ena mori - Pete Muller - Tamar Berk

Photo - Ennuh Tiu

ena mori - Portion Control.

Genre-defying Filipino-Japanese indie/art-pop artist ena mori has just released a new EP 'rOe.' To mark the EP release, ena today releases the video for focus single 'Portion Control'.

Characterised by a relentless pursuit of innovation, new EP 'rOe' is an six-track project that finds ena mori revisiting her childhood, and how it shaped her moral and emotional compass as an adult. Featuring previously released singles 'Trust Me', 'Heartache Generation' and 'Sink' - the EP is a reinterpretation of the memories of her early years with the perspective she carries right now.

“rOe isn’t about making grand statements. It’s more about being present in the process—figuring things out in real time. It's that feeling of being in your 20s, still feeling like a child when you're expected to have it all together. I may not have the perfect words to describe it yet, but somehow, in this moment, it makes sense to me," ena mori said.

A coming-of-age project but not in a traditional sense, 'rOe' navigates the emotional whiplash of entering your twenties with one foot still planted in childhood. To sum it up, it’s about the paradox of forward motion while feeling stuck.

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Photo - Shervin Lainez

Pete Muller - Dream Small.

Pianist and singer-songwriter Pete Muller has shared his new single “Dream Small” via Two Truths Music. An ode to finding happiness through a shift in perspective, this uplifting song arrives with a colorful stop-motion music video directed by Stefano Bertelli (Pink Floyd, Eminem, Amy Lee).

Muller on the new song: “So many people who have a lot continue to want more and more. ‘Dream Small’ is about a celebrity who finds that her path to happiness lies within — in the smaller things. The stop animation video was created by a wonderful studio in Italy called Seen Film.”

Bertelli on directing the visual: “When I first listened to ‘Dream Small,’ I focused especially on the lyrics, and one line really stood out to me — the one about the star on the Walk of Fame. I imagined a visual analogy between the star and the shape of a broken car wheel rim coming loose and rolling away. This contrast — between a symbol of success and something ordinary, even broken — immediately inspired the opening scene of the video: a wheel rim detaching from a car and beginning its own journey.”

“Dream Small” follows Muller’s critically acclaimed album More Time, released last year. After achieving success in quantitative finance, Muller found himself yearning to fulfill his creative urges. “I have these two sides,” Muller explains. “One part of me is a very practical, analytical thinker, and the other’s this creative artist who can’t help but express what’s going on in his soul. For a long time, I thought I had to choose between the two, but I’ve realized that I can love and nourish both sides of myself, that it’s and not or.”

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Tamar Berk - stay close by.

Acclaimed indie power-pop artist Tamar Berk shares “stay close by,” the shimmering and emotionally charged lead single from her upcoming album ocd, out on September 5th on all music platforms. Although it opens the album, “stay close by” was actually the final song Tamar wrote. It was an impulsive, late-night effort to create the perfect introduction that would pull listeners in while hinting at the emotional spirals that lie ahead.

The result is a lush, unexpected mix of distortion, loopy rhythms, and aching vocals that reflect the tension of longing for connection while trying to protect your heart. Berk blends gauzy guitars with a retro, low-end Big Muff fuzz and layered synth textures, creating a sound that feels both melancholy and warm. Lyrically, the song captures that in-between space of dreaming and doing. It lingers in those tender, half-serious plans we make with someone close, like the refrain: “we always say we should get high… and go for a ride.”

“I wanted the first track and single to feel a little mysterious, a little off-center,” Tamar says. “Something that sounds familiar but also surprises you and makes you curious about what’s coming next.”

With ocd, Tamar explores themes of anxiety, repetition, and the constant struggle to stay in control of our emotions. It's an album shaped by spirals of thought, fear, and memory. “stay close by” acts as both an invitation and a mission statement, setting the tone for everything that follows.

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Kitchen Lover - Haerts - Lavendine - Plain Mister Smith

Photo - Haydn Gwyn

Kitchen Lover - There Goes My Brains.

Brighton-based punk risers Kitchen Lover release the new single 'There Goes My Brains', ahead of the anticipated upcoming debut album, The Circus Sideshow Dream (due out September 19th).

Produced by Erik Miles (known for his work with SOFT PLAY, Baby Dave, Kate Nash), ‘There Goes My Brains’ highlights the band’s quirky, playful yet intense and driving punk aesthetic. The tracks grungy, fuzzy, garage rock guitar tones comparable to Queens Of The Stone Age, contrasts against a more loose and urgent delivery that harks back to classic 70s punk, resulting in a short and punchy, sub 2 minute fizzer. 

