Far Caspian - Emily Hines - Georgian - Gelli Haha

Far Caspian - An Outstretched Hand / Rain From Here to Kerry.

Far Caspian is Irish singer-song writer and producer Joel Johnston. Joel writes, records and performs everything on his albums from his studio in Leeds, UK and tours as a 6-piece band. Far Caspian have released two albums to date and sold out numerous shows across the UK, EU and USA whilst quietly building a streaming audience internationally totalling over 200m streams across platforms.  Autoficion is Far Caspian's third album due July 25th.

On his new album Autofiction, Far Caspian’s Joel Johnston is learning to make peace with the cards he’s been dealt. Following his Crohn’s disease diagnosis in 2021, Johnston felt stuck mourning the loss of his life before, and struggling to cope with not only his new reality, but also an ongoing battle with OCD and anxiety. Autofiction finds the Irish musician discovering the tools he needs to keep moving forward. “I’m now at the point where I don't really let it define me,” he says. “The lyric ‘your mind changed from a fear to a song’ [on ‘Lough’] is my expression of freedom: to no longer be held down by something you’ve got used to. I’m trying to not even make sense of it all, but just live in it, and be grateful for the things I do have.”

The lyrics across Autofiction—which dive deep into mental health burdens, self-forgiveness, recovery, and gratitude for supportive, uplifting partnership—are Johnston’s most direct, diaristic and literal to date. As such, it’s also his most vulnerable release yet. “I just wanted to get the message across,” he says. “People will sometimes comment on songs of mine saying ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’ I wanted to make a record that was a bit more heard. I even made my vocals louder than I usually do.” Freeing himself from any internal judgments or inhibitions, Johnston wrote songs for Autofiction with a simple motto: “I’m enjoying this right now and therefore it’s good enough.” The process helped him reconnect with the joy of music, the reason he started making it in the first place. It felt like the first time he made an album for himself, rather than an audience. “The fact that I was less self-critical and worried about others' opinions–I think that’s why the lyrics became more straightforward. I didn’t feel the need to dress them up or hide behind something.”

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Emily Hines - All Of Our Friends.

Nashville songwriter Emily Hines releases "All Of Our Friends" this week, the third single from her debut album These Days, out August 1 via Keeled Scales.

Emily writes: "I wrote this song in a guy's bedroom while he was working in the other room. Fresh out of college, I was naive and earnest, putting everything under a microscope. I’d fallen in love a little too quickly and felt the familiar nausea of an intimacy hangover. The lyrics are mostly questions I knew better than to ask out loud."

About the recording, Hines continues: "One of my favorite parts of the recording was when we asked two of my dearest collaborators and confidants, Madelyn Baier and Liv Greene to come over and add some harmonies. We sat in a crescent and sang into an omni mic. At some point, my dog, Birdy, waltzed in and made her debut in the first verse. Because we’re sentimental and silly, we kept it."

The single comes with a music video directed by Nashville filmmaker Abby Holmes. "When I asked Abby to make a music video with me, she showed up to coffee the next morning with several pages of hand sketched storyboard to show me. I love working with her so much. Her tenacity is incredible. We shot this video in two days with the help and generosity of many friends. It felt a lot like camp. I was so happy to be with everyone, all my anxiety about being on camera melted away."

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Photo - Rob Smalley

Georgian - Learning to Forget.

Manchester based Georgian continues to explore her poised melancholic sound with new single and first new music of the year ‘Learning to Forget’ out now via Heist or Hit.
 
Formed and fronted by Georgia McKiernan and completed by her band (Harry George, James Poole, James Polglase and Connor Alder), Georgian’s genre fluid output is expansive; a soft bloom of sullen 60s psychedelia and folk horror peppered with Southern Gothic inclinations and a sophisticated jazz leaning. With lyrics that are mournful yet comforting, painted alongside a vivid cinematic landscape, her sound is one that is modern yet nostalgic.
 
Georgian introduced herself with the singles ‘Big Lips in Leather’ and ‘Soleil’ last year and new track ‘Learning to Forget’ continues to showcase the accomplished musical array of Georgia and her band. Produced and recorded in Amsterdam by Arno Stols (Magenta Studios), it is a track that is both intimately warm yet darkly melancholic, blending progressive rock with dark folk and building in intensity and emotion throughout. The video, filmed in Georgian’s hometown of Manchester and directed by harry right here, sees Georgia struggle through the emotions of re-emerging from a broken relationship.
 
Georgia says, “’Learning to Forget’ has a true Georgian structure, from starting quite slow, melancholy and reflective, to progressing to a heavy, distorted and powerful sound – expect the unexpected! The song itself discusses heartbreak and how you can be so eager to forget everything when a relationship ends. Even though you don’t want the memories and small reminders of that person, they still happen.”

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Photo - Sophie Prettyman-Beauchamp

Gelli Haha - Spit.

In Gelli Haha’s latest single “Spit” - only S-words are allowed. The track has underground-club grit, with a strong, consistent bass line and strange electronic effects. On “Spit”, participation is encouraged and surrender is required. The accompanying music video, directed by David Gutel, features Gelli strapped to a spiraling operation board as Gelli Kompany scientists conduct a surreal experiment on her.

A shapeshifter, a sonic acrobat, a performer with one foot in the cosmos and the other in arthouse theatrics, Gelli Haha (pronounced Jelly-Haha) is a space for pure creative chaos that exists somewhere between Studio 54 and Area 51. Gelli’s music thrives on duality: playful but profound, tongue-in-cheek but sincere. Her debut album Switcheroo, out next month via Innovative Leisure, is the soundtrack to the Gelliverse, a sensory adventure sphere created by Gelli.

With a shared taste for off-kilter pop and vintage gear, producer Sean Guerin (of De Lux) joined Gelli in turning freshly-formed demos into a high-voltage experiment, abandoning meticulous structure for something freer and more electrifying. Every song on Switcheroo makes use of a myriad of recording toys; wacky analog effects, such as the Eventide Harmonizer, MXR Pitch Transposer, and various Electrix units, fashion an intentionally flawed and strictly silly texture throughout the album. Switcheroo is an exercise in letting go, an inside joke turned theatrical spectacle.

