Natalie Brooks
Natalie came up through Norwich's tight-knit DIY scene, where bands book their own tours and press their own records, and that self-made spirit shaped how she thinks about music. She champions the acts working outside the mainstream. She writes about independent music and the culture around it.
Essential Flamenco Albums Explained
Three landmark flamenco albums, explained plainly, plus how to build your own collection out from them by palo rather than by name.
The Best Symphonic Metal Artists to Know
From Nightwish's operatic grandeur to Within Temptation's accessible anthems and Epica's progressive density — these are the artists who define what the genre sounds like.
The Best Rocksteady Artists to Know
From Alton Ellis to the too-often-overlooked Phyllis Dillon, here are the rocksteady artists whose Kingston studio sessions genuinely built the bridge from ska to reggae.
Essential Baroque Music Albums Explained
The collections and large-scale works that reward being heard whole, from Vivaldi's Four Seasons to Handel's Messiah.
Essential Funk Music Albums Explained
Funk was built as an album genre. Here are the essential funk albums and recordings, and what to listen for on each.
Gangsta Rap for Newcomers: Where to Start
You don't need a history degree to start listening. Just somewhere sensible to begin, and permission to feel a bit unsettled sometimes.
Ska Music for Newcomers: Where to Start
No theory required. Three records, two things to listen for, and a genuinely practical way into ska for anyone starting from zero.
Reggae Music for Newcomers: Where to Start
No scales, no history lesson required. Just three records, three things to notice, and a straightforward way into reggae for anyone starting from zero.
A Beginner's Guide to Grime
Grime can sound intimidating from the outside. This guide breaks down the sound, the pirate radio culture behind it, and the five artists worth hearing first.
Essential Soul Music Albums Explained
Five records, two competing production philosophies, and the exact moment soul music grew beyond the three-minute single.
The Best Witch House Artists to Know
None of these artists had a label deal or a plan — just cheap software and a sound nobody else was making yet. Here's who actually built witch house.
A Beginner's Guide to Post Rock
Post-rock uses the instruments of a rock band to produce something that sounds nothing like conventional rock. Here is what it is, why it matters and which records to start with.
The Best Trap Music Songs Right Now
Not chart news — the defining trap music tracks still shaping the genre years after their initial run, from Rubber Band Man to Mask Off.
A Beginner's Guide to Gangsta Rap
More than "music about crime": what the genre actually is, how it sounds, and why persona and truth aren't always easy to tell apart.
Essential Crunk Albums Explained
From a scrappy 1997 Atlanta release to total mainstream breakthrough — the essential crunk albums and why each one matters.
Essential Lo Fi Music Albums Explained
Not a list of playlist thumbnails. Here are the essential lo-fi albums that actually explain the sound, and why each one still matters.
G Funk Subgenres, Explained
The genre isn't a single unified sound. Understanding its internal variants and relationship to adjacent styles makes the whole catalogue easier to navigate.
The Best Sea Shanty Songs Right Now
No trends, no filler — just the sea shanty songs that have earned their place at every singaround for the best part of two centuries.
Essential Ambient Music Albums Explained
Some records don't just belong to a genre — they define what it's allowed to sound like. Here's why each of these essential albums actually matters.
A Beginner's Guide to Alternative Music
Alternative music spans post-punk, grunge, shoegaze, Britpop and beyond — here's how to find your way in without getting lost.
The Best The Black Pearl Soundtrack Artists to Know
The Black Pearl score was created at Remote Control Productions under Hans Zimmer's supervision. Here is who did what.
A Beginner's Guide to Hardstyle
Hardstyle is a Dutch-rooted electronic genre built on massive kicks, tempos around 140–150 BPM and a festival culture unlike anything else. Here's how to get started.
Essential Breakcore Albums Explained
Breakcore grew up on 12-inches and tape trades, not albums. Still, a few full-lengths genuinely earned essential status — here they are, explained.
What Natalie Brooks covers
Blues Harmonica
The blues harmonica is a portable reed instrument prized for expressive bends, raw tone and classic roots style.
Classic Rock
Classic rock covers enduring guitar-led songs, albums and artists that shaped modern rock culture.
Country Music
Country music combines storytelling lyrics, melodic hooks and acoustic-led band arrangements.
1 topic
Hard Rock
Hard rock delivers loud riffs, strong drums and big choruses for powerful live and studio rock.
Heavy Metal
Heavy metal combines powerful riffs, heavy drums and dramatic vocals for a loud, precise rock sound.
2 topics
K Pop
Polished, performance-led pop with global influence, slick production and strong visual identity.
1 topic
Pop Music
Accessible, hook-led songs with polished production, strong vocals and broad mainstream appeal.
1 topic
Punk Rock
Punk rock delivers fast tempos, bold riffs and an uncompromising live feel. Discover dependable gear for loud, immediate...