Speaking about the single, the band explain: “Cut from the same cloth as the man with the darkest heart, this boy can’t comprehend why his part time-lover won’t comply with his late night booty calls. The type we’ve all been victim of and probably perpetrator of too. The desperate little boy, completely unaware of his feelings, can only scream in despair and anger as his mind overloads with insecurity.” 

With support across the likes of Punk News, Earmilk, Notion, The Punk Site, Psychedelic Baby Magazine and New Noise as well as landing Amazing Radio’s A-list and heavy radio rotation across Europe and the US, the band have quickly established themselves as one to watch as they build towards the release of the album. The upcoming album ‘The Circus Sideshow Dream’ is due September 19th with Erik Miles not only producing the album but also contributing bass, organ, keys, and guitar throughout the record.  

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Haerts - The Lie.

This week, indie duo Haerts release “The Lie,” the second single from their upcoming album Laguna Road, alongside an evocative new video directed by longtime collaborator Julian Klincewicz (Beyoncé, Virgil Abloh, Tame Impala, etc.).

“The Lie” is an ode to bandmates and life partners Nini Fabi and Benny Gebert’s youth — a memory of young love — its freedom, its weight, and its strange wisdom. “It’s about the dreams and the pain that brought us together,” says Fabi, “the same forces that at times tore us apart.” Klincewicz’s video strips the visual down to raw emotion.

Julian Klincewicz adds about his creative partnership with Haerts: "Working with Haerts has been my longest running music collaboration, and one that always reinvents itself naturally - whenever I hear a new song, whatever direction it pulls, I always feel something deeply personal that inspires something visual, and there's always a two way understanding between Nini & benny. Sometimes it's a simple as a portrait - slowed down to feel every nuance of emotion. Sometimes it's like pulling a thread. With this video - the song strikes some deep personal chord, and there's a nakedness - uncovering one's emotions, just like taking off make up in the mirror."

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Lavendine - Who Cares If I’m Alone.

Pop-rock duo Lavendine made up of sisters Jacy and Jana Ayers released their most commanding single yet yesterday, “Who Cares If I’m Alone,” is accompanied by a visually stunning lyric video. This isn’t just a song, it’s a reckoning. Born from betrayal and forged on grit, the track is a defiant stand against dependence, silence, and settling for less.

Crafted with Grammy-nominated Mark Needham (Fleetwood Mac, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Stevie Nicks) behind the production and mixing, and vocal production by Ed Seay (Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Blake Shelton), Lavendine rips the curtain back on isolation—and turns it into a war cry. Because sometimes, the strongest, bravest move you can make…is walking away.

“We’re beyond grateful that Mark Needham got his hands on this song,” Lavendine shares. “It had been sitting in our archives for a while, but we knew it was something special—and Mark brought it to life in a way only he could. He tracked, produced, and mixed the song himself, giving it the gritty, unapologetic rock edge it always needed. This track is one of our personal favorites because it captures the essence of our journey—the pursuit of our calling, even if it means walking the road alone. It also showcases the rock-infused sound we’re passionate about and plan to dive even deeper into moving forward.”

Lavendine continues “When we were writing this song, we were in a lonely place after so many hurdles and disappointments. But somehow, it birthed a knowing—that we weren’t going to stop, even if it was just her and I standing at the finish line of our calling and destiny. We realized we didn’t need a crowd. We just needed peace. Even if that meant being alone.”

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Plain Mister Smith - Miss Sunshine.

After a stretch of creative “bunkerdom,” Vancouver-based musical wanderer Plain Mister Smith emerges with “Miss Sunshine”, the first in a series of new singles leading to a full-length album set for a 2026 release.

Out now across music platforms, “Miss Sunshine” channels the quirky charm of Tame Impala and Pulp while nodding to the emotional precision of The Smiths and Howard Devoto. The track captures a bittersweet sentiment familiar to many: the heartbreak of watching the kindest, sunniest soul you know get taken advantage of and wishing you could help them see their worth.

Shimmering with a buoyant blend of psych-pop textures and breezy acoustic charm, “Miss Sunshine” by Plain Mister Smith beams with radiant optimism. With John Raham (Destroyer, Frazey Ford) on drums, Plain Mister Smith handling all other instrumentation, and a mix by Chris Perry, “Miss Sunshine” is a lush, kinetic ride through swirling strings, jangly guitars, and melodic twists. 

Built on a lilting guitar riff and dreamy melodic layers, the track evokes the golden glow of a late summer afternoon, spinning tales of hope and renewal with effortless warmth. Plain Mister Smith’s gentle vocals float through a rich sonic landscape, where vintage flair meets modern sensibility, offering listeners a sweet dose of lightness after a period of creative intensity. As the first of a string of new singles, “Miss Sunshine” signals a vibrant reawakening for the artist and invites the world to step into the sun alongside him.

