Tuesday, 4 November 2025

Amber Hotel - Pacifica - Nathan Bryce and Loaded Dice - Cherry i

Amber Hotel - Midnight’s Echo.

Enter Amber Hotel. Still flickering, still rising, from the darker corners of modern-day Chicago. If Digital Ghost haunted the wires of broken connection, and Shadowed Face forced you to stare into the mirror you’d rather avoid, then Midnight’s Echo is the sound of being swallowed whole by the dark itself. A song of corridors without exits, whispers without faces, and time slipping through your hands like shattered glass.

This is not comfort. It’s hypnosis. The guitars circle like restless shadows, the bass drags like chains across midnight floors, and the voice drifts between confession and surrender — pulling you deeper with every line. “Every breath feels like a crime / We’re just ghosts against the time.”

Post-punk and darkwave DNA runs through its veins — echoes of Lebanon Hanover, The Cure, She Wants Revenge, Boy Harsher — but warped into Amber Hotel’s own fever dream. Brooding, cinematic, electric, and alive. Midnight’s Echo is chapter four of Amber Hotel’s descent. Another door unlocked. Another step further into the unlit world that waits behind it.

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Pacifica - In Your Face (Album).

Formed in Buenos Aires by Inés Adam and Martina Nintzel, Pacifica have been on a fast, furious rise since transforming their bedroom YouTube covers into a fully-fledged global phenomenon. Blending the gritty immediacy of early-2000s garage rock with the swagger of post-punk and the emotional punch of ‘90s alt, the duo have built a devoted following and a reputation for blistering live shows that channel friendship, chaos, and catharsis in equal measure.

Now, Pacifica return with their highly anticipated sophomore album In Your Face, out now via TAG / The Orchard. The record marks a new era for the Buenos Aires-born duo — one that captures their trademark mix of vulnerability and rebellion with more bite, confidence, and self-awareness than ever before.

“In Your Face is an introspective journey that brushes through themes of heartbreak, betrayal, lust, spite, immaturity, and regret — all with a pinch of humor and light-heartedness,” the band explains. “It’s about cause and consequence. Accepting fate and flaws, realizing some things really are the other person’s fault, falling in love and wanting to jump off a building for someone, learning to be patient, and just living through it — Tokyo streets, Maseratis, vibes.”

The album’s focus track, “Indie Boyz,” is a riff-heavy, tongue-in-cheek ode to late-night indie sleaze — all sweat, irony, and hazy dancefloor nostalgia. The band note that it’s “not to be taken too seriously — just a description of a week of going out almost every night. No poetry, just vibes.” "Indie Boyz" is also a nod to a trendy club in LA called Tenants of the Trees. Other highlights include “Fixer Upper”, a biting reflection on toxic relationships and performative self-destruction, “Just No Fun,” an irresistible, chaotic anthem about knowing you’re self-sabotaging — and doing it anyway, and “What You Doing,” a sharp, emotional spiral set to driving guitars and sardonic wit.

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Nathan Bryce and Loaded Dice - Sailboat in the Sky.

Nathan Bryce and Loaded Dice have unveiled “Sailboat in the Sky,” the bands hugely anticipated new single. This marks the debut collaboration between Nathan Bryce and songwriter Candace Crockett, blending heartfelt storytelling with Bryce’s soulful edge, creating a sound that’s both timeless and new.

With “Sailboat in the Sky,” Nathan Bryce delivers a laid-back, feel-good blend of Southern soul and his signature honey-bourbon blues-rock, with a modern edge. The vintage soul, swampy grit, punchy drops and sunset-coastal vibe feels both nostalgic and cinematic. It has a hook-laden, sing-along chorus that lingers long after the last note yet it’s more than a song, it’s a breath of freedom, a moment to rise above the noise, and remember what it feels like to be fully alive again.

Nathan Bryce and Loaded Dice are known for their energetic blend of classic rock, blues, and southern rock influences, bringing a fresh perspective to the guitar-driven rock tradition. With a line-up featuring Nathan Bryce (guitar and vocals), Dylan Halacy (drums), and Jerry Paswaters (bass and vocals), this Missouri-based trio continues to make waves in the music world. NBLD has been touring the U.S. and internationally for the past 3 years as backing band and supporting act for Australian guitar prodigy Taj Farrant. They are now embarking on their own Tours, bringing their unique blend of Rock N’ Roll, nostalgia and high energy performances to audiences nationwide and beyond.