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Hallelujah The Hills - The Slim Kings - Izabella Lily - Harri Larkin

Hallelujah The Hills - It’s Undeniable.

Beloved Boston indie rock alchemists Hallelujah The Hills unveil their latest single, “It’s Undeniable,” a hypnotic and genre-defying track that marks the first release from Spades, one of four full-length albums in their upcoming 52-song project, Deck, available across music platforms on June 13th, 2025.

Described by the band as a Rube Goldberg device of a song, “It’s Undeniable” is loaded with chant-like vocals, mysterious lyrical codes, and scattered samples that feel like transmissions from an unknown station. Its hooks grab hold and don’t let go, making it a fitting introduction to the ambitious Deck project, which features one song for every card in a standard deck, plus two jokers.

“This song features the world’s first ‘Live Podcast Song Overdub,’” says frontman Ryan H. Walsh, referring to a spontaneous collaboration recorded live on the long-running Who Charted? podcast with hosts Howard Kremer and Brett Morris. Their voices now echo throughout the track in an unprecedented and surreal sonic moment. “Guinness Book of World Records, get at us,” Walsh jokes.

Adding another layer of richness to the song, Niani Campbell of Boston band Children of the Flaming Wheel joins the band for their signature gang vocals on the chorus. Her husband and Hills bassist Joseph Marrett reflects on the track: “Undeniably the world is a wild place; rubbery bandages, lying wires, and sidewalk schisms await to trip up our best intentions! Let’s engage the truths and find a path forward, shine a light if possible! It’s Undeniable!”

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The Slim Kings - Keep On.

Brooklyn-based retro soul-rock outfit The Slim Kings return with a smoldering new track, "Keep On," that explores the quiet strength of patience. In a world addicted to speed and certainty, the band flips the script by choosing to sit still, to wait, and to trust.

It's a song about giving someone the space they need without letting go of your presence. A slow burn with vintage soul textures, "Keep On" is rich in restraint, resolve, and realness. From its laid-back groove to its timeless sentiment, "Keep On" is equal parts support system and soul serenade. It's about knowing when to step back and when to show up. Sometimes the best thing you can do is let the answer come on its own. – The Slim Kings

Recorded in their New York studio, the track was built slowly, with purpose – fighting the urge to rush, even as the world moves faster than ever. It’s a fitting metaphor for the group itself: Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel's legendary drummer), MSB (a sync veteran with over 40 placements), and Andy Attanasio (R&B bassist known for his work with Black Thought) know the power of patience, presence, and playing only what's needed. "Keep On" is a taste of their upcoming 14-track album, Superlove, out September 26th, 2025 – a record that promises to deliver vintage grit with modern soul.

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Izabella Lily - Freedom.

Swedish-Finnish artist Izabella Lily returns with her third single Freedom, a modern folk rock anthem filled with lyrical depth and spiritual introspection. Recorded with professional studio musicians Miikka Laitinen, flying guitar and tight bass, Petter Lithvall drums and synth, and Sam Seatone acoustic guitar, “Freedom” was produced by Petter Lithvall. Following Izabella’s debut “Varandra”, 2nd single “Fields of Green” and a recent live appearance on Sveriges Radio P4 Gothenburg, Izabella continues to build momentum with this evocative new release.

Izabella delivers a raw folk indie single with poetic lyrics and spiritual depth, with a heart beating for social justice. "Freedom" follows her Sveriges Radio debut and previews her 2025 EP. Rich acoustic textures meet modern indie production in this moving anthem about the kind of love that is selfless and sacrificial - that which empowers us to use our freedom for the good of others.

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Harri Larkin - Slowburn (EP).

Sheffield-based singer-songwriter Harri Larkin is proud to announce the release of their brand new EP, Slowburn, officially out now via Golden Robot Records.

Blending elements of indie, funk, jazz, and grunge, Slowburn is a genre-defying collection that captures the emotional intensity and evolving artistry of Harri Larkin. Known for her heartfelt lyricism, soaring vocal melodies, and an undeniably infectious sound, Harri delivers an EP that is both introspective and anthemic - burning slowly but leaving a lasting mark.

The new EP follows the powerful single 'Too Close to the Sun', a song written in tribute to a close friend lost to an accidental overdose. The single set the emotional tone for Slowburn, an honest and cathartic body of work that explores grief, healing, and the quiet power of vulnerability.

Harri Larkin first made waves with debut album 'Beach City' that caught the attention of BBC Introducing, who broadcast it in full. In 2023, Harri was named the winner of the national Tramlines “Apply to Play” competition, landing performances at major UK festivals and earning national radio play along the way. Harri continues to push creative boundaries with Slowburn - a record that embraces nuance, celebrates growth, and invites listeners into a deeply personal world.

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Pomona Park - The Salt Collective - Forgotten Dream - The Northern Territories

Pomona Park - Do Not Disturb.

Pomona Park have released their "thought-provoking, youthful optimistic indie pop single" 'Do Not Disturb'. Its a vibrant and hook fueled affair which for a young band has a level of maturity that is palpable. That said perhaps it's can be more simply put as a gorgeous song that deserves to be a powerful hit! Any way onto their background story: “Youthful optimism with lyrical charm” are some of the ways Pomona Park can be described. The Manchester based, Indie-Pop band, create thought provoking story line like songs on a bedding of punchy and memorable music.

Lyrically inspired by Sam Fender and Alex Turner, and guided musically by the likes of The Blossoms and The Smiths, Pomona Park started as a group of friends reconnecting to normality after the UKs COVID19 lockdown. Chris Smith (front man) and Bobby Mears (bassist), friends from school, would bring in respective work colleagues Aaron Wrigglesworth (drums) and James Reid (guitar) to form what became, by the Quays of Salford, to be Pomona Park.

Using the material that Chris had been writing over the lockdown, the boys ventured into the studio in April of 2022, releasing their first studio single Overdrink, which still tops their headline sets to this day. Over the years Pomona Park have released 7 studio singles, covering a range of topics from letting seemingly insignificant “icks” get in the way of finding a meaningful partner to the mindset of changing oneself into an unrecognisable version in an attempt to impress others.

Overdrink saw relative success early on, hitting No.4 on the UK Alternative Chart on release day, and breaking into the UK Main Chart’s Top 100. Following tracks have again been featured in the UK Alternative Chart Top 20, been played on National Radio like Radio X X-Posure show and have enjoyed streams of several thousands most notably with “Stormy Weather” hitting over 10,000 streams not long after release.

