Tulpa - Lisa SQ - Alan Vega - Elinborg

Tulpa - PSYOPS.

A few days in advance of the release of their debut album, Leeds-based Tulpa have a brand-new single: PSYOPs is mesmeric and infectious, with a dark nursery rhyme of a melody threaded through a gauzy mesh of guitars. What is a Tulpa? It’s a mythical being manifested into existence through the act of concentrated thought, like an imaginary friend brought to life, but (sometimes) scarier…

Tulpa are very new: nothing has been released up until now, not even a digital single.  Despite this, they attracted the attention of Marc Riley & Gideon Coe, who invited the band to record a live BBC6 Music session this summer.  Around the same time, Skep Wax Records were sent the finished album and knew they had to release it.  Meanwhile, in the creative hotbeds of the UK’s DIY festivals and indie venues Tulpa are quickly gathering a loyal following. They have recently supported Throwing Muses, Pale Blue Eyes and Bug Club.

This album has some of the same qualities.  A whole set of loud, catchy, perfectly-crafted pop songs have been conjured into existence - and want to be part of your life.  Josie’s hyper-melodic lead vocals are cool and crystalline - but the lyrics are warm and human.   The twin guitars create a sonic mesh, a web of textures that traps you, whether you like it or not.  And yes, something scarier does lie below the surface.  Occasionally the guitars force their way to the front, furious and intense.  And sometimes those lyrics aren’t as innocent as they first appear.  The danger, just below the surface of the songs, is maybe that’s what makes this album so arresting.

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Photo - Martin Reis

Lisa SQ - Reel Me In (Album).

Montreal, QC-born, Hamilton, ON-based multidisciplinary artist Lisa SQ unveils her debut full-length album Reel Me In, a kaleidoscopic reflection of her late 20s and early 30s, filled with snapshots of introspection, growth, and playful sonic experimentation. Released alongside the brooding, atmospheric lead single "Teeth," the album captures Lisa SQ's penchant for turning life's sticky moments into artful, indie-pop catharsis.

"Reel Me In is kind of a sonic photo album," she shares. "It's a collection of songs that have grown from me trying to get to know myself better during a perplexing time of life. Naturally, some of the songs are moodier and more introspective, but overall I think there's a playfulness fuelling the whole thing."

Half recorded overseas on the Isle of Wight in a converted stone abbey, and half captured during impromptu "birthday sessions" in Toronto with a crew of close friends, Reel Me In embraces spontaneity, collaboration, and imperfection. The project, produced by Tyler Kyte (Dwayne Gretzky), Ian Docherty (July Talk), and David Granshaw, bridges continents and creative circles from late-night jams at Toronto's Dwaynespace to sun-soaked sessions in the English countryside.

At the heart of it all is "Teeth," a hypnotic swirl of dream-pop textures and lyrical bite. "Have you ever been crushed by the thing you love?" Lisa SQ asks. "'Teeth' is young love and falling hard. It's lapping up the poison of pop culture romance – the glamourized torment of Ross and Rachel. Bonnie and Clyde, doomed from the start."

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Photo - Curtis Knapp

Alan Vega - Ice Drummer.

The Vega Vault Project and Sacred Bones Records continue to uncover Alan Vega’s robust collection of work left behind by the influential visual artist, musician and poet. They have just announced the reissues of Vega’s highly influential 1980 debut S/T solo album, in addition to its follow up, Collision Drive. Now remastered from the original tapes, and available on streaming services for the first time ever, the two albums will be faithfully re-released by Sacred Bones Records, preserving the raw intensity of Vega’s original recordings while making them newly accessible to listeners worldwide. 

The Vega Vault Project and Sacred Bones have meticulously assembled these packages and will also offer a companion piece Alan Vega Deluxe Edition which will be available as a limited deluxe double LP and include unheard demos, unseen photos and new artwork. All three albums contain unseen photos and new album artwork (including Vega's original track sheets from his 1978 Suicide / The Clash Tour Notebook).