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Photo - Ramzi Karam
Cherry i - Mistake.

London art-rock group Cherry i return with their new single ‘Mistake’, a magnetic follow-up to previous single ‘The Arsonist’, continuing their collaboration with producer Ali Chant (PJ Harvey, Youth Lagoon, Soccer Mommy). Built around an uneasy dialogue between artist and art, ‘Mistake’ captures what vocalist and lyricist Nikol describes as “a relationship with defeat”, embodying the tension of not being able to control what you create.

The track moves from hushed reflection (“I know who I am / I know what I lack”) into something unrestrained, as guitars scrape and shiver over taut percussion. Lyrically, ‘Mistake’ is full of surreal, visceral imagery (“The sun rays are filled with disease / My hopes are lost in you”), with Nikol reflecting on the frustration and compulsion that underpin creative pursuit - her performance leading the song from quiet restraint into full cathartic release.

On the lyrical inspiration behind 'Mistake' - Nikol said: “The idea behind the song is essentially a one way conversation between a person and something inanimate, in this case it is the fraught relationship one can have with music and choosing that as a career path. Wanting to have a sit down conversation with something so opaque and undefinable as art is what inspired the lyrics."


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Monday, 3 November 2025

Nervous Twitch - Arcane Moon - Icicle

Nervous Twitch - The Day Job Gets in the Way (Album).

Nervous Twitch have been featured a few times in the past on Beehive Candy and we are really pleased to share their brand new 6th album. The bands mixture of Punk and Indie Pop remains as fresh and feisty as the first time we heard them. Their song writing might consume them, however it manages to deliver some absolute gems along the way, the new album being a case in point, we love this!  

Anyway, here's the background.. Nervous Twitch are a group who somehow manage to perfectly blend Punk with Indie Pop. Based in Leeds, UK, the trio are self-confessed song writing addicts, and have captured their infectious powerful pop on five albums and three 7” singles, since 2013, plus various EPs and compilations. 

They bring a sparky, energetic live show and boast a rich touring history; from hosting all-dayers in their hometown of Leeds, exploring the lengths of the UK, USA and Europe, and grabbing a Marc Riley BBC Radio 6 session, plus notable supports for icons such as The Darling Buds, The Rezillos, The Meteors and Shonen Knife along the way.

The 9-5 grind, dreaded night shift, awkward customers or demanding bosses; album number six certainly shows the world that Nervous Twitch never let the day job get in the way. This new album showcases their flavour of first-wave CBGBs punk meets scuzzy C-86 pop; singing tales of joy and feelings of frustration, with sharp character observations. 



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Photo - Matt Hinton 
Arcane Moon - The Hour Glass.

Fresh from winning Best New Band at the 2025 East Anglia NMG Awards, Essex quartet Arcane Moon release their anticipated debut album The Hour Glass (October 31st). Blending soulful melodies with a driving groove and a sharp indie edge, the band capture an emotional depth reminiscent of R.E.M., Prefab Sprout, and Radiohead, while harnessing the rhythmic precision and intent of The Police, all underpinned by a 70s and 80s classic rock sensibility. 

The Hour Glass was recorded at Three Circles Recording Studio in Wimbish, Essex, with co-producer Adrian Hare, while tracks ‘Sunday Gravy’, ‘Spirit of the Bear’, and ‘The Hour Glass’ were re-mastered by Pete Meher (U2, Liam Gallagher, Pixies to name a few). Across the 12-track album, the band create rich soundscapes filled with biting, crunchy guitar licks, swelling synths, tight drums, and warm bass, all supporting emotive and compelling lead vocals. Balancing a sense of kinetic energy with contemplative, heartfelt sincerity, tracks such as ‘Utopian’, ‘Lumens’, and the new single ‘Sunday Gravy’ showcase mature musicianship, considered arrangements, and instantly memorable vocal hooks. At times evoking the textures of Phil Collins and Pink Floyd, while maintaining a contemporary indie-rock urgency akin to White Lies and The Killers, the album delivers a bold and imaginative journey through the band’s evolving sound.