Plain Mister Smith · Miss Sunshine

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Kissing Other ppl - BABAL - Margaux Regan - Interstella Boy

Kissing Other ppl - Kissing Other People.

kissing Other ppl, is the team-up of rising indie-folk artists Rachel Baiman and Viv & Riley. Together, they made a gorgeous, indie-folk album of interpretations of a variety of choice covers. The band is kicking off a two-leg tour, the first in August and the second in October, and it includes a set at western MA’s Arcadia Folk Fest. The artists combined have a monthly listenership of some 160,000 on Spotify alone. 

As the three began working out an arrangement for Lennon Stella’s “Kissing Other People”, sitting cross legged on the floor in Griffith’s living room, Griffith stealthily placed microphones, as well as a vintage camcorder in the room. What emerged was a completely live take of the song, organic and full of magic. The recording set the tone for what followed, an 8 track album of covers ranging from cult favorites like Magnolia Electric Company, Dr. Dog and Joan Armatrading, to modern but lesser-known writers like Waylon Payne.

With Griffith’s influence, the project explored more analog, indie and grunge sounds than any of the individual artist’s previous work. The recording captures the beautifully uncaged feeling of the collaboration, as Leva switches to playing drums for “Hold on Magnolia”, and Baiman plays a wildly dissonant guitar solo on “Woncha Come On Home”. Every idea was attempted, and every song was captured in real time.

Kissing Other PPL is a project about openness to exploration, collaboration, and creativity above technicality. It finds a trio of accomplished musicians that seeks to unlearn boundaries of perfection and find the best sound for the given song in the given moment.

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BABAL - Running In The Gutter (Album).

'Running in the Gutter’ is BABAL’S 13th album, but the first to be released by Fruits de Mer Records. The band will be unveiling the LP at this weekend's 'Son Of Sardonicus' festival in Cardigan this weekend.
 
“Could it be argued that Crass are joining force with Cardiacs to deliver a Beefheart take on Byrne? Possibly, but instead of attempting to work out the influences and wonder how to describe them, instead say this is classic BABAL with the band putting their troubles behind them and being at full strength. 

Long may they continue as for prog to survive it needs to be as uncompromising and challenging as this.” - Kev Rowland: Prog Archives.

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Margaux Regan - Radio Silence.

Following her successful debut, rising singer-songwriter Margaux Regan drops new single "Radio Silence" today August 8th. 

A reflection on unrequited love and longing, the power-building ballad is emotional in its progression and resonant in its vulnerable themes. From piano clad verses and poetic lyrics to a powerful chorus and standout bridge, the track achieves a range of moods and moves seamlessly through different tempos. Margaux’s voice impresses with sweet layered harmonies and strong belts that serve to enhance the track’s raw emotionality. Careful production and a mix of ad-libs and sound effects make the track a dynamic pop anthem.  

With “Radio Silence”, Margaux explores feelings of both jealousy and uncertainty. The track’s intense bridge declares, “I have a million questions that now you won’t answer / Like are you with her / You left me pacing in my own mind / Oh I bet you have someone you call.” 

Inspired by Gracie Abrams’s momentous hit “I love you, I’m sorry”, Margaux set out to create something relatable in subject matter yet unique to her own personal experience. “I wanted a strong bridge and a change of beat or tempo change… I wrote (Radio Silence) after having been ghosted by what I had believed to be a situationship, while still not having gained any clarity and still being confused where our connection stood,” says Margaux of the track’s inception. She continues on today’s dating culture, “I think this happens too often in our generation and I didn’t know any song talking about it that I could aggressively cry to.”

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Interstella Boy - Life In A Seaside Town.

It was during the lockdown that Richard Williams, sometimes ‘Will’ or ‘Dil’ began writing poetry and prose. He had a 38 year career in Mental Health as a CPN but had been diagnosed with a severe life limiting lung disease. It was suggested that singing may have a good therapeutic effect on the illness, so the poems became songs.

It was a chance meeting with Adrian, Paul Edwards’ father, where it was suggested that Paul may help Richard with his songs. His first album called Interstella under the name of Dil Williams was well received and clocked up substantial global airplay. It was a meeting with local music commentator ‘Stag’ Marks where it was suggested he change his name to Interstella Boy.

Under that name a second album ‘Terminal Earth’ was recorded, featuring the hit single ‘Warm Love’. ‘Anvil Sand’ is Interstella Boy’s third album with ‘Waiting for the Ding’ the first single release. A lovely textured layered vocals. However, it is ‘Life in a Seaside Town’ the focus track that stands out,  as we reminisce about time's gone, with 70s/80s welsh holidays by the seaside, compared with the current state of our beloved 'Porthcawl' - A music video created by TIWN's Kaysha Louvain features her very own family cine camera footage of her grandparents, uncles and mother that has encapsulated the essence of the song.

