10 best breakthrough bands of 2021
Indie radio host Soph (aka Purpl Mac) takes us through the best releases this year from under the radar artists.
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blindedbythefloodlights@gmail.com Based in Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Reviews and Features
New song and album reviews, featured articles and opinion from indie and alternative.
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Matthew McLister
Dec 9, 202113 min read
Blinded by the Floodlight's best albums of 2021
The 30 best albums of 2021 from the world of indie and alternative.
Neil Renton
Dec 6, 20213 min read
The Libertines put two fingers up to the doubters during breathless Edinburgh set
Pete Doherty and Carl Barat's band roll back the years with a raw and explosive set at the Usher Hall (1/12/21).
Matthew McLister
Nov 26, 20213 min read
The Institutes have delivered one of the best guitar debuts of 2021
The Coventry band’s debut album Colosseums is full of warm, 90s inspired rock anthems and shoegaze tunes.
Matthew McLister
Nov 17, 20215 min read
IDLES overcome previous social class controversies with reflective new album CRAWLER
Addiction problems and near-death experiences; the Bristol band’s fourth record sees them change their focus.
Matthew McLister
Nov 12, 20211 min read
Podcast: The impact of The Strokes 'Is This It' on the UK music scene (ft. Gordon Raphael)
How The Strokes changed the UK guitar scene, with contributions from 'Is This It' producer Gordon Raphael and indie music bloggers.
Matthew McLister
Nov 9, 20213 min read
Dictator: The stunning Scottish band with A-list shoutouts, a new record deal and award nominations
The progress in 2021 of West Lothian electro-pop band Dictator has ensured they're an artist to keep your eye on.
Neil Renton
Nov 4, 20211 min read
The verdict on Foals new single 'Wake Me Up'
The hot take on the Oxford band's dancefloor-friendly new single 'Wake Me Up'.
Josh Robinson
Nov 1, 20219 min read
Sam Fender: 'Seventeen Going Under' track by track guide
Josh Robinson dives in deep to give us a track by track guide on the themes behind Sam Fender’s ‘Seventeen Going Under’. It’s finally...
Matthew McLister
Oct 28, 20217 min read
September/October indie review: The Lathums, Sam Fender and more
Featuring The Vaccines, The Lathums, Sam Fender, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Lana Del Rey, The Institutes and more.
Josh Robinson
Oct 20, 20215 min read
Bo Burnham’s INSIDE – The Perfect Music-Comedy Crossover
Bo Burnham's Netflix comedy special 'Inside' is an addictive and authentic commentary on social issues.
Matthew McLister
Oct 8, 20216 min read
The appetite for guitar music is as strong as it’s been in years
How the tide is turning for bands in the mainstream following the recent success of The Lathums, The Snuts and Fontaines D.C.
Neil Renton
Sep 30, 20212 min read
Live review: Bow Anderson at Edinburgh's Sneaky Pete's
A review of Edinburgh singer Bow Anderson's homecoming performance at Sneaky Pete's on 22 September 2021.
Matthew McLister
Sep 24, 20213 min read
10 things you probably didn't know about Nirvana's 'Nevermind'
The Seattle grunge band's second album turns thirty in 2021 and there's a lot to the iconic record that you probably didn't know.
Neil Renton
Sep 23, 20212 min read
Sea Girls prove they're one of the UK's best live bands
Neil Renton reviews Sea Girls' live return to Edinburgh's Liquid Rooms (13 September 2021).
Matthew McLister
Sep 17, 20214 min read
The Vaccines prove they're still in their peak with 'Back In Love City'
Why the West London indie band's fictionalised city concept fifth studio album is up there with their best work a decade into their career.
Neil Renton
Sep 15, 20214 min read
The return of festivals: TRNSMT 2021 review
Neil Renton attended Glasgow's TRNSMT on Saturday 11 September with the hope of being won over by a festival he'd fallen out with. I had...
Matthew McLister
Sep 11, 20219 min read
Is the demonisation of nu metal justified?
Confessions of an ex-teenage nu metal fan, questioning the legacy of the genre after HBO's Woodstock 99 documentary.
Matthew McLister
Aug 30, 20217 min read
August indie review: The Killers, Swim School, DMA's, Jake Bugg, Vistas and Bleachers
A review of the best indie music released in August 2021. Featuring The Killers, Swim School, Bleachers, DMA's, Jake Bugg and Vistas.
Matthew McLister
Aug 25, 20216 min read
Have The Killers regained their credibility?
With their new album 'Pressure Machine' receiving critical acclaim, the Las Vegas band have given themselves a new lease of life.
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