Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy - Cult Of Venus - Tora Luna

Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy - Cast Me Down.

Newport's Prodigal Son Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy announces his 2nd album, the terrific new ‘Cast Me Down’ which will be released on April 11th via 'Dirty Carrot Records’ When writing the bio for the "difficult second album" you are supposed to repeat the trope about having a lifetime to compose your debut LP and a few months to pen the follow-up.

Yet while the vinyl release of Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy's acclaimed debut album World On Fire was less than a year ago, much of the record that follows quickly in its wake is the product of the same prodigious gestation period.

Written and recorded in parallel to World On Fire, Cast Me Down is the other side of the coin. A non-identical and more unruly twin, it takes some of the experimental instincts hinted at on album one and doesn't so much as throw everything but the kitchen sink at the songs as rip the kitchen sink clean off the wall, jump inside it and take flight.

It's a heady ride and although Cast Me Down opens with a welcome reprise of the indie Americana sound that characterised World On Fire, an unsettling loop of backwards guitar heralds the arrival of a sequence of songs that channels sixties psych-pop, the Arctic Monkeys at Rancho De La Luna, late-night West Coast soul, Unkle, The Raconteurs, Father John Misty, and side two of Abbey Road.

And that's just for starters. Backed once again by The Royal Pharmacy and produced and mixed by Jon Greening, Joe Kelly is also joined on Cast Me Down by special guest appearances from the golden larynx of Miss Erin McNamara and Scott McKeon from Welsh folk-rock heroes Rusty Shackle, who brings his formidable violin skills to the psychedelic denouement of Living Daylights.

============================================================================

Cult Of Venus - Algorithm.

This weekend, Cult Of Venus released “Algorithm,” (Liberty Belle Records / Futures) a poignant protest song for this moment - critiquing social media as a violent surveillance tool and its poetry explores how we are all controlled by our platforms and our phones. Currently, she’s on a full USA tour as the main support to CHVRCHES’ Lauren Mayberry.

Cult Of Venus is a multi-instrumentalist performance artist who has played MOMA PS1, Fotografiska's Chapel Bar for David LaChappelle’s FAITH exhibition, The Women's March NYC and put on concerts in prisons, including Riker’s Island women's jail in New York City.

Besides the current tour, she has been touring the West Coast for the past months, playing sold-out shows opening for City Of The Sun.

============================================================================

Tora Luna - Why Wouldn't You Say So?

Following their previous release 'Wait For Spring', indie duo Tora Luna return with the soulful 'Why Wouldn't You Say So?' on February 14th.

Drawing from the soulful harmonies of Motown and the raw energy of contemporary indie rock, 'Why Wouldn't You Say So?' unfolds as a powerful dialogue between guest vocalist Deslynn Smith and band member Dominic Johnson. The track, created by core members Alex Broadgate and Dominic Johnson, with contributions on piano from Ellie Parker, masterfully captures the unspoken tensions that simmer beneath the surface of modern relationships. Through interweaving vocals and carefully crafted instrumentation, the performance embodies the push and pull of unexpressed emotions, creating a narrative that resonates with anyone who's ever struggled to voice their feelings.

"We wanted to create a conversational tone through the use of two vocalists to echo the internal thoughts of each individual and their growing frustration with each other," shares Parker. This intimate approach extends beyond the vocals into the very fabric of the recording process. "Although difficult, I found playing without a click-track to be a more relaxing style of recording and, in hindsight, felt that this helped the song feel more conversational."

Nestled in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside, producer Gus White's converted barn studio provided the perfect setting for bringing this vision to life. The track blossomed from humble beginnings - "a chirpy, simplistic chord progression" tucked away in Alex's voice notes - into a rich tapestry of sound. The accomplished ensemble features guest musicians including Parker's emotive piano work, guest musician Chloë Meade's soaring violin, Edward Cross's soulful saxophone, and Gus White's intuitive drumming, all weaving seamlessly around the powerful vocal interplay between Smith and Johnson.

Tora Luna · Why Wouldn't You Say So?

============================================================================

better joy - Glazyhaze - Frog - Phonseca

better joy - quiet thing.

Following her first new music of 2025 with ‘waiting on time’, Manchester-based Bria Keely, better known as better joy, has shared her new single ‘quiet thing’ taken from her forthcoming debut EP ‘heading into blue’ released on 28th March.
 
