Here Come the Mummies - Marsy - Special Friend - Rosier feat. Safia Nolin

Here Come the Mummies - Road Trip (Album).

The legendary, linen-wrapped lords of funk, Here Come the Mummies, continue their unstoppable groove-march with the release of Road Trip and a National Tour! Leading the charge on Road Trip is focus track “DTF,” a prime cut of the band’s signature “terrifying funk from beyond the grave.” Built on deep-pocket rhythms and tongue-in-cheek charm, “DTF” invites listeners into the Mummies’ mischievous world. As the band explains: “Anagrams can stand for lots of things. Like BDE, or FBI. In this case, we are slingin’ some Down Town Funk your way. DTF.”

Road Trip captures the joy, chaos, and camaraderie of life in motion—those long drives, loud laughs, and spontaneous detours that turn simple travel into unforgettable memories. According to one Mummy, “There's only good vibes on a road trip. We distilled this feeling into a funky-ass groove so you can get that feeling from your futon, office chair or VW bus.” Throughout the record, Here Come The Mummies deliver a full-on funk joyride, from the celebratory title track “Road Trip” to the punchy escape anthem “Rubber Meets the Road,” the sly mischief of “Backdoor” and the unapologetic downtown strut of “DTF.” The result is a tightly packed collection of grooves designed to move bodies, shake rooms, and keep the good vibes rolling wherever you land.

Here Come the Mummies have built a reputation as one of North America’s most electrifying live acts. Their high‑impact performances have made them a major draw across clubs, theaters, and festivals in multiple U.S. markets with capacities reaching more than 2,000 tickets, and they continue to captivate audiences from SummerFest to Jam Cruise. They’ve shared stages with legends like P-Funk, Al Green, Mavis Staples, KC & The Sunshine Band, and Cheap Trick, while igniting festivals such as Summer Fest, Summer Camp, Bluesfest Byron Bay, Musikfest, and Suwannee Hulaween. From rocking the Super Bowl Village to becoming favorites on The Bob & Tom Show and appearing on That’s My Jam with Jimmy Fallon, the band continues to prove that not even 5,000 years underground can stop a truly unstoppable groove.

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Marsy - Changes / Rosé.

London band Marsy (fronted by Hannah Rodgers of Pixx) share two new tracks, recorded with Mike Lynsey (Tungg, LUMP). Rolling in on a completely pure sound - strummed guitars, soft keys, mellow drums and a vocal that sounds like it's moved in from a higher plane. 

"Changes" floats like it's just opened the door on one of your best dreams and invited you back inside. "Rosé" explores trauma, dissociation and the domino effect of acting on intense emotions & being stuck in a pattern of addictive behaviors. Marsy are a London based four piece that combine effortless songwriting with timeless melodies. 

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Special Friend - Clipping.

Paris-based duo Special Friend have just released the gorgeous new single 'Clipping.' It's the second single from their forthcoming album of the same name, out 30 March. We are told that ‘Clipping’ refers to the discipline of pruning growth back, removing the dead wood to create abundant beauty. 

Special Friend have become the masters of weaving elegant and sophisticated pop musical webs while staying true to their DIY roots. The French/American duo (Guillaume Siracusa on guitar and vocals, Erica Ashleson on drums and vocals) manage to create a sound like no other band.  When they play live, audiences marvel at the huge, intricate structures the band construct, while falling in love with the crystal-clear vocal melodies that are threaded in between the shards of guitar and the rattle of the drums.  How can a duo achieve so much?  UK audiences will be able to ponder this question in March: Special Friend are coming over from France to do a substantial tour of the UK. 

The new album is more diverse that the last, with the high-tempo indie pop of first single ‘Breakfast’, the majestic, Yo La Tengo like dream pop of ‘Clipping’ and the country-ish, gentle, homesick melancholy of ‘Isolation’.  Final track ‘OOO’ is a bold piece of Krautrock inspired experimentation; ‘Mold’ is a beautiful slice of slowcore and opener ‘Paint A Picture’ is modern pop at its catchiest and most direct. 

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Rosier feat. Safia Nolin -  Plus d’amis.

Montreal-based collective Rosier releases their gloomy, atmospheric new single "Plus d'amis" featuring acclaimed Québec musician Safia Nolin, available now. The track will appear on the deluxe edition of Elle veille encore, slated for release this Autumn. To mark the occasion, the band has announced a UK/Europe tour launching March 13th.

A dark folk-rock lament sung entirely in French, "Plus d'amis" is stripped-back and distorted, drawing comparisons to Slowdive, Mazzy Star, and PJ Harvey with its grunge-infused, shoegaze aesthetic. Time seems to stand still in this piece drawn from archival folk material, drifting into a gentle lethargy while gracefully exploring themes of boredom and despair. Safia Nolin's voice blends in with disarming ease, creating an enchanting echo of intertwined vocals and hushed, almost spectral textures that linger in space and envelop the listener in deep melancholy.

