided a shocking twist to close the second season, it damaged the content of Season 3. Big John’s return sees John B abandons his friends to go treasure hunting with his newly-returned dad, causes a rift between him and Sarah, driving her into the arms of Topper and sees Big John put the treasure before his son, taking the lead on a project that should really be led by Pope. Furthermore, John B learns his father is not the hero he thought he was and his return devalues the previous exploration done in his memory. However, this means Big John got to see the completion of his life’s work before his death, dying of a gunshot wound. The compelling villains of Rafe and Ward Cameron are back too. Lying low in their new life in Guadalupe, Ward attempts to make amends, starting by donating the Cross of Santo Domingo. Conflict arises between the father and son as Rafe steals and sells the cross from under him and Ward denies his intention to run the family business back home. They reconcile before Ward tags along on the hunt to protect Sarah, eventually sacrificing himself for her safety in an emotionally-charged scene for which Charles Eston deserves great praise for his performance. The danger levels rise this season when a new villain is introduced: Carlos Singh. The Pogues’ rescue from Poguelandia is actually a kidnapping as Kiara is taken hostage and we learn Singh is searching for El Dorado. This all culminates in an epic season finale which takes John B, Sarah and Big John deep into the South American jungle on a perilous quest, leading to them finding the gold city. There are several gunpoint moments too in an episode which is truly cinematic. The season ends with a time jump to 18 months later as the Pogues are officially recognised for their discovery. It may be nice to see the gang finally succeed though this means we never got to see Pope finally retrieve Denmark’s treasure back from the Camerons after they came so close back on the boat. The season closes with a man approaching them to help locate Blackbeard’s treasure, hinting at the plotline for the already commissioned fourth season. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 18 November 2022 Just 10 months after their latest album, the indie rockers are back with a new EP. The title track was released first back in summer and is a classic Wombats song with a catchy guitar riff at the core, bordering on pop-rock. I Think My Mind Has Made Its Mind Up is heavier with a more grinding guitar riff and features an enjoyable bridge thanks to the pairing of bass and crash symbols. The album tracks are somewhat more interesting and ambitious. Dressed to Kill is sinister with distorted vocals on the chorus and verses that bear a surprising resemblance to Miley Cyrus’ Malibu. Demon’s sombre verses give a nice contrast to the outcry on the chorus, Same Old Damage is a diversion from the band’s usual sound, giving off Twenty One Pilots vibes and unexpected falsetto on the chorus, whereas Good Idea at The Time is a fast-paced return to the band’s MO to nicely round off the EP. Emotion doesn’t quite reach the levels of their 2010s work but the collection offers up a nice variation between tracks with both their usual sound as well as experimentation away from it. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 10 October 2022 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Mila Kunis stars in Netflix’s film adaptation of the 2015 novel. The movie is branded as a mystery thriller though really appears more as a drama as there is minimal action. Nevertheless, audiences will be left intrigued due to the time-jumping narrative. The film sees Ani, an engaged writer who has created a perfect New York life for herself though harbours haunting memories of a childhood event. When a documentary crew approaches her, we learn she was present at a school shooting. The film cleverly reveals more about her history in flashbacks spaced between her adult life in the present. We eventually discover she was gang raped and her friend committed the shooting against the rapists after she didn’t report them. Kunis may be the star but it is Chiara Aurelia who deserves praise for her distressing performance as young Ani, demonstrating trauma amid the difficult scenes. As Ani secretly records a confession of the sole surviving rapist, the article she publishes on her story leaves several women feeling empowered and is particularly relevant in the MeToo movement. Despite being set in 2015 as people predicted the first female president, it is still a prevalent issue in society and, although her split with her fiancé is bittersweet, it shapes the positive ending of Ani finally taking control of her life in a more confident manner. In conclusion, the film may not be the most entertaining, but the flashbacks slowly reel you in, feature a rising star within them, and masterfully combats victim blaming in an unconventional situation. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 2 October 2022 Icelandic singer and musician Björk gets back in touch with her homeland with her tenth album Fossora. Clarinets, trombones, strings, drum beats and even a timpani all feature on Fossora to truly recreate a avante-garde pop sound which is heard throughout Fossora. The album was produced during lockdown when Björk returned to Iceland and touches upon the country’s folk origins too. The album opens with Atopos, the lead single and the highlight of the record. Clarinet sounds support Björk’s powerful vocals set to a militant drum beat before a sinister closure. This artistic approach continues throughout the album yet with less force, becoming a concept that grows tired upon progressing through the tracklist. There are other positive elements past the first track however; Ancestress is a lengthy tribute to her mother following her passing in 2018 and stands strong on its own and there is welcome techno included on the title track as many of the songs end with a more abrupt, heavier beat than the harmonic piece they start with. Overall, Fossora is a unique piece of avante-pop with impressive talent, though misses variation between tracks. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 15 May 2022 A Light for Attracting Attention is the result of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood’s work during lockdown with drummer Tom Skinner. The album opens with The Same, a hauntingly eerie track that contains ambient sounds reminiscent of Kid A while maintaining their own sound of OK Computer, whereas tracks such as The Opposite and The Smoke are built around a repetitive bass line similar to How to Disappear Completely. Unfortunately, what follows is essentially a regurgitation of these over again with slightly altered music and the songs fall foul of blending and risk being indistinguishable from each other. Despite this, single Pana-vision contains piano and falsetto that encapsulates an atmospheric sound, making it a very suitable soundtrack for the Peaky Blinders finale. Furthermore, We Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings introduces some much-needed energy to an otherwise boring collection of songs. In conclusion, the album holds on to the infamous Radiohead sound and demonstrates the members talents yet lacks substance and memorability. Ultimately, the project doesn’t conjure up enough uniqueness and differentiation from the main band to constitute a separate project. 3/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 16 April 2022 Fontaines D.C. pay tribute to their Irish roots, an attribute that both strengthens and hinders their third album Skinty Fia. In ár gCroíthe go deo, translating to “In our hearts forever”, is a haunting track, aided by the internal choir verse that repeats throughout the six-minute epic. The music slowly builds up to a drum and bass centre that further compliments the backing vocals. Unfortunately, the opener sets up false hope as what follows is a line-up of tracks that don’t impress. Although displaying a strong riff, the heavy guitars on Big Shot almost drowns out the vocals whereas the instrumentation on The Couple Across the Way is almost painful in a song that is centred on what sounds to be an accordion. Additionally, vocals are sub-par, drawing on the whiny sound of Britpop vocalists Gallagher and Albarn. As opposed to the heartfelt nostalgia felt in other albums that acknowledge an artist’s place of origin such as Keane’s Strangeland, Skinty Fia feels more like forced patriotism, evident in the Irish pronunciation in lead single Jackie Down the Line, as if the band feel guilty and are punishable for even leaving their home nation. 3/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 9 April 2022 After dominating house music throughout the 2010s, the Scandinavian trio are back with a full-length debut. Opening tracks Time and Heaven Takes You Home sees the group utilise guest female vocals to create classic dance tracks that belong on a dancefloor. Jacob’s Note is a 60 second operatic piano piece that acts as a prelude to single Moth to a Flame featuring The Weeknd. The Canadian R&B star’s vocals work well and blend smoothly with the awesome backing beat. The record is heavier at times, evident with the sinister yet epic Mafia and club track Redlight, featuring Sting and sampling Roxanne, his song with The Police. The boys also integrate rap in their new music and, despite the poor vocals of A$AP Rocky, the energetic beat of Frankenstein elevates the song to be a highlight of the album. Lead single It Gets Better features cowbell, built on a beat reminiscent of The Chemical Brothers. Overall, the album sees the boys take a more experimental approach, akin to 2012’s Greyhound and Antidote as opposed to the more commercially successful Don’t You Worry Child and Miami 2 Ibiza, therefore superseding the band’s previous work. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 2 April 2022 Cabello’s unique selling point is her ability to beautifully blend classic Latin music with the vulnerability of modern pop music, something that shines in her third effort Familia. The 17-second title track is a trumpet intro that sets the scene for the album before blending into the chilled track of Celia. The standout of the album is Psycho Freak which encapsulates the modern anxiety of “no WiFi” and pressures of Instagram, justifying why female pop is dominating the musical landscape right now. Hawaiian vibes are felt from Bam Bam, accompanied by the acoustic guitar and guest vocals of Ed Sheeran. At times the Latin aspects can become slightly overwhelming such as on La Buena Vida, which risks the instrumentation drowning out the vocals. Diversity is offered through the distortion on Boys Don’t Cry and the slick bass on Hasta Los Dientes. Lead single Don’t Go Yet is a catchy pop song with fast paced vocals, a claim supported by its excessive radio airplay, whereas the two final emotional tracks bring the album to a nice close. Overall, Cabello’s talent is clear throughout the album though would be more prominent with less reliance on Latin influence. 5/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 20 March 2022 Indie rock band Sea Girls return with their lockdown produced effort Homesick. From opener Hometown, we are introduced to the theme of nostalgia and memories, which continues throughout the album, regularly comparing the past and the present. Lead single Sick explores the difficulties and complexity of adulthood, culminating in a chorus of pleading to be a child again. Lonely builds upon Camamile’s personal experience of a previous breakup whereas Someone’s Daughter Someone’s Son addresses growing up. Paracetamol Blues is a definite highlight; a beautiful insight into a relationship and looking after each other. Lucky is another high point with a build-up that is complemented by Camamile’s powerful vocal performance. Cute Guys is the standout of the album with a slower pace than the others. The sinister acoustic guitar delicately works with Camamile’s chilling falsetto to produce a haunting track dealing with crippling fear. Ultimately, Homesick is a worthy follow-up and doesn’t have one bad song, a feature hard to find in a full album. The only criticism is the lack of experimentation as this band has the potential to take their music to another level should they branch out to new sounds and instruments. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 11 November 2024 Seven years on from lead singer Chester Bennington’s devastating suicide, the band have regrouped with a new lineup and go again, entering a new era, from zero. Taking on the role of lead singer is Dead Sara vocalist Emily Armstrong, who wastes no time in bringing her screamo ability to the record. Despite the changes, the newcomer’s harsh vocals balance nicely with Shinoda’s calmer tone and rap verses. The choice of a female lead may be controversial yet works in their favour as the duality of gender aids their sound. There is heavier instrumentation on singles The Emptiness Machine and Heavy Is the Crown but Casualty is the heaviest as the short and aggressive midpoint. Over Each Other and Stained incorporate pounding drums and Good Things Go rounds the tracklist off nicely in what are the more melodic and well-structured songs of the album. However, Overflow is the highlight. Adopting a more industrial sound, the track stands out from the rest with a haunting background before epic guitar plays the song out. With a strong set of new material, Linkin Park prove they can succeed with their new arrangement. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 4 November 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The number one rule of time travel is don’t change the past, but this rule is ignored in Netflix’s new sci-fi film. In 2003, high school student Summer Fields is murdered by a serial killer as the final victim of a three-day rampage, the previous victims having been Summer’s friends. The town continued to be devastated by the horrors, though Summer’s parents eventually had another daughter: Lucy. In 2024, Lucy is unhappy as her life is defined by her sister’s murder, until she stumbles upon a time machine and travels back to 2003. Meeting physics prodigy Quinn, he initially warns Lucy of the dangers of altering the past, but she ultimately intervenes in the first night’s double murder. Shouting the security guard for help, he ends up being murdered too as Lucy’s attempt results in an additional casualty, cleverly highlighting how dangerous changing the past can be. However, as Lucy, Summer and Quinn grow close, they decide to prevent the next murders. They save Emmy which allows Summer to confess her love for her and finally Lucy and Quinn save Summer. They