Mystery Art Orchestra - The Surge - Brand New Heartache - Frog - Divorce Attorney - Thomm Jutz

Photo - Shirin Bartel

Mystery Art Orchestra - Love (Album).

We have to say this is one wonderful album that delivers all the band promises in their press release, talking of which, we include in full for a clear and concise background. Since the early 2010s, 'Love' has as part of the alliterative phrase 'Live, Laugh, Love' degenerated into a cheesy cliché that acts as a set of self-deceptive blinkers to the actual absence of that capitalistically corrupted trinity.

The noise-pop formation Mystery Art Orchestra (MAO) explores this theme on their second studio album, which has just been released including on vinyl April 3 2026.

Wrapped in soundscapes that, with a touch of self-irony, evoke the over-the-top cheesiness of early shoegaze escapism, repetitive post-punk rhythms, and pathos-laden new-wave anthems, the voices in the eight tracks inquire after emotional belonging, the value of trust, and hedonistic escapes from one’s own reality.

These are by no means excursions into romanticism, but rather an illustration of cracks in a frigid present that looks back on a romanticized past. In no way is the motif of ‘Love’ self-indulgent; it focuses instead on the vacuum left in the wake of its absence. MAO consists of singer and guitarist Tino Bogedaly, André Wlodarski on synthesizers and Bastian Müller on drums. The members live in Berlin and Brandenburg. The tension between urban and rural spaces influences both the band’s cool soundscape and a sense of a lack of belonging and persistent disorientation. 


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Photo - Pete Coombs

The Surge - You’re In Love With Yourself.

South Coast England alt-rock outfit The Surge return with their sharpest statement yet in new single “You’re In Love With Yourself”, released today 4 April 2026 as the lead track from their upcoming four-track EP.

Built around the band’s trademark tight, heavy sound and cutting lyricism, “You’re In Love With Yourself” taps into a familiar modern trait — the tendency for some people to put themselves front and centre above everything else. Rather than pointing fingers, the track leans into a tongue-in-cheek tone, playfully calling out those whose closest relationship might just be with their own reflection. It’s a knowing, self-aware take that admits none of us are perfect… but some definitely think they are.

The single sets the tone for the forthcoming EP, which sees The Surge expanding on their signature blend of driving riffs and incisive storytelling. Across its four tracks, the record moves through themes of social commentary, relationships, and political observation, all delivered with the energy and precision the band have become known for.

Hailing from across the Hampshire/Dorset border, The Surge have spent the past year writing and recording new material, building momentum ahead of a busy 2026 that will also see the release of their second full-length album — the follow-up to their 2023 debut Amped. Their rise hasn’t gone unnoticed, earning them a nomination for Best Breakthrough Artist at the 2024 Original Music Awards and cementing their place as one of the UK’s most exciting independent acts.

The Surge · You're In Love With Yourself

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Brand New Heartache - Raise the Shade.

Nashville-based Eleese and Matthew Meschery (Brand New Heartache) are launching their new single, "Raise the Shade" a song that fuses authentic Americana with anthemic indie-pop and dreamy harmonies. It's off the upcoming album, A New Alchemy (July 24,  2026). 

The track releases on April 3rd on Mule Kick Records, and features a stellar cast of players; Matthew Szlachetka, Grammy nominated keyboard artist, Jimmy Wallace, Darren King (Mutemath, Earthsuit), and Sarah Aili. It's the first single off of the upcoming album, A New Alchemy (spring 2026) and was produced and mixed by Michael Patterson (Beck, B.R.M.C., She Wants Revenge).

In Eleese's own words: '“Raise the Shade” is about reconciliation — written in the wake of our own dark stretch, when we weren’t connecting and weren’t sure how to find our way back. The song picks up just after a fight, in that fragile space between bitterness and breakthrough. In that moment, it felt like the only way forward was to let a little light and air into the room — and to reconnect with the things that brought us together in the first place. 

For us, that meant music, humor, and time in nature. It’s a love song for the aftermath — when connection doesn’t come easy, but you choose it anyway. With lyrical nods to Chaka Khan and The Jayhawks, and a wink toward the hard-earned wisdom of therapy, “Raise the Shade” turns vulnerability into something triumphant."

