molto morbidi - Yoshika Colwell - Frenchie - CocoRosie - Lucette

Photo - Sam Nolin

molto morbidi - Casual Shapeshifting.

French avant-pop artist molto morbidi (Swan Wisnia) has shared her new single, 'Casual Shapeshifting'. In November, she announced her new EP Chocolate Ashtray, is set to be released on  April 11th, 2025, via No Salad Records. To mark the announcement, she shared the EP's title track, ‘Chocolate Ashtray,’ which received support from BBC Radio 6 Music's Deb Grant, Amy Lamé and Gideon Coe.

On 'Casual Shapeshifting,' molto morbidi leans into a cartoonish, spacey sound—a blend of synth-pop and bossa nova, punctuated by a modified Flexatone beat that gives the song its quirky, kawaii flavor. Behind its lighthearted feel, the song grapples with the paradoxes of being a people pleaser—a tension Swan knows all too well, navigating the line between self-sacrifice and a deeper need for validation.

The EP follows the release of her 2024 debut album String Cheese Theory, which featured UK alt-pop artist Ed Dowie and French improv legend Quentin Rollet, Chocolate Ashtray sees molto morbidi continue to carve out her own unique space in the world of art pop.

For fans of idiosyncratic artists like Cate Le Bon, Kate NV, and Stereolab, the EP reflects molto morbidi’s distinctive, raw, and honest approach to music. The record has evolved from her personal experiences, including a pivotal moment in 2017 when music became a vital outlet. 'It was the only thing that kept me going,' says molto morbidi, reflecting on a time when she struggled with depression and found solace in creating music. This period saw her dive into electronic production, discovering the freedom and empowerment of crafting as molto morbidi, using Ableton Live as her gateway. 

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Photo Tilly Wace

Yoshika Colwell - Last Night.

Today Yoshika Colwell shares her new Single & Video "Last Night"

The first new track since Yoshika's collaborative EP with The Vernon Spring, "Last Night" is a cosmic, other-worldly offering that explores “an enjoyable kind of confusion; desire, sensuality and the forbidden,” and is accompanied by a dreamlike music video.

Yoshika will be performing live in the United States for the first time in Austin, Texas as an official SXSW artist.

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Photo - Will Brown

Frenchie - Distance.

French-English singer-songwriter Frenchie today releases new single 'Distance' - the latest taste of her upcoming self-titled debut album 'Frenchie' - out 28th March.

Produced by one of UK jazz's shining lights Femi Temowo - who has worked as a producer, guitarist, arranger and composer for Amy Winehouse, SAULT and Gregory Porter, self-titled debut album 'Frenchie' moves with a rare beauty and assuredness, traversing soul, jazz and alternative R&B to stunning effect.

Written with fellow Londoner - musician and songwriter Aaron Taylor, new album taster 'Distance' examines the complexities of connection, and explores how silence and unaddressed issues can create an emotional chasm, even as time passes. Delivered with a poised, timeless pop sensibility and taking cues from the work of Minnie Riperton, Stevie Wonder and The Meters, Frenchie commented on the lyrical inspiration behind 'Distance':

"This song delves into the themes of distance, silence, unspoken words, and the passage of time. In the chorus, my aim was to challenge the phrase that ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’, offering a counterpoint by suggesting that distance can, in reality, make the heart feel estranged. I collaborated on this piece with the very talented Aaron Paul Taylor, and our intention was for the song to resonate across various relationships, be it romantic love, friendships, or family dynamics."

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Photo - Ginger Dunnill

CocoRosie - Yesterday.

Today CocoRosie, the sister duo of Bianca and Sierra Casady share the third track, “Yesterday,” from their upcoming eighth studio album Little Death Wishes (out March 28th on Joyful Noise). The album includes the track “Girl In Town” with Chance the Rapper. In advance of their European tour, they will celebrate their album release with an event aptly titled: CocoRosie's Jubilation Ball: A Tits Out Ecstatic Rave Celebration at Brooklyn’s rollerskating rink Xanadu here.

Last month CocoRosie announced Little Death Wishes with the existentialist and meaning-seeking song "Cut Stitch Scar." Written while Bianca was gripped in heartbreak, the song mirrors the false starts of grief as it barrels between sparsity and density. “Take a leap of faith," Bianca sings with her trademark quaver “there may not be a plan for you.” About the single, the Casadys tells us: “Cut Stitch Scar” touches the very core of our universal waywardness and the precarious and precious nature of being human.”

They add: “Yesterday is a nostalgic sunshine scene of the crude reality of broken families. We hear it as backyard-BBQ music, setting a place for every misfit family member at the table."

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Photo - Sebestian Buzzalino

Lucette - Too Soon For Sorry.

Today, Lucette shares “Too Soon For Sorry,” the latest single from her forthcoming EP Nice Girl From The Suburbs (out March 21). Mirroring the push and pull of realizing what you had once it's gone, "Too Soon For Sorry" opens as a slow, yearning love song before gradually building to a frenzy of fuzzed out guitar wails. The song was featured this week at Atwood Magazine, who called it "the kind of cathartic confessional that sends shivers down the spine" and "a haunting late-night confession wrapped in a haze of longing and self-destruction."

Lucette on the new single: "'Too Soon For Sorry' is a classic tale of undervaluing someone while you have them. It’s about wanting them even more in the aftermath of a break up. Hearing their name through casual acquaintances, over cigarettes outside of the bar, and wishing they were there instead of hearing how they’re doing from a stranger. I think a lot of us have been there. It's about admitting when you're the problem in a breakup, wishing you could fix it, but knowing it’s too soon to heal that wound, and too soon for sorrys."  

