2:19 Special - Lemi - Bywater Call - Grey DeLisle feat. Les Greene - Kari Lyn - Prisoner

2:19 Special - Come to Fix / Don't Shake My Tree.

2:19 Special are a blues-soaked rock duo blending synths and drum machines with live guitar, vocals, and drums. Following the success of their debut 7" single in 2025, they now feature on Falmouth, Freakzone Compilation Album No. 2 with their track “Come to Fix.”

Cornish two-piece 2:19 Special released their debut single "Don't Shake My Tree" on Tuesday 23rd September 2025 via indie label Krautpop!. The track came spinning into the world as a limited-edition lathe cut 7” single (hand-made in Cornwall by Sam Stacpoole) with “Jim, Say it Again” on the B side. 

2:19 Special formed in 2024, when Mark and Vicki met at an open mic in Penryn, Cornwall. Their music draws inspiration from 60's garage, minimalist electronic music and old films. The result is a blend of echo laden distorted guitar with simple beats and intriguing lyrics.

"Don't Shake My Tree” is essentially about when you are feeling cranky…don’t keep pushing and prodding or you’ll eventually snap!” says the track’s lead vocalist, Mark Arend. “Jim, Say it Again is about chronic illness which is all around us, it’s about being kinder to ourselves and each other.” says Vicki Gilbert, who sings and drums on the song. 


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Photo - Bjørk Ellingsbø

Lemi - Monster.

Pop riser Lemi just released a fearless new single 'Monster', the latest taste of the Norwegian newcomer's upcoming debut EP, out 5th June, following a widely praised showcase at Norwegian tastemaker festival Vill Vill Vest. Written in anger and frustration as a bid to reclaim control, ‘Monster’ is a blast of teenage-fury pop, pairing acoustic guitar with Lemi’s soaring vocal. What starts as a private confession grows into something openly defiant, as Lemi explains:

"The song explores violent fantasies of justice when a 'no' goes unheard and questions how to stop a monster without becoming one." Hailing from Bergen - the same vibrant musical breeding ground behind AURORA, Alan Walker, and Kygo - Lemi's music crystallises the volatility of being 18 and finding your place in the world.

With each new single, Lemi offers a deeper understanding of the emotional terrain her upcoming EP maps out. Together, the songs trace a vivid journey from victim to survivor - a story she feels compelled to share, not just for herself, as she explains: 

“I wrote it for me, but even more for everyone else who can relate. It’s not about what I’ve been through, but about something so many people experience. I get really angry, and then I have to write about it.”

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Bywater Call - No One Else.

A sonically bombastic retro soul banger inspired by the Black Puma’s, Baby Huey, Alabama Shakes, and a little Rage Against the Machine, “No One Else” is anchored by infectious rhythm, layered with atmospheric keyboards, and backed by an explosive horn section. 

At its core, the song is a rejection letter, repelling the advances of the liars and conmen who seek to control us. The lyrics are steeped in the frustration of someone who has been ripped off, taken advantage of, used, and left for dead. 

“This song is a reflection of how, in the current world of manipulation and misinformation, we continue to allow deceitfulness to cause harm,” says Bywater Call’s guitarist Dave Barnes. “In the end, we have the strength within to defeat evil and take back our own power. If we don’t, there is no one else to blame but ourselves.”

“No One Else” is indicative of Bywater Call’s mission to meld old and new sounds and influences, while continuing to carve out a lane of their own. This journey to evolve and experiment as a band, while aiming to deliver the emotion and musical drive that followers have come to love, can be heard throughout the new album Broken Souvenirs.

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Grey DeLisle feat. Les Greene - I'm Gonna Let You Call me Baby. 

Grammy-winning artist and legendary voice actor Grey DeLisle and powerhouse soul vocalist Les Greene share “I’m Gonna Let You Call Me Baby,” a tender, late-night ballad from their forthcoming collaborative LP Grey & Greene, out June 5 via Hummin’bird Records. Sung by Greene, the track showcases a different side of the powerhouse vocalist. Best known to some audiences as the voice of Little Richard in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis and for his high-voltage performances with Les Greene & the Swayzees, Greene pulls things way back here, trading his trademark firebrand energy for quiet heartbreak and restraint.

“I had just hosted the Ameripolitan Awards where I saw Les perform for the very first time,” says DeLisle about the song’s inspiration. “I couldn’t get his voice out of my head. I wanted to write the perfect song for him. He’s the kind of performer that really inspires a songwriter. It really pushes the boundaries of my mind when I’m not constrained by a singer’s abilities,” she continues. “He can sing anything!”