"This song developed from stories we discovered in the archives—narratives centered on the fear and dread of losing your mother," the band explains. "As it took shape, its vulnerability and deep melancholia reminded us of Québec musician Safia Nolin, whom we're huge fans of. We reached out to her, and were so happy when she agreed to sing on the track."

The track grew out of Rosier's archival research for their album Elle veille encore, during which the band explored mother figures in folk traditions by digging through written and audio archives of traditional texts from Franco-Canada and France. "We kept finding stories with mothers at the center," the band explains. "One recurring theme was the fear and dread of losing your mother, and this song grew out of one of those stories. As it took shape, it developed a deep melancholia and vulnerability that reminded us of Québec musician Safia Nolin, whom we're huge fans of. We reached out to her, and were so happy when she agreed to sing on the track.

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Brontës - Projective - Peer Pleasure - Scarlet Tantrum

Photo - Stephanie Gibson

Brontës - Wouldn’t Be Me.

Brontës release their catchy new single “Wouldn’t Be Me” a punchy take on disliking someone's boyfriend, knowing their standards should be higher. This song is a playful request to dump him and move on. The perfect track for the anti-Valentine’s crowd.

“Wouldn’t Be Me” is the third new digital single from Brontës’ upcoming debut album, set for release in April via Last Night From Glasgow. First single “Cognitive Dissonance” was released on 22 August, a sunny indie-rock hit full of catchy guitar licks and classic pop lyricism exploring feelings of jealousy and anger. Second single “San Francisco” is a change of pace, showcasing the quartet’s versatility. It digs deep and slows down, contemplating the tragedy of right person, wrong time.

Brontës are Eva on vocals/guitar, Amelia on drums/vocals, Erin on guitar/vocals and Katie on bass/vocals. With a brand new look, attitude and sound Brontës have reinvented themselves as a 4-piece rock/pop band influenced by generations of classic pop music such as Sabrina Carpenter, Blondie and The Ronettes.

The Glasgow band have built up a steady buzz on the live circuit since emerging in 2021, from playing a sold-out headline gig at the iconic King Tuts to festival slots across the country. Fast forward to 2025 and Brontës have recently finished recording their highly anticipated debut album at Ayrshire's Beetroot Studio with Stuart MacLeod. Assured in their polished sound, the group are looking forward to branching out in this next chapter as one of Glasgow’s most promising young indie bands. The self-titled album is set for release on 21 April 2026 on three shades of vinyl, CD and digital formats. 


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Projective - Question.

Rising Irish Neo-Soul, Jazz and Hip-Hop band Projective return with the soul-stirring, emotive new single ‘Question.’ Following a wave of critical acclaim for their first two singles including plays from BBC Radio 6 Music and repeat B-List placements from Jazz FM, the new single showcases more of the band's unique blend of neo-soul, hip-hop and jazz. 

Recorded with long-term collaborator Kealan Kenny (Youth, Pa Sheehy (former Walking on Cars), Niall McCabe, TOUCAN, Allie Sherlock), ‘Question’ is a vibrant addition to the band’s growing catalogue. A rich and alluring soundscape, packing rich live instrumentation and the band’s stylistic, layered trio of vocals, the single delivers more of the band’s innate musicality and ability as songwriters on a track which is heartfelt, yet euphoric and defiant.

Talking about the single, the band explains: “Question feels like an expansion on the sound we’ve been going for with our past few singles. It’s always been a big song in our live performances, and we wanted to capture that energy in the big moments, while also making it feel intimate and personal and letting the lyrics about a delicate romantic situation shine. 

Lyrically, it’s a song about constantly asking yourself why you won’t let yourself walk away from a toxic romance that you know is no good. That is always easier said than done, and “Question” examines that feeling closely. The contrast between the verses and choruses on this track was something we were very careful to emphasise when we were going through the production and recording process for the track. Having parts of the song be stripped to drums/bass/vocals, with other parts having a soaring arrangement filled with brass and stacks of double tracked guitars and keys was very intentional.

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Photo - Anna Moody

Peer Pleasure - Shed Residents.

Irish 9-piece Peer Pleasure announce their debut album Unvetted Males and share the new single, ‘Shed Residents’. Blending post-punk and garage-rock into something unique and exciting, Peer Pleasure have quickly turned heads with their dark, yet witty songwriting and rich, dark and gritty sound. 

A nine piece formed of Brandon Murphy, Conor Kavanagh, Cein O’Dowd, Erik Murphy, Jeff Miller, Joel Pitcher, James O’Neill, Eoghan and Oisin Conroy, the band vibrant, experimental wall of sound moves between satirical spoken word commentary, psychedelic flourishes and angsty walls of sound, leaning into flavours of folk, rock and everything between; from Gurriers, to Opus Kink and Tom Waits. 

The new single ‘Shed Residents’ captures this blend of styles perfectly. Brooding yet humorous, intense yet ethereal, it’s a brilliant showcase of the band’s aesthetic. Starting with the driving main guitar riff, tight drums, and expressive spoken-word vocals, the track gradually unfolds, enriched by bursts of evocative piano, swirling synths, and sharp stabs of saxophone as it builds toward its frenzied chorus. The psychedelic, twisting middle-eight provides a respite, heightening the tension before an explosive wall of fuzzy distortion, crashing cymbals, and despairing shouted lead vocals that pull the track to a powerful close.