Speaking about the album, the band explain: “The album was recorded in May 2025 at the Three Circles Recording Studio, Wimbish, Essex with co-producer Adrian Hare. One of the main reasons for choosing Three Circles is it allowed the band to play all together, authentically, live as a band, rather than building it up one instrument at a time. The song writing process usually starts with a guitar riff or a chord sequence giving an initial theme for the song.  We then jam different instrumental options and then put a vocal melody over the top. Once in place, Josh finalises the lyrics to the theme of the song. Finally, the artwork hopefully captures the spirit or essence of the song”


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Icicle - One Good Reason.

Released earlier this year we were asked to give this song another little push and why not, it's gorgeous so here's the backdrop. Born and raised in communist Bulgaria, Krassy Halatchev (Icicle) grew up with a few tight friends who were true music maniacs. Being one of them as well, he studied and analyzed every note of the repertoire of his favourite bands (Pink Floyd, Genesis, The Police, The B-52’s, Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Clash…). With a little help from his friends (and band mates) he bought his first bass guitar – a Fender Musicmaster. It proved to be the best investment he ever made, for it changed Krassy’s life.

Following years of ardent practicing and playing in garages and clubs, the skilled musician fled from his native country and landed in Montreal one freezing-cold winter day in 1990. His brother-like peers from the band The Clouds accompanied him in this new and exciting adventure. At the time they were passionately devoted to the 90’s psychedelic rock. After many subway and club gigs, considerable magazine and newspaper coverage, and two full-length albums, the members of the band decided to explore new horizons, this time separately.

In 1996 Krassy joined the band Chiwawa. Produced by Steve Whitfield (The Cure, The Mission, The Trash Can Sinatras) and recorded at The Mission’s studio in Bristol, Chiwawa’s first album The Sick World of Yona won the attention of the media. Becoming a core member of the group, Krassy composed and sang a major part of Chiwawa’s seven albums worth of material.


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Sunday, 2 November 2025

The Mammals - John Witherspoon - strongboi - Maya Delilah

The Mammals - Touch Grass (Volume 1&2).

The Mammals make music for the moment—and the movement. Anchored in the fertile folk traditions of the Hudson Valley, this fiercely independent band blends string-band swagger with indie-folk heart and a radical spirit that feels both deeply rooted and urgently current. Co-founded by Mike Merenda and Ruth Ungar (daughter of fiddle legend Jay Ungar), The Mammals emerged in the early 2000s with a mission: revive the rebel soul of Americana, and give it something real to say.

And say something, they do. Their songs straddle the personal and political, moving from love ballads and front porch reflections to rally cries for environmental justice, labor rights, and community healing. It’s protest music with hooks—think Pete Seeger meets Wilco at a modern hootenanny. Their harmonies ache, their fiddles fly, and their lyrics don’t flinch. The Mammals aren’t here for nostalgia—they’re here to make folk music matter again.

At a time when roots music can feel either too polished or too precious, The Mammals cut through with grit, grace, and a palpable sense of purpose. Whether they’re headlining a folk festival, recording in their own homegrown Humble Abode Studio, or showing up for a cause in their backyard, The Mammals carry on a living tradition: one where music doesn’t just entertain—it empowers.



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John Witherspoon - One of Them (Album).

With human nature and stifled connection on his mind, Liverpool singer-songwriter John Witherspoon just dropped the highly anticipated third album, One of Them, this weekend. 

Meeting the high standards set by debut LP Showin’ up, Startin’ Again and subsequent record Heart in, Head Out, John Witherspoon’s latest project is both lyrically profound and thematically relevant in the face of modern culture. With One of Them, Witherspoon considers the different drawbacks of today’s technology and reflects on changing styles of communication as he takes inspiration from his own experience with phone addiction and its impact on his relationships. Feelings of disconnection carry throughout the eleven-track album, with resonant stories about everything from media and podcasts to money and painful relationships. Taking time in his writing process to create pertinent settings and characters, Witherspoon's narratives are carefully imagined. 

“Most of my writing is autobiographical, and I think One of Them offers a pretty even split of my light and dark sides, my positive and negative outlooks, my faith in humanity and my deeply cynical view of it,”  says John. “I recently told an audience that this album is about disconnection in a seemingly connected world.”

