COUNTDOWN TO ELECTRIC PICNIC: The Evolution of The XX

Electric Picnic headliners The xx have cast off their early shyness to become compelling pop mavericks.

Album Review: A Fever Dream, Everything Everything

Indie groovers return with best album yet.

This Mogul Coil: Interview with The Last Tycoon's Dominique McElligott

As her new Amazon series The Last Tycoon debuts, Dubliner Dominique McElligott talks about achieving success on her own terms, while the show’s producers reflect on the parallels between America in the age of fascism and the United States under Trump. By Ed Power

Mystical rappers Shabazz Palaces talk about sci-fi escapism and political criticism

Sci-fi escapism and political criticism are intertwined on Shabazz Palace’s double-whammy of new records. Frontman Ishmael Butler explains how, as an African American, he feels like an alien in the Age of Trump and what Prince’s death tells us about our unhealthy obsessions with celebrity.

Album Review: Lust For Life, Lana Del Rey

Eerie siren turns her frown upside down.

Album Review: Everything Now, Arcade Fire

Stadium grumps deliver return-to-form fire-cracker.

Longitude Special: Mumford & Sons in Ireland

Ed Power delivers the inside story on Mumford & Sons' extraordinary rise and unique relationship with Ireland.

Longitude Special: Something For The Weeknd

Ahead of The Weeknd’s Longitude headliner, Ed Power looks at the artist behind pop’s most fascinating enigma.

Album Review: Lorde, Melodrama

Pop prodigy stages triumphant return

Album Review: Katy Perry, Witness

Generic comeback belies Perry’s supposed “woke” phase.

The Charlatans talk dealing with grief, working with Paul Weller, and the triumph of their new LP

As one-time baggy figureheads The Charlatans return with one of their finest LPs yet, singer Tim Burgess talks about moving on after death, collaborating with Paul Weller and his debt to Alan Partridge.

An Interview with Beth Ditto: The Ex-Gossip Front-woman Goes Solo

As ex-Gossip front-woman Beth Ditto returns with her first solo album, she explains how Jesus broke up her band and why she wasn’t surprised by the rise of Trump.

Album Review: I'm Not Your Man, Marika Hackman

Folk wallflower channels Pixies for her latest album.

Album Review: Crack-Up, Fleet Foxes

Artful folkies emerge from long dark night of the soul.

Album Review: How Did Things Get So Dark, Royal Blood

Saviours of British rock grow up but stay true to themselves.

FORBIDDEN FRUIT 2017: Bon Iver Interview

Bon Iver tells about his youthful days in Galway and the inspiration for 22, A Million He's the world's biggest indie star- a contradictory figure who feels intensely uncomfortable in the spotlight, yet has Kanye West on speed dial. Now Bon Iver is returning to Ireland for a headline performance and an evening of curated music. But what makes this enigma tick- and how has his deepening unease with fame impacted his music? Ed Power attempts to uncover some of the answers...

FORBIDDEN FRUIT 2017: Must-see International Acts

A selection of top international acts to sink your teeth into at Forbidden Fruit

Nevermind the Peroxide: Blondie talk memories of Bowie, summer gigs and political parallels between now and then

Back with their finest LP in decades, new wave legends Blondie talk about the influence of David Bowie, kicking up a punk racket in Trump's America, and their forthcoming Aviva Stadium hook-up with Phil Collins.

FORBIDDEN FRUIT 2017: Teutonic From The Hip- Interview with electro stars Moderat

Electro maestros Moderat talk about finding inspiration in Berlin, explain why they refuse to sign with a major, and discuss their love for live music over DJing.

Album Review: Perfume Genius, No Shape

Pop introvert steps confidently from the shadows

Can You Whig It? Interview with Afghan Whigs' Greg Dulli

Brooding alt.rock overlord Greg Dulli talks about The Afghan Whigs’ extraordinary rebirth, making rock in the Trump Era and how the death of Prince informed his latest album. Interview Ed Power

The Killing Folk: What Makes a Hitman?