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Scarlet Tantrum - Inside Out.

Scarlet Tantrum return with “Inside Out,” a powerful indie rock release that captures emotional intensity with cinematic depth and fearless vulnerability. Hailing from Carthage, North Carolina, the she continues carving their lane in modern rock with a sound that blends moody production, immersive atmosphere, and deeply personal lyricism.

Driven by a magnetic female vocal performance, “Inside Out” burns slow before igniting into a soaring, emotionally charged chorus. The track explores obsession, desire, and the fragile tension between longing and losing control. Lines like “Look what you’ve done to me now / You’re all I think about” hit with raw honesty, while the repeated refrain “Hearts burning from the inside out” becomes both confession and catharsis.

The production is layered yet intimate, textured guitars shimmer against steady percussion, creating a dark, atmospheric backdrop that enhances the emotional weight of the song. There’s a push-and-pull energy throughout, capturing the vulnerability of wanting someone so deeply it feels consuming.

“Inside Out” is more than a love song, it’s a slow-burning confession wrapped in atmosphere and urgency. With its haunting mood and undeniable hook, Scarlet Tantrum prove they are building something bigger than a single release, they’re building a sound that resonates long after the final note fades.

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Waterpistol - Navisha - Pam Ross - Howling Bells - Sister Madds - Ava Claire

Photo - Patrick Starsky Thomas

Waterpistol - Felin.

Recently awarded BBC Horizons’ 2026 Launchpad Fund - in partnership with BBC Cymru Wales and Arts Council Wales - Waterpistol return with their first release of 2026, ‘Felin’. Combining the guitar textures of ‘90s shoegaze with golden age rock ‘n’ roll, South Wales-based psych-rock ‘n’ rollers Waterpistol have been firmly set on embodying their influences in The 'Brian Jonestown Massacre', 'The La’s' and Liverpool cult favourites 'Shack' with previous singles “Shotgun” - which received airplay across BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio Wales and Amazing Radio - and October 2024 single “Où est ton âme?” which saw the six-piece playlisted by DIY Magazine.

Formed in late 2022, the band played their first show together in April 2023 as support for CVC’s sold-out hometown show. Festival season followed in quick succession, and soon enough the band had several noteworthy appearances under their belt: FOCUS Wales, Green Man, Sŵn Festival and In It Together Festival.

This new venture with ‘Felin’ touches on the highs and lows of the creative process, the first glimpse of a wider collection of material already taking shape behind the scenes.

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Photo - Jenna-Elson

Navisha - You.

Driven by a warm, intoxicating and upbeat groove, Boorloo-based soul/funk singer-songwriter Navisha returns with ‘You’ this weekend. Wrapped in rhythm and sensual tension, the track leans into desire, temptation, and passion. A WAAPA graduate, 19 year old Navisha has become recognised for songwriting that balances raw heartbreaking ballads and feel-good rhythms. Her previous independent releases, including ‘See Through’, reached #12 on local charts and established her presence in the Western Australian music scene alongside her headline shows throughout 2025.

‘You’ centres on the theme of intimacy, young love and lived moments. The song explores the process of finding oneself through closeness and capturing affection as something felt rather than announced. In contrast to her earlier releases, the track leans into funk-influenced grooves, allowing rhythm to carry the emotional weight. Navisha’s velvety voice remains the central piece. Navisha shares:

“I wrote ‘You’ following the journey of finding myself when I realised I was in love as a teenager, which I think we can all agree makes you blind to anything else happening around you. Carefree with only one thing on my mind, the energy of the song plays on that exact sentiment - forgetting about everything else and just being immersed in the moment, and just Dance or Groove, or whatever makes your body feel good. The goal was to create a song that you can’t get out of your head, the same way you can’t get that person off your mind when you’re in love."

Navisha · You

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Pam Ross - Outside The Box (Album).

Americana music fans have reason to celebrate this weekend, as award-winning singer-songwriter Pam Ross delivers a double dose of new music with the release of her highly anticipated sophomore album, Outside The Box, and her uplifting new single, “Say It Two Times,” both arriving February 13th.

“Say It Two Times” showcases Ross’ signature blend of heartfelt storytelling and infectious, feel-good country energy. Written as a joyful tribute to love’s power to transform everyday life, the song captures the warmth of shared routines, family moments, and the reassurance that comes from hearing those three powerful words more than once.

“I wanted to write a happy love song about realizing how someone has changed your life and made it better,” Ross explains. “It’s about appreciating what you’ve got and recognizing how good things really are. I just wanted an upbeat, happy song. It was originally meant for my first album, but I decided to do some lyrical rewriting at the last minute and held onto it until it felt just right.”