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Clover County - ARK IDENTITY - Jon Nolan & Good Co.

Photo - Luke Rogers

Clover County - Good Game.

This week, emerging Georgia singer/songwriter Clover County releases the new single “Good Game” from her upcoming debut LP Finer Things, out September 26 via her own label Undercover Lover Records in partnership with Thirty Tigers. Co-written by Will Taylor of Hovvdy (who also provides background vocals), the song finds Clover taking the high road — wishing her ex well with a dash of ‘bless your heart’ irony instead of putting him on blast.

“‘Good Game’ was inspired by a D-3 college athlete with a god complex — someone my friends and family couldn’t stand, and honestly, neither could I by the end,” shares Clover. “I was deep in his insecure manipulations for way too long, and breaking free felt like winning a championship. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of a breakup song, especially since, right after we split, everything started falling into place for me…while he moved back into his parents’ basement. So I leaned into a ‘bless your heart’ kind of energy – wishing him well, because Lord knows he’ll need it.” 

Produced by Carrie K (Noah Kahan, Maggie Antone, Koe Wetzel), the album is a coming-of-age soundtrack that explores romantic, familial and platonic love with a winking charm and an observing eye. Already, Clover has shared the album’s first single “Virginia Slim,” which arrived last month alongside the album announcement. Equally inspired by the classic country of Dolly Parton and the ‘90s rock of Sheryl Crow as she is by her contemporaries like Waxahatchee and Hovvdy, the album blends the twang of timeless country songwriting with tongue-in-cheek observations on modern love. 

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Photo - Maggie Kane

ARK IDENTITY - Can't Stop Loving You.

Toronto indie pop singer-songwriter and producer ARK IDENTITY returns with "Can't Stop Loving You," a confessional, melancholic new single that captures the ache of a love that lingers long after it's ended. The track is the latest offering from the artist's upcoming EP Deluxe Nightmare, out October 24th.

Drifting between dreamy textures and vulnerable lyricism, "Can't Stop Loving You" leans into the still-burning embers of a past connection. For Noah Mroueh, the artist behind ARK IDENTITY, this song cuts deep. "This song captures the bittersweet ache of a love that just won't fade," Noah shares. "It's a raw, honest look at the lingering feelings after a breakup, the kind where you're trying to move on but your heart keeps pulling you back."

As with much of ARK IDENTITY's work, the soundscape is immersive and hazy—pulling from dream pop's ethereal textures and indie pop's emotional immediacy. Lush synths wrap around sparse percussion and Noah's soft, aching vocals, evoking the solitude of late-night drives or quiet moments of reflection.

"This song is incredibly personal for me. It's about that universal feeling of trying to move on from someone you deeply cared about, but realizing a part of you just can't let go," Noah explains. "That 'crack in the pavement' moment, where something small triggers a flood of memories – I think everyone can relate to that."

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Photo - Roland Nicol

Jon Nolan & Good Co. - Sea Glass.

Today, Jon Nolan & Good Co. released “Sea Glass,” the latest single from Slow Cooker, Nolan’s forthcoming album with Good Co., his band of hometown friends, out September 19 via Strolling Bones Records. On the album, the New Hampshire native underscores his relatable storytelling with eloquent folk-inspired songcraft accented by flourishes of country and rock brought to life during cozy and relaxed jam sessions which took place in his hometown of Newmarket. Released alongside a gorgeous, heartfelt music video, “Sea Glass” beautifully captures this spirit using imagery of ocean-worn glass and driftwood to reflect on how love, grief, and time shape who we become.

The music video stars two of Portland, Maine’s most respected and prolific musical figures—Jon Roods (Rustic Overtones, Paranoid Social Club) and Anna Lombard (Gypsy Tailwind, Love by Numbers)—and was co-directed by Nolan and Jay Boyington. Boyington’s rich, cinematic style brings the beauty of Maine as a spectacular backdrop that’s as layered as the song itself. The story of the video follows a fictional romance between a lobsterman (Roods) and his mysterious new neighbor (Lombard). What begins as a lighthearted and visually lush montage of new love evolves into a more emotional journey—mirroring the song’s metaphor of sea glass: once whole, then broken, reshaped by time and turmoil, and ultimately rediscovered with even more beauty.

“Sea glass is a lovely metaphor for life and relationships,” says Nolan. “Not everything that is beautiful is built in comfort. Trust is so often built in repair. Things get broken and tossed around by the world, and still come back more interesting, more textured, more valuable—that felt deeply human. Jon and Anna brought that to life with incredible heart. They are fierce and fearless creatives. I’m so happy they were willing to join me in this endeavor.”

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