Soot Sprite - Winter Gardens - LAWN CHAIR

Photo - Sofia Irini

Soot Sprite - Days After Days.

There is a beautifully distinct feel to Soot Sprite's music, that includes simmering power alongside a passionate determination to deliver both the message and the fabulous music, this trio are really impressive. 

Following the announcement of their debut album last month, rising Exeter trio Soot Sprite have shared their new single 'Days After Days' and announced that they will be touring the UK in May and June.

The single is the second to be taken from Wield Your Hope Like A Weapon, which is set for release on May 16th via Specialist Subject. Thematically, the record reflects on activism, mental health, and the cycles of personal and societal trauma.

Since the release of their debut single in 2018, Soot Sprite has grown from a one-woman lo-fi bedroom pop project to a fully-fledged touring alt-indie shoegaze outfit. Their debut album sees Elise Cook (lead vocals/guitar), Sean Mariner (bass/backing vocals), and Sam Cother (drums/backing vocals) fully embrace the dynamic highs and intimate lows that define their sound.

Sonically, Wield Your Hope Like A Weapon takes influence from many alt-indie greats, creating a sound that blends shimmering melodies with raw, visceral energy. “When I started Soot Sprite I was hooked on Clean by Soccer Mommy and Hovvdy’s Cranberry but with this record I was listening to a lot of Sweet Pill’s catalogue, Ovlov & Wednesday,” explains Cook. Written over a span of four years - some tracks taking shape just weeks before recording - the album was captured in September 2024 at The Bookhouse in London, with the help of former lead guitarist Abi Crisp and production by Tom Hill.

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Winter Gardens - Uncomfortable/Unlovable (EP).

Brighton-based quartet Winter Gardens release the anticipated new EP Uncomfortable/Unlovable ( today March 26th).

Engineered & mixed by Luke Marsden and mastered by Andy Miles at Star Delta,the EP showcases the bands instantly recognisable layering of synths, pianos, and electronics with the punching live drums and biting shoegaze influenced guitar riffs. Led by dual vocals from Ananda Howard and Jasmine Ardleys, the celestial harmonising takes listeners on a journey through an eclectic ray of dynamic, disparate sounds, resulting in a genre defying, stadium darkwave sound - A kaleidoscopic assembly of ethereal shoegaze atmospheres glued together with a pulsing post-punk attitude and a brooding gothic undercurrent.

Since the band’s inception, Winter Gardens have secured support slots for a number of high-profile names including Echo & The Bunnymen, Gary Numan, Modern English, Piroshka and Pale Blue Eyes. The band have also been regular festival favourites, most recently playing Rockaway Beach in January alongside the likes of OMD, Self Esteem and Peter Hook & The Light. Through the last few months, the band has had a number of European performances (Left Of The Dial, Supersonic) as well as playing live for John Kennedy’s The Remedy and Season and packing out countless shows in their home city.

With increasing support across Radio X, BBC Radio 1, Notion, Dork, Upset Magazine, Earmilk, Atwood Magazine, BBC Introducing, Louder Than War, Punktastic, Ones To Watch and For The Rabbits to name a few, Winter Gardens have garnered widespread acclaim as they continue to showcase their unique sonic approach.

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Photo - Frederike Wetzels

LAWN CHAIR - Fancy Car, Girlfriend and the Big House.

After a brief but intense period of studio seclusion, German indie sensation LAWN CHAIR is back with their latest single, ‘Fancy Car, Girlfriend and the Big House’. The single marks a bold return for the band, known for their energetic performances and sharp lyrical storytelling.

For three years, LAWN CHAIR has been a vital force in the German indie scene, captivating audiences with their dynamic sound. Their previous two EPs, crafted in collaboration with producers Olaf Opal (The Notwist) and Chris Coady (Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), solidified their reputation as one of the most exciting acts in Germany. With countless gigs across the country, a successful tour in the UK, and unforgettable performances alongside Sleaford Mods, as well as at festivals like Reeperbahn and Fusion, the band has proven their staying power.

In 2024, LAWN CHAIR took a step back from the spotlight to focus on their highly anticipated debut album. Countless hours in the studio were spent refining a sound that pushes the boundaries of the German indie landscape. Now, they re-emerge with ‘Fancy Car, Girlfriend and the Big House’ - a track that captures their signature energy while offering a biting critique of unshakable confidence and unchecked privilege.