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Frog - Dark Out.

On April 17th, New York’s Frog will release their eighth studio album, Frog for Sale. A continuation of the series that began with 2025’s ‘1000 Variations on the Same Song’ and was followed six months later with ‘The Count’ (which found fans in Wednesday, Friendship, Dry Cleaning, and MJ Lenderman). These twelve songs see the brothers take inspiration from songwriters like Paul McCartney and Buddy Holly.

Since Daniel Bateman returned from a four-year Frog absence (with the addition of his younger brother Steve on drums) to release the highly acclaimed ‘Grog,’ the band has been incredibly prolific. Frog for Sale is their third album in just 14 months, while the band have been on the road for multiple tours of North America with numerous sell-out shows, in addition to sessions for the likes of KEXP, WFMU, and WFUV.

“This is an album about how money sometimes gets in the way of love,” says Daniel. Aptly, while Frog continues to barrel ahead with a growing audience in tow, the album’s cover, a childhood image of Daniel holding Steve as a baby, allows the brothers a chance to look back. 

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Photo - Daniel Lincoln

Divorce Attorney - Always Something (EP).

South UK art-rock 5-piece Divorce Attorney release the striking debut EP Always Something (April 3rd). Showcasing the band’s brooding, alternative-rock meets shoegaze and post-punk flavoured sound, the EP captures the essence of the band’s live sound with its raw edge whilst highlighting the depth of their musicality with inventive song structures, psychedelic flourishes and vibrant dynamics. 

Produced by Spencer Withey (Back/Burden, Man/Woman/Chainsaw; Cowboy, Alien Chicks) and mastered by Felix Davis (Geese, CQ Wrestling, Westside Cowboy), the EP brings together dark, bubbling live instrumentation with affecting melodies, cathartic, emotive delivery and poetic lyricism to create a sound unique to Divorce Attorney. 

Speaking about the EP, frontman and rhythm guitarist Nathan Key explains: “A lot of the influences into the EP were 80’s to Noughties goth and post-punk and from that one of the principles going into the project was to make something still in line with the gothic aesthetic, but also danceable so people at our shows can engage in a way they want to receive the music.”

Making a name for themselves as a live band touring across the UK, Divorce Attorney have opened for the likes of SANAM (Beirut), Alien Chicks, University, Lunar Vacation, Lifeguard among other bands, played sold out shows at The Windmill, Green Door Store, and have played on Homegrown Festival & Wanderlust Stages. With growing support across tastemaker press and national radio, the band are building a driving momentum into the release of the new EP. 

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Thomm Jutz - Ring-A-Bellin (Album).

 “I wanted to start recording every song with the smallest musical unit appropriate to the song,” says singer-songwriter, producer, guitarist, and composer Thomm Jutz of the process behind recording his new album, Ring-A-Bellin’. “And only add what felt necessary and relevant.” That’s what Jutz’s carefully crafted songs deserve, and through a series of thoughtful recording sessions, that’s exactly what they received. “Some songs started and ended with just me singing and playing, others with me and bass player extraordinaire, Mark Fain, or as a trio with Tim O’Brien and Michael Rinne.” 

All of Ring-A-Bellin’s main ingredients were played live, in the room, especially Jutz’s at once soothing and haunting vocals. “It was extremely liberating to record like this, in the moment, with almost no premeditation, no direction to the players, not even much, or any, direction to myself. It felt immensely freeing to my guitar playing and reconnected me with an energy I wasn’t sure I still had.”

With Ring-A-Bellin’, the German-born, Nashville-based Jutz shows off his alchemy-like songwriting talents for which he has been tapped by the likes of John Prine, Nanci Griffith, Todd Snider, and Billy Strings, to name a few. These tunes are modern creations, steeped in history, but crafted by a man with his finger on a much deeper pulse, influenced by the analytical psychology of Carl Jung as much as he was by the Stanley Brothers or John Hartford. 