Pomona Park · Do Not Disturb

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The Salt Collective - Last Day That We're Young (EP).

The international super group the Salt Collective have returned with a six-song EP of fresh recordings (May 23rd via Propeller Sound Recordings). The groundwork for the new EP actually dates back to 2000, when Collective leader, Stéphane Schück, first met the late Scott Miller (Game Theory / Loud Family) in San Francisco, seeding the inspiration for the project.

The multifaceted Paris- and North Carolina-based ensemble kicks off the EP with the single “Last Day That We’re Young,” a recently completed, anthemic version of a beloved Game Theory song tracked initially in 2005 with Miller himself on guitar.

When asked about how this recording came to be, Schück explains: “We have to go back to December 31, 1989. The last day of the 80s. My friends and I had an important question to answer: What song were we going to leave the 80s with? We'd entered the decade at the age of 12 and were going to leave it at 22. This question consumed us for 6 months . . . until we all agreed it would be “Last Day That We're Young” by Game Theory. We launched the track at 11:58 p.m. and went into the 90s with Scott!

In 2005, when Scott came to France to produce one of my albums, I told him this story, which made him smile. I think it was quite an unexpected revelation. I couldn't resist asking him if we could play “Last Day That We're Young” together. Scott knew how important that song was to me. . . . We [hit record] and he played these two wonderful riffs."

Also featured on the EP is “Try the Lost and Found,” a collaboration and co-write with Mitch Easter (Let’s Active)—his first release in nearly two decades—recorded during recent sessions at Easter’s renowned Fidelitorium studios in Kernersville, NC for a forthcoming full Salt Collective album, A Brief History of Blindness, due in the fall.


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Forgotten Dream - Kids.

Too Loud Records and Forgotten Dream are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of “Kids” – a haunting and heartfelt reinterpretation of the cult classic by Current Joys.

Hailing from Cremona, Italy, Forgotten Dream blends the raw emotional grit of '90s grunge with ethereal dream-pop textures and shoegaze atmospheres. With this new cover, the band dives into the melancholic essence of “Kids”, reshaping it through their unique sonic lens: distorted yet delicate, nostalgic yet fresh.

Produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered at the renowned Titans Lab Recording Studio by producer Riccardo Daga, this release showcases the band’s ability to take an already emotionally charged song and infuse it with new intensity and vulnerability – staying true to the original spirit while giving it a distinctive Forgotten Dream identity.

“Kids” marks a new chapter for the band, following the success of their latest album Distorted Karma (Too Loud Records), and continues their exploration of themes like inner conflict, youth disillusionment, and emotional fragility.

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The Northern Territories - Say Yes To Heaven (Lana Del Rey Cover).

The Northern Territories present a new video single for their Lana Del Rey cover track 'Say Yes to Heaven', which appears on the acclaimed fourth full-length ('Album of the Month' in renowned German Orkus! magazine) of the Swedish melancholic synth duo, that is also being released and started streaming in full on May 23, 2025.

The Northern Territories comment: “The video to our cover of Lana Del Rey's 'Say Yes to Heaven' consists out of footage that we have lifted from our first ever video clip 'Midnight Ambulance', which we shot in Stockholm during the summer of 1994", vocalist and multi-instrumentalist John Alexander Ericson explains on behalf of the duo. "We have not released an album in 25 long years and therefore it made sense to us to include these images as a nod to our past and as a reminder to ourselves and to others about how it all started."

After a record breaking hiatus of 25 years, The Northern Territories are back for good. The Swedish melancholic synth duo has used the time well to hone their musical prowess and to think hard about how they wanted their unique sound to come across in the present.

As a result of this intense thought process, the stunning album "A Star in Orbit Still" combines everything that made the band great and generated a dedicated and loyal following that eagerly awaited their return during all those years with a contemporary sound design. Channeling their trademark melancholy and Nordic knack for captivating melodies, The Northern Territories did not even shy away from covering Lana Del Rey's iconic track 'Say Yes to Heaven' and to make it theirs.

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Gitta de Ridder - Common Holly - McCabe - Charlie Nieland - Lloyd and The Leftovers

Photo - Dewi Veldhhuizen

Gitta de Ridder - Heroes For a Day.

Acclaimed Dutch folk artist Gitta de Ridder released ‘Heroes For a Day’ on May 23rd, the final single taken from her upcoming record N(i)e(u)w Land due out on June 20th. Produced by Jonatan Backelie and released on her independent label Little Memories Records with an album launch at the Green Note the same month, ‘Heroes For a Day’ is an insight into the themes of self-acceptance, longing, grief and change on this personal yet universal collection of works.

Built around a gentle, fingerpicked guitar and delicately layered string arrangements, ‘Heroes For a Day’ offers a sparse yet emotionally resonant soundscape that merges folk-rooted storytelling with a pop-leaning lightness. Gitta’s double-tracked vocals bring an intimate immediacy, inviting listeners in: “It’s about the magic of everyday life, the beauty of sharing moments of joy and play, even amidst heavier feelings.... A commitment to always return to life's lighter side while also embracing the dark.”

Created in the midst of profound life changes - becoming a mother, grieving the passing of her father, and navigating a world in the aftermath of lockdown - N(i)e(u)w Land is a deeply introspective and healing body of work. Recorded in her home studio between feeds and first steps, it reflects both the fragility and resilience of life. “The songs speak of longing, of hope, of getting in touch with all of ourselves; our scars, our hurt, our joy and our playfulness,” says Gitta. “The light and the dark. The duality of life.”

While previous records were self-produced, acoustic and more traditionally folk, a new collaboration with Jonatan Bäckelie as producer sees Gitta skillfully crossing the boundaries from modern folk and new acoustics to pop while maintaining a distinctive and recognisable sound. Where poetic lyrics meet the honesty and rawness of folk music, she adds a lightness and pop edge without losing sight of meaning and authenticity.

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Photo - Aabid Youssef

Common Holly - Terrible hands.