Driven by infectious guitar riffs, pulsating synths, and a dancefloor-ready beat, the song serves as a sonic adrenaline rush. Claudia Schlutius’ vocals cut through with precision as she narrates the life of men even Jordan Belfort would admire - untouched by self-doubt, financial struggles, or social rejection. Yet, an unsettling voice lingers in the background, whispering reminders of the other 99% of humanity. With ‘Fancy Car, Girlfriend and the Big House’, LAWN CHAIR cements their place as a band unafraid to challenge societal narratives while delivering irresistibly catchy indie anthems. The single is now available on all major streaming platforms and stay tuned for more news on LAWN CHAIR’s upcoming debut album.

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MF Tomlinson - Hippie Flowers - Little Low - Franklin Gothic

MF Tomlinson - Die To Wake Up From A Dream.

MF Tomlinson shares the album's centrepiece and 9-minute title track, ‘Die To Wake Up From A Dream’. Sonically drawing from the work of John Martyn, Talk Talk and My Bloody Valentine, Tomlinson tells us of dreams of monsters in his childhood, before drifting into long days and nights of weary work. The new album 'Die To Wake Up From A Dream', is out 11th July on PRAH Recordings.

“It speaks to the sensation of drowning in the years. Scenes flash by so fast we soon know that we are in a dream, then a nightmare," he says.

As the song’s steady pulse builds to an unholy crescendo - digital effects warp and distort like the walls of the world crumbling. But – "When you die in a dream you are safe. When you die in a dream you dream another dream. This is the deus ex machina for us all to remember - that for most, when things seem darker than ever, happiness still exists beyond the tiny parameters that we have set for it. In realising your own power you set yourself free - not one day, but right now. This song is a treatise on resilience, hope and the frankly wildly psychedelic experience of being alive," Tomlinson says.

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Hippie Flowers - Happy Happy Joy Joy.

The Berlin-based producer collective, Hippie Flowers, has entered its first phase of transformation, a true changing of the guard, as originally envisioned. As a result, the music will take a fresh direction, deviating slightly from their previous singles. The new style is also reflected in the artwork, signaling a new beginning.

The collective’s first release under this new chapter is the single Happy Happy Joy Joy, a vibrant blend of progressive house, future house, big room, and EDM influences. The track’s lyrics reflect a positive, carefree outlook on life, embracing the moment and enjoying life as it comes. Let the music take you on a journey of joy and freedom.

In the musical melting pot of Berlin, a producers group of sonic adventurers known as Hippie Flowers are stirring up a delicious brew. Their eclectic mix swirls with the vibrant flavors of Euro House, Dance Pop, Tropical House, and Electro Pop. Over the years, they've been musical chameleons, releasing tunes under a myriad of monikers across a smorgasbord of labels. But in the flower power of Hippie Flowers, they've found a common ground where their preferred dance beats harmoniously blend. They're armed with a volley of singles, just waiting to be catapulted into the musical stratosphere. Who knows where their individual paths will lead or if they'll intersect again? It's as uncertain as a choose-your-own-adventure novel.

TCBYML · Hippie Flowers - Happy Happy Joy Joy

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Photo - Brittany Rose Queen

Little Low - Dark Beer Archives.

Boston, Massachusetts-based punk/indie outfit Little Low release Sunshine Guilt via Sell The Heart Records (U.S.), Thousand Island Records (Canada), and Waterslide Records (Japan) on May 9. The band has also shared the single, "Dark Beer Archives".

With their introspective lyrics, twinkly and melodic guitars, and heart-on-sleeve delivery, the band draw inevitable comparisons to emo pioneers like The Get Up Kids, Hey Mercedes, and Jimmy Eat World. Simply put, Little Low deliver a cathartic and hook-filled sound that is equally reverent of its forefathers while bringing to the mix some magic that is unmistakably their own.

Formed by Christine Atturio of Save Ends and Mike Assatly of Beartrap, the East Coast outfit ire completed by Tom Ciesluk and Brad Rheault, both of Save Ends and No Trigger. Their fiery debut LP, Sunshine Guilt, was recorded at Anchor End by Trevor Reilly of A Wilhelm Scream, and offers a vibrant discovery of love, loss, and the bittersweet moments that linger long after they’ve passed. Sunshine Guilt reminds listeners that sometimes it’s OK to feel a little low—but it’s a lot harder when signing along to these songs with the people you love.

