JOHN GREEN surveys the remarkable career of screenwriter Malcolm Hulke and the essential part played by his membership of the Communist Party
Folk albums review with Steve Johnson, January 21 2024
New releases from Matt McGinn, the Rosie Hood Band and Jack Rutter
The Star's critic MARIA DUARTE reviews Last Breath, Sister Midnight, Opus, and The Electric State
HENRY BELL is moved by the account of scientists under seige in Leningrad who preferred to starve rather than sacrifice their life-saving work
RUTH AYLETT recommends two anthologies: one that bears witness to refugee and immigrant experiences, and the other to our political relationship to water
SETH SANDRONSKY appreciates a fresh take on a 100-year-old novel that helps to contextualise the current moment of conspicuous wealth, waste and climate chaos
A no-nonsense ex-Garda female cop, Scandi-noir’s newest flawed hero, the lure of Aussie gold, and unexpected decency in Silicon valley
JAN WOOLF doubts that soft-core musical is the best way to transmit an important story of heroism and resistance
Matt McGinn
Behind Evey Door: Dolmen
(Lane Records)
★★★★
MATT MCGINN is a Northern Ireland based singer-songwriter with five previous albums. This current album came about after being asked to take part in a community engagement programme that involved playing with a Loyalist flute band.
Coming from a Catholic background, he admits he found that terrifying, but he felt able to establish a common connection through growing up during the troubles.
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