After years focused on her prolific career as one of the most recognizable voices in American animation, DeLisle’s songwriting fire reignited during the isolation of 2020, setting off an expansive creative run rooted in storytelling, collaboration, and a deep reverence for Americana tradition.

Produced by rockabilly veteran James Intveld with additional production from the late Andy Paley, “I’m Gonna Let You Call Me Baby” leans into classic soul and country balladry, pairing warm B3 organ, subtle percussion, and rich harmonies from backing vocalists Mika Lett and Marika Knight. “I’m Gonna Let You Call Me Baby” follows lead single “The Pieces,” a slow-burning meditation on long-distance love sung by DeLisle that first introduced listeners to the chemistry and vintage spirit at the heart of Grey & Greene.

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Photo - Taija Grey

Kari Lyn - Killing Time (the Fish Song).

Self-proclaimed cottage core rockstar Kari Lyn unveils “Killing Time (the Fish Song),” a hopeful, theatrical folk-country rocker that marks the beginning of a brand new era. The first single from an upcoming six-song EP, the track embraces spontaneity, adventure, and the joy found in life’s in-between moments. Equal parts playful and reflective, “Killing Time (the Fish Song)” feels like driving into the sunset with the windows down; cinematic, pulsing, full of possibility.

The song was written during a summer spent back in Kari Lyn’s hometown of North Rustico, PEI, where she challenged herself to write as much as possible while soaking in the fresh air, familiar landscapes, and temporary freedom from day-to-day work. “I believe I finished 11 songs that summer that I was willing to share,” she explains. “Killing Time (the Fish Song)” was one of them. Being home stirred deeper reflection too. “I was thinking about how proud little Kari Lyn would be and how I’ve become someone she would have looked up to.”

Though initially written as a playful experiment with chord progressions and tongue-in-cheek lyrics, the song quickly took on a life of its own. After performing it casually for friends, fans, and at a few live shows, one thing became clear: people wanted “the Fish Song.” “They’ve been asking for it for almost two years now,” Kari Lyn says.

At its core, “Killing Time (the Fish Song)” is about embracing the moments that quietly shape who we become. “Life is all about the moments in between,” Kari Lyn explains. “The moments we are ‘Killing Time’ are what make us who we become.” That idea is woven throughout the song’s freewheeling spirit, capturing both the rush of adventure and the clarity that often arrives when you least expect it.

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Prisoner - La femme qui s’était faite toute seule.

French garage-psych outfit Prisoner return with their new digital single “La femme qui s’était faite toute seule,” released May 15 via Wicked Cool Records, alongside preorders for their upcoming self-titled album, out August 7th on Wicked Cool Records. The track captures the band’s singular approach—where the drama of classic film scores collides with the raw immediacy of garage rock and the shadowy pulse of post-punk.

Built around the idea that no one is truly self-made, “La femme qui s’était faite toute seule” unfolds like a lost soundtrack to an imaginary film—tense, stylish, and unpredictable. Trombone stabs cut through driving rhythms, while surf-leaning guitar lines and hypnotic grooves give way to sweeping, cinematic flourishes. “No one is self-made. You only need to listen to ‘La femme qui s’était faite toute seule’ by Prisoner… to realize that.”

The band’s sound draws heavily from the golden era of 1960s and ’70s television and film scoring—think bold arrangements, memorable themes, and a sense of drama that feels both nostalgic and immediate. But Prisoner don’t just reinterpret the past—they expand it, creating original compositions that feel like they belong to a parallel universe of cult TV classics.

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Dan Miraldi feat. Palmyra Delran - Double Françoise - Brand New Heartache - The City Gates - The Anchoress feat. Eaves Wilder - The Jaws of Brooklyn

Dan Miraldi feat. Palmyra Delran - Magic in the Air.

Prolific singer-songwriter Dan Miraldi returns with his new single “Magic in the Air,” out May 15 via Wicked Cool Records. Featuring garage rock queen Palmyra Delran, the track blends Miraldi’s heartfelt storytelling with bright, infectious power-pop energy—delivering a reminder that even the most ordinary moments can feel extraordinary.

Inspired by life in New York City, “Magic in the Air” finds Miraldi reflecting on fleeting encounters and small, transformative moments. “I like to leave interpretation to the listener,” he says. “But to me, it’s about finding joy in everyday life. The world can get you down, but every now and then something mundane can feel miraculous and empowering.”