Montreal-based singer-songwriter Brigitte Naggar (aka Common Holly) has announced her new album, Anything glass, set for release on June 13 via Keeled Scales and Paper Bag Records. Naggar describes the forthcoming record as "intimate, full of silence and space, warm, gentle, and sometimes spiky." The impressive range of genres and moods she explores on Anything glass showcases her masterful skill as a songwriter, musician, and storyteller. 

Now, following the quietly powerful hum of “Aegean blue” and the playful vulnerability of “Enough,” Common Holly shares “Terrible hands,” a delicate, piano-driven jazz-pop fusion. The track features a twinkling piano melody played by Naggar herself, alongside her signature soft, layered vocals. Midway through, the song breaks into a repeated chorus “Are we made of plastic or of stone?” and “Are we still together on our own?”—before returning to a jazzier deep bass section, reminiscent of Norah Jones’ soulful sound.

The accompanying video, directed by experimental media artist and filmmaker Ana-Maria Trudel, plays with shadowy hand imagery and multimedia snapshots of Naggar from shifting perspectives and landscapes. On the video, Trudel explains, "I was thinking of the sun faded quality of an old newspaper left on the dashboard - images that get prettier when they are forgotten. I wanted this video to feel nostalgic and delicate like a private journal entry you never meant to show anyone. We ended up using a lot of the b-roll to stitch this video poem together which gave it an intimate fly on the wall feel."

Brigitte Naggar on the track, "One of my oldest songs on the record, Terrible hands is a reflection on our place as humans on a planet in decline, as part nature and part consumer, and on the ways we carry shame for choices we have made both knowingly and unknowingly. I always think of the bloodstained hands of Lady Macbeth. I loved working with Ana-Maria on a video that gives us this contrast between black and white brutalism and enjoying a nice day in the park."

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McCabe - Days Of Heaven.

South London experimental soul artist McCabe returns this week with ‘Days Of Heaven,' the second single from his debut LP Sunset Boulevard. The track builds off of the momentum created by the April 11th release of ‘Vicious’, the first single on the genre-defying album.

Drenched in sunshine and soul, ‘Days of Heaven’ captures summer romance in musical form. Masterfully weaving rich Motown textures with contemporary pop sensibilities, McCabe sites Amy Winehouse’s ‘Valerie’ as the track’s architectural blueprint, a reference he reverently describes as "one of the great modern pop songs.” Driven by crisp percussion and uplifting melodies, the chorus soars with choir-like harmonies that spark joy and nostalgia, yet beneath its bright exterior lies a hint of melancholy, giving depth to its carefree vibe.

"I wanted to create a song with a world that was feel-good and summery as a form of escapism for the listener," McCabe explains. "Days Of Heaven is a summer holiday love story with a dreamy narrative. Lyrically it is a rarity for me because it has a story-like quality to it, like a novel. It is about love at first sight and the excitement and romance of it all, with a hint of the impending expiry of this feeling."

The track strikes a perfect balance between mainstream appeal and artistic vision, evoking George Michael and Anderson .Paak while McCabe's vocals channel elements of Justin Timberlake and Thee Sacred Souls. The spirit of Marvin Gaye resonates throughout, creating something fresh yet timeless. Working with acclaimed producer Patrick James Fitzroy (Sorry, Katy J Pearson, PVA), McCabe transformed the original concept. "We reworked the structure using Valerie as a reference. The final version turned out quite different from the demo," he explains – a creative evolution that birthed this irresistible summer anthem.

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Charlie Nieland - Drown.

It's been five years since we last featured Charlie Nieland, then with his band Lusterlit who we got very excited about. Now we have a solo offering ahead of a new EP, and based on the track Drown, we can get all excited again - this sounds very good!  NYC-based producer indie music veteran Charlie Nieland presents his new single 'Drown', a stunning reverb-laced offering and the first taste of his forthcoming 'The Ocean Understands' EP, set for release on June 20. The expansive and visceral music video was directed by NYC-based multi-faceted artist Hypnodoll.

"The track 'Drown' was inspired by Monique Vescia's book 'Hole In The Sky', which I read for the Bushwick Book Club songwriter series in 2021. It depicts a dark world, where an authoritarian won the US presidential election of 2020. So I made this mythical tale from the past, told in the future, where all the stories are jumbled up - a celebration of destruction," says Charlie Nieland.

"Of course, it all feels quite prescient as we sift through our present wreckage, searching for grace in the violent forces underneath. It's a white-hot psychedelic siren song with an oceanic undertow."

It's been four years since Nieland released his 2021 widely acclaimed ‘Divisions’ with its sweeping melodies and restless rhythms. Renowned for tastefully blending post punk, dream pop and progressive rock, he has been writing, playing and producing music for decades, with a focus on the atmospheric and the imaginative.

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Photo - Paris Williams

Lloyd and The Leftovers - Tried it on Tuesday.

Lloyd & The Leftovers are bringing a classic sound into the new age with ‘Tried It On Tuesday’, an indie folk song released yesterday Friday, May 23rd, influenced by the American folk revival.

A five-piece folk rock band from Walyalup (Western Australia), Lloyd & the Leftovers are set on bringing the sounds of indie-folk americana to Australian shores. With their performances at festivals like Nungarin Festival and the City of Fremantle Winter Festival, album and single features on radio station RTRFM, and their sold out headline shows at the Buffalo Club and Clancy's Fish Pub, it’s clear their fanbase is eager and growing, and with their electric, energetic live shows and character-packed DIY recordings, it’s clear why.  

‘Tried It On Tuesday’ is the culmination of their creative nature: a hopeless romantic’s ode to their creative partner. With a fitting vocal twang and skilfully plucked guitar, the song conveys an atmosphere both wistful and hopeful.  The clear, open vocals and perfectly balanced mixing let the lyrics of the song really shine, along with the story within them.

This song is a cathartic look into the challenges that can come with a relationship with a creative collaborator, and the phase where the collaboration stops flowing as easily as it used to. The song acknowledges that it’s something that might be hard, and might be more trouble than it’s worth, but that it’s something neither of them are willing to give up on, so the cycle begins anew, hanging onto the past while time marches on.

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Saint Etienne - Crossword Smiles - KRAMON - Lost Friend - Sally Crosby

Photo - Rob Baker Ashton

Saint Etienne - Glad.