Showcasing Witherspoon’s signature blend of introspective storytelling and indie-rock sensibilities, the collection’s focus track ‘All my Venom’ explores a tumultuous relationship plagued by uncertainty and mixed emotions. The hook “I love you, but I could give you all my venom,” questions the fine line between love and hate, while the track’s instrumentation builds to emotional highs and melancholy breaks. In producing this track and others, Witherspoon experimented with fully outfitted live recordings that capture the raw energy of performance. 

“I can divide the making of this album into two contrasting chapters, that is the writing and the recording, though their timelines do overlap,” Witherspoon says of his process. “I say contrasting because while the recording was a magical team effort full of laughs and fun, the writing was all about solitude.”  

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Photo - River Carothers
strongboi - favorite place / ep1.

Fresh off the back of a huge North American tour with Canada's finest ‘Men I Trust’, strongboi are reaching new heights and winning new hearts after playing over 31 shows this year. Brand new this weekend is ‘favorite place’, a gorgeous new offering that completes ep 1 as a heavenly bundle of infectious and innovative, genre-being tracks. Demonstrating a sound that feels truly timeless, thanks to a wild mix of influences, the EP showcases everything fans have come to adore about strongboi; swooning harmonies, slick basslines and that signature je ne sais quoi.

strongboi is a passion fueled project of long time friends & collaborators Alice & Ziv. Driven by a playful energy that lights up their live shows, the band pull out all the stops when performing. Originally this began with a super lo-fi vision of using mainly casio keyboards & toys, but today they have filled out and evolved as a full band project which lit up Village Underground at their sold out London show back in March. This dynamic setup also earned them the Anchor Award for Best Newcomer at Reeperbahn Festival last September. 

strongboi  released their self-titled debut album back in 2023 which took shape as a 7-track compendium of bouncing bangers and smooth, rolling grooves, all delivered with charming authenticity. 


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Photo - Rae Farrow
Maya Delilah - California.

Maya Delilah has announced the Jan. 9 2026 release of an expanded digital Deluxe Edition of her debut album The Long Way Round, which adds four new tracks including the dreamy folk-pop confection “California” out a couple of days ago. The London-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist began her year by being named a 2025 Spotify “Artist To Watch” and made good on that promise with the release of her striking debut, which The Los Angeles Times called “a timeless and gorgeous introduction.”

Maya will be wrapping up her breakout year with European touring that includes headline shows, festival appearances, and opening dates with Lawrence including a hometown London show on Nov. 24 at the 02 Academy Brixton. Find more tour info at mayadelilah.com.

“This album is a combination of so many parts of me,” said Maya. “I get so influenced by different genres, people, places, and experiences that it’s always felt hard for me to fit my music into a consistent sound or mood. It took me a long time (hence The Long Way Round) to realize that it’s a beautiful thing to have a body of work that explores so many different influences.”



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Saturday, 1 November 2025

In Your Walls - Dryadic - Cult(ure) - bauhofer - Cedarsmoke

In Your Walls - Men From Mars.

“Men From Mars” is the first glimpse into In Your Walls’ upcoming full-length album. Since forming in 2023, the Toronto-based band has quickly carved out a signature sound built on tension and release — driving guitars, pounding rhythms, and emotionally raw lyricism. Their debut EP S introduced listeners to a blend of raw energy and melodic intensity, while the follow-up single White Lightning showcased a sharper, more dynamic edge. With “Men From Mars,” the band pushes that evolution even further, delivering a track that captures alienation and defiance while remaining both visceral and anthemic.

Renowned for live shows that blur the line between performer and audience, In Your Walls brings an energy that is as communal as it is cathartic. From packed Toronto clubs to festival stages, their performances are immersive, loud, and unapologetically human — a reflection of the urgency that drives their music. “Men From Mars” signals an exciting new chapter for the band, proving that their sound is not only alive and immediate but poised to reach even bigger audiences.


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Dryadic - Ghosts.

UK-based alt-folk band Dryadic release their deeply personal and emotionally charged new single, “Ghosts” on Oct 31st. Fronted by singer-songwriter Zora, the track is a stirring piano-led exploration of shame, generational trauma, and the hard-won journey toward self-acceptance and inner strength.