The song came together with unusual ease. “Sometimes you really have to wrestle with songs,” Miraldi explains, “but ‘Magic in the Air’ felt pretty effortless.” That spontaneity carries through to the recording process. With the exception of live drums and Delran’s vocal, the track was recorded in Miraldi’s bedroom using GarageBand—capturing a raw, immediate energy. The recording also features contributions from Michael Guggino (Brooklyn psych trio Freaky Wildness) on lead guitar and Jay Nemeyer (DC electro-rock outfit Color Palette) on bass, both longtime collaborators in Miraldi’s orbit.

Delran’s presence on the track adds both chemistry and emotional weight. “When I was writing the song, I could hear Palmyra’s voice singing it,” says Miraldi. “Having her actually on the recording is extremely special. She’s so talented and has been a constant source of encouragement for me.”

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Photo - Alistair Jutel

Double Françoise - La Poursuite (EP).

It’s clearly not widely known enough, but the dashing duo Double Françoise is quite simply one of the pop gems of the Kingdom of France, the title of their debut album certainly didn’t lie. Les Bijoux, which followed an excellent first EP, already had them exploring avenues beyond the bossa nova they revere and know so well how to honor. 

This new EP, titled La Poursuite, sees them return as pre-World War III Elli and Jacno with five utterly irresistible songs packed with cheesy synths and playful backing vocals. With tracks that are by turns melodic, haunting, playful, and lush, this admirable collection of songs never lets up. In 1979, Double Françoise would have released their records on Ze Records or Celluloïd and would have dominated the charts. 

Since 2015, they’ve been signed to the Belgian label Freaksville and, by all logic, should have the world at their feet within a few weeks. The pursuit of happiness ends here—you’ve arrived.

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Brand New Heartache - Precious Days.

Brand New Heartache, the Nashville husband-and-wife duo of Eleese and Matthew Meschery, are set to release their debut album A New Alchemy on July 24 via Mule Kick Records. Blending authentic Americana with dreamy indie-pop textures and soaring harmonies, the record explores the emotional realities of long-term love — the tension between devotion and doubt, spark and staying power.

Originally formed in Oakland before relocating to East Nashville, the duo have built a sound shaped by influences ranging from Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris to The New Pornographers and Mates of State, while collaborating with players connected to Counting Crows, Chuck Prophet, and Aimee Mann.

Produced by Michael Patterson (Beck, The Notorious B.I.G.), A New Alchemy unfolds almost like a relationship timeline, from the intoxicating uncertainty of the title track to the cinematic longing of “Montreal” and the myth-inspired emotional depth of “Eurydice.” Early singles “Raise The Shade,” “Precious Days,” and “New Alchemy” showcase a lush, emotionally resonant collection that feels equally rooted in Laurel Canyon warmth and modern indie sensibilities. The band will support the release with performances in Nashville, California, and select appearances during AmericanaFest this September.

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Photo - A l'affiche Montreal

The City Gates - Chimera (Album).

Hailing from Montreal, Canada, The City Gates blend post-punk, shoegaze, and darkwave into a reverb-heavy, atmospheric sound driven by pulsing basslines and cinematic intensity. Their albums Forever Orbiter (2018) and Age of Resilience (2021) earned international acclaim, establishing them as a standout act in the global dark alternative scene. Drawing on themes of history and social unrest, their music balances melancholic introspection with explosive momentum.

The band has now released their new album LP “Chimera’’ (May 15, 2026, via Icy Cold Records and Velouria Recordz) a dark, expansive 8-track record that unfolds like a nocturnal landscape, blending post-punk urgency with shoegaze atmospherics, brooding rhythms meeting shimmering walls of sound. Each song lingers with a haunting, dreamlike intensity, caught somewhere between collapse and transcendence. 

The lyrics drift between intimacy and decay, lingering on themes of isolation, memory distortion, and emotional disconnection, delivered in a stark yet haunted voice. They dissolve into the atmosphere — half-whispered reflections on longing, loss, and the blurred edges of perception, channeling existential tension and urban alienation through fragmented, observational imagery. 

Recorded, mixed, and produced at Velouria Studios, the band’s own studio in Montreal, CA, the album took shape from within, built on live drums, guitars, and bass driven through amps, and the haze of vintage synths, with tone, space, and atmosphere gradually coming into focus. 

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The Anchoress feat. Eaves Wilder - Damsels.

The Anchoress (aka Catherine Anne Davies) returns with 'Damsels', the second track to preview from As We Once Were — a bold, unflinching new album from one of the UK's most distinctive voices. With the album landing this August via Last Night From Glasgow, the 14-track record marks her third studio album release, following the Welsh Music Prize-nominated The Art Of Losing and the cult favourite Confessions Of A Romance Novelist.