retrieve the fuel for the time machine so Lucy can return to her current life but, realising she won’t be born in the new timeline where Summer survives, she opts to stay in 2003 where she has a better quality of life with her sister and friends. It is refreshing to see a time travel film reject the norm and actually see the characters rewrite history for the greater good instead of focusing on preserving the original timeline. Finally, the film keeps the audience in suspense as to who the masked killer is before it is revealed to be Quinn from the future who committed the murders in retaliation after his classmates pranked him and Summer rejected him. This is not a particularly unpredictable reveal but also not disappointing. Overall, Time Cut is a decent sci-fi film. Although nothing groundbreaking, favouring editing the past is a nice deviation from the standard protocol. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 30 October 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! The unlikely trio are back to solve another murder in the building… and this time it’s personal for Charles. Charles, Oliver and Mabel set about investigating the murder of Charles’ stunt double Sazz. Having been murdered in Charles’ apartment, it is unclear whether Charles or Sazz was the target. The investigation heads to the west side of the building, where we meet the eccentric ‘westies’ who are collectively harbouring a dark secret. Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is developing their podcast into a film adaptation, with the group played by Eugene Levy, Zach Galifianakis and Eva Longoria, who star as fictionalised versions of themselves. The show has a tendency to have many guest stars appear in this form but these three are particularly enjoyable as they attempt to capture the true personalities of the podcasters they are portraying. Additionally, Paul Rudd appearing as Glen Stubbins, the Irish stunt double of Ben Glenroy, the character he played last season, is also hilarious. However, much of the comedy this season is rather slapstick, notably Charles’ facial expressions and Oliver’s theatrics, as well as the characters of Bev Melon and Charles’ sister Doreen. Nevertheless, the ending delivers on another satisfactory resolution to the investigation as it is revealed Sazz wrote the screenplay, but it was stolen by her former protege and wannabe writer Rex, who murdered her when she discovered the theft. The season ends with a mysterious woman arriving at The Arconia, asking for the trio’s help investigating the disappearance of her husband, said to have a major connection to the building. Furthermore, friendly doorman Lester is found dead in the fountain outside, setting up the premise of the fifth season. It is understandable that the murders all occur in the building to align with the title, but perhaps some out-of-the-box thinking is required now as it begs the question: what are the odds of five unconnected murders happening in the same apartment complex? The fourth season offers up another good murder-mystery but the extensive branch of new characters makes us miss the good old days of the three’s quiet investigations. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 24 October 2024 Tissues at the ready as there won’t be a dry eye in the house with this emotional fifth studio album from Halsey. The Great Impersonator appears to reference the multiple personality types one can exude, with Halsey citing “friend, lover, foe”. The record places the acoustic guitar as the primary instrument across the tracklist but also offers up an array of other sounds. Single Ego is the most commercial on the album, embracing an Avril Lavigne-esque punk rock feel while the influence of Evanescence is prominent on Lonely Is the Muse. Arsonist contains some interesting lyrics set to a trip hop beat before the piano-led Life of the Spider, which deserves a trigger warning for its heart-wrenching depth. However, Dog Years is the highlight. Opening on haunting guitar, the sinister track maintains a chilling sound throughout, with unique lyrics, an eerie chorus and a second verse akin to Radiohead before the instrumentation turns heavier on the bridge. There might be a few lulls and things get depressing at times but overall Halsey demonstrates her ability to create different atmospheres even if the tone is lyrically the same. 6/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 23 October 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Sky’s new thriller series is darkly delightful. Overlooked wallflower Rhiannon Lewis doesn’t feel seen. She doesn’t dare speak up for herself, which her dad encourages her to do. Her sister lives abroad and leaves her on read, her love interest Craig tends to communicate with emojis and her boss is condescending and belittling. When her father dies, her childhood bully returns to town, her dog is killed in a road