The result of Jutz’s involved and thoughtful process is an album that feels old but not nostalgic, and whatever the opposite of gimmicky might be. Ring-A-Bellin’ is a shining example of what it looks like to respectfully carry the torch of traditional music into the modern era.

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The Riflebirds of Portland - India Ramey - Lauren Braddock - Gee & Tee - Emma Hunter

The Riflebirds of Portland - April (Album).

Nearly four decades after first taking flight, The Riflebirds of Portland return to their origins with the reissue of April, their long-out-of-print debut album, released today April 3, 2026 on Regional Records. Produced in 1988 and newly re-imagined in 2025 by Marvin Etzioni (Grammy winner and founding member of Lone Justice), April captures a young band at full emotional stride, its folk-rooted melodies, literate songwriting, and understated power sounding as vital now as they did at the dawn of their story.

Originally released only on cassette in 1989 and mastered by Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering, April has long been a whispered cult favorite among those who encountered it during the band’s brief but promising late-’80s run. Now fully restored and reintroduced, the album stands as both a time capsule and a revelation.

“You’d think listening to the songs on The Riflebirds of Portland’s April would amount to a trip down what one song calls Memory Street,” writes acclaimed author Peter Ames Carlin. “But what really matters here is how timeless it all sounds. The sweet, deceptively simple melodies, the complexity of feeling, the spare but effective production, all sound perfectly contemporary… Springtime, like youth, may be fleeting. But the joys of The Riflebirds of Portland’s April persist. Listen.”

Formed in Portland, Oregon in 1985, the original Riflebirds centered on songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lee Oser and guitarist Kevin Kraft, later joined by vocalist Kate Lieuallen and drummer Kevin Jarvis. Their initial run (1985–1989) yielded two singles and April, produced by Etzioni, with the song “Pieces of Time” earning placement on the coveted College Music Journal CD and early interest from Columbia Records. Before momentum could fully build, the band dissolved.

Life carried the members in different directions. Lee and Kate married in 1988 and moved east, where Lee became a professor of English literature and author, and Kate a children’s librarian. Kevin Kraft settled in Silicon Valley. Kevin Jarvis built a successful career in Los Angeles as a session drummer, engineer, and producer, working with artists including Brian Wilson, Lucinda Williams, and Elvis Costello. Decades later, Lee reconnected with Etzioni, and in 2024 the original lineup reunited as The Riflebirds of Portland, adopting the new name to reflect both their roots and a naming conflict abroad. With Etzioni once again producing, the band reconvened at Jarvis’s Sonic Boom Room studio in Venice, California.

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Photo - Stacie Huckeba

India Ramey - We Ride At Dawn.

Nashville outlaw country siren India Ramey releases “We Ride At Dawn,” the latest from her forthcoming LP Villain Era, out May 8 via Copaco Records/Blue Élan Records. In celebration of the release, Ramey will also embark on a Nashville Honky Tonk tour. “Nashville reaches so many different audiences depending on the room, so I wanted to take this new music on a mini-tour of some of my favorite spots around town,” she shares. 

A callback to “King of the Ashes” from her 2020 album Shallow Graves, “We Ride At Dawn” delivers an anthemic feminist call to action in response to the stripping away of women’s bodily autonomy. Through a spaghetti western lens, Ramey spins a scorched-earth tale in which a band of women rises up, chases down the bandits who have destroyed their town, and reclaims what was stolen. It’s a promise of revenge from the ones who survived.

“We Ride At Dawn” follows “Scattered and Smothered,” a tongue-in-cheek, 2 a.m. Waffle House booth confessional, and “Welcome to My Villain Era,” a danceable declaration from a woman done suffering fools and setting boundaries with anyone who dares to cross them. “If my boundaries offend you,” Ramey says, “I’ll happily play the villain in that story.”

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Lauren Braddock - Purple Party.

“Music City Royalty” indie artist Lauren Braddock celebrates a GenX milestone birthday with the release of “Purple Party!” 

Known for being a “fierce artist” with “a poet's eye and a child's heart,” Lauren-the daughter of Hall of Fame songwriter Bobby Braddock-has seen her songs covered by legends like Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton. 