'Damsels' arrived yesterday Friday 15 May 2026. Musically, it channels the urgent energy of Manic Street Preachers while lyrically paying tribute to generations of feminist icons. "It takes inspiration from the history lessons I got as a teenager listening to 'Faster' and 'PCP', except this time it's strictly a girl zone," says Davies.

The song sits at the heart of an album shaped by themes of motherhood, generational resilience and female strength in the face of loss and trauma. Set against a dreamy 4AD-inspired 12-string guitar shoegaze soundtrack,  think Cocteau Twins meets Sharon Van Etten, the new song features angelic guest vocals from Secretly Canadian-signed newcomer Eaves Wilder.

As We Once Were is the long-awaited follow-up to the UK Top 40 album The Art Of Losing, which received wall-to-wall critical plaudits upon its release in 2021. With Sir Elton John naming it "one of my favourite records of the year" and Caitlin Moran calling it "the inadvertent, beautiful and truthful soundtrack to this moment", it went on to sell over 10,000 physical copies via the power of pure word of mouth.

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Photo - Kyle Rothwell

The Jaws of Brooklyn - Unstoppable (EP).

The Jaws of Brooklyn have released their new EP Unstoppable. Co-produced with Grammy-winner and Alabama Shakes keyboardist Ben Tanner, the seven-track project finds the Seattle five-piece blending Motown melody, Muscle Shoals soul and West Coast rock & roll with girl-group glitter and garage grit. This week, guitarist Bryan Cohen shared insight into each track on the new EP.

Blurring the lines between genre and generation, Unstoppable expands on The Jaws of Brookyn’s signature melting pot sound of ‘60s/‘70s influences and thickly stacked vocal harmonies, which have earned praise from American Songwriter and Billboard over the years. As showcased on singles like the shimmering “Where Are You?”, the bombastic “Lie To Me” and the effervescent “Up All Nite”, these songs delve headfirst into love triangles, relationships and ride-or-die friendships – all anchored by front woman Gretchen Lemon’s powerhouse presence.

Unstoppable keeps the momentum going after the band’s 2025 album Crush On You, which was released during a whirlwind of change. Following the addition of Lemon as the group’s electric new singer, they felt re-energized and in turn, their show-stopping performances cemented their reputation as a must-see live act, booking festival slots at SXSW and Bumbershoot, as well as packing out shows at venues on both coasts.

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Lewis Jack Inman - Futurebirds - Octavian Winters - The J.O.B. - Sparkle Blood - Tom Emlyn - Hannah & Nathan

Lewis Jack Inman - The Squeeze (Album).

Leeds based musician Lewis Jack Inman returns with his 4th Album The Squeeze released today 15th May. Once again Inman's latest offering is another alt rock record perfect for fans of Courtney Barnett, Pixies and Queens of the Stone Age. True to his own style, it's a record that doesn't conform to predictable patterns, Inman takes you on a journey that makes complex themes and music seem simple with the guidance of his soothing vocals, a key trait in his solo work since 2019.

Since going solo in 2019, he's released 3 albums (Another Winter, Far Away and Fly) as well as numerous singles throughout that time. Lewis returned to the live scene in 2025 with a new live band formed up with two of the local scene's hardest working musicians Sam Green and Dan James. They quickly took the scene by storm with appearances at Lending Room and Hyde Park Book Club in the space of a few months

In late 2025, Lewis released the Fossilz Collection, a mix of his previous bands work containing material that still exists in his shows today plus recordings from live show recorded in Leeds

All of Lewis' previous releases have been solely recorded with him playing all instruments and whilst The Squeeze is no different in that respect, it is his first release he's self-produced too making it an entirely DIY record with no external contributions showcasing just how versatile an artist he is.

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Photo - Jacq Justice

Futurebirds - Fly On.

Athens, GA-born Futurebirds unveiled the official video for their latest single “Fly On” from their first-ever double album Far Out Country that will be released on June 5 via Dualtone Records. The official video follows a casual antique store pit stop that quickly spirals into a transportive day trip, proving you don’t have to travel far to find a little Far Out Country.

Carter King, who wrote “Fly On,” explains, “Conceptualized and directed by Casey Pierce. This video shoot was a real blast. Getting let loose in a possibly-haunted antique store after hours? Felt like an episode of ‘Are you Afraid of the Dark.’ And the moral of the video: there’s no such thing as a free cookie!”