accident and she is denied a promotion at work, something in Rhiannon snaps. She is involved in an altercation with a drunken stranger and she stabs him to death in a psychotic rage, repeatedly shouting “do you see me now?!” in what is the first epic moment in the gripping series. From here on, she gets a taste for murder and sets about ridding the world of her enemies as some sort of twisted vigilante, gaining newfound confidence in the process. Ella Purnell is simply perfect in the lead role. She conveys both such a sweet vulnerability and a secret villainy that sees our sympathy turn to dislike. The plotline was destined for success itself but wouldn’t have maintained the same captivating essence without Purnell’s sinister duality. There is also a nice deviation from predictability as, following two murders committed in a similar vein, she breaks the format as she sets her sights on her next target Julia. Kidnapping her until she apologises for ruining her life, she learns Julia is a victim of domestic abuse from her husband Marcus. A further spanner is thrown in the works when Jeff witnesses her attempt to murder Marcus and, realising she is the serial killer, is hit by a bus following a chase. Rhiannon and Julia then devise an elaborate plan to frame Marcus, but Rhiannon pushes him to his death when he turns violent. As it appears Rhiannon has gotten away with it all and she is happy with her new life, viewers are left waiting until the very end to discover what and who will bring about her downfall. AJ realises the murder weapon is the same knife she had on his first day in the office and, as he tries to flee, Rhiannon stabs him to death. The series ends with Rhiannon embracing him in a pool of his own blood as her sister enters the house… a truly haunting ending! Sweetpea is chilling, compelling and highly addictive. 9/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 15 October 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! Netflix’s new romantic comedy series is a typical romcom with one key difference… the protagonist has fallen in love with a Jewish rabbi. Adam Brody as Noah is charming, smooth and an all-round nice guy juxtaposed with Kristen Bell as Joanne, who inhabits Bell’s usual character type of loud and outspoken yet well-meaning. It is likely Noah’s calm and collected charisma that led to an agnostic Joanne believing someone else was the Jewish rabbi at the party they met each other at, but he is indeed a more quiet and sensitive soul behind the confidence and opposites attract as the two develop their relationship. Meanwhile, Timothy Simons is hilarious as Noah’s brother Sasha, a kindhearted buffoon, who develops a friendship with Joanne’s free-spirited sister Morgan behind the back of his strict wife Esther. The show portrays Jewish culture and people in a highly negative light. Noah’s mother Bina is immediately dismissive and disapproving of Joanne simply for being a “shiksa” which is essentially religiously discriminatory behaviour. She attempts to end the relationship and outrightly states her intentions to Joanne, proving her to be interfering and troublemaking. Billed as an overprotective mother, she is actually putting her own wants above the happiness of her son. She openly admits her disgust at Joanne’s podcast topic, suggesting she is intolerant of anything against her own beliefs. Furthermore, the WAGs of the basketball team are all presented as mean and sanctimonious. Joanne is accepting of Noah’s Jewish community; it is disgraceful that they don’t share the same level of acceptance. Noah asks Joanne if she would consider converting to Judaism as a requirement for his job promotion, which she ultimately rejects when she learns of the responsibility. She breaks up with him as she won’t ask him to choose between his job and her, but he follows her. She asks him how this works, mirroring their quandary at the start of the series. He agrees that he can’t have both and kisses her, hinting that he is choosing her over the job. Despite the frustration with religious intolerance, the series is enjoyable and well-scripted. Here’s hoping the already commissioned second season will see love triumph over religious and personality differences, not just with Noah and Joanne but with Sasha and Morgan too! 