Featured Articles

Explore a selection of my abum reviews and music-themed long read articles below.

Vibrant and Hopeful: Louis Tomlinson's How Did I Get Here?

‘You can stay for the night in the palaces of my mind’, Louis Tomlinson proudly declares to his fans as he kickstarted the launch of his third studio album How Did I Get Here on 23 January 2026. Reflecting the bright, vivid hues of the album cover, Tomlinson breaks the wintry lull of January and offers a sun-soaked, bright record and an early taste of summer. Tomlinson, best known as one member of the five-piece, world-dominating boyband One Direction, has shifted his sonic palette from the indi...

Technology and Music Education: A Dynamic Partnership Explored

Music and technology have always had a close, collaborative relationship. From Thomas Edison’s invention of the phonograph to synthesizers to today’s vast library of music learning software, the rapid advancement of technology has changed how music is created and taught, pushing music production and education into new, innovative, exciting territories. 
In 2024, the rise of online music learning platforms, upcoming AR and VR technologies and AI software are providing musicians and music educato...

Songwriting, Sunflowers and Sunshine: An Interview with Sacha T

Born and raised in South London, Sacha T, ‘The British Sunflower’, is an up and coming singer-songwriter who is passionate about using her music to spread joy and positivity. Music has long been Sacha’s creative and emotional outlet, guiding her through difficult times and out of negative headspaces. She wishes for her music to provide her listeners with small pieces of sunshine and hope. 



Blending indie pop and soul with an acoustic sound, Sacha has released a series of inspiring, uplift...

Album Review- Man's Best Friend by Sabrina Carpenter

U.S. pop sensation, Sabrina Carpenter, has once again rocked the music industry with her latest album, Man’s Best Friend, further cementing herself as a household name. 
Last summer, a new pop star was born: Sabrina Carpenter. The 26-year-old American singer, songwriter and actress shot to global success with her smash hit single ‘Espresso’. Since then, she has catapulted into fame with her Grammy Award-winning sixth studio album Short n’ Sweet (2024).
After sweeping global charts...

Untouched, XO- Addison by Addison Rae

Sometimes, I immediately connect with an album. Other times, it takes time before I can truly appreciate it.

I first encountered Addison Rae on the release of ‘Diet Pepsi’. I was unaware of TikTok personality Rae’s previous musical misfires. Her 2021 single ‘Obsessed’ and 2023 EP AR was critically panned. I was indifferent to ‘Diet Pepsi’. It was fine. Nothing special. I finished listening to the song and didn’t think much more of it.

Single Review: Reneé Rapp - Leave Me Alone | Redbrick Slider (Music)

Content warning: strong language and mild sexual references
The 21st of May marked a new musical era for Reneé Rapp (an up-and-coming 25-year-old American singer and actress), who released the bold, playful first single, ‘Leave Me Alone’ for her highly anticipated upcoming second album, Bite Me. Rapp, best known for playing Regina George in the 2024 Mean Girls: The Musical remake, firmly establishes herself in the pop-rock sphere with this new single, shifting away from soprano, vulnerable balla...

Benson Boone 'American Heart' — Album Review - Empoword Journalism

Eve Hutchinson
Benson Boone is the epitome of the rise of a Gen Z pop star.
The 23-year-old American singer-songwriter briefly competed in the 2021 edition of American Idol. He amassed over a million followers on TikTok before releasing his first single, and then shot to global fame with his hit single ‘Beautiful Things’, which has reached over 2 billion streams on Spotify. Boone is testing whether he can fill the gap left behind by the absence of pop boys like Harry Styles.
Since being catapul...

'Something Beautiful' by Miley Cyrus - Review - Empoword Journalism

Eve Hutchinson
Miley Cyrus released her ninth studio album Something Beautiful on 30th May 2025. Cyrus is a household name who has defined her two-decade career with musical experimentation, pushing the boundaries of her artistry, public image and chart domination.
Daughter of American singer Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus catapulted to fame after starring as the lead role in Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana between 2006 and 2011, establishing herself as a teen icon.
Keen to move away from the poli...

Live Review: Wasia Project

On the final stop of their North American and European Isotope tour, brother and sister musical duo Wasia Project performed at the O2 Academy on the 20th of November 2024.
Made up of siblings Olivia Hardy and William Gao, Wasia Project is already making waves in the music industry with its fusion of alt-pop, jazz and classical music. First formed in 2019, Wasia Project has received increased attention and followership since pianist and vocalist William Gao rose to fame starring in Netflix teen d...

EP Review: Omar Rudberg - Every Night Fantasy | Redbrick Slider (Music)

On 18th October 2024, Venezuelan-Swedish singer and actor Omar Rudberg released his long-awaited debut EP Every Night Fantasy under the American record label Atlantic Records. Best known internationally for playing Simon in the popular Netflix queer coming-of-age drama Young Royals, Rudberg builds on his LGBTQ+ icon status and returns to his musical roots with an EP which fluctuates between playful and vulnerable explorations of love, desire and heartbreak. 
Every Night Fantasy begins with ‘Talk...

Single Review: Mabel - Stupid Dumb

On 11th October 2024, Mabel released her latest single ‘Stupid Dumb’ featuring American singer and record producer Ty Dolla $ign.‘Stupid Dumb’ is the British singer’s fourth single from her upcoming studio album.
2024 has been a busy year for Mabel musically. This year, she has released stand-alone singles ‘Vitamins’ and ‘Zero’ with Black Sherif and album singles ‘Look At My Body Pt II’ featuring Shygirl and ‘Female Intuition’.
Mabel, best known for pop hits such as ‘Don’t Call Me Up’ and ‘Mad L...

Return of Records: Why Vinyl is on the Rise

When browsing the music section of HMV, I used to spend a long time admiring CDs. Nowadays, I rarely buy them. What is the point? I have my phone and my Spotify Premium account with endless catalogues of music at my disposal. When I go into HMV now, something else grabs my attention. Shelves and shelves of bright, bold vinyl records from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon to Dua Lipa’s 2024 album Radical Optimism. I experience an impulse I have never felt before: I want to buy a vinyl. 



M...

Album Review: Sabrina Carpenter - Short n' Sweet | Redbrick Music

This summer has been the making of Sabrina Carpenter; the release of the fun, flirty, innuendo-laced single ‘Espresso’ launched Carpenter into the dizzying realm of pop stardom, reaching number one in the UK official charts. The catchy lyric featured in Espresso’s chorus, ‘That’s that me espresso’ is an irresistible hook and a long-lasting earworm. Carpenter’s more vulnerable, country pop follow-up single ‘Please Please Please’ explored Car...