The new single is featured on Ross’ second full-length album, Outside The Box, a seven-song collection that highlights her growth as both a songwriter and artist. The album blends contemporary country, storytelling-driven ballads, and upbeat anthems that reflect Ross’ authenticity and creative independence.


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Howling Bells - Strange Life (Album).

Howling Bells have released their acclaimed new album, ‘Strange Life’, via Nude Records. The UK-based Australian band’s first LP in 12 years, its release is accompanied by a new video for album track 'Sweet Relief'. The trio, comprising Juanita Stein (vocals, guitar), Joel Stein (guitar) and Glenn Moule (drums), will celebrate the LP release with a stripped-back set at Rough Trade Denmark Street this evening, with further in-store shows throughout the week. They subsequently embark on a full UK headline tour in March and April. Full tour dates are listed below.
 
Says Juanita Stein of the newly released song, “Sweet Relief’ is a song about a friend of ours who has suffered with addiction issues. It’s about finding coping mechanisms for whatever struggles and challenges life may throw your way. Also, it’s a note to self, to remain empathic for anyone who might be struggling with this. After all, none of us is immune to life’s extreme shades. Some of us are just more equipped to respond.”  On the album, she explains, “In the decade or so between our last album and now we have lived multiple lives. Starting families, working other jobs, forging new communities and experiencing huge loss. All these experiences have gifted us shades and colours to create new musical canvases. Strange Life has been a decade in the making. In this time we’ve sat quietly and watched as the world around us has shifted dramatically. A wild and fast-paced carousel of music, art and politics has taken our breath away. Yet, we have remained curiously ambitious and stalwart in our commitment to our art and our sound. Strange Life is a testament to all of this.” 

Since their beginnings, breaking through with their acclaimed self-titled debut back in 2006 amidst a landscape of scrappy British indie and skinny-jeaned male dominance, the Australian trio - vocalist/guitarist Juanita Stein, her brother and guitarist Joel Stein and drummer Glenn Moule - have been something of an anomaly. They might have moved to the other side of the world in pursuit of the dreams that soon became a reality, playing at an NME Tour and then in stadiums supporting Coldplay whilst whipping up acclaim from the most credible ends of the music press. They may have seen various members come and go, but Howling Bells’ hypnotic indie rock always stood apart from the pack and was very much a reflection of their unbreakable union. Influenced by the likes of Tom Waits and Sonic Youth, as well as Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, and Björk, their recipe created a heady, immersive stew - equal parts sepia-toned romance and gritty rock 'n' roll thrills.


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Photo - Rosie Sco

Sister Madds - Table Manners.

Glasgow 5 piece Sister Madds announce their debut EP Are you Hungry? (Feb 27th) and share the vibrant new single ‘Table Manners’ out now. Sitting somewhere between the fizzing edge of alt-rock and the hooks of pop-rock, the band blend late-00s songwriting influences (think Lily Allen and Kate Nash) with hard-hitting, punk-esque musicianship. The result is a bold, bratty and fierce sound, drawing comparisons to The Beaches and No Doubt, with flashes of Alvvays and Wet Leg. Known for their boisterous live shows packed with energy, charm and a touch of chaos, Sister Madds have firmly established themselves as a force within the Scottish music scene.

Produced by Jamie Holmes (Hayley Kiyoko, Lucia and the Best Boys, Gerry Cinnamon, Bully), ‘Table Manners’ captures the band at their most confident — all punchy, glam-rock-tinged guitars and irresistibly catchy, vibrant lead vocals. It’s fun, pointed and packed with the sharp energy that defines Sister Madds’ sound.

Speaking about the single, the band explain: “Table Manners' is a tongue-in-cheek tune that uses the idea of food etiquette as a metaphor to talk about modern day relationships. It's a witty take on modern-day online dating. More and more, there's a growing lack of humanity in the dating world, and people have endless 'options,' which makes the environment pretty hard to navigate. This song doesn't hold back, calling out bad manners in the world of love and saying what we really think.”

SISTER MADDS · Table Manners

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Ava Claire - Salt Mine.

Singer-songwriter Ava Claire releases her new single, “Salt Mine,” out now. Solely written by Ava herself, this vulnerable, introspective ballad traces the evolution of a young woman moving from simply existing in circumstances to fully embracing her destined path.

“I was at a transition of sorts in my life. I was 16, starting to apply to colleges, graduating high school early, writing constantly, and playing as many gigs as I could book. One particularly stressful day, I just looked around and asked myself, 'What am I doing?' 'Would I be happier on another path?' 'Should I move to Montana and write songs in a cabin in the woods?' Salt Mine was born in that moment,” Ava shares.
 
Ava Claire has been a storyteller since she first set poems to music at age eight. After teaching herself guitar via YouTube and making her Music Row debut at the iconic Bobby's Idle Hour at just 11, she has spent the last decade carving out a space for herself in the heart of Music City.

“Salt Mine” showcases Ava Claire's ability to craft music that tells stories while connecting hearts, offering a song that is both a reflection and a rallying cry for anyone seeking their own path.