“Ghosts” doesn’t flinch from the darkness — but it doesn’t stay there either. It’s a song full of raw power and gentle defiance. “‘Ghosts’ came out of the messiness of doing the work — facing shame, unlearning the noise of self-doubt, and learning how to love the messy, imperfect self underneath,” says Zora. “It’s about naming the pain, but also pushing back against it. The chorus is a promise. A refusal to be held hostage by that voice anymore.”

The track marks Dryadic’s first official release with piano at its centre — a bold step for Zora, who has only recently begun performing and recording on the instrument. “Piano was my first instrument, but I only found the confidence to bring it into the live set a year or two ago. It’s such a big, full sound. It reverberates through your whole body — and that suits the emotional weight of this song perfectly.”

Composed collaboratively, “Ghosts” showcases the band’s signature atmospheric folk sound, underscored by bowed double bass, rolling percussion, and haunting violin. George detunes his double bass to Eb for extra resonance, while Aly’s violin lines — improvised and recorded in-studio — mirror the emotional ‘conversations’ in the lyrics. Emma’s drums build the song into a cinematic swell, echoing the storm of emotion at its core.

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Cult(ure) - Inertia.

‘Inertia’ is a shoegaze post-rock-esque ballad, inspired by a childhood shaped by separation. The 4th single from the exciting new duo blends ethereal vocals with slow burn rock dynamics and shimmering ambience. The song’s piano anchors the emotion, as waves of distortion and reverb build towards an epic, redemptive climax, think Deftones meets Imogen Heap, with the emotional resonance of Sleep Token.

“‘’Inertia’ is a deeply personal song about my Dad, who worked abroad throughout my childhood. As a kid, I didn’t understand why he had to be so far away, and it caused resentment at times. Writing this song helped me see things differently, that he did it to provide for us, which I’m truly grateful for. Though big moments were missed, the ones we shared became more precious. The lyric “I see that there’s moments far more precious than what I fantasised” captures exactly how I feel now, every moment spent with my Dad means more than ever”  

Cult(ure) hail from Scotland & London, and consist of vocal dynamo Dyane Crutcher (ex-Syre) and songwriter / guitarist Owen Hughes-Holland (ex-Defences, First Signs Of Frost) After a chance meeting in 2022 through a mutual friend, and shared love of bands such as Deftones, Tool and Sleep Token, the pair quickly discovered a natural creative chemistry, shaping their unique fusion of shoegaze, alt-metal and R&B. Whilst immersed in the writing of their debut material, the newly formed duo found themselves in the throes of personal tragedy, with the loss of an immediate family member and the breakdown of a long-term relationship. Out of that darkness came their most raw, honest and emotionally charged body of work to date.


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bauhofer - River Seine.

After the last single received airplay on various country-pop stations, bauhofer from Wollerau, Switzerland, now strikes a more melancholic pop tone. With his second single from the upcoming EP “The River Seine” (due in spring), he delivers the perfect soundtrack for autumn. 

Accompanied by Paris-style accordion sounds, the track tells the story of an unhappy love. For the cover photo, the musician from Wollerau (SZ) went fully dressed into the river, a stunt that had already drawn media attention when the song was first announced.

The single was produced by Slade Templeton (Crimer, Crying Vessel) at the Influx Studios in Bern.


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Cedarsmoke - Under The Rainbow (Album).

Cedarsmoke return with their third album ‘Under The Rainbow’, a record that finds colour in every emotion and emotion in every colour. Out yesterday Friday 31st October, the Brisbane/Meanjin indie-folk/rock band reveal a body of work that traces the full arc of life’s cycles with both curiosity and grace.  

‘Under The Rainbow’ is a study in cycles, tracing the emotional spectrum through a series of colour-driven vignettes. Each song represents a distinct shade and psychological state, exploring themes of mortality, change and renewal, revealing how beauty and despair coexist within the same hue.

Recorded at Incremental Studios with long-time collaborator Cam Smith, the album drifts between intimacy and disarray, grounding its reflection in acoustic guitars and piano while colouring the edges with electronic loops, modular synths and washed-out effects. Speaking on the album, Jon Cloumassis states:

"‘Under The Rainbow’ is a concept album that interprets the emotional spectrum of colour through the lens of colour psychology. It marks our most ambitious step yet, blending organic instruments with electronic textures to create a palette as diverse and fluid as the colours it represents."
   