Building through gritty guitars and honeyed vocals to a euphoric chorus, new track ‘quiet thing’ is a captivating and buoyant new track. A reflective and personal song, lyrically it illuminates the understated beauty of the normal and quiet times in relationships.  
 
Bria says, "’Quiet thing’ is one of those songs that has taken on so many different lives since its original conception. I was originally inspired by someone close to me, who at the time was describing the quiet type of love he needed from his partner when going through a tough time. It got me thinking how important it is to not take the quiet moments in relationships for granted. I suppose I wanted to write an ode to those moments, but I didn’t want it to be sweet-sounding; I wanted the lyrics to be against music that had a bit of grit to offset the sweetness.”
 
New single ‘quiet thing’ is taken from better joy’s forthcoming debut EP ‘heading into blue’, produced by Mike Hedges (The Cure, U2, Manic Street Preachers). The 6-track EP features previous singles ‘waiting on time’, ‘carnival’ and ‘what a day’ alongside new single ‘quiet time, as well as two brand-new tracks, ‘couldn’t run forever’ and ‘can I land the plane?’. It is the first full-length project from better joy and is both a perfect introduction to better joy’s alt-pop sound and an exciting taster of more to come this year.

============================================================================

Glazyhaze - Nirvana.

Glazyhaze will release their second album 'SONIC' on 21st March. Now they share new track 'Nirvana', which offers a blend of fresh pop energy and dreamy feels. The heart of 'Nirvana' is the interplay of two distinct vocal lines: one raw and direct, the other soft and melancholic, creating a contrast that adds depth and emotion to the song. Built on shimmering guitars and playful rhythms, it explores the complexities of desire, the inner struggle between longing and letting go, and the bittersweet, fleeting nature of perfect moments.   
 
The accompanying video, set in a greenhouse transformed into a cosy library, features two protagonists playfully interacting and exchanging books. The video's light-hearted, dreamlike atmosphere complements the song's warm sound. 'Nirvana' follows previous single 'Forgive Me', a haunting shoegaze ballad that explores the bittersweet of love and heartbreak.
 
Forthcoming album 'Sonic' was written and recorded between Italy and London, produced, mixed and recorded by Paolo Canaglia and mastered by Maurizio Baggio, the album explores the complexity of love, narrating a journey of self-discovery and emotional contrasts. It is a more ambitious and mature album, characterized by a more personal sound and writing that embraces shoegaze, post-punk and alt-rock sounds.

============================================================================

Frog - 1000 Variations on the Same Song (Album).

Following the critical and commercial success of 2023's ‘Grog,’ cult New York duo Frog return with ‘1000 Variations on the Same Song,’ their sixth album, which features their recent singles.

An eclectic, emotional, and lyrically vivid collection, the songs see Daniel Bateman refer to My Chemical Romance, Gucci, Stillwell deals, fatherhood, and the 6 train (“I was listening to a lot of Mozart, Kodak Black, and Prince, but it doesn't really sound like any of those.”). Musically, songs like “TOP OF THE POPS VAR. I” and “DOOMSCROLLING VAR. II” touch on the agitated Indie Rock that defined their earlier work, while the Alt. Country of ‘Count Bateman’ and ‘Grog’ can be heard on ‘WHERE U FROM VAR. III’ and ‘ARTHUR MCBRIDE IN THE LOWER EAST SIDE VAR. X.’ Elsewhere, singles like ‘JUST USE YR HIPS VAR. VI’ and December’s ‘DID SANTA COME VAR. IX’ introduce a smoky lounge element to Frog’s sound, but as Bateman explains it, these are all just variations on the same song:

“1000 Variations on the Same Song is a theme and variations—there are times in your life as a songwriter where you'll start a bunch of stuff that all sounds alike, which can be a problem, something that you want to excise from yourself. This time I decided to embrace it and take it as far as it could go.”

Since Frog returned in 2023 with the addition of Daniel’s brother Steve Bateman on drums, they’ve received significant critical acclaim and enjoyed sold-out shows in the Tri-state area. Their 2025 dates will see the band joined by Frog co-founder Tom White on bass and will take them to new cities for first-time-ever shows, as well as to the KEXP studios for a session with Larry Mizell, Jr. on March 25th.

============================================================================

Photo - Paul Stevenson, Visual Hybrid

Phonseca - When Night Equals Day.