Last month, Futurebirds released Sienna Life EP, featuring three songs from Far Out Country I – “Sienna Life,” “Sleepless in the Cage,” and “Ghost Moon.” The release and double album announcement was met with praise from Brooklyn Vegan, Relix and Stereogum among others, who noted, Far Out Country "is both a title and a mission statement.” 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.

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.

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Photo - David Kruschke

Octavian Winters - By the Stars.

Octavian Winters have unveiled a dreamlike new single, ‘By the Stars’, ahead of Wave-Gotik-Treffen appearance. Highlighting the lush, otherworldly side of the band’s repertoire, ‘By the Stars’ is the swooning new pop ballad from San Francisco’s Octavian Winters: a beautifully delicate contrast to the dark, angular post-punk of previous single, ‘Elements of Air’.

Produced once again by William Faith, and released via Stratis Capta Records just ahead of the band’s appearance at Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Germany, ‘By the Stars’ moves with a slow, dreamlike pulse: toms beating softly under glimmering melodies, like distant heartbeats under an endless night sky. Lyricist and frontwoman Ria Aursjoen says:

“The song has the feel of a sea voyage. The images for me were always ones of the vastness of the sky and the sea, and the feeling of the magnificent beauty of the world. The call and answer vocals are like two people calling back and forth across a valley. It’s meant to encompass that feeling of transcendence when you take a meta view of life and of the natural world, and just fall into the beautiful patterns of it all.”

Remarking on the song’s significance both to the band and their audience, drummer Randy Gzebb adds: “I remember playing an all-ages show in Northern California, looked up mid-song and saw these two young goth girls at the front of the stage with tears streaming down their faces. That moment told me everything I needed to know about ‘By the Stars’. You know a song matters when it reaches people like that.”

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The J.O.B. - Light Up A Room.

Richmond VA rock band, The J.O.B. have released a new single, Light Up A Room. It’s their fourth individual track of a string of singles to be dropped over the next many months, all destined to appear on the band’s upcoming vinyl LP.

Light Up A Room was recorded at Absolute Future Studios in Richmond VA with producer Jamie Rose (Vulcanite, Book Of Wyrms) again at the helm. 

“Light Up A Room is an upbeat tune about finding one’s true love and the hopeful anticipation of the future they are about to share,” said Jim O’Ferrell, acoustic guitar and vocals. “We tried a few new things musically with this song,” he added. “None of us had heard Jason’s guitar leads until we got into the studio and started recording, and he blew our minds!”

The J.O.B. creates an original blend of Alternative Rock with Blues, Americana, and some Progressive Rock vibes in the mix. All four band members come from different musical backgrounds and share in the song writing process. “We didn’t grow up together,” said Jason Crawford, lead guitarist, “We all bring different musical influences into the band.”

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Sparkle Blood - Restless.

Sparkle Blood is the kind of band that gets in, says exactly what they need to say, and gets out—no wasted time, no excess, just sharp, punchy songwriting delivered with total conviction. The Albera-based trio, Tyler Stewart on guitar and vocals, Bailey Kate on bass and vocals, and Bre Day on drums, lock into a sound that feels both scrappy and impossibly tight, balancing sweetly fuzzy guitars with driving rhythms and melodies that hit instantly. 

There’s an easy chemistry between Stewart and Kate that calls back to the dynamic interplay of The Lemonheads and Pixies, while Day keeps everything grounded with a powerful, no-frills approach behind the kit. It’s hook-heavy, harmony-rich, and just rough enough around the edges to keep things interesting.

Their upcoming LP ZIP ZAP leans all the way into that energy, opening with “Mad About It,” a track that feels like a thesis statement, urgent, a little fed up, but still undeniably fun. From there, the band keeps things moving at a clipped, confident pace. 

“Totally Ignorant” barrels through in under a minute and a half, landing its punch with the kind of efficiency you’d expect from Ramones or Guided by Voices, while songs like “Burning Barrel” and “I Don’t Know” stretch things just enough to let the hooks breathe, pulling from the timeless melodic instincts of Buddy Holly and the punchy edge of Buzzcocks and Hüsker Dü. Across the record, Sparkle Blood strike that sweet spot between catharsis and celebration, pairing real-world frustration with undeniable charm. It’s the kind of album that sneaks up on you, quick, catchy, and quietly addictive after just a couple of spins.

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Photo - Alys hardy

Tom Emlyn - Passing Craze (Album).

