Swiss band Golden Vultures have just released thier brand new single, "Black & Blue." Fans of The Black Crowes, Rival Sons, and Larkin Poe are sure to resonate with this anthemic rocker.
"Black & Blue" is a space-blues track about resilience, rebirth and inner strength. Recorded live to capture the authenticity of ’60s blues-rock, the song blends vibrant riffs, a pulsing groove and a suspended, atmospheric feel, supporting lyrics that speak of emotional resistance.
Golden Vultures is a rock/blues/soul super group formed in the south of Switzerland in 2021 by multifaceted artist, singer/songwriter Yari Copt with Yannick Rinvi (Those Furious Flames) on guitars, Andrea Zinzi (Make Plain) on guitars, Eveline Lucchini (Animor) on bass, Sebastian Rigo (Eleonor) on drums and backing vocals and Enea Adami on keyboards and backing vocals.
Toronto’s melodic punk lifers Wasting Time are back with their new single “Ripped Blue Jeans”, out now via People of Punk Rock Records. It’s a nostalgic rush of anthemic hooks and heart-on-sleeve energy that could’ve soundtracked any MTV’s 120 Minutes marathon. The track captures that feeling of late 90s freedom, cracked sidewalks, stickered guitars, the smell of sweat and stale beer in community-hall venues, and long summer nights when the world still felt small enough to dream your way out of it.
Formed in 2017, Wasting Time has steadily built a catalog rooted in melody and sincerity: five EPs, three full-length albums, and a streak of singles that echo the honesty and grit of Alkaline Trio, No Use for a Name, MxPx, Blink-182, and Green Day. Their latest release, Hurry Up and Wait, cemented their reputation as one of Canada’s most reliable carriers of melodic punk tradition, and “Ripped Blue Jeans” only deepens that lineage. Mixed and mastered by Matt Gauthier at Arc Studios, the single offers the first taste of their upcoming full-length, Are You Out Of Your God Damn Mind?, due out in the new year.
The song hums with the spirit of a simpler time, before algorithms and playlists, when discovery meant burning mix CDs or catching a new band between Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtracks. You can almost see the baggy Dickies, chain wallets, and flannel shirts tied at the waist. It’s a nod to every kid who ever scribbled lyrics in the margins of a school binder or fell asleep to Dookie playing on repeat. Wasting Time capture that pulse without imitation; it’s not nostalgia for its own sake, but a reminder of why those songs mattered in the first place.
Sam Paige begins a powerful new chapter with her beautifully vulnerable single, “SKIN.” Combining subtle country textures with polished pop influences, the song explores the ongoing, raw journey of learning to love yourself in a world that often makes it feel impossible.
It opens with a swirling guitar line that feels like a thought taking shape, quickly pulling listeners into its diary-like honesty. Lines such as, “I’ve put on a couple faces, but none that felt like mine,” capture the quiet ache of trying to fit into expectations that were never meant for you. Paige’s tender yet unflinching delivery makes the song feel deeply personal, as if reading straight from her journal.
When the chorus hits, it lands with emotional weight and universal relatability as Paige asks herself the same question so many struggle with daily: “What’s it gonna take to love me as I am?” It’s a moment of self-interrogation that feels brave, necessary, and deeply human. Fresh yet familiar, “SKIN” is modern country-pop wrapped in nostalgia and self-reflection — a reminder that self-love isn’t instant, but it’s worth fighting for.
A former poet-turned-performer, Paige draws inspiration from Taylor Swift and Kelly Clarkson, crafting lyrics that are emotional, accessible, and deeply personal. She has trained with The Voice vocal coach Coreen Sheehan, performed at Carnegie Hall, and appeared on NBC’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Corbin Bleu. Her past releases have been featured on major media outlets and on several editorial playlists. With “SKIN,” Paige continues to assert her identity and invites listeners to do the same.
Electronic/live band Tinlicker, now a NL/UK trio with Hero Baldwin joining Jordi and Micha, dish out a third foretaste of their forthcoming fourth album due early 2026. A high-energy homage to their teen music faves, single "Reborn" is out now on Remember the Future/[PIAS] Électronique.