"Too Soon For Sorry" follows the Canadian singer-songwriter's two previous singles – a pedal-steel-filled boot-stomper filtered through a slacker-pop lens called “Back in the Blue” (feat. Mariel Buckley), and “Heading for the End,” which finds Lucette (aka Lauren Gillis) living in the complexity of being human while still resisting people pleasing stereotypes. Expanding the musical inclinations she first began exploring on her acclaimed 2019 release Deluxe Hotel Room, Nice Girl From the Suburbs is brimming with self-awareness and a sense of shared humanity. The six-song EP mixes self-pity with clever self-deprecation, as the wry observer in Lucette turns her sharply intuitive eye onto herself.

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NO KING - Joni

NO KING - Roadside Rhythms.

The long-awaited debut album from NO KING is finally here! Roadside Rhythms will be available on all streaming platforms and on CD from February 21.

Roadside Rhythms features eight tracks that reflect the band's unique and dynamic style. It is a powerful blues rock record with captivating songs where both the lyrics and solo work take center stage.

NO KING is known for their energetic and captivating performances. The band delivers a refreshing mix of powerful blues rock infused with funky influences. The sublime guitar work, the distinctive sound of a snarling Hammond organ with Leslie, solid drums, and a groovy bass come together to create an unforgettable musical experience.

Inspired by legendary blues, rock, and funk icons, NO KING proves—with a nod to their influences—that you don't need "King" in your name to deliver a royal dose of blues rock.

The album was recorded at Woodstock Recording Studio in Enschede, a location where artists such as Philip Lassiter and King of the World have also recorded. With Roadside Rhythms, NO KING has created an album that perfectly captures the power of blues rock, personal storytelling, and musical connection.

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Photo - Charlotte Patmore

Joni - Things I Left Behind.

American-born, London-based songwriter Joni announces her debut album, Things I Left Behind, ahead of an April 11th release via her twin homes of Keeled Scales in North America and Hand In Hive in the UK/Europe. She also announces a sold-out Brooklyn show supporting Hannah Cohen at Union Pool on April 16 and a London headline show in celebration of her new album on May 8 at Servant Jazz Quarters.

Alongside the news, she shares the album's beguiling title track, a captivating account of how so much of growing up is centered around losing people, places, and things; how we constantly leave pieces of ourselves behind as we move forward. Underpinned by a shuffling drumbeat that keeps the song forever moving forward, Joni’s voice feels suitably alluring against a subtle swirl of guitars and varying tonal shifts that lend the track a bewitching edge. The track comes produced by Jackson Firlik (B. Miles, Great Barrier).

Speaking about "Things I Left Behind," Joni calls it "a reflection on how we're all made up of the things we've lost and left behind. People. Places. Experiences. While writing the lyrics, I was having all these vivid images from my past rush by, almost like lights when you're driving in a tunnel. Little things and big things. Scraping my knee as a kid. Falling in love for the first time. Losing love. Taking mushrooms and calling my childhood best friend. Lying on the grass at night. It's painful to realise you can't hold onto these things physically, but ultimately comforting to know that they sort of become you and you carry them along in some way."

When Joni says that “pain is the price you pay for loving someone” it’s coming from a place of deep experience. Having relocated to London from LA with her long-term partner, and closest musical collaborator, the singer-songwriter suddenly found herself thrust into a deeply unsettling break-up, one that left her isolated in a brand new country, and also one that pulled back the curtain on a host of unhealthy patterns she had become accustomed to within the relationship.


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The Hengles - Books of Moods

The Hengles - Cover Up (Album).

Experience a trip down memory lane with The Hengles' latest album, Cover Up. This Dutch indie band revitalizes classic hits from The Move, Golden Earrings, and The Kinks. With their unique energetic style, The Hengles breathe new life into these rock and roll classics. Cover Up is essential for enthusiasts of indie and classic rock. Ensure you add this dynamic album to your collection.

Amsterdam based band The Hengles, boasting a history of 5 years, have successfully launched 22 singles, 3 EPs, and two albums. A new album with their own original material, as we've come to expect from them, is currently in the works, with a planned release this fall.

1.Useless Information - Original by The Move
2. That Day - Original by Golden Earrings
3. Hidden Persuaders - Original by Reverend And The Makers
4. Ivory Tower - Original by The Long Riders
5. This Time Tomorrow - Original by The Kinks
6. Sarah Smiles - Original by Bram Tchaikovsky
7. Jessica - Original by Adam Green
8. On The Way Home - Original by Neil Young

TCBYML · The Hengles - Cover Up

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Books of Moods - Space (Part 1).

Books of Moods is an indie art-rock project born in Paris, led by Hugo Sailer.

Drawing inspiration from iconic acts like The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, David Bowie, and Arcade Fire, the project merges the sounds of the '60s, '70s, and early 2000s.

With dreamy, nostalgic melodies, Books of Moods invites listeners into a world shaped by dreams, landscapes, travels, and encounters.

Each song offers a tranquil escape, creating vivid stories that encourage relaxation and reflection, like a musical "Madeleine de Proust."


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Jetstream Pony - Denuit - Moe Joe

Jetstream Pony - Bubblegum Nothingness.

The UK dreampop supergroup Jetstream Pony are back with a new single / video "Bubblegum Nothingness. " This first single is a blast of shambling pop goodness ala Shop Assistants, Heavenly, and a touch of the Primitives. Their new album 'Bowerbirds and Blue Things' comes out on March 28th, 2025.

Jetstream Pony are based in Brighton/Croydon UK, and come from a love of post-punk and power-pop, featuring Beth Arzy (The Luxembourg Signal/Trembling Blue Stars/Aberdeen) on vocals and percussion, Shaun Charman (The Wedding Present/The Popguns/The Fireworks) on guitar and vocals, Kerry Boettcher on bass and Tom Levesley on drums, recently joined by Mark Matthews (The Dentists/The Treasures of Mexico) on guitar.