Swansea Singer-Songwriter 'Tom Emlyn' returns with a brand new album. 'Passing Craze' is released today Friday 15th May 2026. His 6th Studio album will be released Digitally, CD and Vinyl LP via Dirty Carrot Records. 'Passing Craze', Tom Emlyn's sixth solo album in four years, began as a final university project for Evan Collett, who produced the album. Evan and Tom both play in the psychedelic garage rock band Rainyday Rainbow. He needed to make an album for his final project in DBS, Bristol; a university that specialises in music production. DBS stands for Deep Blue Sound. Evan asked Tom if there was any unrecorded material to make another album.  

A few forgotten gems, fragments and songs from years ago were unearthed, some of them going back to the first songwriting undertaken by Tom as a teenager. They seemed to fit together and felt like they had a thread running through them. Recording began in an amazing room at DBS, with an impressive, hugely expensive analog desk. 

The tracks began with skeletal acoustic guitar, doubled in an Elliott Smith style, then embellished with drums, piano, electric guitar and harmonica. It was made more difficult by the university only allowing recording to be booked in three-hour sessions, meaning there was a rush to get the parts done, and it all took a bit longer than expected. Maybe that was a good thing in the end, though. After Evan finished his course, work resumed on the project at home in Cardiff. The project took on more of a bedroom pop sound  with more layers of guitar, vocals, trumpet, melodica, percussion by drummer Jack Patrick, and backing vocals by Alys Hardy. Evan added some interesting production flair, such as slide guitar and playing banjo with a violin bow; just trying to get interesting sounds and do things a bit differently. 

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Hannah & Nathan - Love & Labour (Album).

Hannah & Nathan have released their debut duo album 'Love & Labour' where the Ontario Folk duo blends old-time drive, lyrical balladry, and close harmony. Late one rainy night on a Northern Ontario highway, Hannah and Nathan were struck by an SUV en route to a weekend of shows. They walked away unscathed  and performed anyway. On the drive home, they made a decision: it was time to record together.

Love & Labour is their debut duo album, rooted in Appalachian and old-time traditions and shaped by a shared instinct for close harmony and acoustic interplay. Built around claw-hammer banjo, fiddle, and guitar, the record moves between driving, dance-ready tunes and spare, expressive ballads.

Both artists bring deep experience to the project. Hannah is a Canadian Folk Music Award–winning Traditional Singer of the Year (2017; nominee 2024), while Nathan’s band The Barrel Boys has earned multiple CFMA nominations. Since first performing together in 2022, their musical connection, especially their tightly blended vocals has become the defining feature of their sound.

Their singing is central: clear, intimate, and finely balanced. At times they trade lines; at others, their voices merge in close, parallel harmonies that echo bluegrass traditions while retaining the clarity of narrative folk song. The album features eleven tracks: seven originals, two traditional songs, a contemporary cover, and a set of original fiddle tunes. With the exception of the acappella “Turtle Dove,” each track highlights the rhythmic interplay of banjo and fiddle in open tuning, creating a sound that is at once raw, textured, and immediate.

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Lily Frost - Jaelee Roberts - Toilet Rats - Old Crow Medicine Show

Lily Frost - More Love.

On her new single “More Love,” Toronto’s Lily Frost continues to display her musical versatility with a song that gets to the core of how many of us are feeling about the current state of the world. Over a hypnotic sonic backdrop, Frost shares the simple and direct message encapsulated in the song’s title, with the intent to make us all think about what we could be doing better to improve the lives of those around us.

“‘More Love’ is a spell,” Lily says. “It is a calling in of what I want more of and a releasing of what I want less of. I chose the word ‘less’ instead of ‘fewer’ as poetic license to keep the language simple and direct. Mitch Willer created a syncopated beat in the chorus and sang with me to give the song more edge, while the verses return to a hypnotic call-and-release feeling. The song became, in the end, an anti-war, pro-peace spell for the world and each individual toward themselves and others. I send it out from my heart in this time of global distress.” Over the past three decades, Lily Frost has journeyed through the ever-evolving landscape of music and art with poetic instinct and fearless reinvention.

After five years of touring up and down the west coast in various outfits, Lily signed as a solo artist with Nettwerk Records in 2001 for the album Lunamarium. She returned to Toronto in 2004 where she released six critically acclaimed albums on Aporia Records and toured internationally. Her songs have been widely synced in film and television, including the film Crazy/Beautiful and the television show Grey’s Anatomy, earning her recognition for her cinematic writing and vintage-modern sound.

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Jaelee Roberts - I’m Putting You Out of My Misery.