More About Alan Vega and Collision Drive: Alan Vega was released in 1980 at the same period Suicide released their second album, Suicide: Alan Vega and Martin Rev. Vega wanted to dig deeper into the roots of his own sonic identity, fueled by rockabilly, early rock n roll, and his enduring love for Elvis Presley. Filling the gaps between recording with Suicide, and fleshing out the songs he was writing on his own, Vega committed to producing his own songs and started performing solo shows live to develop his sound. 

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Sigríður Ella Frímannsdóttir 

Elinborg - Blood.

Following the acclaimed release of her debut album, Í Ævir (“Forever”), Faroese artist Elinborg released her new single, “Blood,” (November 21) via Embassy of Music. “Blood” is the highly anticipated English version of the album’s standout track, “Blóð.” This rare shift into English allows Elinborg’s growing international audience to fully connect with the deeply personal meaning of her writing, which has previously been sung entirely in her native Faroese.

On the single she shares, “I chose to release an English version of my song “Blood” not only because it holds a very special place in my heart, but also because I wanted to explore how my sound might change when I switch languages. I’ve always been intrigued by different languages, and even though Faroese has a special place in my heart—and I’ll absolutely continue writing in it—I think it’s important to grow and evolve as an artist. That’s why I wanted to try releasing English versions as well: to reach a more international audience, but also to add new colors to my artistic world.”

Building on the sound she introduced with her recent dark wave releases, Elinborg continues to assert herself as one of the most distinctive new voices in the Nordic scene. Her unique position lies in her poetic lyricism, which bridges the ancient and the modern, carrying a rare language through a futuristic sonic world. With management by FlyingFox AB and the backing of Embassy of Music, the release of “Blood” is an invitation for listeners worldwide to dive deeper into the tides of sound and emotion that define Elinborg’s darkly poetic universe.

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Tulpa - Clay Brown & the Trouble Round Town - Zoey Tess - Sophie Lilah - Natalie Holmes

Tulpa - Transfixed Gaze / Let's Make A Tulpa!

Tulpa are very new: nothing has been released up until now, not even a digital single. Despite this, they attracted the attention of Marc Riley & Gideon Coe, who invited the band to record a live BBC6 Music session this summer. Around the same time, Skep Wax Records were sent the finished album and knew they had to release it. Meanwhile, in the creative hotbeds of the UK’s DIY festivals and indie venues Tulpa are quickly gathering a loyal following. They have recently supported Throwing Muses, Pale Blue Eyes and Bug Club and will be playing a series of headline gigs in October and November 2025.

What is a Tulpa? It’s a mythical being manifested into existence through the act of concentrated thought, like an imaginary friend brought to life, but (sometimes) scarier…

The album "Monster Of The Week" is out on 28th November. This album has some of the same qualities. A whole set of loud, catchy, perfectly-crafted pop songs have been conjured into existence - and want to be part of your life.  Josie’s hyper-melodic lead vocals are cool and crystalline - but the lyrics are warm and human. The twin guitars create a sonic mesh, a web of textures that traps you, whether you like it or not. And yes, something scarier does lie below the surface. Occasionally the guitars force their way to the front, furious and intense. And sometimes those lyrics aren’t as innocent as they first appear. The danger, just below the surface of the songs, is maybe that’s what makes this album so arresting…


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Photo - Dan Mac

Clay Brown & the Trouble Round Town - No Place.

What feels like a late-night confession spilled over the hum of guitars, ‘No Place’ finds Boorloo/Perth outfit Clay Brown & the Trouble Round Town wrestling with grief, distraction, and the struggle to find steady ground. Out yesterday (October 17), the single captures Brown at his most unguarded, channelling pain into jangly indie / alt-rock noise.

Frontman Clay Brown has spent the past decade tracing a path across shoegaze, grunge, jazz fusion and stoner rock, supporting bands including Fuel, Gyroscope and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. He’s now stepping out with his first solo project, Clay Brown & the Trouble Round Town. Following a run of solo shows in London and Edinburgh, and now with a third single on its way, Brown leads a new chapter that places his songwriting and voice firmly at the centre.