The band released their debut single "Like You Less"/"Had Enough" in late 2017 on Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten to enthusiastic reviews and radio play around the world, including BBC6 Music. Two sold out singles followed along with gigs around the UK and Europe, leading to the self-titled debut album on KUS/Shelflife in May 2020. The album received fantastic reviews, selling out two pressings before reissue (twice) by Spinout Nuggets and rmaking many best-of-year lists. Mini-album "Misplaced Words" and single "Sixes and Sevens" developed the sound, balancing indie-pop with something darker - twelve string guitar and harmonies, but also heavy bass and sometimes a two drummer rhythm section.

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Denuit - TEARS fall.

"TEARS fall, the delicate dance between strength and vulnerability, joy and sorrow". In the stillness of a hotel room, after the echoes of a show had faded, TEARS fall was born.  Written in the warmth of Brazil, this song is a quiet reflection on the fragility of life and love — how both can be breathtakingly beautiful and yet heartbreakingly fleeting. It’s a song that holds the bittersweet truth of our existence—the delicate dance between strength and vulnerability, joy and sorrow. A powerful, aching reminder of the poetry in every moment, even when it slips through our fingers.

"TEARS fall" unveils itself with a music video directed by the duo, immersing viewers in a world where pop imagery meets gothic aesthetics—a perfect reflection of their musical identity. Their sound blends contrasts: warm and cold, pop and synthwave, tenderness and violence. This video adds another layer to their ever-evolving artistic universe, which is already captivating thousands of fans across France, Germany, and South America. Their vision extends beyond music, shining through a unique line of t-shirts, jackets, jewelry, and pins that embodies their signature chiaroscuro light and shadow.

Step into the shadows with Denuit, where Darkwave collides with Electro Pop in a sound they call Night- Wave. Picture the raw pulse of Perturbator fused with the dreamy glow of La Femme, wrapped in lyrics that glide between English and French. Fueled by passion and a spark of light in the darkness, this duo creates music that pulls you under with hypnotic beats and haunting vocals, only to lift you back up with moments of shimmering beauty. Denuit is more than music—it’s a dive into the night, wild and immersive, with a balance of edge and revelation.

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Moe Joe - Happy With My Volksie.

Founded in June 2020 by Sarp Keskiner (TR) and Jan Mittendorp (NL), Bone Union Records aims at documenting a neglected musical scene in Turkey not just by releasing archival material from mid-90’s to this date; but also releasing brand new materials of Turkish artists.

Though the scope of the releases mainly are based on recordings of traditional and urban blues acts; the range of releases vary with inclusion of folk, funk, dub, noise, free improvised music and electronica works of artists that are looking for a new perspective by expanding the limits of experimentation on fundamentals of blues. Thus, taking a mission of supporting unique musical efforts based on creative collaborations, the label aims at establishing a common ground for mutual cultural exchange based on music between Netherlands and Turkey.

This time Moe Joe, saluted and praised as “the ever first traditional electric blues band founded in Turkey” brings a raunchy approach to its interpretation to urban blues. Recorded live in 2008; this unreleased original composition of the band stands out as a concrete example of its quest to urbanize their sound, though this recording also stands as a sample of their keen precision on conserving their trad essentials.

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Zanna Black - Smoke and Mirrors Sound System - Remy Garrison - The Names - The Inciters

Zanna Black - This Town.

With melancholic guitar and the loveliest vocals, Zanna Black lets out into the world her latest single, ‘This Town’ and its wistful music video on February 7th.

Zanna Black as a solo act has been sharing her tenacious tunes with the world since 2022, but she’s been active in the musical space for years, touring with her various bands around Brisbane where they rule live venues. Her sweet tone and dreamy songwriting has led to her music being used in TV and movies, with 'Down To The Waterside' used in the Canadian TV series ‘Hockey Wives’ and the 2016 film ‘Burns Point’.

Her latest single, ‘This Town’ is nothing short of magical, a wistful indie afternoon. The song takes on layers reminiscent of singing in a round, echoing and mingling together in a summertime haze, Zanna Black’s sweet voice seeming angelic, her Australian accent playing wonderfully with her sweet voice to contribute a folksy serenity to the song. Weaving throughout the song is Zanna Black’s skillful, moody guitar that brings everything together like pieces of a puzzle.

The bittersweet music video captures the feeling of summer in a small town. Though the song is peaceful and tranquil, it’s tinged with sadness. A paper boat is carried around, contrasted against imagery of rolling waves until it’s finally set free on the water, barrelling down a brook as Zanna pilots the ship, her band playing behind her.

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Smoke and Mirrors Sound System - Return of the Numbers (Album).

Here it is! The follow-up to one of the most exciting releases in the ska/reggae scene over the last 5 years, 2021’s Strength in Numbers by the powerhouse all-star musical collective Smoke and Mirrors Sound System! Return of the Numbers features bandleader and ska scene legend John Roy of the long-running San Diego, CA, band Unsteady, bringing us a strong collection of 10 tunes. And like in Strength, he has scoured the ska, reggae, and rocksteady scene worldwide to assemble a mind-blowing roster of talent.

Forty-eight (!!!) different musicians make up the rotating lineup of this project. Live favorites include Roy’s longtime Unsteady bandmates Kevin Hewitt on the Hammond organ and Doug Shaffer on trumpet, as well as Mobtown’s bassie Jeffrey Govan. From East Coast players like Agent Jay Nugent (Slackers) and Buford O’Sullivan (Scofflaws, Skatalites, Easy Star Allstars), to West Coast musicians like Fritz Zar (Steady 45s), Korey Horn (Aggrolites, Gogol Bordello), Robert Sotelo (Allentons, Arise Roots), and Roger Rivas (Aggrolites), and even down to Brazil with the legendary Victor Rice of the Scofflaws and New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble, as well as his own solo work. The guest list is truly staggering. Just take a look at these credits!