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 14 October 2024 Confidence Man present their third studio album as the Aussie electropop outfit move to London. The group have entered the mainstream since the release of their previous record Tilt thanks to their duet with Swedish producer DJ Seinfeld on commercially successful dance track Now U Do, and this new album of theirs is simply full of dance bangers. The title is derived from their peak productivity time during late night writing sessions. The record is said to be influenced by the British rave scene of the 90s which can be heard throughout. So What touches upon Underworld’s Born Slippy, Breakbeat features the big beat sound of Fatboy Slim, Far Out echoes the early days of The Prodigy while Sicko opens to sounds reminiscent of The Chemical Brothers before unleashing an epic beat akin to Nine Inch Nail’s Closer. The title track closes the album and is the highlight, creating a euphoric sound of trance and psychedelia thanks to Janet Planet’s haunting vocals. There are even hints of Europop sprinkled within, though they maintain their own unique sound across the tracklist. The band may be from down under but this album is likely to elevate you to a joyous high. 8/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 8 October 2024 CONTAINS SPOILERS! There’s a stolen football trophy, a hungry crocodile, an insatiable ex and more death than ever before in the sixth season of the Lancashire-set comedy. It at first appears strange that the first episode is set three months after last season’s finale whereas the second episode jumps back to follow on, though it becomes apparent this was probably to highlight it as the funniest episode. It opens with the hilarious scene in which the gang catches Shirley performing a rather private activity in their weed farm. Later, the group travel to Ireland to Ash and Carol’s aunt and uncle, a sialoquent woman and her closed husband with a giant facial wart, providing further hilarity. The second episode picks up where the Season 5 finale left off. Manolito holds the gang at gunpoint before an accident results in him shooting himself in the head. Here comes the best line of the season when, looking down at the Italian criminal’s disfigured face, Ash remarks “he might not be dead”. As the group move to plant his body at his house, there are funny occurrences aplenty as they are forced to deal with an unwanted delivery man, housemaid and Manolito’s pet crocodile Lola, who begins to devour her newly deceased owner. Meanwhile, Erin and Carol embark on torching the getaway car from the robbery, but a series of mistakes sees them having to hilariously keep returning to the petrol station. JJ and Sugar get married in the finale, another truly comedic moment as the celebrant has facial tics causing him to gurn throughout the ceremony. However, the happiness is short-lived as a stranger turns up with news that Dylan has died in an accident. A heartbroken Vinnie sets about planning a funeral with his friends, based on plans he and Dylan made as teenagers, in a fitting end to the season. During the firework display, Davey has McCann murdered in prison and confirms this to Vinnie. Gone are the days of petty crimes, Vinnie is in the big leagues now and owes his life to Davey. The season ends with the group on a bus suspended over a cliff, mirroring the accident Vinnie and Dylan had as teens, a (literal) cliffhanger ready for the already commissioned seventh season. Brassic 6 offers up a nice sprinkling of comedic moments nicely balanced with the drama element of Davey, Manolito and McCann. 7/10

Published by Mason Oldridge, 11 October 2023 CONTAINS SPOILERS! There’s dodgy jobs aplenty as Vinnie and the gang are back for another run. Following last season’s ending in which Dylan was kidnapped, the group are carrying on with life in his absence. This season sees antics such as hijacking a transport truck, with the driver played by the brilliant guest star Lee Mack, assisting with Barry MacDonagh’s funeral after he is blown up by a landmine, discovering Tommo has a German son, robbing an arcade, enlisting the help of a rat catcher when Jim’s attic is infested, locating a stolen caravan believed to be full of cash and delivering a giant rabbit for Manolito. Also recurring throughout the season is Vinnie attending therapy and his reluctance to work with the MacDonagh’s after their alleged involvement in Dylan’s disappearance. The comedy is kept simple yet funny in both plot and jokes. Tommo and Ash remain the standouts thanks to their hilarious delivery of lines, while Jim is as furious as ever and Cardi mixing up Ted Bundy with Ted Baker is particularly side-splitting. In the penultimate episode, we learn that Manolito is in fact behind Dylan going missing and framed the MacDonaghs. This discovery results in an angry and revenge-seeking Vinnie devising a plot to steal precious art and plant it at Manolito’s house to frame him for the theft. At first, this seems a repeat of the same stunt they pulled to get rid of Terrence McCann, though it justifies itself when it is revealed Manolito is working for McCann. Dylan also makes a guest appearance at the end leaving Vinnie a voicemail confirming he is alive and well. The scene closes with Manolito gun in hand, hinting at a new level of danger for the coming episodes. The fifth season maintains a consistent standard of storyline and comedy, neither an improvement nor a decline from the previous, for what is another good season of the comedy-drama. 7/10