Ava Claire · Salt Mine

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TRAITRS - AVES - Wormstew - Re Mattei - Sara Hugelshofer - Matthew C. Whitaker

TRAITRS - Dream Drowning.

Toronto-based coldwave duo TRAITRS present their final single before the release of their tertiary album, Possessor. The new goth-horror track “Dream Drowning” is now available on all major streaming platforms. An intricate blend of analog horror, heartthrobbing drum beats, and haunting synths, “Dream Drowning” evokes a sense of urgency with its thought-provoking lyrics. On the captivating new track, TRAITRS aim to analyze the meanings and emotions behind their dreams. Showcasing the horrors of everyday life on an endless loop, the Canadian duo create a track shrouded in mystery.

As avid connoisseurs of post-punk and coldwave, TRAITRS are turning heads with their entrancing soundscapes that penetrate deep. Keeping the spirit of The Cure, Joy Division, or New Order alive, TRAITRS have mesmerized audiences with their electrifying performances and uniquely elevating sound.

With their cinematic blend of horror-based imagery, anthemic choruses, motorik drum loops, atmospheric synths and angular guitars, Canadian cold wave duo TRAITRS stare unflinchingly at our dystopian present while paying homage to artists from the post-punk past. In the decade since their debut record to now, the Toronto-based TRAITRS went from bedroom artists selling cassette tapes on a small boutique record label to accumulating millions of streams worldwide and performing hundreds of shows on massive stages across multiple continents.

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AVES - Justice (feat. IkeN).

Few Finnish groups sound as effortlessly international as Helsinki-based AVES – and even fewer do so with such a meticulous producer's touch. Operating since 2011, Aves has evolved from a band into a music collective where the combination of creators is the idea itself: songs may originate from different members, but they are jointly finalized into carefully selected, polished releases.

The group, originally founded by Antti Ojala, Eino Anttila, and Joonas Hakava, has grown into a music collective with the addition of Alpo Nummelin, Elias Durac, and Markus Perttula. In the collective, the combination of creators is the idea itself: tracks can start from various sources, but they are jointly finalized into carefully selected, polished songs.

The now-released single, Justice, encapsulates the collective's current core: the production can be grand and polished, but it doesn't have to be sterile. It is carefully constructed pop music where the indie background is audible in the details and the warm, human touch. The melancholic pop gem sounds like its creators, not just "ready-made."

The single features Kenyan vocalist IkeN (Ike Ngala), a rising alternative R&B and pop artist based in Britain, whose deep interpretation provides the track with its bright core. At the same time, the collaboration highlights Aves' approach, where guest artists are not an exception but a natural part of the collective's way of writing and finalizing songs.

AVES · Justice (feat. IkeN)

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Wormstew - Spinning.

While Wormstew has existed in various forms, all fronted by LA pop scene fixture Mike Schnee, for years, the band –in its definitive new lineup including bassist/vocalist Teresa Cowles (EZ Tiger, Dragster Barbie, Evie Sands) and drummer/vocalist/producer Michael Simmons (of sparkle*jets u.k. and solo renown) consider their new material their “proper” debut. The band's live shows and prior singles and EPs, as well as Schnee's ongoing surrealist comedy work as his alter ego Chissum Worthington, have earned them a loyal local following, and the strength of their recent songs along with the deftly detailed touch of Simmons as a producer have resulted in an album, Last Days Of Loma, that demands a broader audience. The giddy hooks, winning wordplay and ace harmonies of “Spinning” are the perfect introduction. 

Galloping in on a shuffling beat and an instantly-memorable organ riff, “Spinning” brings a smile right away, especially when Schnee starts singing. The wit of the lyrics and the glee of his delivery simply radiate off of the track, and when Cowles and Simmons join in for the immaculate harmonies of the chorus, the track lifts off into the AM Gold stratosphere. It wouldn't do to say that Wormstew has gotten more “mature” in comparison to their early work: the humor may be more understated and the reasons for Schnee's citation of Neil Young, McCartney and Paul Simon as influences are evident, but there's more than a touch of the childlike enthusiasm of Jonathan Richman and the playfulness of Ween on display, too. 

“I wrote this entire song—everything except the lyrics—years ago: the chords, rhythm, and melody. I couldn’t think of anything to sing about, but I also knew I didn’t want to change a single note. I wanted every syllable to stay exactly as I had 'scat-sung' it on the demo,” says Schnee. “Years later, on a road trip to Lone Pine with Teresa, I finally found the subject matter. As a bonus, I somehow managed to find a real word for every single 'da' I had sung.” Everything gels on the resulting track and it's an ideal jumping-on point for new fans, who can expect the breezy production and warm humor to inform every track on the new album, even as the songs touch on topics from grief, aging, the drive to be a better person and even the characters of the classic movie Jaws.

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Re Mattei - It's A Love Thing.

Re Mattei delivers “It’s A Love Thing,” a warm, soul-stirring single that strips romance down to its truest form. No flash. No status symbols. No polish for polish’s sake. Just the kind of love that hits you in the chest and stays there.