Return of the Numbers runs the gamut of traditional ska, rocksteady, early reggae, roots, and lovers rock, all with the soul that infuses the songs you remember from Unsteady and the previous Smoke and Mirrors releases. It’s all here, from the uptempo, scorching ska of album opener “Eight Hours a Day” to the reggae of “Gettin’ Through It” featuring a blistering trombone solo from Scott Kisinger! Side one closer “Mala Salud” even incorporates Latin flavor to their roots sound and features spaghetti western guitar from Brian Jordan, tenor sax virtuosity of Dave Hillyard (The Slackers), as well as accordion from Ali Culotta (Stop The Presses, Rude Girl Revue)—not an instrument commonly used in Jamaican roots music, but it all fits together so organically.

Side two opener, “Nothing to Lose,” is a beautiful roots reggae tune featuring East Coast ska legends Dunia Best (Agent 99, Rude Girl Revue) and Mark Lyn (The Slackers), as well as former Stubborn All-Stars bassist Sheldon Gregg and West Coast stalwarts like The Allentons' Chris Stoefen on trombone. The soulful reggae of “Scroll On By” is another highlight here, featuring a wonderful vocal performance by I-Peace Unikue (Eastern Standard Time) as well as guitars from Agent Jay Nugent (The Slackers) and Andrew Bauer (Steady Ups). Kelly DiFilippo (The Loving Paupers) sings the fantastic tune “Motive,” one of your humble narrator’s favorite tracks on the album. The hits just keep coming nonstop on this record.

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Remy Garrison - Delusional.

Country pop songstress Remy Garrison releases the official music video for her buzzing single "Delusional," Crafted alongside frequent co-writers Shane Yoder and Mark Siegel, "Delusional" delves into the familiar plight of romantic misadventures and the comedic yet fruitless efforts to fix a flawed partner. Known for her sharp songwriting and engaging narratives, Garrison transforms an everyday story of misguided affection into a relatable and spirited anthem.

Garrison describes the track's theme, saying, “For me, being a bit 'Delusional' in love feels universally relatable. It seems many of us, especially women, have found ourselves with the unmistakably wrong person yet stayed, thinking 'we could fix 'em, right?' This song is my tongue-in-cheek self-reflection.”
 
The release of the "Delusional" music video brings a visual dimension that perfectly captures the song's lively essence and emotional resonance, making it an essential addition to Garrison's burgeoning repertoire. The video serves as a vivid showcase of her evolving artistic identity and her ability to blend lyrical depth with infectious rhythms.
 
Garrison has been named an Artist To Watch by both Sweety High and LADYGUNN, signaling her rising status in the country music industry. Since her impactful debut with the EP “Southern Luxury” in 2023, which has accumulated over three million streams, Garrison's unique sound and authentic storytelling have captivated an ever-growing fanbase.

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The Names - Encore! (Album).

Who better than the legendary Belgian post-punk and new wave pioneers THE NAMES to release a new album titled “Encore!”? This much-anticipated album stands as a testament to their unbreakable commitment to an ever-evolving sound. Since 1977, they’ve stayed true to their unique, eclectic style, captivating fans across the globe who continuously clamor for more.
 
Emerging from the iconic Factory Records alongside JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES have etched their place in music history. With a cult following and a sound that remains as invigorating as ever, “Encore!” continues their journey, offering a fresh milestone in their timeless discography.
 
Launched with the electrifying “Volume” EP and the bold “Far From the Factories” single, “Encore!” is a sonic tapestry where vintage echoes of the early ’80s meet explorations into futuristic soundscapes. Tracks like “Last Train From Nowhere,” “Touch Touch Touch,” and “Watching For The New World” carry the spirit of the 1980s, while “Sunny Side” and “Inadequacy” channel a nostalgic 1960s vibe. Unexpected gems like “Apophenia,” “Laudanum,” and “Swimming With Brian Jones” highlight their experimental side, while intimate tracks like “Mei Mei” and “A Walk With Miss J” bring moments of reflection. The title track “Encore!” feels like an anthem for the ages, echoing long after the last note.

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The Inciters - Bring Back the Weekend.

Santa Cruz's sensational soul stompers The Inciters are back with an exciting new release on Pirates Press Records! This time around, the band have a new recording of the title track from their acclaimed 2023 full length Bring Back the Weekend, backed with the combo putting their unmistakable stamp on Nolan Porter's 1972 Northern Soul classic, "If I Could Only Be Sure."

The single is available for pre-order now on 7” Colored Vinyl, and the band have just released the video for the A-side, directed by Matt Eskew of Generation X Ray! Click here to watch the video.

Not only that, this fabulous new single comes with a special edition 12-page full color comic book companion, with the lyrics to the A-side represented in vibrant illustrations courtesy of tattoo artist Gerald Stryker, in collaboration with The Inciters' Rick Kendrick!

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Denielle Bassels - Victoria Akua - Steph Cameron - Tobacco City - Bambara

Denielle Bassels - Songbird.

Canadian JUNO-nominated powerhouse vocalist Denielle Bassels releases a new single, "Songbird," a haunting and introspective ballad that explores the complexity of love, loss, and societal judgement. Releasing on February 7th, 2025, on all platforms, "Songbird" is the third offering from Bassels' forthcoming album It Goes Like This, and once again showcases her dynamic range as a singer and songwriter.

"Songbird" finds jazz/blues chanteuse extraordinaire Denielle Bassels crossing arbitrary genre boundaries with a gorgeous foray into a folk ballad with country vibes. In an astonishingly beautiful and tender vocal performance, Bassels tells the story of a seemingly joyful songbird by day who becomes a lonesome wolf by night. It encapsulates the emotional turmoil of losing a deeply troubled partner, and the burden of mourning in silence. The melodic turns and vocal harmonies from Bridgette Anderson are stunning; Drew Jurecka's string arrangement is heartbreaking; and Ewan Farncombe's brief organ solo is as engaging as it is subtle.