‘When Night Equals Day’ is the superb new single from Indie Synthpop duo, Phonseca, which brings together Bristol’s much respected keys/synth player Matthew O’Connor and radiant Swedish vocalist Kristina Sheppard.

Matthew has a rich musical background, bringing his talent to bands across the musical spectrum from House to Shoegaze, Psyche to Soundtrack, Electronica, Britpop and Rock. Both touring and featuring on albums released on labels as diverse as Rocket Recordings, Invada Records and Dishy Recordings, his creative input has featured on many projects. Inevitably the urge to form a more personal musical landscape saw him starting to write his own music. This began the process which resulted in ‘Between A Dream’, the debut Phonseca album, which came out in 2019.

The album was championed in the UK on BBC Radio 6 Music by both Gideon Coe and Steve Lamacq. With Steve Lamacq featuring it in his "Recommends" show. It also picked up lots of airplay and excellent reviews around the world. Matthew’s classical piano training has an influence on his work. This was the catalyst for first writing with Kristina, initially working on songs for a Disney project which followed a chance meeting at a wedding fayre, where they had stalls directly opposite each other. Since its release, the pair have spent the past few years promoting the debut album while writing/recording the second ‘Everything Lasts Forever’, which is now ready for release via Old Bad Habits Label.

‘When Night Equals Day’, the second single to come from the new album, captures the emotional heartbeat of Phonseca’s indie synthpop, electronica sound. The track’s unhurried pulsing beats, icy ambient synths, desolate piano and sweeping drones make for a deep, contemplative listen. A wintry, never ending glacial atmosphere pervades the track, conjuring lonely and dark winter nights. What begins as a fragile cry for help, evolves into something more resilient. Then by the refrain ‘When Night Equals Day’, it’s realistically introspective again.

“As with the whole album, these songs have a nocturnal feel and this one is no exception”, says O’Connor. “Lyrically I was inspired by classic songs like Kraftwerk - Computer Love and Soft Cell - Bedsitter and other songs too that are so evocative the images freely play out in your mind. The title refers to the Spring equinox, and by complete coincidence this was when we were recording the vocals at Invada. It’s my favourite lyric and possibly my favourite song on the album and another amazing vocal from Kristina, completely embracing the song and meaning”, he further reveals.

============================================================================

Carla Aakre - Alpenstock - Milly Mason - Siula - Keegan Powell & The Jetpacks

Carla Aakre - life.

Carla Aakre, the Helsinki-based indie folk singer-songwriter, releases her highly anticipated single, "life," today February 14, 2025. This emotionally resonant track is the second single from her forthcoming debut album, Things I Forgot to Tell You, set to release on May 2, 2025. Blending her signature heartfelt lyricism with lush, analog-inspired arrangements, "life" serves as an uplifting and reflective anthem. The song explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the beauty of existence, showcasing Carla's ability to connect deeply with her listeners.

"‘life’ is a celebration of the small moments that make us human. It’s about embracing the highs and lows with grace and finding hope in the most unexpected places,” Carla says of the track.

Aakre Carla Aakre has rapidly gained recognition for her warm, cinematic sound, drawing comparisons to Phoebe Bridgers, Regina Spektor, and Fenne Lilly. With her introspective storytelling and evocative vocal delivery, she captures the beauty of fleeting moments, making her music both deeply personal and universally relatable.

Carla’s music has been featured on BBC6 Music, Amazing Radio UK & USA, and CT Das Radio (Germany), where she’s received 47 plays to date. Highlighted by Glamglare, The Line of Best Fit, Ones to Watch, and Mystic Sons, Carla has been praised for her heartfelt lyricism and captivating soundscapes. Her previous singles have landed on alexrainbirdMusic (1.6M followers), The Line of Best Fit’s New Music Discovery, and Grrrl Music’s New Music Friday, contributing to significant streaming growth.

"life" embodies everything that makes Carla Aakre a rising star in the indie folk scene—intimate yet anthemic, deeply reflective yet universally relatable. It’s a track that will stay with you long after the last note fades. Things I Forgot to Tell You releases on May 2, 2025, and Carla is already gearing up for a series of live performances, including a Kieku Records Showcase in Finland and potential appearances at key European festivals.