“This song is about learning the hard way that when it comes to drinking there is a fine line between things being fun and things getting out of control,” says Atturio. “I’m always trying to find a balance in life, and it remains a constant struggle. But what I eventually realized was that at the end of the day, it’s always going to be on me. I can be my own best friend or my own worst enemy.”

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Franklin Gothic - Echoes (Album).

It's a real pleasure to feature Franklin Gothic's second album. Musically I just cant easily pin this beautiful collection down, one moment you are mellowing out, the next your energy levels are soaring. Either way the craftsmanship is superb and makes this a must hear album in full.

Franklin Gothic's second full-length album Echoes is the musical project of Portland-based songwriter Jay DiBartolo. Weaving melodic indie pop with atmospheric shoegaze and noisy dream rock, Echoes emerges as the perfect soundtrack to first kisses and tear-filled goodbyes. With the help of producer Erik Blood and drummer Alex Westcoat (Pickwick), DiBartolo crafted an album that centers on themes of repetition and self reflection, delving into the emotional cycles and internal struggles he often finds himself revisiting.
 
DiBartolo fell in love with music while watching skateboarding videos as a kid in New Jersey and never looked back. He was inspired to teach himself to play guitar and began writing his own songs, producing, and self-releasing bedroom recordings throughout high school and college. After graduating, he put a band together and toured the Northeast while working as a recording engineer for music festivals and televised performances.

Soon enough, DiBartolo made the journey to the Pacific Northwest, settling in Seattle, WA. He started a new band and released a record with Michael Benjamin Lerner of Telekinesis. Then the pandemic hit, that band dissolved, and Franklin Gothic was born. This was his first time teaming up with Erik Blood to release the debut LP Into the Light (2022), which received critical acclaim from KEXP, BBC, Bandcamp, and more.

On Echoes, DiBartolo embraces growing pains, reminding us that sometimes it's necessary to step into the discomfort. A touch melancholy yet so damn catchy, it’s the idealized mixtape that summons the emotions of long-forgotten moments that went on to shape our lives. Languid echoes of post-rock, skating on the edge of innocence, Echoes puts everything in its right place.

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Catherine Campbell - Phonseca - easyclear - Hook - The Curse of K.K. Hammond

Catherine Campbell - Outline (EP).

Catherine Campbell is an indie/folk singer-songwriter who was raised in Lexington, KY and is now based in Chattanooga, TN. Outline follows the 2019 EP Young One, 2022's Leave No Trace EP, and the singles "Orion" and "Too Late," both of which appear on Outline.

Outline features five Campbell originals and a cover of The Beach Boys' "In My Room." The EP was produced by Rebecca Rego and J. Tom Hnatow, engineered by J. Tom Hnatow at Small Blue, Lexington, KY, mixed by Duane Lundy at Lexington Recording Company, and mastered by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering in Madison, Wisconsin.

Catherine Campbell is a soft spoken singer/songwriter and indie rock practitioner with a writerly focus on pulling the listener into a romantic world a little apart from hard reality. Her songs are described as dreamy ditties, romantic reflections, twilight ballads. Beautifully orchestrated with her notable nightingale voice in the middle. Campbell was raised in Kentucky and currently resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee where she is working with other local musicians to grow a welcoming music scene.

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Phonseca - Everything Lasts Forever (Album).

Five years after their debut album ‘Between A Dream’, Bristol synthpop duo Phonseca return with ‘Everything Lasts Forever’, an album that sparkles and shimmers.

‘Between A Dream’ 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. ‘Everything Lasts Forever’ is a joyous, upbeat record which picks up where ‘Between A Dream’ left off and unashamedly embraces more of a synth pop feel than its acclaimed predecessor.

Phonseca brings together Bristol’s much respected keys/synth player Matthew O’Connor and radiant Swedish vocalist Kristina Sheppard. Matthew’s classical piano training has an influence on his work. In addition to Phonseca, he has composed Library Music where his work has been synched on primetime TV like BBC1’s - The One Show, Channel 5 programs and National TV in most of Europe. 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 ‘Everything Lasts Forever’, which is now ready for release via Old Bad Habits Label.

‘Everything Lasts Forever’ happily takes its inspiration from the likes of New Order, The Beloved, Chromatics, The xx, Robyn, Pet Shop Boys and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The range of Kristina’s voice perfectly captures the variety of feelings that the lyrics portray. Putting herself at the centre of songs which cover Love, Grief, Clubbing and Internationalism. Also included is their take, on timeless pop classic Downtown. Alongisde the album release, Phonseca also release new single ‘English Night’ today with an accompanying video. ‘English Night’ is a joyous upbeat electro-pop track that is laced with positive synth moods and soaring uplifting vocals.