Saint Etienne have announced details of their 13th, and final LP, International. Co-produced with Tim Powell (formerly of Xenomania), the album will be released on Heavenly Recordings on Friday, September 5. They have also today released "Glad", the first single to be taken from the album. Co-written and produced with Tom Rowlands of the Chemical Brothers, "Glad" is a sparkling piece of uplifting pop, and incredibly catchy. The song also features Jez Williams from Doves on guitar.

Talking about "Glad", Sarah & Pete from Saint Etienne said: "We asked Tom if he had any songs in progress that might suit Saint Etienne and he sent a backing track that he’d been working on with Jez from Doves. We fell in love with it straight away and the top line melody and words for ‘Glad' came easy" - Sarah Cracknell

"The song is about taking pleasure in everyday things like nature and the outdoors when life is otherwise getting you down" - Pete Wiggs

The group aren’t splitting up as such - they still remain the best of friends after 35 years recording together – but they don’t feel like they want to go on forever and wanted to go out with a bang. International follows hot on the heels of The Night - released last November – a nocturnal, ambient record that garnered some of the best reviews of the group’s career.

Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs have known each other since childhood and started the group in 1990 with their classic cover of Neil Young’s "Only Love Can Break Your Heart". Sarah Cracknell joined for their third single "Nothing Can Stop Us" and the Foxbase Alpha album in 1991. Since then they have branched out into films, books and curation, and became artists in residence at the Southbank Centre. The group simply feels it is now time to draw a line under new recordings.

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Crossword Smiles - Consequences & Detours (Album).

Big Stir Records is proud to announce the return of Detroit indie pop duo Crossword Smiles with their second album, Consequences & Detours, out on Vinyl, CD and Streaming worldwide today May 23, 2025. Already teased by the hit single “Falling All Over Myself” (with the equally compelling “Counting By Fives” to follow in the coming weeks), it's the followup to their surprise hit 2022 debut Pressed & Ironed, delivering on the promise of that record's hooks, inspired lyrics and timeless arrangements while pushing their unique sound in exciting new directions.

Consequences & Detours reunites the musical minds behind Crossword Smiles – power pop veterans Tom Curless and Chip Saam – to continue exploring new sonic textures and lyrical landscapes, and applying them to the kind of perfect pop-rock song structures and melodies at which they excel. It's a winning combination of inspiration and songcraft that expands on the foundation of the first album and delivers a set of instantly memorable, richly detailed melodic gems that sound like nothing else coming out of the Midwest in 2025.

When they emerged three years back, Crossword Smiles drew immediate notice for presenting a new sound even for the the deeply respected Michigan-based guitar-pop stalwarts at its core. The band had been quietly formed a few years earlier by Curless, formerly of Your Gracious Host and currently enjoying solo success, and SAAM, best known as the bassist for The Hangabouts and Curless's backing band The 46% and the host of the indispensable Indie Pop Takeout show on Neighborhood Weekly Radio. The impulse behind the new collaboration? A pure and simple wish from a pair of like-minded music fans to hear something different.

The resulting and instantly-appealing sound suggests a blend of Crowded House and The Replacements with a bent toward sharp character studies in the Ray Davies tradition, but there are countless other guiding lights here. Spotting them is half of the fun: Chip and Tom share an encyclopedic grasp of pop-rock history in all its many flavors, and the CROSSWORD SMILES ethos lets them go deep-diving for inspiration. You could hear their mutual love for the too-often-overlooked likes of Joe Jackson, The Go-Betweens, Freedy Johnston and The Blue Nile all over the debut album, and on Consequences, they lean into those influences and add still more from the their eclectic array of personal favorites. Tinges of Michael Penn and Del Amitri can be heard in Tom's tender but sly vocal delivery – check out the pitch-perfect melancholy of “Once Or Twice” – and the band cites diverse inspirations from Madness (“Night Train”) to Guided By Voices (on the lead single “Falling All Over Myself”) to The Left Banke (“Girls Club”) when discussing the new tunes.

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KRAMON - Crush (feat Meredith Adelaide).

Today singer-songwriter, renowned tv and film composer, and multi-instrumentalist KRAMON bursts onto the scene with new single “Crush”. Available on most streaming platforms today, the melancholic new single features the luscious vocals of Meredith Adelaide.

For a little over four minutes, allow yourself to be absolutely hypnotized by the new track from KRAMON, “Crush”. Meshing together Meredith Adelaide’s entrancing vocals with swelling string arrangements provided by Isaiah Gage, the end result is a mesmerizing dreamscape track that pulsates deep with emotion. Originally designed as a grungy, heavy-rock anthem, the track went through various phases of tweaking before it took its final form. It wasn’t until Meredith Adelaide’s intimate lyrics re-envisioned the song as a more delicate, dream pop track.

“Crush” is the first offering from the forthcoming album, Evolutions. Recorded over the course of three years between 2022 and 2025, the album was produced both in Josh Kramon’s home studio and at Shark Tank Studios in Atwater Village. With Kramon as the primary producer, various musicians leant their chops to the upcoming album, featuring a mirage of unique vocalists, emotional string arrangements, and gorgeous piano melodies laid down by Lee Pardini and Jordan Summers.

For all the hopeless romantics deeply into someone right now, “Crush” is bound to be your new anthem. What makes the upcoming album Evolutions unique is that it is entirely a collaborative effort between various musicians from different generations. Its main contributors are Hunter Hawkins and Meredith Adelaide, whose vocals and lyrical excellence spruce up each track, creating a refreshing vibe throughout. At the helm of the project is the incredibly talented Josh Kramon– who’s primarily known for composing the soundtracks behind some of television's most notable screenwriting (Veronica Mars, High Potential, iZombie, Lethal Weapon). Just recently on May 14th, Josh proudly accepted his second BMI Award for Film and Television, due to his aforementioned contributions.

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Lost Friend -  The Promises You Don't Keep (EP).

Ohio’s Lost Friend promise to carry the banner for moody indie pop forward in 2025 with The Promises You Don’t Keep EP, which sees release on May 23 via Poptek Records. The EP is packed with guilt, shame, and sensitivity, delivered by the enigmatic and sultry voice and mind of Christopher Palassis (who is also a guitarist in XL427, and formerly of Second Best and L’Albatros).