Spanning ten songs, ‘Under The Rainbow’ charts the emotional spectrum one colour at a time. Across its shifting palette, the record moves between delicate balladry and restless indie rock, mirroring the emotional contrasts at its centre.

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Friday, 31 October 2025

Silva Emilia - Lydia Luce - Melanie Pain - Ivan Moult - Victoria Akua - MWSOG

Silva Emilia - Secret Medicine.

Secret Medicine is a melancholic and reflective folk-pop song about quiet emotions and the strength found in uncertainty. Written and performed by Silva Emilia, the track marks the beginning of her collaboration with All That Plazz and offers the first glimpse into her upcoming debut album.

“Secret Medicine is about those moments when you can’t quite explain what’s wrong — but you feel it deeply,” Silva Emilia says. “It’s about learning to trust your heart, even when your mind doesn’t have the answers.”

The Finnish artist first gained attention when her debut single What if we could fly appeared in the Finnish–Swedish TV series Reindeer Mafia, which starred Mikael Persbrandt and Samuli Edelmann. The song earned praise from major Finnish outlets like Rumba and Soundi, and helped establish Silva Emilia as one of the most promising new voices in Nordic folk-pop.

Freshly graduated from Vaskivuori Music High School, Silva Emilia continues to craft music that feels timeless, sincere, and full of quiet strength.


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Photo -  Katie Silvester 
Lydia Luce - Mammoth (Album).

Nashville singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lydia Luce releases her stunning new album Mammoth this week. Produced by longtime collaborator Jordan Lehning (Kacey Musgraves, Joy Oladokun, Caitlin Rose) and recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios, Mammoth reflects the natural world and the stillness in it. The new single, "Belly," illustrates how Luce comes to trust herself over the course of the album, reassuring herself as she sings "We grow, so slow / We might not see it some days / Take rest, we get to start again / So many ways." 

Lydia Luce explains the origin of "Belly": "This song was written when I was deep in the struggle with chronic pain. I had been lying to myself and those around me, because I was afraid that if I admitted I was in pain I would lose work as a session violist. I remember playing certain songs live on guitar and being so nervous to play bar chords because the pain was so intense. Yet, I kept playing for years. It all came to a head when I was about to go on a tour opening and playing violin in the band I was opening for. I was in rehearsal and I couldn’t feel my fingers. This was new and terrifying. Still I didn’t say anything. I used KT tape and kept on going. The bridge of this song is a coming to terms moment when I just accept the pain because the more I hide it the worse it gets. Once I started listening to my body and respecting my body's boundaries, I started to heal. I have developed a connection to my body that I never had, and while I’m not grateful for the pain, I’m grateful for the outcome and the awareness." 

From the sweeping title track to the dreamy "Wisteria" and the tender lullaby "Florence," Mammoth is bound by a common thread of self-love, hope and acceptance, along with a fervent belief in the serendipity of the last few years. These songs are equally inspired by the ambient compositions of Luce's solo Lethe music project and the natural surroundings of the UK countryside, with sounds of blowing winds and morning birdsong woven into the instrumentation. 




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Melanie Pain - Dreamloop.

As Melanie Pain prepares for the release of her upcoming album ‘How and Why’ (out 21 November), her latest single “Dreamloop” stands out as one of the record’s most enchanting and pop-infused tracks.

Beneath its luminous tones lies a darker theme: looping mental states, inner spirals that are hard to escape. “Dreamloop” captures the helplessness of witnessing a loved one’s suffering, that sense of standing by, powerless, as they drift silently - trapped in an endless dream, a true “dream loop.” "Raise the anchor and grab the rope Let it lead you out of your darkness I’d like to form the words you need to hear But my love is breathless" she signs here.

In the vein of Stereolab, Broadcast, or the Velvet Underground, “Dreamloop” embraces deceptively light pop, carried by instrumentation blending psychedelic softness with naïve energy. All instruments launch together: laid-back drums and bass, folk guitar as an emotional thread, piano accentuating the chorus. The tambourine, reminiscent of Moe Tucker, drives a hypnotic, almost ritualistic rhythm. The track unfolds languidly, like a contemporary Sunday Morning, with a simple, insistent melody.