Produced by Grammy-winner Don Henry, “Purple Party” is a “Beatles meets Prince” anthem-a vibrant call for peace, inclusivity and radical joy.

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Gee & Tee – Gil In Dub

It’s been said spring can be revolutionary and when it comes to Gil Scott Heron’s music, ‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’ came out in April 1974'  while ‘B-Movie’ came out in March 1981 two special and very political tracks. In these times of political unrest, these classic tunes ring as true as they did half a century ago, their blasé laid-back acuity only seem sharpened by today's events.

Tackling such milestones as "B-Movie" and "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" can be tricky, but Guillaume Metenier & Slikk Tim not only have been producing music together for years, but most importantly are on the same page when it comes to personal convictions. "We felt like we couldn't just do a quick dub of these tunes and chicken out on the political aspect of the music", says Tim. "As we started to work out different ideas, it became evident the meaning of the tunes were dead-on with the realities of our time".

'B-Movie' -- here reworked as “Nothin’ But Bad TV" is a perfect example, the new lyrics echoing the bizarre similarities between yesterday's US president with today's one. "We played that one pretty close to the original as the vocal parallel felt right , but the dub version takes it a step further", says Guillaume. 'The Revolution...' is a different affair, going for a heavyweight, stripped-down arrangement, brooding with intensity -- the vocal restrained here to a heartfelt acknowledgement of Scott-Heron's spirit amidst the controlled sonic chaos.

"We took our time to make sure we would approach these works in a real way. Of course , we don't share Scott-Heron's hardships -- but when it comes to his attitude, we wanted to be all the way with it, from the music to the meaning", concludes Tim. "And then even if you remove the words -- you still get the message across".

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Emma Hunter - Snake.

The new single 'Snake' by Oxford, UK indie alternative band Emma Hunter, has been released today April 3rd 2026. 1950s-inspired guitarist, and loop-maker Emma Hunter, together with the trip-hop-inspired percussionist Tom Bruce, and bassist Hayley Wright, create evocative, sun-blistered soundscapes. Intricate melodies and harmonies lie at the heart of every darkly imaginative song. Emma Hunter is an experienced singer and songwriter working in collaboration with Tom and Hayley. Their influences include; PJ Harvey, Imogen Heap and the mysticism of Ancient Mexico. Sharon Van Etten and Anna Calvi are her most prolific comparisons.

'Snake' is the last single to be released from Emma Hunter’s album Yolanda. The album tells the story of Yolanda and Danny-star-crossed lovers from a time, long ago: 1950s Mexico. The album explores the tensions between love and desire; addiction and death. Emma Hunter, often compared to Sharon Van Etten or PJ Harvey, plunges the listener into a cinematic world of sunsets and dust, darkness and desire. Each song creates both evocative soundscapes and a visual world for the listener akin to the kind of music you would expect to find in a David Lynch film. 

'Snake' is no exception and layers vocal harmonies over lush, Morricone, flamenco style guitars and in a dark cinematic soundscape. 'Snake' explores themes of addiction and love. The snake becomes a metaphor for alcohol, taking inspiration from Mayan mythology. Yolanda is asking Danny to choose her over his addiction and the lyrical content portraying themes of anguish and longing are represented in the dramatic nature of the music. They have played the main stage of Truck Festival, Riverside and Cornbury Festival, the Oxford 02 Academy and other venues throughout the UK and have featured in numerous music magazines both published and online and have been played on radio shows around the world. 

Emma Hunter · SNAKE

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Pete Muller - Mike Guldin - Nic Panken - Seth James

Photo - Shervin Lainez

Pete Muller - Stopping Time.

Pete Muller shares the music video for his new single “Stopping Time,” a highlight from his album One Last Dance, out now via Two Truths Music. Featuring orchestration from the acclaimed genre-bending duo SistaStrings, “Stopping Time” is a plea against the clock that outruns us all, unfolding through a series of emotionally resonant vignettes. Its visual gives a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the poignant track, shot at Peter Gabriel’s Real World studio and New York City’s famed Power Station.