What makes a hitman? A new TV3 series from investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre lifts the lid on the secret world of the contract killer.

One Nation Under A Groove: Political Insights and Funk Pioneering with George Clinton

Ahead of his return to Ireland, funk legend George Clinton talks about his friendships with Prince and Kendrick Lamar, why the Trump presidency is on borrowed time and what Obama did right.

Album Review: Afterglow, Ásgeir

Alt/folkie gets his groove on for cool follow-up.

Nelly Furtado discusses her new album, settling down, and public and private personas

Life has been a rollercoaster for Nelly Furtado. But on her latest album she chronicles her journey from crowd-pleaser to mother at peace with the universe.

Sorry To Disturb You: Behind the controversial series 13 Reasons Why

it's the most controversial new show of the year- but the team behind hard-hitting teen drama 13 Reasons Why argue that its gritty approach is entirely merited.

Album Review: Nelly Furtado, The Ride

Ex-chart diva embraces the indie underdog within

Saul That You Can't Leave Behind: Bob Odenkirk reflects on Better Call Saul

As nihilistic comedy-caper Better Call Saul returns, start Bob Odenkirk reflects on the show's success and his unlikely journey from cult comedian to television icon.

For One Night Only...The best one day concerts taking place this summer

With U2, Arcade Fire and Coldplay just a small selection of the acts headlining their own shows this summer, there really is no shortage of one-day events to choose from.

Skinner's Principle: We talk to Mike Skinner ahead of BARE in the Woods

Mike Skinner talks life after The Streets and why he’s happiest as a jack of all trades.

Album Review: The Magnetic Fields, 50 Song Memoir

Indie moochers return to form with sprawling opus

Album Review: Laura Marling, Semper Femina

Elusive folk singer delivers career best LP

Ghoul and the Gang: Hot Press meets The Walking Dead actors

As the season finale of The Walking Dead approaches, Ed Power talks to the stars of the world’s most popular television drama.

Album Review: Depeche Mode, Spirit

Synth warriors shine on consistently rewarding album number 14.

Live Review: Cat Power at Vicar Street

Hot Press headed to vicar street for Cat Power's spell-binding performance

For Whom The Bell Drolls - Grown-up comedies in TV's Golden Age

A dark comedy with a devastating streak of sincerity, Judd Apatow's Crashing is one of a generation of new sitcoms that mingle laughs with slice-of-life veracity. You'll giggle but maybe you'll cry too.

Album Review: Dirty Projectors, Dirty Projectors

Affecting break-up LP from alt-pop mavericks.

Album Review: The Tourist, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

One-time indie darlings thrive in the margins.

Album Review: English Tapas, Sleaford Mods

Truth-speaking rants from the laureates of Brexit Britain.

Marvel's Legion: The 'fake news' of superhero dramas

Opinion: Can Trump's Presidency Make TV Great Again?

The Terrible Tangerine has ascended to the White House - but how will his dystopian presidency impact on the small screen?

Album Review: Human - Rag'N'Bone Man

Brit soul star serves up the goods on glossy debut

HOT FOR 2017: International TV dramas to watch in the year ahead

As part of the Hot Press ‘Hot for 2017’ special, here’s our run-down of the best international drama to watch out for in the months to come.

Album Review: The xx, I See You

Goth-pop crew turn their frowns upside down

Youth and Nothing But the Youth: Interview with whenyoung

London-based Limerick trio whenyoung on breaking into the UK indie scene, why it pays to have a day job and the shadow cast by Brexit. By Ed Power

Album Review: Oczy Mlody, The Flaming Lips

Eye-rolling return to form by madcap crew.

Bronagh Taggart talks about The Fall becoming an international hit

Serial killer drama The Fall went out with a terrifying flourish, with career best performances by Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan. We talk to one of the show’s stars, Bronagh Taggart, and ask why this chilly thriller became such a word of mouth hit.

Pixies open up about last year's comeback album

It’s been a stand-out 12 months for Pixies, with a fantastic comeback album to their name and now the ultimate accolade of Hot Press Indie Heroes of the Year. Ed Power breaks the good news to the Boston legends.

