Middleman 'Following The Ghost'

New album out by London four piece MIDDLEMAN (13th Feb 2026)

A DIY outfit in every sense of the word, this short sharp album by this London quartet is a shot in the arm and a collision for rasp and melody together.

Featuring Noah Alves (vocals), Harper Maury, Rory White and Ted Foster, the sound is taut and empowering; sonically it recalls that of The Replacements and other garage rock bands. And whilst there is this deliberate call to arms by looking backwards, this album is current due to the lyrical exploration of forward momentum and taking the chance that prevents itself. 

Punchy in every sense, with a run time of just 26 minutes for the nine total tracks with cracking drums and Alves' distinctive howl. This is a band - like the Libertines from yesteryear - who are not going to stand around for their opportunity to come. The time is now to break out, and Middleman are here to take it.

'Vacant Days' reminds this listener of Slick Shoes, and 'Morning All The Time' has a distinct vibe of early Cribs. If the band can harness the boundless energy they have at their disposal, they will be able to reach a wider audience - catchy hooks can carry the band to bigger platforms.

Following The Ghost is out from Evil Speaker Records now

Middleman are on tour in March after an album release show at George Tavern, London on 21st February - a great little venue where the power of the music will be felt by all.

My thanks to One Beat PR for the review opportunity. 

The Shepherd and The Bear

Beautiful documentary on a dying occupation on the French-Spanish Border

Yves, is the elderly eponymous hero of the story. An ageing shepherd in the hills of the Pyrenees who is in the twilight of his career and life - the two are hand in hand. His life has been one of simplicity, but now being upended by an old foe. It could read like an old west narrative, and yet this is more of a tale of mortality. As it seems the bear of the title could very well be the death of him and his occupation.

This is a clash of order and chaos; the shepherds are the order of the land whilst the bears are the chaos - unabashed, unregulated. Yves and his community are pining for help amidst the clouds.

The clash of the old with the new; shepherds have their means of working the landscape whilst the introduction of an old method which was removed and now returned brings hardship to a traditional method. Coupled with an ageing work-force with little or no apprentices following in their footsteps, the younger generations having moved to urban landscapes. 

Yet for all the wide shots of misty mountains, sun-kissed hills and verdant forests, perhaps the most telling image is a close-up of the weathered lines on Yves’ face. They say every picture tells a story and you can see in the weathered face of Yves as he looks into another fire, the light upon his face shows the years worked and how the last embers of his being and belonging.

Visually arresting and ravishing in the cinematography by director Max Keegan and Clement Beauvois; they capture the natural world in all its beauty. This coupled with a delicate score by Amine Bouhafa evokes the passing of time mixed with an appraisal of tradition and community.

The Shepherd and The Bear is out from Conic Film on limited release from 6th February.

My thanks to them for the review opportunity.