L'Albatros recorded then blew up before properly releasing anything. Then came Second Best, which was a great name but a duplicated name. Now to Lost Friend, the songs and voice of scientist and guitarist Christopher Palassis has been the core of each band. The new EP, "The Promises You Don't Keep", began years before last year's "Echo Lane" EP. But when Palassis' sister and bandmate, Irene Queen, began to lose her battle with cancer, it was necessary to get her beautiful voice out into the world.

After "Echo Lane", the duo of Palassis and XL427's Andy Ingram regrouped to finish the six songs of rock-n-roll melancholy, yearning, bitterness, and Greek shame that make up "The Promises You Don't Keep". As with most things Poptek, there are some amazing hooks and melodies.

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Sally Crosby - Shooting Star (EP).

This was written a long time ago but only just now been recorded. It’s a raw acoustic guitar and vocals track. It’s about having a crush when they don’t feel the same way back and realising that you need to move on. As for the EP, it’s a collection of very differing songs.

Sally Crosby is a British singer-songwriter who grew up in rural Mid Wales. A ukulele, piano and acoustic guitar-based singer-songwriter, her songs are honest and raw, impassioned and emotive. She started out in music at the tender age of five years old learning the piano, a few years later and she'd taken up the violin and the clarinet.

Going on to study music and creative writing at university she found herself spreading her time between playing the violin in orchestras and with folk-rock band The Rambling Pilgrims, touring across the North Wales coast and Anglesey. Fresh out of graduation saw a new lease of life for Sally, who turned to writing for herself, mostly for piano and for acoustic guitar, an instrument she learnt as a teenager.

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Lavinia Blackwall - The Kentucky Gentlemen - Anand Wilder - MF Tomlinson

Lavinia Blackwall - We All Get Lost.

New single We All Get Lost’ tackles emotional struggles with both introspection and hope. Of the new single, Lavinia says: "The single was written during a time when I was still a teacher and was finding the job particularly stressful. I was looking for a way out before I broke. We all get lost sometimes whilst trying to find our way in life and this was an important detour that taught me a lot."

With influences spanning from Jefferson Airplane to Weyes Blood, The Making is a testament to Blackwall’s ability to weave together diverse musical inspirations into a cohesive and compelling body of work with songwriting at its centre.

Lavinia Blackwall, the celebrated voice behind Trembling Bells, is set to release her highly anticipated new album The Making on May 30th via The Barne Society. A rich tapestry of folk, rock, and psych-power pop, the album showcases Blackwall’s unparalleled vocal prowess and evocative songwriting, further cementing her reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music.

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Photo -  Peyton Dollar

The Kentucky Gentlemen - To The Moon.

Twin-brother country duo The Kentucky Gentlemen share "To The Moon," a soulful country ballad with background vocals from their friend Brittney Spencer. Accompanied by a music video with footage of all three vocalists recording in the studio, this is the final single released ahead of the pair's full-length debut album Rhinestone Revolution (out June 6 on River House Artists).

The Kentucky Gentlemen on their new song: "'To The Moon' reflects the bittersweet emotions you feel when nearing the end of your relationship. It's a farewell drenched in nostalgia, love, and reflection, but most importantly acceptance. Within those emotions you often get the desire to make that last night together feel like something extraordinary – one last time to relive the beautiful moments and show each other what could’ve been before the inevitable goodbye. This song carries both a sense of closure and the aching recognition that this love has reached its final chapter…and that’s okay.”

The Kentucky Gentlemen have been making their way in Nashville's country music scene as independent artists for the last decade while simultaneously embracing, defying, and expanding the constructs of genre. Recorded with producer David “Messy” Mescon (Megan Moroney, Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande, Reyna Roberts), Rhinestone Revolution encapsulates the infectious blend of authenticity, self-acceptance and joy that has led them to quickly become one of Nashville’s most exciting new acts. The album is already garnering early praise for its singles, including "Made for Movin' On," which Rolling Stone called "a catchy mid-tempo country-rocker that contains layers of depth," and "Country Hymn," which prompted MusicRow to declare "These guys always know how to bring the party." "To The Moon" follows their latest single, "Whiskey Does" a boot-scootin' drinkin' song that Wide Open Country called "fun, upbeat, and an overall banger."

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Photo - Jo Zasloff

Anand Wilder - Appointment in Samarra.

Yeasayer co-founder Anand Wilder releases new single “Appointment in Samarra” via Last Gang Records / MNRK Music Group, his first solo release since a 2023 ambient album and the follow up to his 2022 solo debut I Don’t Know My Words. Opening with the sounds of a harmonium and a flute, the track uses an inevitable confrontation with death as a metaphor for music industry dynamics – “hanging on for dear life” amidst the trials and tribulations of being an artist in today’s landscape. 

Anand Wilder on the new single: “This song started out as a harmonium and flute call and response jam with Walter Fancourt, and then I added Scotch tape and clinking glass sounds for the beat. Lyrics came from a series of text messages with my other producer, Jachary, who also laid down bass and Juno Synths. Kaleidoscopic delayed out baritone sax and ngoni by Walter on the double breakdown section. Title from ancient Mesopotamian tale recited by Boris Karloff as Byron Orlok in the Peter Bogdanovich film, Targets.”

On his 2022 solo debut I Don’t Know My Words, Wilder took the spiritual exercise of going solo seriously. Stripping his songcraft down to the studs, he recorded every note himself. The hard work paid off, earning praise from Stereogum, NPR Music, Consequence and many more. Since then, he released the 2023 ambient album Cannibalizing The Conductor and two tracks with Maia Friedman celebrating Last Gang Records 20th anniversary. He’s also kept busy touring throughout the US and performing DJ sets at the Crown Heights bar King Tai.

With “Samarra”, Wilder returns to the collaboration and the art rock experimentation he made his name with as a member of Yeasayer. He collaborated with Walter Fancourt, a guest saxophonist on Yeasayer’s Amen & Goodbye to help write and record, as well as lauded multi-instrumentalist Jachary to co-produce. The new track features a soundscape that’s reminiscent of the lush synthetic palettes of the 1980s. Similar to Yeasayer’s music, a mix of synths, strings and harmonies bring to mind the psychedelic worldbeat and electro-pop of the critically-acclaimed Brooklyn band.