‘No Place’ channels the grit of indie and alt-rock, driven by picked guitars beneath Brown’s casual, nonchalant delivery, coloured by his Australian accent. The verses feel personal, almost conversational, before the track swells into a falsetto chorus that lifts it into something both vulnerable and defiant. Catchy guitar hooks push the song along, while a swirling slide guitar bridge adds a little alt-country edge.

At its heart, ‘No Place’ is a reflection on being caught between grief and the fragile beginnings of something new. Brown explores the dissonance of trying to give yourself to another person while still carrying the weight of loss, and the frustration of realising that your head and heart are not yet aligned.

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Zoey Tess - Knocking at Your Front Door.

Zoey Tess is an American singer-songwriter, producer, and pianist whose sound channels early jazz and contemporary work into the folk-rock traditions that shape her powerful voice. A Berklee College of Music attendee who chose an independent path, Zoey's sound is deeply authentic and informed by her classic musical training (piano, violin).

"Knocking at Your Front Door" is the fiery lead single from Zoey's forthcoming debut album, There's Gonna Be a Reckoning. 

The single shines an unapologetic spotlight on brutality and corruption, giving a distinct nod to the spirit of protest anthems of the sixties and seventies. Musically, it recalls the acoustic urgency of legends like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Townes Van Zandt (whose song "Fare Thee Well, Miss Carousel" is covered on the album).

Zoey Tess · Knocking at Your Front Door

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Photo - Stephanie Senior

Sophie Lilah - Busy Being in Love (Album).

There is a bittersweet beauty that surfaces when heartbreak is given a voice. On her debut album 'Busy Being in Love', out yesterday Friday, October 17, Boorloo/Perth indie-folk/ alt singer-songwriter Sophie Lilah gathers the fragments of loss and longing, distilling them into songs that feel both tender and resolute. 

'Busy Being in Love' moves with both delicacy and force, shifting between stripped-back folk ballads that feel raw and earthy, and rock-driven songs steeped in blues and groove. Sophie threads in touches of jazz phrasing, classical flourishes, and R&B-inspired vocal rhythms, shaping a sound that is organic, real, and deeply emotive. 

At the centre of it all is Sophie’s vocals that dance and flutter across the arrangements. Poised but powerful, each phrase carries the ache of truth. It is an album alive with contrasts, where intimacy sits beside a yearning to be heard and understood. Speaking on the album, Sophie shares:

“'Busy Being in Love' is an album about heartbreak, not just the kind that shatters, but the kind that lingers and reshapes you. Each song became a place to set down the weight of that pain, to make sense of the different shades of loss."

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Natalie Holmes - Opposite Day (Album)

Alt-pop artist Natalie Holmes has released her highly anticipated second album, Opposite Day. Following the success of her debut self-produced album, Vitamin Be (2022), Natalie’s new project takes listeners on a kaleidoscopic journey through the paradoxes of human existence. Like Alice down the rabbit hole, we tumble together through accidental worlds of style and sound that mirror the disorienting beauty of being alive today.

Reaching her arms wide, ’Opposite Day’ involves a team of outrageously talented musicians - Boci, violin; Rob Pemberton, drums & mix, Alex Heane, bass & William J Stokes, co-production - Holmes proudly prepares to release this collection of genre-blurring alt-pop that ping-pongs between introspective ballads and upbeat anthems. With influences ranging from Caroline Polachek & Aurora to The Japanese House & Bon Iver, Opposite Day continues to showcase Natalie’s signature blend of ethereal vocals and thought-provoking lyrics.

Natalie’s musical journey has already seen a sea of milestones. After starting with grainy YouTube videos in 2010, she’s since released several EPs, collaborations, and her debut album, Vitamin Be, which received praise from BBC Radio 2, BBC 6, Clash, and EARMILK. In 2016, she joined Above & Beyond as a lead vocalist on their Acoustic World Tour, performing at legendary venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Royal Albert Hall. Her solo material has captured the attention of fans and critics alike, with Tom Robinson on BBC 6 calling her work “fresh, adventurous, and really assured.”