The Other Side of Adele

Adele is an all too rare example of a celebrity visibly retaining their humanity under the spotlight. Ed Power recalls the moment last year when Adele embraced her superstar status yet somehow found a way to stay normal.

The Open Society - How Panti Bliss became Ireland's accidental activist

In a revelatory interview, Panti Bliss opens up about inclusion, exclusion and matters personal and private.

Yeezy Does It - We look back on a seismic year for Kanye West

It’s been a strange 12 months for Hot Press Man of the Year, Kanye West. Ed Power looks back at 365 days of heartache, scandal and sublime art from a troubled superstar.

Album Review: Pete Doherty, Hamburg Demonstrations

Impassioned Return from Sometime Libertines Troubadour

EU Sexy Thing: An interview with Super Furry Animals

On the 20th anniversary of Super Furry Animals’ debut album, frontman Gruff Rhys talks about taking the record back out on the road and offers his thoughts on the EU, Wales at the Euros and that time he drove a tank around Glastonbury.

Album Review: Lady Wood, Tove Lo

Swedish star flies feminist banner. Gender rules apply...

Album Review: Solange, A Seat at the Table

Sublime R&B agit–prop from the cooler Knowles sister.

Album Review: Kings of Leon, Walls

Potent stadium rock from former wild child guitar-slingers.

Melancholic For The Troops

Synth-pop sadsters Poliça talk about Donald Trump, finding happiness when they least expected and their debt to Prince.

Album Review: Devendra Banhart, Ape In Pink Marble

Cult folkie embraces obscurity.

Here Comes Your Band – An Interview With Pixies

As Black Francis and co return with their finest record in 25 years, the alt-rock luminaries talk egos, in-fighting and the controversial exit of bassist Kim Deal.

Album Review: Banks

Elusive singer suffers enervating case of trying too hard

T Shall Overcome: Hot Press Talks with Jamie T

Where do you start with Jamie Treays? Here is an intense young man whose early career was dogged by severe panic attacks yet who has always aspired to an old fashioned, chart-slaying idea of stardom.

Larger than life – a look behind the characters of Narcos

With season two of Narcos freshly arrived in Netflix, Ed Power looks at how the series met the challenges of chronicling the larger-than-life story of cocaine kingpin Pablo Escobar.

Peak Practice - An Interview with Julia Jacklin

Artist on the rise Julia Jacklin tells Ed Power about coming of age in the mountains above Sydney, and why she can't wait to get back to Ireland for Electric Picnic.

Album Review: Jamie T Trick

Triumphant return from likely lad emoter

Album Review: Aluna George, I Remember

Dance duo deliver aural wallpaper on second outing.

Wolf Alice Discuss Life in the Spotlight

Indie rockers of the moment Wolf Alice look forward to Electric Picnic, contemplate their overnight rise and tell Ed Power about the thrills and challenges of meeting your heroes.

All Edit to the Lads: The Editors talk Electric Picnic, Michael Jackson and new albums

After more than a decade on the go, Editors remain in rude health. Tom Smith tells Ed Power how the Picnic-bound rockers came through past upheavals to end up stronger than ever

TV Highlight: The Get Down

Hollywood’s over-the-top master of ceremonies is making his first foray into television with a Netflix show chronicling the birth of hip hop. But, wonders Ed Power, can Baz Luhrmann’s The Get Down – the most expensive TV show in history – live up to the hype?

Album Review: Crystal Castles Amnesty

Synth weirdos shrug off loss of talismanic vocalist and return with spellbinding fourth album

Some Like it Goth: Lera Lynn talks new music, True Detective and Colin Farrell's moustache

Lera Lynn's Southern-gothic country dirges were the only good thing to come out of True Detective season two. The singer tells Ed Power about her new album, out-acting Colin Farrell's moustache, and the darkness that informs her music.

