Tag Archives: Andy Bell

New music – Andy Bell & Masal: Common Primitives (Sonic Cathedral)

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posted by Ben Hogwood, with text from the press release

Andy Bell (Ride / Oasis) and Essex-based harp and synth duo Masal have released their new album Common Primitives, on the Sonic Cathedral label.

It’s their second collaboration, following 2023’s Tidal Love Numbers, and it’s a stunning, meditative collection which veers from kosmische to astral jazz by way of Turkish folk tunes and all the way back again.

The trio launched the album earlier this week with two incredible, intimate live shows at SJQ in Dalston, which saw them incorporating a cover of Faust’s proto-shoegaze classic Jennifer into their set.

The unlikely trio of Andy, plus Masal’s Özlem Şimşek and Alastair Johnson, first came together when the duo supported Andy at a show in Chelmsford in early 2022. Their first album – 2023’s acclaimed Tidal Love Numbers – consisted of four lengthy, almost ambient tracks and is included here on vinyl for the first time as part of a two-record set. By contrast, the seven tracks that make up Common Primitives are almost concise, but also a lot more layered and complex.

“We tend to work from initial, free-jammed ideas, building form and arrangement from there,” explains Alastair of their working method. “This album became a more iterative process where we went back over the ideas – adding, editing and cutting the original material. This approach led to more fleshed-out finished pieces and contrasts with the first album which all came together relatively quickly. Above all, we believe you should go where the vibe takes you.”

Published post no.3,043 – Saturday 10 October 2026

Switched On – Pye Corner Audio – More Songs About The Sun (Sonic Cathedral)

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Reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The second Pye Corner Audio studio album for the excellent Sonic Cathedral label is a sequel to Let’s Emerge!, the long player with which he took his bow in 2022. Martin Jenkins, the prolific writer behind the pseudonym, moves further into Balearic warmth with the addition of guitars by Andy Bell, whose work has been enjoyed in this parish for a number of years.

Talking about the album, Jenkins says, “I wanted the whole record to be awash with distortion and saturation, but not in a blown-out guitar amp kind of way. Almost every element has been subject to some form of saturation.”

What’s the music like?

As you might expect, heat-soaked! The album is an ideal blend of electronica and shoegaze, topped off with some restrained euphoria in the form of vocals from Andy Bell and Ian Rankin. Bell proves an ideal match for the dreamy textures of Analogue Dreams, while Cycle goes through the gears with a strong electro bassline. Bell knows when to add propulsion in just the right measure, with a touch of Krautrock here and dubby house there.

Rankin’s involvement is a joy, his spoken word bringing a real frisson to The Breath Of Now, with its low-slung groove right out of the early 1990s. Towards the end of the album the temperature dips, the music cooler to the touch and exploring more shoegaze territory, but the move complements the first half nicely.

Does it all work?

It does – with More Songs About The Sun proving the ideal counterpart to its predecessor.

Is it recommended?

For sure. A hot weather beauty!

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,941 – Wednesday 8 July 2026

New Music – Pye Corner Audio Ft. Andy Bell – Cycle (Sonic Cathedral)

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by Ben Hogwood, with text lifted from the press release

Pye Corner Audio has announced a forthcoming new album, More Songs About The Sun, due for release on June 19. His second studio album for Sonic Cathedral is a sequel of sorts to 2022’s acclaimed Let’s Emerge!

The first single, Cycle, is out now on all digital platforms and you can watch the video here:

“Cycle is probably the most direct ‘pop’ song that I’ve written,” explains Pye Corner Audio, aka Martin Jenkins, of the track, which was teased on last week’s vernal equinox and is released today, just ahead of the start of British Summer Time this weekend.

It’s an instant hit of sunshine, the portentous synth intro soon giving way to an indie-dance banger with a rare outing on vocals by Martin and added shoegaze / psych guitars from his sometime Sonic Cathedral labelmate (and Ride / Oasis member) Andy Bell.

