The Guardian's despicable review of Roisin Murphy's excellent album

[LondonLass91]

I thought people may be interested to read Brendan O'Neill's excellent article about the disgraceful Guardian review of Roisin Murphy's new album. I really can't get over how sexist it is...Woman says pubert blockers might be bad = what a witch...

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-guardians-shameful-roisin-murphy-review/

Don't worry, though, all the good bits were done by an innocent man so you can enjoy listening to the album with your purity intact.

[Sarcasm, based on reading the review. Tbh, it would be a terrible review anyway as it seems to give most of the credit for the work to the producer Koze, not Roisin herself]

I’m so not surprised.

(Please don’t use “witch” as an insult though!)

Whichever position anyone holds on this issue, it is just such an unprofessional 'review'. A quality broadsheet shouldn't be publishing music reviews consisting ion part of great paragraphs of exposition about puberty blockers.

Not unreasonable to cover, as a matter of fact and context, that the release has been surrounded by controversy and that she has traditionally had a fan base including a large LGBTQ contingent, but this is written like a juvenile pathetic rant by someone who has little control of their pen. And is having a tantrum because they can't quite bring themselves to award the stars for the music without yelling 'but she's a poo-head'.

Julie Burchill Andrews Bindel weighs in

https://thecritic.co.uk/the-guardians-mccarthyite-gender-politics/

Interestingly, the guff about Roisin's views were not in Laura Snapes' original review. The article was amended a day later (there is a footnote to this effect). I would love to know who amended it (not Laura Snapes I suspect).

So so pleased that the album is #2 in the charts. Roisin is amazing, I have to say I find the music difficult for a casual listen going about my day but she is completely outstanding live. So for anyone who doesn’t connect with it on spotify, definitely go and see her perform it live as then you’ll know what it’s all about.

How many sins are being committed here? Not only is Róisín being character assassinated and humiliated in public, woke scolded so to speak. But the writer's article hasn't so much been edited as reimagined.

Let me guess. By a man?

I'm not sure I'd ever want to read anything again by Snapes, but unfair on her to have her article politically retconned. Even if she doesn't like GC attitudes, can she be happy to be compromised this way?

Róisín not the only woman being undermined here.

😂

Interestingly, the guff about Roisin's views were not in Laura Snapes' original review.

Yes, it was. The edits toned it down a bit, and got a bit more weaselly on the puberty blocker study wording.

I posted the edits here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4879267-roisin-murphy?reply=129053106&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share&utm_source=copylink

Sure, previous criticisms of Snapes' piece apply, thus Snapes herself. Like berating someone for how thin they slice an onion. Or whether they fart loudly or silently in a lift.
I mean, it's all a big stink at the end of the day.

I read the version that has since been edited online and was horrified. I have never actually read a piece like it. I wish I had screenshotted it now.

Just wondering if there's an apology forthcoming from the Guardian for their "ugly stain" review of Roisin's album, now that it turns out (shock) her views on child safeguarding were entirely accurate and well-founded.

Waiting with bated breath...

They should.

I've heard an older song being played on radio 6 but none from her latest album which was getting considerable air time till she dared to step out of line.

Perhaps someone should write to the letters page?

Agree

Their review of boy George's memoir was a disgusting contrast, he can do no wrong in their eyes

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/books/2023/nov/14/karma-by-boy-george-review-loud-vainglorious-and-very-funny