“‘Stopping Time’ unfolds like a dream—a series of vignettes exploring longing, beauty, the fleeting nature of memory, and the stories we construct to transform ourselves,” says Muller. “The video offers glimpses into how the record came to life, from our magical week at Real World in England to the subsequent overdubs at Power Station in New York City. The supremely talented SistaStrings add rich, tasteful texture, complementing Rob Mathes’s beautiful string arrangement.”

Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Bath, England, alongside his band the Kindred Souls, Muller’s self-produced album One Last Dance is his most vulnerable songwriting to date, garnering praise from Americana UK, Americana Highways and more. Featuring special guests like Grammy-winner Allison Russell in addition to SistaStrings, the songs here are rich and character-driven, with performances fueled by the deep bonds between Muller and his bandmates. The end result includes highlights like the Latin-flavored title track with Russell, the empowering “Fire Child,” the uplifting "Dream Small" and the bittersweet "New York In The Rain."

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Mike Guldin - While I Can (Album).

Philadelphia-area singer-songwriter and guitarist Mike Guldin has released his new album, While I Can, via Blue Sky Tunes [listen here]. Produced by multi-Grammy winner Kevin McKendree and recorded primarily at McKendree’s Rock House studio in Franklin, Tennessee, the album blends Guldin’s reflective songwriting with the stylings of acclaimed Nashville studio band The Hot Links, delivering a collection rooted in American blues, soul, and roots traditions. 

Guldin built his career the traditional way — steady touring, regional stages, and years of writing songs that connect with everyday listeners. His work reflects the perspective of a working musician shaped by the Northeast club circuit and a deep respect for American roots music. For him, this project has a deeply personal meaning. Inspired by a conversation with his father during a difficult time, While I Can reflects the importance of pursuing the things that matter most while the opportunity still exists.

“I’m very excited to be working with Kevin, his label partner and marketing head John Heithaus, and their fabulous Blue Sky Tunes label and media partners on my new album, While I Can,” shares Guldin. “When my dad Vernie got sick, he told me, ‘Mike, if there’s anything you want to do in life, do it while you can.’ Certain life circumstances have dictated that I do just that. I’m very thankful to all the wonderful artists and the Blue Sky Tunes label team for making recording this album such a pleasure. Also sending huge thanks to all of our fans and family for their unwavering love and support. We hope you all enjoy the musical and lyrical journey that is While I Can.”

QUALIFIED RECORDS · While I Can

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Photo - Rakel Stammer

Nic Panken - Out in the Rain.

Nic Panken has released the final single from his forthcoming album ‘Near Divine or Merely Rhyme’ out April 10. “Out In The Rain” arrives ahead of Panken’s full band album release shows in NYC and Kingston, as well as a handful of East Coast dates supporting The Felice Brothers; shows are detailed below.
 
Panken, frontman for the long beloved Americana act Spirit Family Reunion enlisted an esteemed cohort to craft his solo debut, including Mat Davidson (Big Thief, Twain), Ken Woodward (Buck Meek, Sam Evian), Austin Vaughn (Cassandra Jenkins, Cass Mccombs), and David Christian (Karen O, Curtis Harding) to name a few. Co-produced by Jared Samuel (Yoko Ono, Kevin Morby) at Pale Moon Services (Dr. Dog, White Denim, Jana Horn), the resulting collection is a joyful cacophony of earthy Americana energy and earwormy, indie pop appeal, with Panken’s warm, woody vocals sturdy at the forefront. Today’s single follows the recently released singles “Dear Companion” and “2 Hearts.” 

Now residing in Kingston, NY, Panken divides his time outside of music-making between working as a puppeteer, hosting his weekly radio show, and mixing sound at beloved local venue Tubby's. By immersing himself in the restorative power of the arts, every day is decorated with the potential to be present; to find new meaning and community through his various, purposeful practices. After years of relentless touring, Panken found solace in staying still, and it’s in this shift that he began crafting what would become his new body of work.

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Photo - Erin Valkner

Seth James - Motormouth.