Album Review: Wild Beasts, Boy King

Mixed messages a-go-go as art-rockers deliver their most direct album yet

That Eighties Show

It's back to the Reagan era and smalltown America in the new sci-fi epic from Netflix. Ed Power binges on the Winona Ryder-starring Stranger Things.

Album Review: Broods, Conscious

Lorde Acolytes Grow Into Their Sound

Album Review: The Avalanches, Wildflower

Landslide of fun from missing-in-action sample gurus

LIVE REVIEW: Belly @ The Academy

The comeback kids celebrate their return to Irish shores with a showing every bit as triumphant as 21 years ago

Jamie XX: "I Feel Comfortable Being Nervous, It Spurs Me On"

Jamie XX has cast off his shy-boy shackles to become one of the most innovative figures in electronic music.

Rejjie Snow is Out to Put Dublin on The Map With World Domination

Up-and-coming Irish rapper Rejjie Snow tells Ed Power about his days as a budding sports star, touring with Madonna and bringing it all back home at Longitude .

Father John Misty Exposes His Demons to Hot Press

Josh Tillman grew up believing in literal hellfire and damnation, he tells Ed Power. As Father John Misty he struggles both with the pain of his pentecostal childhood and the demons of adulthood.

Marco Polo Star Lorenzo Richelmy Tells Us What to Expect From Season 2

As Netflix’s historical epic Marco Polo returns with a second season, Ed Power talks to star Lorenzo Richelmy about shrugging off bad reviews and why this tale of east meets west resonates with the present day.

Album Review: Bat For Lashes, The Bride

Stately concept record from death-obsessed enigma.

Album Review: Garbage Strange Little Birds

NINETIES ICONS KEEP IT SIMPLE WITH MAJESTIC RESULTS

It's Time to Welcome the Return of Orange is The New Black

Your favourite prison dramedy is back. Ed Power looks at what we can expect from season four of Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black.

Interview: De La Soul spoke to Hot Press about their past and what's yet to come

De La Soul have been part of hip hop’s tapestry since the genre exploded in the late ’80s. You could say they have a few stories to tell. Ed Power chats with the amiable Kelvin Mercer about the old days and the new.

Brix Smith Start, formerly of The Fall, speaks to Hot Press about ventures old and new

The multi-talented Brix Smith Start discusses her new memoir, her old flames and how Princess Diana once flirted with her boyfriend.

Album Review: Ariana Grande Dangerous Woman

Up and coming siren seeks to be all things to all listeners

Can The New Top Gear Match Up To Predecessors?

Top Gear is back but can the new hosts fill the shoes of the previous trio?

Album review: Snarky Puppy: Culcha Vulcha

Multi-headed jazz crew try to terrify you into liking them

Irish comic book Preacher set to hit our screens

It's the Irish comic book they said could never make it to screen. Now after 20 years and endless speculation, Gareth Ennis's Preacher is finally coming to TV.

Album Review: Drake Views

DRAKE'S CAREER SERVES AS A CAUTIONARY REMINDER THAT WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHAT WE WISH FOR

'Fro Those About To Rock: Wolfmother Interview

It's ten years since Wolfmother's debut album reinvented heavy, non-ironic rock. In a rare interview,frontman Andrew Stockdale contemplates the album's legacy and explains why nostalgia is ultimately best avoided.

ALBUM REVIEW: Lemonade is Beyonce's best yet

As the Queen twists her stiletto heels into Jay Z's prone midriff, our man Ed Power judges the latest effort from the pop megastar to be her finest work to date

Album Review: Pothole In The Sky

Cavan singer reaches career high on magnificent third album

Album Review- Sam Beam & Jesca Hoop- Love Letter For Fire

Alt country crooner makes sweet music with Brit chanteuse

Album Review: Azaelia Banks Slay Z

CONTROVERSIAL RHYMER DROPS SURPRISE - AND SURPRISINGLY HOT - MIXTAPE

GoT Special: Let The Games Begin

Tighten your tabard and sharpen your broadsword – the new Game Of Thrones is almost here. Ed Power consults the Lord of Light, throws a few interns on the pyre, and looks at what we can expect from the world’s favourite TV show.