Written by Re Mattei and Courtney Bach, “It’s A Love Thing” is a love song for grown hearts. Sonically, the track glides with effortless confidence—rooted in country and Americana, but elevated by Mattei’s sultry, soulful delivery and a band that knows when to lean in and when to let the song breathe. The result is intimate, timeless, and deeply human.

“I wrote ‘It’s A Love Thing’ because real love isn’t about appearances or what’s sitting in the driveway. It’s not about horsepower or polish—it’s about feeling your heart race when you look in their eyes for the first time and you know they’re the one.” — Re Mattei

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Sara Hugelshofer - Hoffnung.

“Hoffnung” means "hope" – and that's what we need more than ever these days. Winterthur/CH-based art-pop and neoclassical artist Sara Hugelshofer has given it a musical form, together with renowned musician Lisa Oribasi, who produced the single.

Following around 300 plays of her previous release—mostly on international indie radio—a new “art-pop song with soul,” as Sara Hugelshofer describes her sound, is now being released. The first musical sketches for “Hoffnung” were created at the piano during the pandemic. In a time of isolation and inner unrest, the melody became a quiet companion in uncertain moments—and at the same time, an expression of optimism. With the later development of lyrics and production, it grew into a song that today, in a world shaped by uncertainty, conveys a subtle but powerful message of hope and trust.

Sara Hugelshofer spent more than two decades as a classically trained soprano performing on opera and concert stages in Switzerland and Germany. She embodied numerous roles—from the spirited Csárdásfürstin to the ethereal Eurydike—and touched her audiences with expression, presence, and a voice that fills spaces.

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Matthew C. Whitaker - Songs for the Weary (Album).

Renowned Manchester-based musician Matthew C. Whitaker has just finished ‘Songs for the Weary’, a soothing and introspective miniature album designed for those seeking rest.

Following his 2016 record ‘Man With the Anvil Hat’, Whitaker dedicated the following years to recording and touring extensively across the UK and Europe with HENGE, releasing four albums of high-energy, rave-infused prog. In contrast, ‘Songs for the Weary’ offers a serene listening experience - eight gentle compositions featuring subtly intricate harmony, delicate classical guitar, and warm instrumentation.

October 2025 marked the release of debut single “Lucid Dreamer” - a lush, cinematic composition that weaves sweeping strings, nostalgic melodies, and electronic textures into a spellbinding whole. The music finds its visual counterpart in a hypnotic video directed by acclaimed artist Antony Barkworth-Knight. Filmed at Manchester’s Supermassive visual installation, the piece brings Whitaker’s vision to life with breathtaking, ethereal detail.

Co-produced and arranged in collaboration with longtime friend and neighbor Alan Keary (Shunya), the album weaves Whitaker’s compositions with lush string arrangements and subtle electronic elements. The project also features an impressive lineup of guest musicians, including Alabaster DePlume, Rob Turner (GoGo Penguin, Mammal Hands, Elf Traps), Liviu George (Matt Halsall, Elf Traps), as well as his HENGE bandmates Roy Medhurst, Pete Turner, and Sam Draper.

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Heavenly - Florence Dore - Run Remedy - Keeley - Son Little - Star Print Clad - i - Jody Glenham

Heavenly - Scene Stealing.

Yesterday  Skep Wax released a single from the imminent new album by indiepop scene-setters Heavenly. The band are now hitting 750k monthly listeners on Spotify, mostly driven by a younger fan base. 'Scene Stealing' is sweet, upbeat and danceable, but has a sting in its tail. Are online influencer demigods any more respectful of the women and girls who follow them than the dodgy men who Heavenly took aim at back in the riot grrrl punk days of 'Attagirl'? 

Heavenly are seen as the originators of a whole genre of music – known to some as ‘jangle’, others as ‘twee’ and to the band themselves as ‘indiepop’. As fiercely independent as any punk band, but as sweetly melodic as any chart-topping act, Heavenly combine sharp-edged politics with shamelessly joyful pop music.

‘Highway To Heavenly’ shares this recipe with the band’s first four albums, all of which were released in the 1990s at a time when sensitive indie types in the UK were sheltering from the prevailing macho-rock storm under the Sarah Records umbrella, and when women in the US were starting to find their Riot Grrrl voices in the small town of Olympia, where labels like K and Kill Rock Stars were designing a new creative space.

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Florence Dore - Sunset Road.

Nashville-born, Chapel Hill-based Florence Dore returns with her third album, Hold the Spark - a sharp, funny, deeply human collection that pairs rich storytelling with a killer rock band.
 
“Sunset Road,” the lead single from Hold the Spark, finds Florence Dore stepping outside herself and into character. After writing dozens of songs for the album, Dore stopped wanting to look in the mirror - the feelings were still there, but instead of turning inward, she let the characters take over. Chelsea arrived, and as the song took shape, it shed its complexity and sharpened into a lean, driving rock track. By shifting the focus from artist to character, the story snapped into focus, with the truth bent just enough in service of a better song.