“‘I’m Putting You Out of My Misery’ is one of those songs that stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it,” says Jaelee Roberts of her latest single — and first new music since last year’s full-length sophomore album, Let Me Be Lonely. “Terry Herd wrote an incredible song, and I fell in love with it right away. To me, it strikes the perfect balance between that hard-driving traditional sound and a touch of contemporary bluegrass, and I absolutely love how everything came together in the studio. I’ve always enjoyed a song with a little bit of attitude, and this one definitely delivers!”

Backed by a stellar crew — Ron Stewart (Seldom Scene) on banjo; guitarist Tony Wray; Alan Bartram (Travelin’ McCourys, Del McCoury Band) on bass; award-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland, and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Justin Moses (mandolin, dobro), with Zack Arnold (Rhonda Vincent & the Rage) adding harmony vocals — Roberts tackles the quintessentially bluegrass combination of up-tempo music and downbeat lyrics (including a bit of classic wordplay for good measures) with her signature compelling verve: Woke up today with a heavy heart - The weight of the world is tearin’ me apart - Memories callin' they won't let me stay - So I'm packin' my bags and leavin' today..

“I’m truly proud of how the track turned out,” says Roberts, “and I’m so thankful to each of these amazing musicians for being part of it. I hope you all enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed recording it!”

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Photo - Joe Vaughan

Toilet Rats - Shimmy.

Minneapolis' Toilet Rats shares "Shimmy," a new wave-inspired dancefloor jam that is perfectly postured for this Summer's "Goth Nights." "Shimmy" was mixed by Sean O'Keefe (Motion City Soundtrack, Beach Bunny, Fallout Boy) and mastered by Kris Johnson (Jayhawks, Gramma).

"Shimmy' is a heart-on-sleeve new wave romp written after arriving on the other side of an illness and surgery," says Tommy Ratz. "I wanted to dance with my friends post-recovery, even if we didn't know any good moves. Ultimately, it's an uplifting bop about checking in on your friends, 'cause people did that for me. Everyone needs a boost sometimes. Think Breakfast Club meets The Cure."

Five years deep, and Toilet Rats have never sounded bigger. Black Cats, the groups third LP on Steadfast Records and Sweet Cheetah Records spans 14 tracks of fuzz, synths, drum machines, moody '80s college rock, punk scorchers, and new wave dance floor slammers, all recorded during a period of real disruption.

If you dig songs about ghouls, calamity, surviving illness, and showing up for each other, this album is sure to find a welcome home in your collection. Black Cats sees release on June 26.

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Photo - Ed Rode

Old Crow Medicine Show - Last American Waltz" feat. Molly Tuttle.

Today Old Crow Medicine Show shares the gorgeous new single "Last American Waltz" feat. Molly Tuttle, the latest from the band's upcoming album Union Made which releases on June 5 with Hartland Records via Firebird Music. Accompanied by a music video filmed in the dancehall of Nashville's American Legion, "Last American Waltz" unfolds with the kind of warmth and emotional resonance that has long defined American roots music.

"'Last American Waltz' is a love song to America in 3/4 time," says bandleader Ketch Secor. "We wanted it to feel timeless - the kind of song that could drift across a dancehall floor at midnight or echo through an old American Legion hall after the lights come up. Having Molly Tuttle join us on this track brought even more heart and soul to the recording.”

"Last American Waltz" follows the band's previous single "My Side Of The Mountain," a generation-spanning collaboration co-written by Secor, Tuttle and Luke Combs, and featuring bluegrass legends Del McCoury and Ronnie McCoury. The song has garnered early attention from The Bluegrass Situation, Relix, Whiskey Riff, MusicRow, AmericanaUK and more. Produced by longtime bandmember Morgan Jahnig and recorded in the band's own East Nashville studio, Union Made is Old Crow Medicine Show's most collaborative project to date, featuring appearances from nearly a dozen guests including Maggie Rose, Turnpike Troubadours' Evan Felker, Jesse Welles, Lee Oskar, John Carter Cash and Ana Cristina Cash. 

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Sondre Lerche - Izzy Oram Brown - Pharis and Jason Romero - Nico Cann

Photo - Hilde Solli

Sondre Lerche - Little Kids.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche has announced his new album 'Acrobats' will be released on 21st August via PLZ / Virgin. His first full-length of brand new music in over four years, 'Acrobats' marks the return of the beloved Norwegian artist with an album that’s bold and bombastic; a polarising reflection on the dichotomy of finding love while in times of soulless global unrest and unfathomable human atrocities.