"'Songbird' tells the story of a relationship with a person whose struggles with addiction led to their untimely passing," says Bassels. "It's meant to evoke a quiet, profound sense of mourning – an unspoken grief that remains unsolved in the face of social stigma."

Denielle Bassels · SONGBIRD - DENIELLE BASSELS

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Photo - Camilla Vodstrup Øverup

Victoria Akua - Radical Self Love.

Released today 'Radical Self Love', is the second single of artist Victoria Akua from Copenhagen, Denmark. Victoria describes her music as a genre mix of indie pop, folky singer-songwriter and meditative music.

Victoria Akua on her new single: "Like leaves falling from the trees in autumn, I’m reminded of the natural cycles within us. Not all of them are easy, but each one is essential. Radical self-love means embracing every part of ourselves – not just the ones we find easy to love, but also the ones we believe are unlovable."

Victoria's music is based on her own journey, which began at a young age, searching for more balance and a deeper peace and understanding within herself. In a hectic world where it is so easy to be pulled in many directions, she wants to find ways to stay centered with an open heart in the hope that her music can support others on their own paths. The intention of the music is to have a nourishing, calming and healing effect. Music that comes from the heart and that reflects and creates inner peace, trust and self-love - and connects us. Her music is inspired by the rhythms and cycles of nature, healthy and nurturing connections between people and creating spaces for expression, creativity and loving energy. Through the simplicity of the music, the listener is invited directly into a calm cocoon where breathing becomes deeper and the mind can rest.

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Photo - Andrew Bromell

Steph Cameron - Rain.

Polaris Music Prize nominee Steph Cameron returns with "Rain", the first offering from her highly anticipated third studio album, ‘Blood Moon,’ out later this year via Neon Moon Records. Accompanied by a striking new music video, the single finds the Saskatoon-born artist expanding her sonic palette, weaving elements of indie Americana into her signature folk roots.

A hauntingly poetic ballad, “Rain” blurs the lines between longing and memory, its evocative lyrics carried by a melody as fleeting as the wind. Rich in atmosphere and emotional depth, the track showcases Cameron’s arresting lyricism and emotive vocal delivery, elevated by the skillful production and mixing of John Raham and engineering work by Mike Lefebvre. Cameron’s hands-on approach to the production ensures a sound that is both intimate and exquisitely polished.

“Rain is the first song I wrote in this genre—a significant departure from the sparse, revivalist folk music I’m known for,” Cameron shares. “This song allowed me to be playful with vocals and structure them in a more layered way than I have in previous recordings. Rain is about the dissipation of the soul and the search for those we’ve loved and lost. It reflects on connecting with those who have passed by finding them in the earth, the elements, and the natural world.”

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Photo - Hannah Bailey

Tobacco City - Bougainvillea.

There's plenty of country influence around these days, but few contemporary bands hit the sweet spot for me the way Tobacco City does. The wry humor, the mundanity and the heartbreak all in equal measure make them real torch bearers for classic country songwriting the way I've always loved it. Today we're sharing second and final single Bougainvillea, along with a beautiful video for it.

In Chris Coleslaw's words: “Bougainvillea is my favorite song on the album. It’s another nostalgia trip about the time in your younger years when you are free to be stupid and silly with very little consequence. Those days of excess were wild and illuminating but eventually times have to keep changing but the view from the heights of those times never changes.”

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Bambara - Letters From Sing Sing.

Bambara’s new single "Letters From Sing Sing" is out today! This classic Bambara rager drops with a video by Jason Miller featuring Wife Erath and the band. The video captures the grim madness of the track’s narrator, depicting a scene that fits neatly within Birthmarks’ intricate, multi-generational story arc.

Birthmarks (out 3/14) emerges directly from the band’s favored aesthetics and themes, but captures them with a new sense of sonic adventurousness and thematic subtlety, resulting in a collection of songs that are somehow both the band’s most apocalyptic and most poignant. Produced by Graham Sutton (Bark Psychosis, These New Puritans) and the band, Birthmarks is a wild, musically adventurous suite of songs that follows a host of lost characters caught in a cycle of love, violence and rebirth.

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Dumpstaphunk - Kacimi & Mécréance - Ellen & Simona - Steven Troch Band - Bandits on the Run

Dumpstaphunk - Let's Do It.

New Orleans’ modern torchbearers of funk, Dumpstaphunk returns to the fray with their new single “Let’s Do It” out now on all digital platforms. An infectious gumbo of collective empowerment, the song marks one of the band’s final recordings with late bassist Nick Daniels III and is Dumpstaphunk’s first studio release since his April 2024 passing.

Ivan Neville shares of the new single: “This song expresses the concept of 'We' is more powerful than 'Me.' If we combine our strengths, talents and ideas we can accomplish more. It’s also one of the last songs written and recorded with our brother and co-founder Nick Daniels III, who passed away last spring. As we celebrate his life with this song, we move into a new era of Dumpstaphunk so… Let’s do it!!”

“Let’s Do It” takes off with bright, percussive horns and sticky basslines that reel in the listener from the jump. Keyboardist Ivan Neville and bassist Tony Hall trade off lead vocals throughout the opening verses, followed by multi-harmony choruses that coalesce into a powerful groove. A third of the way in, the gospel-like voice of the late founding member and bassist Daniels proclaims “I’m good, together we’re great,” in a poignant moment for fans.

Other special guest vocalists include long-time friend and Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco, and Dumpstaphunk’s newest addition Viveca Hawkins. Infectious horn arrangements by band members Alex Wasily on trombone and Ashlin Parker on trumpet, with additional appearances by Brad Walker on tenor saxophone and Stephen Lands on trumpet, weave throughout the song to create one of Dumpstaphunk’s most poignant singles to date. 

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Kacimi & Mécréance - Ne comprennent rien.

Kacimi teams up with La Mécréance and unveils a new garage rock single with 60's vibes, "Ne comprennent rien."