A songwriter with the narrative bite of James McMurtry and the melodic instincts of Lucinda Williams, Dore delivers her strongest collection to date, rich storytelling wrapped in emotional vocals and backed by a killer rock band. The songs span the spectrum, from a tear-jerking love song for her daughter to a hilarious, Stooges-leaning rocker skewering academic meetings, alongside reflections on missed romance and mortality that recall the sharp insight of Aimee Mann.
 
Produced by Don Dixon (R.E.M.) and mixed by Paul Voran (Bon Iver, Nathaniel Rateliff, Waxahatchee), Hold the Spark features an all-star cast of Americana greats including Jason Wilber (John Prine) and Chris Masterson (The Wallflowers, Steve Earle & the Dukes) on guitars, with husband Will Rigby (Steve Earle & the Dukes, The dB’s) on drums, plus guest appearances from Mitch Easter (Let's Active), Libby Rodenbough (Mipso), Robert Sledge (Ben Folds Five), Kelly Pratt (Father John Misty), and Eleanor Whitmore (Elvis Costello, Steve Earle & the Dukes).

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Run Remedy - Jessie's Girl.

Alt-pop artist Run Remedy has turned Rick Springfield’s iconic 1981 hit Jessie’s Girl into a soft-girl, sapphic daydream. Released today, the warm and witty cover version gives an updated perspective on the song, with lush instrumentation, playful key changes and a queer spin. Run Remedy transforms the classic yearning of the original into a fresh, intimate narrative while honoring its timeless emotional core.

“I swear if I’m back home driving around South Jersey, ‘Jessie’s Girl’ will come on within the hour (shout out 95.1WAYV),” says Run Remedy, the alter ego of Manchester based American born songwriter Robin Koob. “It’s been stuck in my head my whole life. That level of cringey yearning is timeless, so obviously I had to make my own sapphic spinoff.”

In her reinterpretation, all the characters are women, flipping the song’s original perspective into a queer, tender slow-burn - one that feels equal parts playful pop maximalism and masterful musicianship. She swaps the guitar solo for a banjo, changes the key twice no less, and reinvigorates the song’s lyrics with playful sapphic twists - all while preserving that iconic riff that music fans know and love.

“The original video is pure camp, so I basically Weird Al’d it with rainbow kids,” Run Remedy explains. “We recreated almost every shot in one day, gorilla-shooting around Manchester, spared my bathroom mirror, and ended the day passing around the wig. Everyone looked better in it than I did, which feels correct.”

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Keeley - Crossing Lands.

Dreamrock trio Keeley, fronted by Dublin-born singer-guitarist Keeley Moss, are thrilled to present “Crossing Lands” from their forthcoming album ‘Girl On The Edge Of The World’ which lands February 20 via Definitive Gaze.

The new track is just one example of the stylistic diversity that threads its way across their new release, driven by a scratchy punk-funk beat that recalls the post-punk heyday of 1981, while retaining the dreampop elements the band has become known for since their debut ‘Floating Above Everything Else’ in 2023.

“Crossing Lands” is an elegy to the vibrancy of youth and wanderlust, incorporating travel themes and the yearning to explore. The song’s visual counterpart is a video shot entirely using vintage VHS techniques. Filmed and edited in Scotland by Glasgow-based film-maker and photographer Laura Meek, the clip captures the kinetic thrill of forward motion and daydreams. 

Moss and her Keeley bandmates Lukey Foxtrot (Bass) and Andrew Paresi (Drums, Programming) head out on a UK headline tour next week and will be showcasing tracks from the new album including recent singles “Who Wants To See The World” and “Hungry For The Prize”. 


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Photo - Jasmin Valcarcel

Son Little - Cherry.

Curiosity about his ancestry has led songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Son Little on a journey throughout the American South that has resulted in his new album, simply titled ‘Cityfolk’ (out 20 March). The West Coast-born, Northeast-bred musician finetunes his craft here and speaks for those enduring tribulations about finding their place in the world. Equal parts cosmic and carnal, on 'Cherry' Little drifts through hazy memories and half-truths, chasing that electric moment when love feels both eternal and fleeting. It’s tender, a little tipsy, and full of wonder - the sound of falling in love at light speed, knowing it might all disappear by morning. Give it a listen below.

Little, whose real name is Aaron Livingston, has sonically travelled everywhere that his songwriting and instrumentation have taken him. He’s toured with the likes of Black Pumas, Kelis and Mumford & Sons and made festival appearances at Newport Folk and Bonnaroo, melding his dedicated fanbase with mainstream listeners. On the soulful fluidity of 2020’s ‘aloha,’ the ANTI- Records act braves his way through realisations about his personal shortcomings, but endeavours to persevere through the madness. 2022’s ‘Like Neptune’ unspools Little’s time in therapy, no longer silencing his inner fire. With a catalogue that has amassed over 250 million streams, Little’s originality has embarked on a new chapter.
 