Yesterday Lerche unveiled the first look at the album with new single 'Little Kids,' a dreamy, sepia-toned melody featuring vivid string arrangements by Sean O’Hagan (High Llamas) and performed by the Stockholm Studio Orchestra. Its video was directed by rising Norwegian filmmaker Lea Meyer and inspires empathy and kindness towards our younger selves when seeking affirmation and love. The new song was co-produced by Alexander von Mehren and Lerche, and mixed by Jørgen Trœen.

“From the first verse’s innocent rejection, to the third verse’s plunge into premature adulthood, ‘Little Kids’ is about trying to avoid looking back in anger, and instead look back with newfound empathy and perspective on adolescent attempts at stumbling towards love, friendship and intimacy,” stated Lerche. “It’s about forgiving who you were and who you were with, and that feeling we get when we see photos of ourselves and realise we were so much younger than we thought at the time. It’s personal, but highly universal.”

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Photo - Nico Hedley

Izzy Oram Brown - Got Me Down.

We have the first single "Got Me Down" from the debut full-length by Brooklyn singer-songwriter Izzy Oram Brown. This follows her excellently reviewed EP Mess and a split EP with The Bird Calls and a run opening for the acclaimed guitarist Julian Lage. 

As a fixture in the Brooklyn indie scene, Izzy Oram Brown has been featured as a collaborator in rising bands such as Why Bonnie and Youbet. Stepping into her own with her full-length, What I Want is full of unexpected surprises and moments of instrumentation and sound design that go way beyond a singer-songwriter affair. The 4AD comparisons are strong here.

Got Me Down is an upbeat power pop hit about the moments when you find yourself making things harder by overthinking and getting in your own way.

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Pharis and Jason Romero - These Are The Days.

Four-time JUNO Award-winning singers, songwriters, banjo builders, and folk icons, Pharis and Jason Romero are releasing their seventh studio record. Due June 12 via Lula Records, These Are The Days That Turn In To Years is a songwriter’s deep exhale, replete with stories, love, and nostalgia. It’s four years after the duo’s banjo-heavy last release, and recorded in the same eclectically restored riverside barn in Horsefly, British Columbia. With Pharis’ love of storytelling as a base for the duo’s artistic connection, the songs are lush and saturated with their lives: incidental touring, raising two kids, making banjos, and playing this music because they love it. 

The songs are created as much from ideas - from being on the tops of mountains and phone calls with aging loved ones to insomnia, meditation and family feuds - as they are from the joy of playing and recording with a stellar band: fiddle, bass, piano, and percussion. Two people in the thick of their lives, reveling in the music, words, and community.

Now, they are releasing the new single “These Are The Days”, a waltzing exhale of love and affirmation. "These Are The Days" is the final song on Pharis and Jason’s new album, saving the best for last. Here, Pharis turns inward as a songwriter, giving voice to the feelings of a gentle lover who holds and treasures these moments. Ambient strings overlay the delightful piano work of Clinton Davis, while Pharis’s vocals (she sounds so much like herself) and Jason’s intuitively wonderful harmonies sit front and centre.

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Nico Cann - Take Me To The River.

22-year-old Milan-born and London-based alt-rock artist Nico Cann unveils the new single ‘Take Me To The River’, fusing raw emotion with a rich and anthemic sound. The new single comes with news of an upcoming UK tour with The Rifles. Weaned on classical piano and raised by rock bands, Nico’s music sits at the crossroads of introspection and energy, capturing honest stories of growing up in a world that never slows down.

Drawing inspiration from Bruce Springsteen to Sam Fender, his sound merges the warmth of ‘70s and ‘80s rock with a contemporary indie lift, displaying intimate, confessional writing set against a backdrop built to resonate on a larger scale. On stage, he channels that same energy, bringing his anthemic tracks to life whilst still turning every show into a moment of real human connection.

Now building toward his debut album Silver Lining - a body of work written, performed, and produced largely on his own, Nico’s new single ‘Take Me To The River’ highlights his evolution as an artist. Delivering a cinematic, explosive soundscape, blending biting guitar tones, expansive keys, and driving drums, the track channels an ’80s rock spirit beneath Nico’s charismatic and expressive lead vocals.

Analog warmth, youthful uncertainty, and hope collide on the single, bringing a sound which is assured and expansive, yet rooted in genuine, authentic artistry and sincere songwriting. Talking about the single, Nico explains: “I began writing "Take Me to the River" three years ago. The song went through multiple iterations and changes, especially lyrically. Like many of the other songs I'm writing for my debut project, Silver Lining, this one analyses a moment of feeling lost, or better, the limbo of uncertainty right after a breakup. "Should I call her, should I find my way?"

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