You can watch the video below, and also listen / purchase on Bandcamp:

Published post no.2,838 – Thursday 26 March 2026

On Record – Andy Bell: pinball wanderer (Sonic Cathedral)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Andy Bell is on a creative roll these days. While it’s not clear if the Ride guitarist will become part of the Oasis live tour later in the year, he is pressing ahead as he hits a rich vein of form in his solo career. Whether under his own name or the GLOK alias, where he operates more electronically, Bell has maintained a satisfying blend of recent past and future, bringing together song-based material with experimentation and the joy of repetitive beats.

pinball wanderer looks set to further his enjoyment in these areas, with a busy year ahead!

What’s the music like?

Bell achieves a really satisfying blend of electronic and acoustic here, bringing in some elements of the GLOK alias – especially an enjoyment of Krautrock – to rub shoulders with influences from early 1990s Manchester and, further back, a healthy dash of Byrds.

The result is music that is never short of a hookline, but adds some really interesting and rewarding quirks when the mood takes it. A great example is the groovy Apple Green UFO, a track aware of the groovier side of Stone Roses’ repertoire, but striking out through dropping a beat in the bar, giving it a subtle edge the likes of A Certain Ratio would enjoy.

Panic Attack is equal parts Krautrock and Manchester, promising warmer climes, while a well judged cover of The Passions‘ I’m In Love With A German Film Star features ideal guest turns from Dot Allison and Michael Rother. The title track is a brightly coloured groove, while the dreamy Space Station Mantra allows the mind to wander at the cosmic close.

Does it all work?

It does – and with repeated listens, Bell’s music grows in stature and impact. Be warned, there are many earworms in this album!

Is it recommended?

It is. Andy Bell is clearly relishing his music making at the moment, and this meeting of his different musical minds is thoroughly enjoyable, laden with grooves, riffs and good times.

For fans of… A Certain Ratio, Neu!, Andrew Weatherall, Primal Scream

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,470 – Tuesday 11 March 2025

Switched On – GLOK / Timothy Clerkin: Alliance (Bytes)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Andy Bell’s GLOK alias has given him a burst of creativity within electronic music – and after his successful Dissident album of 2019 and Pattern Recognition follow up of 2021, he turns to a collaborative approach.

Timothy Clerkin, who runs the Insult To Injury label, met Ride guitarist Bell through the Bytes label, when they suggested Tim be part of the Dissident Remixed album, which was put together in 2019. The two met at the funeral of Andrew Weatherall, and their collaboration was fuelled by Tim finding and playing an old Les Paul guitar. Ideas were traded online between Amsterdam (Tim) and London (Andy), with the instruments equally shared.

What’s the music like?

Empowering. That’s the first feeling that comes through on Empyrean, where subtle adjustments in tuning give the weighty guitar sound an appealing weirdness, and the loping beats add reassuring depth. The same pitch variations work really well on the gritty AmigA, with the bass sound burrowing through the floor, before wordless vocals that instantly transport the listener back to the heady mood of early ‘90s Manchester.

Bell and Clerkin also make groovy music, using slower rhythms that really set themselves firmly on the floor, with rich colours above. Scattered is one of the more obvious pieces of Weatherall homage here – in a good way, while The Witching Hour goes acidic with all sorts of electronic squiggles taking over. Closing out is the brilliant E-Theme, a kind of Hacienda-Detroit meeting place where airy synths complement blissful vocals.

Nothing Ever is the home banker, with vocals from Du Blonde – aka Beth Jeans Houghton, adding a rich tone to the electro-disco footwork underneath.

Does it all work?

It does – and repeat listens reveal several earworms. Once made known, they refuse to leave!

Is it recommended?

It is indeed. This is a fruitful partnership, blessed with freedom and enjoyment – and proves to be a slow burner that increases in temperature with each listen!

For fans of… Death In Vegas, Andrew Weatherall, 808 State, Stereo MCs, Primal Scream

Listen & Buy

You can explore buying options on the Bandcamp link below – and also read Arcana’s extensive interview with Andy from 2019, when he was not long starting out under the GLOK alias.

Published post no.2,361 – Wednesday 13 November 2024