Review: Weezer – Weezer (The Gold Album) “The veteran LA rockers crank it up like it‘s the ’90s once again—just don’t call it a return to form.”
Weezer – Weezer (The Gold Album) review | No Ripcord
The veteran LA rockers crank it up like it‘s the ’90s once again—just don’t call it a return to form.
noripcord.com
Review: Westside Cowboy – It Goes On review “Confident, varied, and unashamedly fun, It Goes On is an astonishing debut album that announces a bold new talent.”
Westside Cowboy – It Goes On review | No Ripcord
Confident, varied, and unashamedly fun, It Goes On is an astonishing debut album that announces a bold new talent.
noripcord.com
Review: Afghan Whigs - Soft Control Deep into their second act, the veteran Cincinnati, Ohio rockers deliver another fiery set that aims for massive emotional payoffs. @juanerodriguez.bsky.social reviews.
The Afghan Whigs – Soft Control review | No Ripcord
Deep into their second act, the veteran Cincinnati, Ohio rockers deliver another fiery set that aims for massive emotional payoffs.
noripcord.com
Have you tried out weekly music puzzle? Three clues, three guesses. Can you solve the Magic Number?
The Magic Number #7 - Weekly Music Puzzle | No Ripcord
This week’s Magic Number features a modern classic from 2022. Can you solve it?
noripcord.com
Long-time friends @mike-eagle.bsky.social and Kenny Segal team up for a razor-sharp record that showcases their impressive skills. DOOMED! is our third Believe the Hype entry this month.
Open Mike Eagle & Kenny Segal – DOOMED! review | No Ripcord
Now this is a break-up album. Long-time friends Open Mike Eagle and Kenny Segal team up for a razor-sharp record that showcases their impressive skills.
noripcord.com
It seems we are the only publication that doesn’t love the new Phoebe Bridgers record. Its not a bad record by any stretch, but we’re finding the otherwise unanimous acclaim a little baffling.
Phoebe Bridgers – Lost Weekend review | No Ripcord
Six years after her breakthrough moment, Phoebe Bridgers’ third album is a timely reminder that more is frequently less.
noripcord.com
Review: Man/Woman/Chainsaw – Cannonball Man/Woman/Chainsaw have found the perfect sweet-spot between edgy weirdness and tasteful sophistication. Their glorious debut is a delight.
Man/Woman/Chainsaw – Cannonball review | No Ripcord
Man/Woman/Chainsaw have found the perfect sweet-spot between edgy weirdness and tasteful sophistication. Their glorious debut is a delight.
noripcord.com
Records Revisited: Badly Drawn Boy’s The Hour of the Bewilderbeast How does the 2000 Mercury Prize winner stand up in 2026?
Badly Drawn Boy’s The Hour of the Bewilderbeast Revisited
Bewilderbeast scooped the 2000 Mercury Prize and launched the career of Damon Gough. But how does it stand up today?
noripcord.com
Some thoughts on the Brooklyn Vegan news and the current plight of music websites.
Another Sad Week for Music Journalism
Some thoughts on Brooklyn Vegan and why we can’t have nice things.
open.substack.com
🎵 The Magic Number #6 Three clues. Three guesses. A weekly music puzzle from @noripcord. We’re heading to Brooklyn circa 2006 for this week’s puzzle. Can you solve it? www.noripcord.com/the-magic-nu...
The Magic Number #6
We’re heading back to the early 2000s for this week’s Magic Number. Can you solve it?
noripcord.com
This month’s round-up features new albums from She’s Green, Nia Archives, Shannon Lay, Ultra Lights, Shearwater, Twisted Teens, and more.
New Album Release Round-Up: July 2026 | No Ripcord
This month’s round-up features brief reviews of new albums from Nia Archives, Shannon Lay, Ultra Lights, Shearwater, Twisted Teens, and more.
noripcord.com
Review: Ariana Grande – Petal “Where this album isn’t as varied is in the rhythm section; several numbers sit back in the low-to-mid tempos with chunky back beats keeping arrangements rooted in a particular dynamic.”
Ariana Grande – Petal review | No Ripcord
The sophisticated pop artist is in total command of her sound, albeit coming from a troubled place lyrically.
noripcord.com
What’s our album of the month? And what’s our biggest disappointment? Our Insider Monthly newsletter has you covered!
Insider Monthly #7 - Our Supporters Newsletter | No Ripcord
This month’s Insider features Wet Leg, Nia Archives, Charli XCX, Open Mike Eagle & Kenny Segal, and more!
noripcord.com
Review: Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film “The guitars are effectively a sideshow. A filter of sorts. This isn’t rock music. Charli hasn’t abandoned the dance floor. It’s all just window dressing”
Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film review | No Ripcord
Music, Fashion, Film’s lead single “Rock Music” triggered a thousand opinion pieces on Charli’s latest pivot, but my take is far simpler: it just isn’t very good.
noripcord.com
Preview: 10 Albums to Look Forward to in August 2026 Every month we select ten records that we’re excited about. This month, our picks include @dinosaurjr.com, @mike-eagle.bsky.social, and @alabamashakes.com.