Now living outside of Atlanta, Livingston attributes the development of ‘Cityfolk’ to going even further south to record in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. It was there that Little, whose past collaborations include The Roots and RJD2, connected with two-time GRAMMY-winning musician and Alabama Shakes band member Ben Tanner to flesh out sketches of songs that he’d crafted through epiphanies about his family’s roots. 

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Star Print Clad - Melanie.

Brighton (England) five-piece Star Print Clad share the new single ‘Melanie’ (Feb 12th), the first in a run of singles due throughout 2026. Blending classic 70’s rock swagger with a bubbling indie energy, the band have quickly built a name for themselves on their local scene, becoming renowned for their electric live presence and driving ambition.

Recorded and produced at Salvation Studios (Brighton) with Jake Stainer (Wet Leg, shame, David Gilmour, NewDad), ‘Melanie’ captures Star Print Clad at their most unfiltered, foregrounding emotional sincerity against a guitar-driven instrumental backdrop. Crunchy, weighty and intricately layered guitars, accented by subtle piano, locked-in drums and a grounding bassline, usher the song in with a playful, alluringly awkward groove that contrasts beautifully with the vocal’s heartfelt melancholy. While echoes of Sam Fender and Kings Of Leon are present, the songwriting blooms in the chorus before drifting into a whimsical middle eight, closing on a euphoric final refrain where the guitars swirl around the vocals with a classic-rock flourish.

Speaking about the single, the band explain: “The bones of the single were recorded as a live take with all five of us playing around in Salvation Studio’s live room. This allowed us to capture the raw edge and unfiltered energy of our live sonic profile.

During the time Melanie was being penned I’d just fallen back in love with KoL’s “Aha Shake Heartbreak”, the clash of the guitars, that rasping vocal delivery that winds as it howls until you finally arrive at Caleb’s wavering destination. That sort of attitude is what we wanted to put into this song.  We had an old Selmer and a Marshall stack set up, cut down the road for breakfast, came back, cranked it and the rest is on the record.”

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i - Often.

Los Angeles alternative rock band i return with “Often,” a deeply personal and emotionally charged single that blends grunge grit with heartfelt vulnerability. Drawing from the melodic melancholy of Alice in Chains, the emotional storytelling of Counting Crows, and the raw sincerity of Pearl Jam, “Often” stands as one of the band’s most authentic releases to date.

Originally written as a poem for his wife, vocalist Al never intended for “Often” to become a full band recording. “I originally wrote Often as a poem for my wife,” Al explains. “But when the muse sent me the melody, I sent over what I had to Paul, who then wrote the music.” What began as a private love letter evolved into a powerful alternative rock ballad rooted in devotion, resilience, and survival.

The song took on even deeper meaning in 2021, when Al’s wife was diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, a rare adrenal gland cancer. After a difficult two-year battle and recovery, the band knew it was time to properly record and release “Often,” not just as a love song, but as a testament to strength through darkness.

Musically, “Often” showcases i’s eclectic influences. Clean, emotive verses bloom into soaring choruses, layered with textured guitars and a warm, analog-inspired atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and immediate. The lyrics balance simplicity and depth: “My angel has no wings - My angel loves to sing -
My angel laughs out loud - Often.”

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Jody Glenham - Love Deficiency Syndrome.

Still Here, Jody Glenham’s self-produced EP, arriving April 24, 2026, marks a new chapter in her nearly two-decade career, centering on emotional endurance and creative maturity. Moving beyond the immediacy and mood of her past work, the collection emphasizes patience and presence, weaving hazy guitars, door-chime synths, and dreamy vocals into a cohesive, timeless set of songs. Lead single “Love Deficiency Syndrome” captures the awkward optimism of post-breakup rebirth, pairing a sunlit, mid-tempo bounce with what Glenham describes as “grinning through the pain.” 

Inspired by an article Lena Dunham wrote about ending a long-term relationship, the track is full of subtle nods: the opening synth-and-guitar hook evokes a drawn-out doorbell waiting for an Uber Eats delivery, and the bridge references computer shutdowns, reflecting both the autopilot of being in a relationship and the process of becoming whole again. “We leaned into really melodramatic imagery,” Glenham says, “as a nod to how a breakup can make you feel like ‘my life is ending,’ when really… you’re going to be just fine.” The result is bittersweet yet buoyant—heartbreak reframed with a confident sense of ease and forward motion.

For nearly twenty years, Jody Glenham has been a notable presence in Canada’s independent music scene. Her 2020 album Mood Rock earned national support from CBC Radio, charted on Canadian college radio, and was considered for the Polaris Music Prize long list, while her cinematic style of indie rock has landed syncs in Netflix series including Snowpiercer, Tiny Pretty Things, and My Life with the Walter Boys. Praised by outlets like NME, Refinery29, and American Songwriter—who wrote that it’s “as if she composes music from the very elements in the air and atmosphere around us”—Glenham’s work offers listeners permission to feel deeply without despair. American Songwriter also notes that she “holds time in her palm on Still Here, an EP that cradles each song like a memory,” a fitting description for an artist whose music consistently balances cinematic sweep with intimate reflection.

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