"Music can be a reflection of the era you grow up in. You fall in love with the soundscape of your teens and drag that feeling with you, because during this period you experience so many new adventures. 'Reborn' is an homage to the early sounds that shaped us as teenagers, as it is an era in music we hold close to our hearts." – Tinlicker
Tinlicker’s signature music vocabulary includes melodic elements, live instruments, soulful vocals, evocative lyrics, heart-felt indie guitar and orchestral strands, beautifully crafted into music both danceable and emotional, adorded worldwide via live performances to thousands and over a billion streams.
New instrumental single "Reborn" focuses on celebrating late 90s/early 00s trance with rippling arps, melodic synth chords, and staccato stuttering stab patterns as main theme, along with fast, uncompromising beats and urgent swoops and sirens. Ideal for warming dance floors, along with the euphoric nostalgia of ‘those’ long heart-felt synth chords.
Rad Girlfriend Records releases a split between Tsunami Bombs and Hammerbombs, titled Bombs Away!, on December 26.
"This split 7" brings together East Bay veterans Tsunami Bomb and Oakland’s The Hammerbombs," says Josh Goldman of Rad Girlfriend Records. "Side A features Tsunami Bomb delivering the tight, hook-driven sound that helped cement their place in the East Bay punk scene. Their tracks highlight the melodic edge and direct songwriting that made them a key part of California’s punk rock explosion in the '90s and the broader wave of Bay Area punk.
"Side B shifts to The Hammerbombs, representing Oakland’s strong DIY spirit," Goldman adds. "Their contribution is straightforward, energetic, and rooted in the self-made approach that defines the band. Their tracks capture the raw, honest style that has made The Hammerbombs a reliable force in the local underground. This split EP pairs two bands connected by geography, community, and a shared commitment to accessible, grassroots punk. it stands as a concise document of East Bay tradition meeting Oakland DIY momentum."
Stars In The Snow, the new single by singer-songwriter Janne Lehtinen’s long-running project Mummypowder, is a fragile and luminous winter ballad where everyday realism meets gentle escapism. Musically, the song resides in the quiet lineage of Elliott Smith, Travis, Beck, Richard Swift and Ben Folds — intimate songwriting, subtle baroque-pop colours and an organic band sound.
The song was born out of Lehtinen’s frustration with his own perfectionism. Over the years, he had built up a large catalogue of unreleased material while the gap between official releases continued to stretch. This time, returning to spontaneity became a conscious counter-movement: the song was written in just two days and fully produced within a week. What began as an acoustic ballad soon transformed into a full band arrangement. When programmed drums started to feel wrong, long-time Mummypowder drummer Robert Palomäki was called in — and the final drum takes were recorded in just four hours.
Lyrically, the song tells the story of a couple who, by coincidence, become stranded in a remote winter landscape, completely cut off from the outside world. Instead of panic, the isolation slowly turns into a refuge — a place for stillness, closeness and quiet detachment from everything else.
Stars In The Snow continues Mummypowder’s slow and carefully paced return. Five years have passed since the previous single, and the long pause reflects the thoughtful patience and quiet pursuit of perfection that lie at the heart of Lehtinen’s songwriting. The comeback began in 2020 with Sara’s Song, which received strong national attention in Finland, including a premiere on Rumba, airtime on Radio Suomi’s Ihmemaa with Pekka Laine, and regular play on Radio Helsinki.
Multi-talented artist Sharon Eitan comments: "I've recently been remixing all the songs on my album Referrals and Talismans, recorded years ago but only released last year. I originally recorded these songs in Ralf Levitan's studio, with Avi Singolda playing guitar, and me singing lead vocals. It was a very low-budget production and, after finally releasing the album last year, I felt the songs deserved a makeover.
My lyrics often present wounded, isolated characters struggling to break free from real or imagined bonds - closeted gay man, silenced housewives, inhibited teenagers, aspiring artists fighting to be heard. Each song encapsulates its own micro-world, so I’m now approaching them individually and releasing each remix as a single.
In some past projects, I've hired studio vocalists to record my music - especially when making demos for my musical theatre work. For these new remixes, I decided to experiment with AI tools to generate new vocal colours and reimagine the production. I feel that working with AI vocals is not altogether different from working with hired singers: in both cases, there’s a balance to be found between imposing my own interpretation of a song and nurturing the vocalist’s creative choice."
Dana Maragos, singer-songwriter, released a new studio album locally (Chicago) in late 2024, Unimaginable Things. She is now releasing it nationally (USA) for the first time. It is the 4th studio release that features eight new songs. It is dedicated to the memory of her late brother, Danny (1960-2023).