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Photo - Artemis Szekir-Rigas

easyclear - Teammate.

easyclear just announced the debut EP Green (April 25th) and shares the radiant new single Teammate. The solo project of London-based artist Luke Deacon, easyclear has begun to make a name for his spirited and elegant sound. Having spent years performing in bands, including Young Khan (a precursor to Sea Girls) and the harmony-rich classic pop outfit Kid Jupiter, Luke Deacon has developed a distinct musical voice.  

easyclear presents a unique blend of organic folk elements, sprawling electronics and indie tendencies, resulting in a sound that defies genre. Comparable to the likes of Westerman and Djo, the new single ‘Teammate’ continues to showcase his unique sonic approach.

Built around tight shuffling drums, warming bass, a fingerpicked guitar and dappled swells of modulated synth, the track summons a palpable world - a platform for Deacon’s emotive vocals to lead the way. Cleverly meeting acoustic storytelling with electronic elements, easyclear’s approach touches on the friction between organic and mechanical worlds.

Speaking about the track, Deacon explains: “Teammate is a song about companionship in its many forms. Through sporting references it espouses the values of trust, commitment and mutual support.

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Hook - The Next Show (EP).

We are really pleased to feature Hook, for us a breath of fresh air, whose music is exceptionally catchy, unpretentious and yet really does resonate with some pretty hefty comparisons.

Hook is Eoin O’Donnell on vocals, guitars, Niamh Carmody vocals, bass and Morgan O’Brien on drums. Described as new wave indie rock, lovely comparisons have been made with Pixies, The Smiths, Big Thief and the Velvet Underground.

They play direct, honest music about the small moments, the brutality of love and finding the beautiful in the simple. Their new EP “The Next Show” was just released (21 March 2025) and features three new songs “No Surprises”, “Circles” and “Slip Away”. “No Surprises” A contradictory personality, the ability to compartmentalise, trying to find who you are in the constant push and pull of modern life

“Circles” A song about loss and moving on, a relationship is gone and now you have the pay the price with heartbreak. “Slip Away” A relationship is gone and the singer has lost all hope. The person they have lost was the world and now they know that they can never regain the happiness they had previously.

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The Curse of K.K. Hammond - Walk With Me Through the Fire ft. Ian Davidson, Kaspar 'Berry' Rapkin.

Celebrated for her unique spin on Delta Blues and evocative Southern Gothic storytelling, UK-based slide guitarist and singer-songwriter The Curse of K.K. Hammond is back to captivate audiences with her much-anticipated single, “Walk With Me Through the Fire.” The track debuted globally on March 21, 2025, available on all digital platforms, and is complemented by a visually striking music video that channels the bold, cinematic spirit of Spaghetti Westerns.

“Walk With Me Through the Fire” is a foot-stomping, slow-burning ballad imbued with deep mood and intensity. The single showcases collaborations with renowned musicians including Ian Davidson on cello and Kaspar ‘Berry’ Rapkin on slide guitar. Together, they fuse traditional Delta blues with elements of country, folk, and gothic Americana to create a modern, blues-rock masterpiece. The arrangement is further enriched by Lewis Taylor, who brings a mariachi-style trumpet flair that nods to the legendary soundtracks of Ennio Morricone and the classic vibe of the Western genre.

The official music video—led by Hammond in collaboration with Rapkin and Davidson—is a dark Western dream. It perfectly marries Hammond’s haunting aesthetic with the raw allure of gun-slinging cinematic narratives, featuring gothic visuals set against a backdrop of deserted ghost towns, and weaving a compelling story of fire, destiny, and redemption.

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Mountaintop Junkshop - Mercury’s Antennae - Lala Salama

Mountaintop Junkshop - Misadventureland (Album).

Leicester UK-based alternative folk unit Mountaintop Junkshop are thrilled to share their first full length album, Misadventureland. The record showcases the band’s signature blend of Americana, country, and indie folk, delivering heartfelt narratives that explore themes of resilience, longing, and human connection.

