Phil Taylor (Music Observer)

No groundhogs here: The MOnday (2.2.26) I'm not Punxsutawney Phil, but I predict several months of great new music... today, we've got Grace Calver, Hunter as A Horse, Mia Wray and The Rural Alberta Advantage

Did you know I publish a weekly post with new music, a video and some recommended reading? Here's today's!

musicobserved.substack.com/p/no-groundh...

Pleasantly overwhelmed: The MOnday (26.1.26) New music, including a trove of albums, from Holly Humberstone, Henry Grace, Tessa Rose Jackson, Jasmine Power, The Paper Kits and Ski Team

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Yana Couto: Salt, music and the beauty of every day [Interview] A Polish music-maker doing things differently

Yana Couto is a Polish musician working with piano and field recordings. She was one of the artists I met at ESNS. I spoke to her about her unique approach to music and the importance of "salt" in life...

musicobserved.substack.com/p/yana-couto...

This was a really great album to get immersed in 🎶

Live Report: ESNS 2026 | Live | Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews Mind blowing choices immersed in the future of music... The trouble with going to a festival with more than 300 artists, from 39 countries, performing at

I got back on Saturday from 3 days in Groningen at
ESNS (aka Eurosonic), one of the most fun, mind-blowing, musical gatherings and a very cool way to start 2026.

I discovered loads of new artists - you can read all about it on @clashmusic.com ...

www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

A labyrinth of new music, ESNS continues to be the best place to discover fresh talent - Phil Taylor picks out the highlights from this year's trip to Groningen...

www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

Christmas every day... Really, would that be a good thing? Musicians answer this and other vital questions

10 artists, 7 questions... My end of year special is now online!
Find out musicians' thoughts on Secret Santa, best gifts ever, plans for 2026, and of course whether it really should be Christmas every day...

musicobserved.substack.com/p/christmas-...

Songs of the year: The Music Observer 10 My 10 top tracks of 2025

My final top 10!! The songs that meant most to me this year …

musicobserved.substack.com/p/songs-of-t...

EPs of the year: The Music Observer 10 The best EPs of 2025

We’ve arrived - the Music Observer end of the year lists are here! Starting today with EPs… 10 top picks and some honourable mentions too… Ready to read now

musicobserved.substack.com/p/eps-of-the...

Is this the best Gracie Abrams song ever? Cedar is exquisitely simple

A random Gracie post today

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The Neu Bulletin (Cliffords, Florence Road, Blossom Caldarone and more!) DIY’s essential guide to the best new music.

Another @diymagazine.bsky.social NEU Bulletin out today! Thrilled to see my Cliffords mini-review heading it up this time :)

diymag.com/feature/the-...

Eight exciting artists revisited How did my predictions work out?

Last year I selected 8 artists who I thought should be followed in 2025 — Today I’m revisiting them to see how it worked out…

musicobserved.substack.com/p/revisited-...

Live Report: Live At Leeds - In The City 2025

Karl Blakesley goes in search of the next big thing - KEO, Child Of Prague, Last Train (and more!) prove to be highlights...

www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

Roller Disco Death Party: Electronic chaos and live energy An exclusive interview with the electro-duo

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Played Cymru is our in-depth look at the Welsh music scene...

This month, Tom Morgan profiles The Family Battenberg, Po Griff, Asidhara, Hollow Blessings, CATTY + Why Horses?

www.clashmusic.com/features/pla...

Holly Humberstone: Die Happy Romance isn’t dead

Holly Humberstone: Die Happy

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Adwaith: The 100 Club, London [Live] Dragons under the streets of London

Some thoughts on last week‘s @adwaithmusic.bsky.social gig at the legendary 100 Club!

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Ellur has a brilliant new EP out today!

Yesterday I somehow managed to publish my regular Monday new music post despite a very hard day. Have a read! Coincidentally, all the artists I featured are from Scotland…

open.substack.com/pub/musicobs...

The Neu Bulletin (Cardinals, Mei Semones, Chloe Qisha and more!) DIY’s essential guide to the best new music.

I write quite a lot outside of my Substack blog. One of my favourites is the @diymagazine.bsky.social Neu Bulletin — short (~100 word) reviews of new music. It’s always a great list.

I wrote two for this week’s edition (Chloe Qisha and Cardinals)...

diymag.com/feature/the-...

Treat or treat: The MOnday 27.10.25 New music from Ber, CATTY, Charlotte Carpenter, Hana Lili, Loupe and Sigrid

Whether Monday is just beginning or ending for you, check out my new post with lots of new music recommendations…

musicobserved.substack.com/p/treat-or-t...

Albums I should have listened to by now: Hot Fuss Not quite a fatal blow from The Killers

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This is what a small, brilliant music festival looks like Honestly, I don't work for Twisterella

This is what a small and brilliant music festival looks like

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Live Report: Twisterella Festival

All eyes are on the North East this month - what better time to soak up new music in Middlesborough, then?

Phil Taylor picks out the key sets -

www.clashmusic.com/live/live-re...

This server's not down: The MOnday 20.10.25 Back and catching up, with new music from

I'm back with more new music stuff - have a read:
musicobserved.substack.com/p/this-serve...

Twisterella is my happy place More than just a metro festival

It’s that time of year again … Twisterella is a small multi venue festival that punches well above … I’ve written a bit about it here:

musicobserved.substack.com/p/twisterell...

How to stand out: My services for artists Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash

Calling independent artists! If you’re looking for some support and feedback on publicising your music without spending a fortune, I think I can help!

musicobserved.substack.com/p/how-to-sta...

Letting go of the outcome: Amber Saqladi [Interview] Time to catch up about all things 'Liquor', creative serendipity and music that heals

I caught up with Americana-meets-pop/rock artist Amber Saqladi recently, to find out about her newest music and delve a bit deeper into what makes her tick.

She shared some great stories and insights...
musicobserved.substack.com/p/letting-go...

SPRINTS: All That Is Over [Album] SPRINTS may just have created the album of the year.

One of the best albums of the year is finally out. SPRINTS - All That Is Over.

Also, you know when you actually really like your own writing? That’s how I feel about this review! Check it out:

musicobserved.substack.com/p/sprints-al...

Exhibition review: Relic at 28 Broad Street Kid30 and friends bring you an immersive, bleak and humourous take on the future in this pop-up exhibition showing this weekend only in Nottingham City Centre...

In town this weekend? If so we'd highly recommend you making a trip to see the 'Relic' exhibition by Kid30 and friends . It's open til Sunday, free to get in and likely to be one of those 'we were there' moments...

leftlion.co.uk/features/202...