Texas-bred guitarist, singer-songwriter Seth James has released his new album, Motormouth, via Qualified Records. Produced by multi-Grammy winner Kevin McKendree, the project delivers groove-driven, soul-infused songs that further solidify James as one of the most respected voices on today’s blues and roots circuit.

A longtime fixture of the Lone Star music community, James built his reputation the traditional way — performing in blues clubs, roadhouses, and festival stages across Texas and beyond. His sound respects the lineage of artists like Delbert McClinton while standing firmly on his own voice as a disciplined songwriter and bandleader. Through albums like Different Hat and Good Life, James has grown a loyal audience with his road-tested musicianship and authentic songwriting.

Recorded at McKendree’s Rock House studio in Franklin, Tennessee, Motormouth features an all-star lineup of musicians, including McKendree on piano and organ, Rob McNelley on guitar, Steve Mackey on bass, Lynn Williams on drums, and members of The Time Jumpers. For James, working alongside McKendree felt less like a traditional producer-artist collaboration and more like making music with family.

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JES x Spada - Mary Ocher - flyingdeadman - Brother Wallace - Futurebirds

JES x Spada - Everybody Wants to Rule the World.

Grammy-nominated artist JES and Italian producer Spada join forces for a bold reimagining of the classic Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Released tomorrow via Magik Muzik, the track blends JES’s unmistakable vocals with Spada’s refined melodic house production, bringing rolling basslines, crisp synth textures, and dynamic energy to a song that continues to resonate decades after its original release.

The collaboration highlights both artists’ strengths: JES’s ability to deliver emotionally charged performances and reinterpret familiar material with nuance, and Spada’s talent for crafting grooves that are both precise and captivating. The result is a version that feels immediate, cinematic, and club-ready, while remaining true to the iconic spirit of the original.

“I don’t do a lot of covers because I really have to feel a connection to the song,” JES shares. “‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ is one of those songs that sticks with you. When Spada sent me his version, I immediately felt it. His groove gave it new life but still left space for the emotion of the song. Working together was so natural, and I’m really proud of how it came together and the version we made.”

JES has helped to define the sound of modern electronic music, achieving #1 Billboard Dance hits and collaborating with artists like Tiësto, BT, Armin van Buuren, and ATB. Spada has built a global reputation for melodic house and techno productions that combine infectious energy with memorable hooks, earning support from tastemakers and festival stages worldwide. Together, they bring a fresh perspective to a song that continues to feel urgent and relatable, bridging timeless songwriting with undeniable electronic aesthetics.

JES · Everybody Wants to Rule the World

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Mary Ocher - Weimar (Album). 

The adventurous Berlin artist returns with a surprising piano record, written on a classic instrument from the 1870s, marking a departure from recent experimentations with post-punk, krautrock, ambient and field recordings.

Weimar draws on 20th-century minimalism, chamber-pop, and modern classical. Yet it remains unmistakably Ocher, thoughtful and grounded in emotional depth. Its title alludes to the current era, echoing the fall of the Weimar Republic a century ago and the shadow of fascism that rose in its wake.  

Born in Moscow to Jewish-Ukrainian parents and raised in Tel Aviv, she learned early on to question authority - and that it came at a hefty price. At twenty, after refusing the draft, she left for Berlin, where she became a central underground figure, known for her uncompromising mixture of music, art and politics and critical writing on nationalism and war.

Her recent releases include collaborations with Mogwai, King Khan, Die Tödliche Doris, Roberto Cacciapaglia and Felix Kubin, and homages to Delia Derbyshire and Dorothy Ashby / Omar Khayyam. 

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flyingdeadman - Mirages (Album)

French post-rock storytellers flyingdeadman have just streamed their new album 'Mirages'. The wait is over. The journey is now open. flyingdeadman are back to guide us through the eye of the storm with the official release of their highly anticipated album, 'Mirages'.

Following the cinematic premiere of "Before Chaos," the full-length odyssey has arrived as a self-released labor of love, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in its soaring, atmospheric landscapes. Created nearly fifteen years ago in Bressuire, in the Deux-Sèvres, having experienced several changes of line up, flyingdeadman evolves in trio. The idea is always the same to know how to share emotions and make the mind travel.