“An inspired return from a songwriter we will enjoy watching develop over the coming months and years,” wrote Clash about her debut. And indeed, with Opposite Day on the horizon, Natalie is poised to continue that trajectory—finding new ways to connect with listeners through her rivers of wordplay and arresting reflections on the human condition.

Natalie Holmes · Opposite Day

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Tulpa - Josienne Clarke - Haerts

Tulpa - Let's Make A Tulpa!

Tulpa are very new, nothing has been released up until now, not even a digital single.  Despite this, they attracted the attention of Marc Riley & Gideon Coe, who invited the band to record a live BBC6 Music session this summer.  Around the same time, Skep Wax Records were sent the finished album and knew they had to release it.  Meanwhile, in the creative hotbeds of the UK’s DIY festivals and indie venues Tulpa are quickly gathering a loyal following.  They have recently supported Throwing Muses, Pale Blue Eyes and Bug Club and will be playing a series of headline gigs in October and November 2025.

First single ‘Let’s Make A Tulpa!’ is an upbeat crunchy pop song that explodes into a huge chorus, somewhat in a Breeders vein, that will encourage sober people to throw themselves around their living rooms.  ‘Psyops’ is gentler, but spooky and equally compelling, with echoes of Yo La Tengo: hypnotic in the extreme.  ‘Amateur Hour’ is a lilting, gentle confessional.  By contrast, ‘Raw Nerve’ is all frenzied guitars, and may remind seasoned listeners of the spiky excitement of Josef K.

Tulpa consist of Josie Kirk (vocals, bass), Daniel Hyndman (guitar), Myles Kirk (guitar) and Mike Ainsley (Drums), and are based in Leeds.  Daniel was lead guitarist and songwriter in esteemed post-punk band Mush.  Tulpa are nothing like Mush, and yet… all the energy, ambition and inventiveness of that earlier group are still here: it’s just that the creative power has been diverted into the service of a set of pop songs: songs that are in love with melody.  Josie Kirk’s irresistible vocal delivery seals the deal.  This is a very exciting new band. 

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Josienne Clarke - In The Dark Of The Night.

On October 17th, critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist Josienne Clarke will release her new album, Far From Nowhere, via her own label, Corduroy Punk. Yesterday she shared the latest cut to be taken from the album, 'In The Dark Of The Night'. 

Of the single, Clarke says: "This one had to be like a hug in song form, a held hand through an anxious night, a reassuring call from a friendly voice. That’s what songs can do, find connection in the dark, be a little spark of light. The guitar part I wrote for it originally was all these parts on one guitar. It was nice but a little frenetic for how soothing I wanted this song to be. 

Murray and I deconstructed that initial guitar part and split it across the instruments. He put the guitar’s bass line onto the synth which was immediately lovely, and I played the top half on the electric which we set back with a long, dreamy reverb. That left this lovely midspace for the softly strummed acoustic guitar part. I knew I wanted it to have a soft heartbeat type bass drum and Murray rightly pointed out that it needed something light in place of a snare, so it has this chiming tambourine faraway in the distance."

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Haerts - Wait for Us.

Indie duo Haerts release “Wait for Us,” the third single from their upcoming album Laguna Road. The duo returned with the announcement of their fourth album Laguna Road, which will be released October 3rd. Thematically, the album frames a confessional portrait of family, memory, and the sacred mess of growing a family together. The duo, composed of Nini Fabi and Benny Gebert, wrote and recorded the album at home on Laguna Road, in the in-between spaces of everyday family life. They left the house in early 2025, having completed the album, to return to New York. 

About “Wait for Us”, they say: “Wait for Us closes the album and it was the last song we wrote for it. We placed it at the end because, unlike the other songs that look back on our life and relationship, this one feels like it is moving forward.

For us, the song is about hope. It is the hope that when you give yourself completely to love and to life, you will find a way through. It is about giving more, when you think you have nothing left, staying even when you cannot remember why, and waiting because deep down you believe it is worth it. 

In that way it tells the story of a couple drifting. The magic has faded. Words have run out. The strength to hold things together feels gone. What remains is the waiting, and the trust that love will return if it is meant to.”

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