With everything going on in the world lately, it’s safe to say no one understands anything anymore. And if you were hoping for Kacimi to guide you through the chaos—think again.  The Franco-Swiss artist puts his dreamy pop aside and teams up with La Mécréance to hit us with a jolt of raw energy through their punchy garage rock single, "Ne comprennent rien".

With biting lyrics and raw energy, Kacimi and La Mécréance channel their frustration into an electrifying anthem, expressing their indignation at the complacency in the face of a world on the brin.

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Photo - Cristina Capdevila

Ellen & Simona - All I Need is to Cry on Your Shoulder.

Great Canyon Records, the label behind Joana Serrat and the band Riders of the Canyon, is pleased to announce the signing of Ellen & Simona, the indie-folk project of Catalan-born Helena Capdevila. To mark this occasion, Ellen & Simona are releasing the music video for the song "All I Need is to Cry on Your Shoulder".

Under the name Ellen & Simona, Helena Capdevila invites us on an intimate and melodic journey, where her accordion, Simona, acts as a second voice.

After two years in UK, where she developed her career as Helen, she returns to her homeland in western Catalonia with a suitcase full of songs and a unique universe. This return takes shape in her first EP, Salvation Mountain (2023, self-released), a work of North American folk-rock sound and existentialist lyricism that captivates from the first beat.

Now, Ellen & Simona present the lyric video for "All I Need is to Cry on Your Shoulder", a song included in their EP Open Water (2024) —a work that anticipates their debut album, scheduled for 2025, to be released through Great Canyon Records.

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Steven Troch Band - The Mountain.

Steven Troch Band releases new single "The Mountain" from upcoming New Album.

A mountain can be beautiful and haunting at the same time. Driven by a pulsating rhythm, the climber is pursuing the unattainable. A noble goal, but it can also make him a victim of unachievable expectations.
 
This single announces Steven Troch Band's fourth studio album. ‘The Dawning’ will be released on April 25, 2025 on CD, vinyl and digital services worldwide.

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Bandits on the Run - Let's Go Below.

Theatrical indie-pop band, Bandits on the Run, release their first single of 2025, “Let's Go Below,” on February 5, 2025. The next night, they kick off a string of tour dates supporting The Wood Brothers.
 
Known for their distinct combination of cello, guitar, accordion and found-percussion with sophisticated three-part harmonies and rotating lead vocals, the trio of Adrian Blake Enscoe (he/they), Sydney Shepherd (she/her) and Regina Strayhorn (she/her) sprang from a chance encounter while busking in NYC's bustling subways. “Anyone who knows us knows we're no strangers to the subways-- our band was forged busking on the train platforms of New York City," says Enscoe.

The Brooklyn-based outfit burst onto the national stage in 2019 when their song, “Love in the Underground,” was featured on the NPR Tiny Desk Contest's Top Shelf. After recording their 2021 EP, Now Is The Time, with producer Ryan Hadlock (Brandi Carlile, The Lumineers), the Bandits took to the screen, devising a short musical film, Band At The End Of The World, commissioned by Prospect Musicals. Since then, they have continued to explore the nexus of indie-folk and theatrical storytelling, composing music for the Netflix animated series, Storybots, scoring the movie, The Same Storm, adapting several songs from texts by William Shakespeare for a production of As You Like It, receiving an NEA grant for a new musical with Prospect Musicals, all the while touring the globe with appearances at the Cambridge Folk Festival, Floydfest, Summerfest Milwaukee, Americanafest, F1 Singapore Grand Prix, Mile of Music, and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival.

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Upside of Maybe - CJ Wiley - Blessed Child Opera - Melys - Esther Rose

Upside of Maybe - Boys From The North.

Upside of Maybe is a chart-topping, award-winning band that blends rootsy pop and rock with an infectious passion for storytelling. Hailing from the vibrant town of Stratford, Ontario, this family-friendly group has taken Canada by storm with their tight harmonies, magnetic stage presence, and unforgettable live shows.

From intimate house concerts to festival stages that shake the ground, Upside of Maybe knows how to turn every performance into an experience. It’s not just about the music—it’s about creating memories and sparking genuine connections with fans. Lead singer Michael Bannerman sums it up perfectly: "When we hit the stage, it’s about more than just playing songs. It’s about forging a bond with our audience that lasts long after the lights go down."

The band’s musical evolution has been dynamic, seamlessly blending pop, rock, folk, and roots influences. What began as an acoustic-driven sound has grown into an exciting, genre-bending mix that has earned them the title of “alt-rock” trailblazers.

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CJ Wiley - Don't Die Charlie.

Rising Canadian singer-songwriter CJ Wiley is gearing up for the release of their debut album So Brand New on February 28th, treating fans to one final insight with ‘Don’t Die Charlie’

Building on the seamless fusion of slacker rock intensity and soul-baring Americana that defines their upcoming LP, CJ Wiley's latest single emerges as a gutting testament to survival against all odds. Their voice—equal parts grit and grace—weaves through the track, transforming personal tragedy into universal truth. It's a haunting eulogy for fallen friends that manages to find light in the darkness, balancing the weight of loss with an urgent celebration of second chances. Where many artists might shy away from such vulnerable territory, Wiley leans in, their vocals carrying both the tremor of grief and the fierce joy of being alive to tell the tale. "'Don’t Die Charlie is about my decade-long battle with addiction and the grief I still carry for the friends I lost along the way.” Wiley expands “It holds vivid memories, taking me back to high school when everything felt so chaotic, though I didn’t fully realize how dark things really were at the time. There’s a sense of guilt that comes with surviving, knowing how easily it could’ve been me who didn’t make it out. Writing this song helped me make sense of it all. It’s for anyone who’s lost someone and still feels their presence."