Since 2010, French post-rock storytellers flyingdeadman have carved a unique path through the instrumental landscape, evolving toward an aerial sound that is at once refined and full of rage. By brilliantly developing the art of the "chiaroscuro" - a contrast so dear to the genre’s most iconic acts - the band strikes a masterful balance between wild strength and delicacy. 

Their instrumental compositions, characterized by rich melodies and sensitive arrangements, are meticulously crafted to guide the listener through a world of evocative, sonic storytelling.

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Brother Wallace - Who Do You Love?

Brother Wallace has a gift for making soul music that feels like a mirror and a release all at once, the kind that hits you in the chest, then gets you back on your feet. Today, the West Point, Georgia-bred singer, pianist, and soul revivalist shares 'Who Do You Love?' alongside a new music video, offering another powerful look into his forthcoming debut album 'Electric Love', out 8th May via ATO Records.
 
Where previous singles have introduced Wallace’s high-voltage joy and lived-in reflection, 'Who Do You Love?' sharpens the focus to a single, human question — equal parts invitation and reckoning. Anchored by Wallace’s unmistakable voice and a band-in-the-pocket pulse, the track rides a propulsive, dance-ready groove that feels both classic and immediate, letting the hook land like a challenge you can’t dodge. The accompanying video leans into that same bold simplicity, framing Wallace and band in a stylised performance setting that flickers between hyper-saturated colour fields and graphic, leopard-print backdrops, with a grainy, vintage-TV texture that makes the whole thing feel like a lost soul broadcast—loud colours, big feeling, no distractions.
 
“‘Who Do You Love?’ is a check-in—one of those questions you can’t run from forever,” says Wallace. “It’s not just about romance. It’s about where you’re putting your time, your energy, your attention… and whether the love you’re giving is coming back to you.”
 
“Who Do You Love?” continues the rapid rise of Brother Wallace, whose debut moment has already arrived with rare momentum for a brand-new artist. The album’s title track “Electric Love” premiered internationally via Craig Charles’ Funk & Soul Show on BBC Radio 6 Music, while Wallace’s first-ever ATO single “Who’s That?” hit Top 20 at Triple A radio in the U.S. — an impressive feat for a debut release, and especially notable given it wasn’t originally planned for radio servicing.

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Photo - Brian Harding

Futurebirds - Sienna Life (EP). 

After nearly two decades in flight, the Athens, GA-born Futurebirds announced their first double album Far Out Country, set for release on June 5 via Dualtone Records. Produced by GRAMMY-winner Brad Cook (Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman), the record is split into two distinct worlds of Far Out Country I & II —a restless, sunlit "day" and a deeper, more interior "night" that blends psychedelic country-rock, indie, and something that feels less like a genre than a place.

In a rare physical-first approach, the band will release the full project as a double vinyl on June 5, with the second half of the album arriving on streaming platforms months later, making vinyl the only way to experience the complete record early. Today, the group released the Sienna Life EP featuring three songs from Far Out Country I – “Sienna Life,” “Sleepless in the Cage,” and “Ghost Moon.”

Fronted by three distinct singer-songwriters – Daniel “Womz” Womack, Carter King, and Thomas “Tojo” Johnson – the band writes in conversation, their voices shaped by a shared history but diverging perspectives. Across 18 songs, Far Out Country unfolds like an honest dialogue about their transition to fathers and family men navigating the tension between the road that made them and their lives back home.

About the double album, King explains: “We’re really excited to be releasing our first double record in the truest sense. Far Out Country I & II are the two different lenses of the 3D movie glasses. Our three different songwriting perspectives speaking with each other about a shared life, experienced unbelievably close together, and also far apart. It’s a daytime talk, and another one deeper in the night. Far Out Country is a place, not a sound. It’s a place outside ourselves that hopefully helps us see inside the house a little more clearly. New terrain is always best explored with friends. Always use the buddy system, and be safe out there. The full double album will be available on vinyl out of the gates, but digitally, I & II will live and breathe on their own, unfolding one-at-a-time. Come on out and find us.”

