John Murphy

Liverpool, Sheffield

Writes about music for @musicOMH and theatre for @TheStage. Tweets about music, film, TV, theatre, comedy, all that sort of thing. Like football, hate “banter”.

Articles

Nell Smith - Anxious

1 week ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy

A deeply bittersweet listen, in the knowledge of what might have been, casts a poignant hue over the whole experienceNell Smith‘s debut – and, sadly, only – album is a tough one to listen to, and indeed review. Smith’s story reads like a fairytale at first. Born in Leeds and then raised in Canada, her parents took her to a Flaming Lips show in Calgary where she dressed up as a parrot.
Julien Baker & Torres - Send A Prayer My Way

1 week ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy

Confidently playing to the strengths of its creators, this collaborative work is built on undeniable chemistryAlmost 10 years ago, long-time friends Julien Baker and Mackenzie Scott (otherwise known as Torres) made a promise to each other to collaborate on a country music album. Both women were raised as Southern Baptist in the country heartland of Tennessee and bonded over a love of the genre’s big names.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile - Who Believes In Angels?

2 weeks ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy

The musical chemistry between the icon and the country star is obvious from the start of this collaboration, with songs that range from celebration to wistful contemplationHe may have (eventually) retired from touring and is now sadly suffering from a degenerative eye condition, but at the age of 78, Elton John is, indeed, still standing.
Craig Finn - Always Been

2 weeks ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy

With The War On Drugs and Sam Fender along for the ride, The Hold Steady singer’s novel-like sixth is probably his finest solo album to dateThe problem with being the lead singer of a band with a distinctive sound is that when you go solo, it always feels like there’s a missing part somehow.
Hannah Cohen - Earthstar Mountain

3 weeks ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy

A laid-back record with a strong sense of place to play just as the day is taking shape while you contemplate life over a coffeeHannah Cohen‘s fourth album has a somewhat blissful quality to it. It’s the sort of record you may play on a Sunday morning, just as the day is taking shape, to contemplate life over a coffee. It’s quite possibly the perfect short-term remedy if you suffer from high blood pressure.
Alison Krauss & Union Station - Arcadia

4 weeks ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy

Sometimes all you need is the sound of old friends reuniting to perform some expertly played musicIt’s quite a surprise to see Alison Krauss reuniting with Union Station to produce their first album since 2011’s Paper Airplane.
Lucy Dacus - Forever Is A Feeling

4 weeks ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy

If you’re having withdrawal symptoms while waiting for the inevitable second Boygenius album, one third of the supergroup has just the record for youLucy Dacus‘ life has changed considerably since her last album, 2021’s Home Video. She’s now arguably better known as one third of ‘indie-folk supergroup’ Boygenius with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker, with the trio winning Grammys and filling arenas. She’s also recently confirmed that she’s now in a relationship with Baker.
Lola Kirke - Trailblazer

1 month ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy

The London-via-NYC polymath’s third album is proof positive that the more you write about what you know, the better the results will beLola Kirke and her family have not led a conventional life. Born in London, Kirke moved to New York City at the age of five with her musician father (he was the drummer in Free and Bad Company) and her fashion designer mother.
Jeffrey Lewis - The Even More Freewheelin' Jeffrey Lewis | Album Reviews | musicOMH

1 month ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy

It takes a special kind of confidence to invite comparisons to one of the most revered albums in history, but if anyone can, Jeffrey canIf you know your Bob Dylan records, you may do a double take when you see the cover art of Jeffrey Lewis‘ new album. To keep in line with the title – The Even More Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis – the New York singer/songwriter/comic book artist has recreated the famous photo from The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.
Edwyn Collins - Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation

1 month ago | musicomh.com | John Murphy |John Murphy

Instantly likeable songs that touch on communication issues, growing old and lessons of life, to be promoted by the Orange Juice lynchpin’s final UK tourAs obvious as it may sound, a brush with death changes you. It makes you reassess things, and inevitably, informs your future movements. Which is why it’s impossible to listen to Edwyn Collins‘ 10th solo album Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation without remembering the event which almost cost him his life 20 years ago.