‘Don’t Die Charlie’ is the final insight into Wiley’s upcoming LP So Brand New, produced by Boy Golden and mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Mark Lawrence. Wiley's distinct voice leads the charge through a collection of songs that swing effortlessly between breezy, gripping rock and twangy country ballads. Tackling themes of queer love, grief, addiction, and the rejection of societal norms with unflinching honesty and with the album stands as a down-and-dirty-roots-rock revelation, showcasing CJ Wiley's ability to craft songs that resonate with both personal truth and universal appeal.

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Blessed Child Opera - Oblivion.

Oblivion marks the return of Paolo Messere's brainchild Blessed Child Opera, after a 6 years hiatus, and is also the first single taken from the new album Red Flags, to be released March 21st, 2025.

It's a longing song, passionate, with samples strings building up climax around lyrics grasping to irrational hopes, longing for sparkles able to revive connections, actually condemned to a cosmic oblivion.

It's a decadent and abysmal romanticism, akin to the bare lyricism of Sophia (Robin Proper-Sheppard), the spleen of The Smiths, the rich instrumentation of Woven Hands.
The video, directed and edited by Messere himself, is a collection of images from the area of Ragusa in Sicily where he lives, and perfectly captures – as glimpses of fields from a train's window - the transience and impermanence of everything.

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Melys - Santa Cruz.

Welsh Legends 'Melys' have unveiled a brand new video for latest single 'Santa Cruz' which is Out Now on all streaming platforms. Taken from their brand new album which will be released in the spring of 2025.
 
This release follows their April 2024 released BBC radio sessions (Vol 1) album that showcased sessions recorded for Huw Stephens, Adam Walton and John Peel (who the band recorded 11 sessions for). 'Santa Cruz' is the band's first new material since 2005's 'Life’s too short' album. “It's been so long; we feel like a brand-new band again….” (Andrea)
 
'Santa Cruz' was written and inspired by a recent trip to California where Andrea and Paul realised a long-held dream of driving the Pacific coast highway from San Diego to San Francisco.

'Santa Cruz' is about coming from a background of low expectation and ambition, of being told you would never be good enough or in the right social circles to realise ambition or dreams, of being told to stay in your lane. ‘Who the hell do you think you are….’

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Photo Char Klein

Esther Rose - New Bad.

Esther Rose will release Want on May 2, 2025 via New West Records. The 11-track set was produced by Ross Farbe (of Video Age) and recorded live-to-tape at the Bomb Shelter in Nashville, TN. Want is the anticipated follow up to 2023’s Safe to Run which was met with wide acclaim from The New York Times, Pitchfork, Stereogum, No Depression, and more. The album features appearances by the singer songwriter Dean Johnson as well as members of Video Age, The Deslondes, and Silver Synthetic.

Following the wide-open serenity of Safe to Run, Rose now leans toward confrontational arrangements full of distortion and full-band spontaneity, never sacrificing a classicist’s gift for melody that makes each song instantly memorable. “For me, these songs felt like revelations,” she explains, comparing the record to a memoir, alive with kinetic storytelling and personal insight. Ranging from stark solo performances to grungy blowouts, the album maintains a steady focus while never staying too long in one place. Vivid and bracing, she has made the most adventurous, hardest-hitting record of her career.

Today, Esther Rose shared the video for the first single, “New Bad,” which is the music video directorial debut by the artist and New York Times bestselling author Anna Marie Tendler. Rose says, “This song leaps from the speakers. It’s part grunge, part shoegaze. Working with Anna Marie Tendler was the collaboration I’ve always dreamed of. We sparked an easy, natural rapport out of mutual admiration for each other’s artistry. After I read her book Men Have Called Her Crazy, I sent her a note, saying that my unreleased album and her memoir were apparently spiritual twins. Luckily, she agreed." Anna Marie Tendler said, "We spent five days, just the two of us, traversing the desert talking and laughing about love, family, our careers, therapy, ketamine, divorce, and music, all while filming a video whose themes and visuals were predicated on the pluralism of self.

We also spent a lot of time in comfortable silence watching a golden sun set into an inky sky. On our last day, I thanked Esther for taking this chance on me. She, of course, had access to all my photographs, but there was little in terms of video work to prove my proficiency, let alone talent. I was surprised to learn it wasn't my visual work, but my memoir, which had gotten me the job. I just knew you would get what I was trying to say, Esther told me."

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The Gentle Good - Julian Shah-Tayler - Womb - Marsha Swanson - Maya Delilah - Liza Lo

The Gentle Good - Ten Thousand Acres.

“Mr Groves is a Wiltshire gentleman, who purchased ten thousand of these almost worthless acres a few years since, and is making a paradise of the wilderness…” - Benjamin Malkin, 1803*

Written in an off-grid cottage during a year-long residency in the Cambrian Mountains, The Gentle Good’s new album ‘Elan’ is a psychedelic portrait of the Elan Valley in Powys, Wales. Featuring songs in both Welsh and English, ‘Elan’ explores the landscape, history and politics of this remote area, which was flooded to provide water for Birmingham at the end of the Victorian era. The second single from the album, ‘Ten Thousand Acres’ is an ode to the valley’s many expressions and a meditation on ownership and our perception of landscape throughout time.

The new album ‘Elan’ is scheduled for release on 16th May 2025, with further singles to be released in the coming months.

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Julian Shah-Tayler - Sufferation.

Here are my thoughts that led to the song: “All the yearning and all the memories can never make good what reality hath wrought to the dreams of the helpless romantic fool”

I wrote this song in the deadening disintegration of the dream and the dawning of prosaic realities not to be faced with poetry. There is a slippery sickening feeling when art and beauty cannot rekindle trust and it’s all fallen apart too far to fix.

All the King’s horses and All The King’s men could never put this back together again. - Julian (16th Jan 2025).

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Womb - Angels.

To add to their string of beautiful new singles ahead of their highly anticipated upcoming album, One Is Always Heading Somewhere, sibling trio Womb has treated us with a new single 'Angels'. 