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Photo - Andrea Zvadova

MF Tomlinson - I'm On The Border.

Today MF Tomlinson reveals new single 'I'm On The Border', the latest glimpse of new album 'Die To Wake Up From A Dream', out 11th July on PRAH Recordings. A reflection on Tomlinson’s real-life experience of facing potential deportation from the UK, 'I'm On The Border' transforms that anxiety into something poetic and transcendent. Built around piano, strings and synth bass, the arrangement unfolds with cinematic grace. We hear strings, waves recorded at Chesil Beach, electronic timpani and a Beach Boys-style drum track processed to sound like a battlefield; with the beauty and chaos evoking fragility and defiance at once.

What begins as a meditation on borders - political, emotional, existential - becomes something more: symbolic brushes with death, a mourning for those in far darker situations, a resolve of belief in human connection. “How could they tear us apart? / The answer is they can’t,” he sings, delivering the line with quiet conviction. The result is a song that’s both intimate and immensely powerful, drawing inspiration from artists like Yo La Tengo, Tindersticks, Nick Cave and Cat Power.

Speaking more on the song, Tomlinson shared: "I began writing this song in 2014 during one of the worst periods of my life, when I was fighting to earn the rights to continue to live in the UK. Lyrically, the song is purely about my personal experience, but as the recording progressed, I began to channel the incredible sadness I was feeling about the conflict that surrounds us into the arrangement.

The experiences I’m describing in this song shone a light on how hidden, often invisible, the injustice of how our borders are controlled really was to so many around me. My case is the best case example - the tip of the iceberg. I’m one of the lucky people who have been successful in gaining citizenship, for many it is impossible. I would love it if this could be a window into just how emotionally devastating these systems can be, to keep those who are in real peril closer in mind, to resist those who want to make our world smaller, and to remember just how lucky we are."

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The Douglas Ray Jaffe Project - Juliet Lloyd - Yogi G and The Family Tree

The Douglas Ray Jaffe Project - (EP).

The highly anticipated Douglas Ray Jaffe Project has officially released its debut EP, a striking fusion of literary artistry and evocative sound. This unique musical venture showcases three original tracks, each crafted from the poetic words of author, poet and modern-day philosopher Douglas Ray Jaffe. The EP captivates with its thought-provoking lyrics, powerful melodies and rich vocal performances, making it a standout at the intersection of contemporary music and poetry. The three tracks (“Gullibility,” “For Rachel” and “One More”) feature lyrics from the poetic musings of Jaffe, brought to musical life through the collaboration with various composers.

Produced by the talented and Emmy-nominated Brandwein (Center Sound Productions), the Douglas Ray Jaffe Project explores a diverse soundscape, seamlessly blending literary elegance with dynamic, genre-defying arrangements. With Brandwein’s masterful production at the helm, the EP delivers a transcendent experience, where Jaffe’s enigmatic words meet music in perfect harmony. Each of the three tracks features a distinct collaboration with a range of talented vocalists, ensuring that every song feels uniquely alive with its own voice. From delicate harmonies to passionate vocal performances, the EP elevates Jaffe's deeply introspective poetry to an entirely new dimension.

Douglas Ray Jaffe’s thought-provoking lyrics invite listeners into a world of reflection, introspection, and human connection. As a modern-day philosopher, Jaffe's words challenge the norms and inspire profound questions about life, love and the nature of existence. His poetry, set to Brandwein’s masterful production, resonates deeply, and offers an immersive and emotional journey through sound and verse. The Douglas Ray Jaffe Project EP represents a bold new direction in musical storytelling, one that invites listeners to both ponder and celebrate the poetry of our lives, all while embracing the transformative power of music.

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Juliet Lloyd - Wild Again.

Ahead of her first UK tour this summer, acclaimed US singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd has dropped a brand new single ‘Wild Again’. Written with and produced by Todd Wright (Lucy Woodward, Butch Walker, Toby Lightman), the track was born out of a NY Times podcast Juliet listened to about the real-life efforts to return the whale that played Willy in the iconic movie ‘Free Willy’ back into the wild.

“It’s an insane, heartbreaking story that asks all kinds of thorny questions about human responsibility and humility and what’s the “right” thing to do and is that the same as the “kind” thing to do. There was a line that one of the trainers said in the podcast, explaining that they were trying to “train him to be wild again.” The complete absurdity of that statement hit me in the moment, and I immediately started jotting down lyrical ideas”, Juliet says.

Shortly after releasing her sophomore album in 2007, US-based singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd walked away from music completely for more than 10 years, feeling burned out and unhappy with her career progression like so many other independent artists. After going through a divorce in 2019 and in the midst of a global pandemic, she found herself pulled back toward the siren call of songwriting and again making the leap to pursue it full time. Her latest album ‘Carnival’, released in 2024, is in many ways the culmination of those decisions, and the reintroduction of an artist who now has the wisdom of experience.

There’s an unmistakable urgency you can feel when a song is written and performed from a place of complete honesty. That feeling permeates ‘Carnival’. “I’ve always been envious of writers who say they write songs because they have to, because they had these things they just had to get out of themselves,” Juliet says. “I had never really felt that way until this album. I’ve become someone who writes because they have to.”

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Yogi G and The Family Tree - The Blind Man and The Monkey.

Yogi-G and The Family Tree are back with brand new single Blind Man and The Monkey ahead of the band’s eagerly awaited album Show Me The Truth out 23rd May. Led by Gaz Whelan—co-founder, Ivor Novello winning songwriter and drummer of the legendary Happy Mondays—this project blends his iconic Madchester groove with fresh, infectious energy, delivering music that’s both raw and transcendent, and also features the irrepressible vocals of Rowetta making the sounds of 1990 come alive again in glorious fashion.

Gaz’s influences mainly stem from John Lydon, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. A more cerebral character than bandmates Shaun, Bez and co. but still a major proponent of that larger-than-life Mancunian braggadocious swagger that have paved the way for a whole subculture of British indie pop bands like The Stone Roses, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, The Charlatans, Primal Scream, Badly Drawn Boy et al.

With a working title of ‘A Record Collection in One Album’, the newly titled and as yet unreleased album Show Me The Truth is a genre-free zone, a collision of moods and styles that dovetails Whelan’s ragged, dark lyrical musings with soulful vocals and African rhythms.