Recorded live in the studio with the band - Raphaël Chassin on drums, Oliver Smith on bass, Jérôme Plasseraud on guitar and mellotron, Alexis Anérilles on piano - the song radiates raw, immediate energy. The spontaneity of the collective performance is palpable from the very first note.


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Ivan Moult - No More Lies.

 Ivan Moult unveils new 'No More Lies' single as release of his new album 'Stood Out In the Storm' fast approaches via Bubblwrap. Cardiff-based singer-songwriter Ivan Moult returns with his most personal work to date, Stood Out In The Storm, out November 7th via Bubblewrap Collective. Following the acclaimed Songs From Severn Grove (2023) - praised for its warmth, intricacy and timeless songwriting - the new album marks a bold and vulnerable step forward. No More Lies is the final teaser before the album drops in full, a week later.

Written in the aftermath of personal upheaval, Stood Out In The Storm traces a journey through darkness and recovery, exploring fragility, resilience and hope. Ivan’s signature sound remains at the core: a seamless blend of 1960s/70s folk and blues infused with modern textures, drawing influence from John Martyn, Terry Reid and Ry Cooder. As with his previous records, Ivan wrote, played, recorded and mixed the album at his Cardiff home studio, and the record sits as a companion piece to Songs From Severn Grove.

Recent months have seen Ivan gain strong support from Huw Stephens across BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio Wales, including a feature on Roundtable and a live session for BBC Wales – recognition that continues to grow his reputation as one of Wales’ most distinctive and emotionally resonant songwriters.

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Photo - Camilla Vodstrup Øverup
Victoria Akua - Songs to Soften the Heart (Album).

Today sees the release of the album (via Greywood Records) 'Songs to Soften the Heart' by Victoria Akua from Copenhagen, Denmark. Victoria describes her music as a genre mix of indie pop, folky singer-songwriter and meditative music. This is a beautiful collection of songs and fulfills our highest expectations based on what we had heard so far, highly recommended!  

Victoria Akua on her album: "Each song on the album reflects a step on my journey toward inviting more softness, clarity and (self)love into my everyday life. I’ve found a lot of inspiration in nature, through my close connections and by having a dedicated focus on keeping my heart open as I move through both challenges and openings. For me, the songs are, in a way, timeless, as the meaning and support of each song evolve and change over time together with me. I hope the songs will bring you calmness, joy and a soothing embrace on your way.“

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


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MWSOG - Chwyldro.

The wild Welsh wanderers MWSOG unveil their much-anticipated debut single “Chwyldro”, released 31st October on BWGiBWGAN - a celebration that binds ancient Cymru to its modern heartbeat, reimagining Welsh folk storytelling for a new generation.

Sonic pilgrims at the altar of ’70s acid folk and mystical trad, MWSOG channel those ancient spirits through a darker, heavier prism. “Chwyldro” (“Revolution”) opens like a galloping spell - drums and harmonium lock into a primal rhythm as harmonised voices rise like smoke over standing stones. The result is acid-folk meets ritualistic rock, where the spectral beauty of Bert Jansch collides with the storm-laden power of Black Sabbath, fronted by the elemental voice of Mari Mathias, whose vocals summon something raw, ancient, and otherworldly.

Mari reflects, “MWSOG allows me to embody the teachings of the Mabinogi, ancient voices so old we can no longer trace their source. Perhaps they walk among us still, or linger in the ivy and moss that find life in impossible places, pressing through concrete and stone. Much of what we write follows these quiet threads - the weaving of nature and metal, the pulse between the industrial and the soil.”

The nine-piece collective conjure a sound both fearless and timeless - carrying the defiance of a people who’ve never stopped singing their rebellion. “There is a darkness in what we do, which reflects deeply in the folkloric history and myths of our country,” Mari continues. “Yet, there is also a light that is ever so playful. I sometimes feel as though I am dancing in my own time capsule - luring travellers and like-minded spirits to join us in this sacred space.”

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Rachel Carmen - Thomas Duxbury and New Mother Nature - Sparkle Blood - Darryl Scotti and Big Yard - Lala Hayden

Rachel Carmen - Whole Again (Live Acoustic). Good things take time. Rachel Carmen also took this saying to heart, allowing her music to mat...