10 Albums to Look Forward to in August 2026 | No Ripcord
Things are warming up nicely. The challenge this month was keeping our preview down to ten picks. New records from Kiwi Jr., Interpol, Westside Cowboy, and Weezer feature.
noripcord.com
Review: Swapmeet – Mount Zero Even in this leanest of spells, Mount Zero is absolutely not the indie rock record of the year. But there are signs to suggest Swapmeet have a decent record in them.
Swapmeet – Mount Zero review | No Ripcord
Sometimes a debut album is just ok. Some good moments, some bad ones, but mostly in the middle. Mount Zero is one of those records. And that’s perfectly ok.
noripcord.com
Heading to Tramlines in Sheffield tomorrow. First impression was line-up is a mixed bag, but I’m quite excited to see Westside Cowboy, Radio Free Alice, Black Honey, Wet Leg, Florence Road and Wolf Alice.
The Magic Number #4 is up. This week’s edition of our exclusive music puzzle is especially tricky. I’ll be surprised if more than a handful of readers will be able to solve it. If you manage, please do share your result on Bluesky!
The Magic Number #4
This week’s Magic Number puzzle is our hardest edition yet. Share your answer on social media if you can solve this one!
noripcord.com
Argentina have really made this final a tough watch. Even Coldplay were more exciting.
Review: Kelela – New Avatar On her third album, the alt-R&B artist synthesises complex feelings into airy, dimly lit club anthems.
Kelela – New Avatar review | No Ripcord
On her third album, the alt-R&B artist synthesises complex feelings into airy, dimly lit club anthems.
noripcord.com
Flashback: Five years ago this month, Charlotte Day Wilson’s Alpha earned our coveted Believe the Hype tag. Do you remember this great pandemic-era record?
Charlotte Day Wilson – Alpha review | No Ripcord
The long period leading up to this record—not to mention the time afforded for additional audio work due to the coronavirus pandemic—means Wilson has had the space to hone her sound and deliver upon t...
noripcord.com
Review: Hurry – Zoned Out Philadelphia power pop stalwarts Hurry have delivered the goods on their consistently appealing sixth album.
Hurry – Zoned Out review | No Ripcord
Philadelphia power pop stalwarts Hurry have delivered the goods on their consistently appealing sixth album.
noripcord.com
Review: Jack White – Frozen Charlotte On his tightly crafted seventh studio album, Jack White appears in a contemplative, not altogether positive mood about the society he inhabits.
Jack White – Frozen Charlotte review | No Ripcord
On his tightly crafted seventh studio album, Jack White appears in a contemplative, not altogether positive mood about the society he inhabits.
noripcord.com
Many music critics overuse words like “classic” and “genius”. They start to lose their meaning. No Ripcord only awards its Believe The Hype designation to the very best records. Explore our picks here.
Believe The Hype | No Ripcord
Essential records, hand-picked by No Ripcord.
noripcord.com
World Cup Fever: Where Music Meets Football and Fashion What’s behind the growing trend of football themed artist merch? We caught up with @4ad.com, Full Kit and Air Miami to find out more.
World Cup Fever: Where Music Meets Football and Fashion
Through its stunning World Cup-inspired collaboration with premium designers Full Kit, venerable indie label 4AD is the latest musical institution to venture into the world of football fashion. We exp...
noripcord.com
Ten quick takes on records from June 2026. Featuring SLIFT, YHWH Nailgun, Tierra Whack, Pearl & the Oysters and more!
New Album Release Round-Up: June 2026 | No Ripcord
This month’s round-up features brief reviews of new albums from Pearl & The Oysters, Tierra Whack, SLIFT, YHWH Nailgun, Bedouine, and more.
noripcord.com
🎵 The Magic Number #2 🟥🟥🟥 Solved in 1/3 guesses. Three clues. Three guesses. A weekly music puzzle from @noripcord. Can you solve this week’s edition? www.noripcord.com/the-magic-nu...
The Magic Number #2
Three clues. Three guesses. The Magic Number is a weekly music puzzle from No Ripcord.
noripcord.com
Have you tried our weekly puzzle? Three clues, three guesses, only one answer - do you have what it takes to solve The Magic Number?
The Magic Number #2
Three clues. Three guesses. The Magic Number is a weekly music puzzle from No Ripcord.
noripcord.com
20 years ago today, TV on the Radio released their classic second album Return to Cookie Mountain. Alan Shulman’s glowing 2006 review celebrated an inscrutable record that just sounded “right”. What are your memories of Return to Cookie Mountain?
TV on the Radio – Return To Cookie Mountain review | No Ripcord
20 years ago today, TV on the Radio released their classic second album Return to Cookie Mountain. Alan Shulman’s glowing 2006 review celebrated an inscrutable record that just sounded “right”.
noripcord.com
Review: Mary in the Junkyard – Role Model Hermit Functioning as a stripped-down trio, deftly led by multi-instrumentalist Clari Freeman-Taylor, the art rockers weave vulnerability into their sweeping sound.
Mary in the Junkyard – Role Model Hermit review
Functioning as a stripped-down trio, deftly led by multi-instrumentalist Clari Freeman-Taylor, the art rockers weave vulnerability into their sweeping sound.
noripcord.com