Hailing from Leicester UK, Mountaintop Junkshop could easily be mistaken for alt/country misfits from some lost California scene. The band make country-tinged minimal torch songs leaving space to hear pins drop and hearts breaking. Since forming they have shared stages with Jolie Holland, Herman Dune, Ronnie Lane’s Slim Chance, Nina Nastasia and many more. File in your record collection somewhere between Low, Mazzy Star, Songs Ohia and next to an old, yellowing, red-wine-stained copy of Frank Stanford poems.

Mountaintop Junkshop consists of Jon Bennett (Vocals/Guitar), Amy Cooper (Vocals/Keys), Dave Fellows (Bass), Natasha Pattinson (Violin), Katie Shields (Drums). Misadventureland, the first full length album from Mountaintop Junkshop, is now available now across music platforms courtesy of Electric Blanket Records.

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Mercury’s Antennae - Among the Black Trees (Album).

Seven years after the release of their celestial The Moon Viewing Garden EP (Sett Records, 2018), Mercury’s Antennae have re-emerged with their latest offering of sonic lullabies, Among the Black Trees. Nine existential tales inhabit a ghostly realm of reflection, rebirth and reconciliation, overlaying dense bass, swirling ghostly guitars, and atmospheric electronics, all melding with lustrous and soaring vocal melodies.

Currently based between Geneva, Switzerland and Portland, Oregon in the US, the trio comprises Dru Allen (This Ascension), Cindy Coulter (This Ascension, Faith and the Muse), and Erick r. Scheid (The Palace of Tears). Their sound incorporates influences from shoegaze pop, ethereal darkwave, and unadorned acoustic beauty, often compared to ‘90s-era Projekt artists, while also drawing inspiration from modern ambient electronica.

Through the iconic Projekt label, Mercury’s Antennae released their debut album, A Waking Ghost Inside (2014); followed by The Guides EP (2015); and sophomore album, Beneath the Serene (2016). Their debut for Sett Records was 2018’s The Moon Viewing Garden EP, followed by appearances at prestigious festivals Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig, Germany; and Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival in Whitby, England. It was also during this period (c.2018) that songs for Among the Black Trees were conceived, prior to a hiatus as members went on to explore other projects. Reflecting on the themes explored by the new album, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Erick r. Scheid says:

“Among the Black Trees is almost concept album in a way. Themes of love, death, rebirth, reconciliation and the imagined landscape of the unseen world are all intentionally, sonically and emotionally fed into the music. And Dru’s lyrical contribution truly adds a vastness of beauty and life to the music. Her lyrics on this album are my favorite; literally every song. Cindy was very receptive and active in writing this music alongside of me. While I had the demos, her ideas and creative insights held the music to be very truthful and not to be too overindulgent. Her openness to explore a deeper bass sound with tunings makes this album truly different from all our previous work. Both Dru and Cindy have had a huge impact on this work, and it’s the first album where we all three equally wrote the music together.”

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Lala Salama - Miltähän me näytettäis yhdessä (Album).

Rising Helsinki-based indie band Lala Salama is set to release their highly anticipated debut album, Miltähän me näytettäis yhdessä, on March 21, 2025. The album will be available digitally as well as in limited-edition colored vinyl pressings (150 copies each of yellow & violet editions). Blending Nordic melancholy, dreamy shoegaze textures, post-punk energy, and raw storytelling, the album serves as a soundtrack for those navigating the space between youth and adulthood, longing for something just out of reach.

"The songs move from the euphoria of falling in love to the fear of commitment, from the highs of a party to the anxiety of the morning after. This album is for those searching for themselves, dreaming of summer love, and learning to let go." – Rosa Jules

Beyond their music, Lala Salama's members are engaging, dynamic, and compelling interview subjects. Rosa Jules – A fiercely independent frontwoman, singer, guitarist, violinist, and proudly Lahti-born engineer. A charismatic force on and off stage, she blends feminist energy with Jack White-like artistry. Rosa also plays in Swedish-Finnish superstar Markus Krunegård’s band, further cementing her role in the Nordic indie scene.

Aliisa Keränen – A powerhouse drummer, known for her work in Bad Sauna and Kaksipäinen Koira. Not just a force behind the kit, she’s also a national team athlete in Finland’s Roller Derby squad, bringing the same relentless energy to music as she does to the sport. Santeri Hytönen – A bassist and one of the most genuine and respected figures in the indie scene, also known from Bad Sauna. He’s a mix of Lemmy and your friendly next-door neighbor, fiercely standing up for the underdog and always ready to support those who need it.

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