============================================================================

Alpenstock - Love is Love

With their first three singles, the band Alpenstock from Biel, Switzerland, has caused quite a stir—especially among Pink Floyd fans and the prog rock scene. On Spotify, the group, led by mastermind Charles de Ribaupierre, has reached 16,000 listeners within just a few months. Their sound is now being played on various radio stations, from Swiss broadcasters like Munot and Option Musique to rock, vintage, and prog rock stations worldwide.

Now, it’s time for another single before the debut album arrives on March 28, 2025. "Love is Love" is another anthem that will also be featured on the upcoming LP. The song explores humanity's dependence on spirits, gods, and the horned one, all wrapped in Alpenstock’s signature psychedelic sound.

The music was written by Charles de Ribaupierre, whose shocking yet deeply moving life story (see biography below) is an inspiration. His journey proves that dreams can still be pursued and fulfilled—even in the face of serious illness and at the proud age of 72.

============================================================================

Milly Mason - The Girl That I Was Before.

Milly Mason is a youthful singer-songwriter from Cardiff whose songwriting shows a maturity beyond her years. During the pandemic of 2020, Milly Mason picked up the guitar and fell in love with creating her songs, as well as playing them live. This week we have the release of the third single off her upcoming EP, due out in early summer 2025.

Milly’s musical influences include fellow singer-songwriters Amy Macdonald, Bruce Springsteen and Tracy Chapman, and closer to home, she is particularly influenced by artists such as Rusty Shackle and Martyn Joseph.

When asked about about the new single, Milly said “This song, despite not being autobiographical, is one that delves as deep into my creative inspiration as any song I have written. One of the best things about songwriting is being able to write based on the stories made up through imagination. This is true for The Girl That I Was Before. Once brought to life in the studio with a greater musical depth, it became the song it needed to be.”

Her ability to blend experiences from beyond her age with her fresh, youthful sound is admirable, and her confidence in doing so is even more remarkable.

============================================================================

Siula - Night Falls on the World.

Cardiff – Cinematic pop duo 'Siula' return with Night Falls on the World, a spellbinding new single that blends haunting synths, pulsing rhythms, and poetic lyricism. Released via Libertino, the track is a melancholic yet electrifying meditation on endings, resilience, and the ever-turning cycle of light and darkness.

With Iqra Malik’s ethereal vocals floating over Llion Robertson’s immersive production, Night Falls on the World captures the tension between despair and hope, weaving a sonic landscape that feels both nostalgic and futuristic. Dreamlike yet urgent, the song is an invitation to lose yourself in the night—until the first light of dawn emerges.

Siula · Night Falls on the World

============================================================================

Keegan Powell & The Jetpacks - Beginning Of Life (Live) / My Maker.

Canadian musician Keegan Powell delivers a double dose of captivating soundscapes with the release of his latest singles, "Beginning of Life" and "My Maker." With his band, The Jetpacks, Powell revisits these tracks from earlier phases of his career, reimagining them into their definitive forms. The result is a seamless blend of nostalgia and reinvention that captures the raw energy of their live performances.

Initially inspired by the mesmerizing "Eminence Front" by The Who, the song took shape the night before a studio session. Originally recorded for his 2019 EP Is+Was, the track evolved over the years, with Powell describing it as "a blueprint for a song that would never end." The band’s reprise of the track in 2024 cements its place as an eternal, ever-evolving anthem.

"My Maker" takes a different path. Written in a sudden burst of inspiration, Powell only later recognized its profound theme of rejecting immortality. "As endless as eternity seems to be, I have to laugh in its face and ultimately thank Mother Nature for the chance to live," he explains. Originally featured on his 2023 album Fear Be Gone, the song captures an indifference to the inevitable while embracing life with fierce resolve. The band's performance immortalizes their synergy, recorded live in just a few hours at Aaron Goldstein's studio in Toronto. These two tracks are like the first and last chapters of a story coming together to form something entirely new. – Keegan Powell.

============================================================================

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. 

============================================================================

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.

============================================================================

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."

============================================================================

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."

============================================================================

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.

============================================================================

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.

============================================================================

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.


============================================================================

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

============================================================================

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."


============================================================================

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.

===========================================================================

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.

===========================================================================

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.

===========================================================================

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.

============================================================================

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.

============================================================================

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.

============================================================================

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.

============================================================================

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!

============================================================================

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

============================================================================

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.

============================================================================

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.”

============================================================================

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.”

============================================================================

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.

============================================================================