In classic Womb style, we are invited into their lush, nostalgic world through the song with an equally ethereal music video directed by Angel C. Fitzgerald.





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Marsha Swanson -  Like An Angel.

Renowned singer-songwriter Marsha Swanson kicks off 2025 with the release of her latest single, “Like An Angel,” on January 31st, in celebration of the one-year anniversary of her critically acclaimed album Near Life Experience.

Known for her insightful lyricism and progressive pop sound, Swanson’s work continues to captivate audiences, with Rock and Reel Magazine hailing her as “a songwriter who weaves insightful and thought-provoking lyrics into irresistibly catchy tunes.”

Originally an untitled ghost track on Near Life Experience, “Like An Angel” has been re-recorded with a live band and string section, breathing new life into the song. Accompanied by an evocative music video, the single marks Swanson’s fifth collaboration with award-winning Iranian animator and music video director Sam Chegini, whose visionary work perfectly complements her artistry.

Crafted alongside an accomplished ensemble of musicians, including producer Henry (King Thumb) Thomas, “Like An Angel” was recorded once again at Echo Zoo Studios in Eastbourne. Henry Thomas, whose collaborations include work with Randy Crawford and Paul Weller, brought his expertise to the track, collaborating with drummer Martyn Barker, guitarist Tony Qunta, and keyboardist Anders Olinder to create a rhythmic foundation that supports Swanson’s heartfelt lyrics. The result is a spiritual and sonically rich track, blending elements from the original ghost recording with new instrumentation for a timeless and moving sound.

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Maya Delilah - Squeeze.

Maya Delilah has announced the release of The Long Way Round, her stunning full-length debut album out March 28 via Blue Note/Capitol. The London-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist has also been named a 2025 Spotify “Artist To Watch,” another sure sign of her rising star after she was named to the Fender Next “Class of 2024.” Her debut album makes good on that promise by bringing all the elements of her art together — the intimacy, the ability, the inspiration, the depth, the lightness — into one striking work.

While the 12 songs on The Long Way Round are steeped in soul-pop, they also contain rich strains of country and blues, hints of gospel and choral music, and one full serving of unvarnished funk with the flirty new single “Squeeze” out now. “This album is a combination of so many parts of me,” says Maya. “I get so influenced by different genres, people, places, and experiences that it’s always felt hard for me to fit my music into a consistent sound or mood. It took me a long time (hence The Long Way Round) to realize that it’s a beautiful thing to have a body of work that explores so many different influences.”

Making the album was also a literal journey, from a barn-based studio in Devon, England, to a home studio in Los Angeles, and back to various rooms across London. All with a cast of friends new and old, including producers Peter Miles, Josh Grant, Doug Schadt, Seth Tackaberry, and Aquilo’s Ben Fletcher and Tom Higham, as well as collaborators including Samm Henshaw, Grace Lightman, members of FIZZ, organist Cory Henry, and drummer Aaron Sterling (John Mayer, Taylor Swift).

Maya’s muse isn’t the only thing tying The Long Way Round together. Opener “Begin Again” introduces a powerful theme. As she looks back at her first car, her first kiss, her first home, she returns to the gentle hook: “Another day, another end / Oh, we begin again.” The idea of cycles frames the set as the album goes on. Depending on your interpretation, The Long Way Round could be about regaining trust in love or losing it entirely. Shuffled, these songs could trace the arc of one relationship from inception to end, or it could be the bridge between a failed romance and a thrilling new one, or it’s a dozen separate vignettes. With these songs — from soothing, psychedelic send-off “Look at the State of Me Now” to Western-inflected codependence tribute “Necklace” to the ‘70s soul music inspired “Actress” — Maya proves herself a master of not just an evocative guitar solo, but of capturing life’s biggest contradiction: why everything matters all the time and also why it’s not that deep.

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Liza Lo - Anything Like Love.

London-based producer and singer-songwriter Liza Lo has released her debut album Familiar via Gearbox Records. The album follows on the heels of a series of critically acclaimed singles — “A Messenger,” “Catch The Door,” “Morning Call,” “Gipsy Hill,” “What I Used To Do,” and “Confiarme” — which have seen Liza earn plaudits from the likes of DIY, The Line Of Best Fit, and more.

Having completed a sold-out EU / UK tour with Australian indie-folk songwriter Harrison Storm as well as a more recent run of UK dates both headlining and in support of Steph Strings and Vraell, Liza has been on a rapid word-of-mouth ascent with shows around the UK and Europe. The album follows her self-released Flourish EP, which saw her earn widespread playlist support and early plaudits at both press and radio, for her tender and meditative take on indie-folk.

Recorded at Damon Albarn's Studio 13, with her band and Jon Kelly (Kate Bush, Paul McCartney), the album sees Liza touch on everything from the loss of a friend to a brain injury, to moving away from her home in Europe, to the many subtle intricacies that come with modern day relationships. It's full of uncanny and intimate guitars, retro pop-inflected synth and bass, and crystalline piano that intensify and build into widescreen, driving poignant songs about vulnerability and emotional fulfilment. It’s a real exercise in both fragility and self-found strength.
 
Speaking on the album, Liza says, "The name Familiar reflects this element of going back to records I grew up listening to, this way of recording that makes music feel familiar and a way that brought my creative process close to what Jon, my mentor and co-producer on this record, is a master in too. I also wanted the word to tie in with the stories I was telling, the intimacy of family, the tales of romantic love in my life, but also the inevitable loss that comes with living and how to manage that. All these feelings we come across recurrently in life, from losing a friend, to falling out of touch with yourself and others, to the beauty of falling in love."
 
To celebrate the release of the album, Liza has shared a new single titled "Anything Like Love," a soft and gentle song that Liza describes as "a love song for friendship, romantic love and familiar love. I like to sing it at family get-togethers and birthdays. A song for my mum, my best friends, my brother and my love."

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