It’s the aural equivalent of lying in a warm bath in the middle of a snowstorm—where spaghetti western strings stretch from heaven, rubbing up against filthy electric guitars and punk gospel rhythm and rhyme. A hidden optimism weaves through its DNA, offering soul salvation for the cynical, a safe haven from an ever-insane world. As Gaz explains, “Yogi-G and The Family Tree are not hippies, we give a fuller human experience that is more devolved from the punk experience, where you never quite know if you’re going to get a hug or a headbutt. Life is filled with peace and love but equally excitement and pain.”

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LeVolume - Clint Wilson - Pam Ross - Chad Price Peace Coalition

LeVolume - LeVolume (Album).

LeVolume is a new project for its members Jenny Whiteley, Joey Wright and Julian Brown. "That Was Then, This Is Now" is a harmony-filled mid-tempo tune with the catchy chorus singing "turn up the radio!" It's a summer-themed ode to the lost moments of youth.

Jenny Whiteley is a Canadian folk and roots singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice and heartfelt storytelling. She began her career performing with the bluegrass band Heartbreak Hill before launching her solo career in 2001. Her debut album, Jenny Whiteley, and its follow-up, Hopetown, both won Juno Awards for Best Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. Whiteley has released several acclaimed albums, including Dear, Forgive or Forget, and The Original Jenny Whiteley. Her music blends folk, country, and bluegrass influences, earning praise for its authenticity and emotional depth. She has collaborated with artists like Sarah Harmer, Amy Millan, and Carolyn Mark.

The world first discovered Julian Brown for his work in Guh, a Toronto-based collective known for its genre-defying music. He has since been involved in multiple musical projects as a performer, composer and producer. He performed as a regular member of the art-rock hedonist band Apostle of Hustle. As a solo artist Julian is known for blending acoustic and folk influences with loop-based compositions. His music often carries a melancholic yet hopeful tone, shaped by lyrics that convey his personal experiences. Brown has released several singles and albums, including Whatever Comes Today (2018) and more recent tracks like Hold Me and A Single Lie. His work spans genres such as singer-songwriter, pop, and folk, showcasing his versatility as a musician.

Joey Wright is a Canadian musician known for his cinematic music that blends elements of bluegrass, jazz, blues, and world music, creating unique and immersive soundscapes. Joey has collaborated with several notable artists, including being a long-time of Sarah Harmer's band, and was a core founder of the historic Toronto bluegrass ensemble Crazy Strings. His last solo album Country, Music (2017) features contributions from musicians like Amy Millan, Evan Cranley, and Pat McGee.

LeVolume · Levolume

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Photo - Lauren Murphy photography

Clint Wilson - Melbourne In The Wintertime.

Melbourne singer-songwriter, Clint Wilson, unleashes the first single from his forthcoming new album. “Melbourne in the Wintertime” conjures nostalgic memories of the Victorian capital while telling a personal tale of sensing a relationship breaking down while trying not to let love fade into the loneliness.

Wrapped in Clint’s distinct suburban authenticity, he once again brings local context and real-world experiences to his music.

Produced by the renowned Kevin Bennett of The Flood who has perfectly captured the sentiment of the song - pairing it with an indie rock spin that is retro yet refreshingly modern. You can almost feel the bitter chill of Melbourne at this time of year while Clint stokes the emotive embers through his delivery. “Melbourne in the Wintertime” was co-written with Zach Jacobs and is a very welcome return of Clint Wilson.

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Pam Ross - Have a Good Time.

Independent country-Americana rocker Pam Ross returns with a radiant, feel-good anthem for the summer with her new single, “Have a Good Time.” Radiating with sun-drenched optimism and soulful swagger, “Have a Good Time” finds Ross at her most carefree and confident. With a breezy groove and lyrics that celebrate simplicity, gratitude, and living in the moment, the track is a musical reminder to pause, breathe deep, and soak up life’s blessings. In a world full of hustle and noise, Ross delivers a grounding message: “Just wanna have a good time… ‘cause I’m feeling fine.”

“The sun’s shining down on me today / That’s something that can’t be bought / Gonna put it all on cruise control / And appreciate what I’ve got,” she sings, in a voice rich with warmth and wisdom.

The song’s laid-back rhythm and genre-fusing sound echo Ross’ trademark blend of country, Americana, and rock, while its lyrics reflect her seasoned insight as a songwriter who’s lived and learned—and knows when to step back and simply enjoy the ride. With references to cosmic flow, sipping sunshine, and ditching life’s stressors, “Have a Good Time” is both a mantra and a soundtrack for soul-searching days and windows-down drives.

Pam Ross has been on a remarkable rise in the independent music world, earning accolades from the Josie Music Awards, Independent Music Network Awards, and the Who’s Hoo Awards. Her music, praised for its emotional grit and melodic authenticity, continues to resonate with a growing fanbase drawn to her honesty and genre-defying style. “Have a Good Time” is the latest in a string of standout releases from Ross, who has built a loyal following through her electrifying performances, compelling songwriting, and undeniable charm.

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Photo - Lindsey Lu McGuire

Chad Price Peace Coalition - Wake Me.

Chad Price Peace Coalition shares “Wake Me” from its debut, A Perfect Pearl (Double Helix Records | SofaBurn Records). An artist entering his staggering fourth decade writing and performing music that weaves in and out of seminal pop-punk, alt-country, metal, and a fascinating indie folk-prog hybrid, Chad Price has made the most of his time.

As a result of many miles and artistic transformations (ALL, Drag The River, A Vulture Wake) Price now welcomes the arrival of a new project: Chad Price Peace Coalition and the album A Perfect Pearl. Price unpacks the group’s origin story: “A year or so ago I did a show singing with an ALL cover band. I really liked the guys and we bonded over our love of prog-rock. The idea of expanding the sound started influencing my writing.”

Cory West (drums, lead guitar, and keys) and Anthony Medici (bass, lead guitar, and vocals) were the perfect partners in fleshing out Price’s latest ten songs. While A Perfect Pearl certainly delivers Price’s signature rough-hewn vulnerability, the limber trio format kicks up some sublime musical moments that feel distinctly inspired by prog giants like Jethro Tull and Yes.

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