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Slaney Bay - Cult Canyon - Octavian Winters

Slaney Bay - That's Cool.

Described as fusing soft, introspective lyricism with effervescent, ear-worm riffage, South-West London four-piece Slaney Bay have carved out a distinctive space in the alt-indie landscape. New single 'That's Cool' reinforces their creativity and observant lyricism, back in 2023 they created considerable interest, the latest single should stir up plenty more. The band are Cait Whitley (vocals), Joel Martin (bass), Will Nicola-Thompson (guitar) and Jonny Burraway (drums).

Some more background - Hotly tipped by Dork (Hype List 2023) and Under The Radar (23 for 2023), Slaney Bay made an early impression with their debut EP A Life Worth Living (November 2022), earning early support from Jack Saunders on BBC Radio 1 and Steve Lamacq on BBC Radio 6 Music.

Their third EP, The Long Way Home, received further backing from BBC Radio 6 Music, playlisting on Radio X, and multiple placements on Made in Chelsea. Since then, the band have drawn praise from Dork, Under The Radar, Billboard, The Independent, The Line of Best Fit and Rough Trade.

Live, Slaney Bay have supported the likes of Coach Party, Bleach Lab, Sinéad O’Brien and The Clockworks, alongside selling out a 250-capacity headline show at Colours in London. The band have also played multiple EU festivals including Left of the Dial (Rotterdam) and They’re Gonna Be Big (Paris) to full capacity rooms. Slaney Bay were also long-listed by industry panels for both Glastonbury Festival and the Isle of Wight Festival in 2025.

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Cult Canyon - Smoke Tricks (Album).

Perhaps you are familiar with Chicago-based musician Josh Chicoine via his 2000's band The M's, who released three albums on Polyvinyl and performed at SXSW, Lollapalooza, ACL, and Pitchfork, or his more recent groups Sabers and Cloudbirds. His most recent project, Cult Canyon, features a revolving cast of friends and collaborators including Alison Chesney (aka Helen Money), Susan Voelz and Max Crawford (both of Poi Dog Pondering fame). 
 
Cult Canyon's debut LP (following 2024's Golden Line EP) Smoke Tricks was released digitally (and on limited edition vinyl via Rattleback Records) on Friday, March 13 & Beehive Candy are more than happy to play catch up and share this superb release.

Josh Chicoine tells us - Cult Canyon came out of a deep need to create and to stay creative. I love making things and exercising the creative spirit, sharing it with people, and collaborating with other artists.  It’s a thrilling little thing to make a little song and offer it to other people so they can alter it with their talent and passion. We need little things too.  Music making is world-building, and a relief from an actual world that increasingly is practically begging us to be outraged every day. Art and music binds us, challenges, informs, and astounds.  What better calling?

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Octavian Winters - Elements of Air.

Contrasting eerie, tension-building dissonance with moments of cascading, iridescent bliss, ‘Elements of Air’ is the stunning new single from San Francisco’s Octavian Winters: one of the most exciting new bands on the North American dark post-punk scene.

Produced by William Faith, and released on the band’s own Stratis Capta Records just ahead of Western US tour dates with Germany’s Pink Turns Blue, ‘Elements of Air’ showcases the band’s trademark blend of propulsive Californian deathrock, gritty post-punk, and serpentine goth rock, alongside the more haunting, expansive textures of ethereal darkwave. Frontwoman and lyricist Ria Aursjoen says: “…‘Elements of Air’ is about how we see the world, our chosen frame of reference, and how much power that holds over us — including the power to destroy things we value. The direct inspiration was someone I knew who chose to view the world through a lens of hate, and how that ultimately cost the friendship.”

Guitarist Stephan Bryan Salit adds: “…‘Elements’ really exhibits my love for tension and release. Dissonance and harmonic resolve. This one is pure alchemy…” Octavian Winters was born into the ghostly isolation of San Francisco, 2022. Their sound mirrors the surrealism of that time, weaving threads of the visceral and ethereal together into shimmering instrumental layers, with vocals that alternately soar and dive.

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