Inspired by conversations, stories and reflections of troubles and triumphs. A reminder to hold onto one’s identity, authenticity and perspective in the midst of every day challenges. The lyrics are sharp and will draw you into a conversation; will tell you a story. The songs have acoustic guitar-based roots and blend old/new folk feel and Americana with textures of pedal steel guitar, mandolin, Dobro and traces of rock with electric guitar, spare Hammond B3. Each song inhabits its own emotional space in sound and energy.
Co-produced and recorded primarily at John Abbey’s Kingsize Sound Labs in Chicago along with the extraordinarily talented, multi-instrumentalist, Brian Wilkie. Dana uses metaphor, sometimes with a dash of you-are-there detail. She considers it a blessing to be part of a creative community consisting of great friends, musicians, songwriters and creative muses.
After the success of their debut release, D-Formation & Alex Medina return under their alias YES TO ALL with release YTA002, a powerful EP that reinforces their unique sonic vision within the electronic landscape. The release features two original tracks, “Aria” and “Motif”, alongside a stunning remix by Germán Brigante for Aria.
“Aria” opens the EP with an atmosphere full of emotion, depth, and underground energy. Its melodic structure and striking vocal performance create a captivating journey designed for the dance floor. Meanwhile, “Motif” is pure club energy. Driven by a hypnotic groove, an immersive vocal, and brilliant synth touches, it showcases the duo’s dance floor-focused side while keeping their signature sound intact.
Closing the release, Germán Brigante’s remix of “Aria” delivers a sophisticated electro reinterpretation, full of elegance and refined textures, taking the original track into new territory. With this second release, YES TO ALL continue to define their identity as a project that blends emotion, innovation, and club sophistication.
Beloved folk-pop singer-songwriter Rachael Sage and her longtime band The Sequins have released the animated “Kill The Clock” music video. Appearing on their new album Canopy and excavated from a demo Sage recorded in her teens, “Kill The Clock” is quickly becoming a fan favorite after receiving play listing love from NPR's All Songs Considered and combats the oppressive, exhausting feeling of being stuck in a never-ending rat race that can never be sated -- the perfect sentiment to take into the holiday season as we slow down to focus on family and the things that really matter.
The animated music video, is a chaotic, left-of-center collaboration between two New York polymaths which combines the talents of Fuel Heart Productions’ multimedia artist Carissa Johnson as a director and animator with Sage’s own original paintings.
“‘Kill The Clock’ is a song I rediscovered from a teenage demo my mom found in the basement a couple of years ago,” shares Sage. “While the lyrics are a bit abstract and cryptic compared to how I’ve been writing more recently, I believe I understand the meaning of them more now than I did when I first composed it. It’s about cultural and personal alienation and feeling like everyone and everything around you is geared toward some incomprehensible rat-race, to be more, to own more, to do more… it’s very ’80s greed’ inspired.
It reflects on the insanely competitive aspects of the college application process and some of the unfortunate bullying I experienced not only in school but also when I was a ballet student, when body-imagery as well as social status was as much a part of our roller-coaster conservatory dynamics as dancing itself. I chose to include a grown-up version of this song on ‘Canopy’ not only because I thought that The Sequins could bring it to new life, but because it’s essentially about corruption, written from a child’s perspective.”
Step inside. The lights are low, the air is thick, and the night feels endless. Welcome to Amber Hotel — five rooms, five stories, one descent into the heart of modern desire and disconnection.
Across Lean Closer, the Chicago-based trio turns post-punk and darkwave into a cinematic fever dream. It begins with Amber Hotel, a statement of intent — pulsing basslines, sharp guitars, and a voice that commands and confesses in the same breath. It’s not just a song; it’s an invitation. Check in, and let the walls start whispering.
From there, the descent deepens. Digital Ghost drifts through blue-light hauntings and broken connections. Automatic Devotion dances in obsession’s glow — seductive and claustrophobic all at once. Shadowed Face forces you to confront the version of yourself you’ve been hiding from, while Midnight’s Echo pulls you fully into the dark — a slow hypnosis where time dissolves and echoes replace memory.
Influenced by the timeless pulse of Bauhaus, The Cure, and She Wants Revenge, Lean Closer captures a world where emotion and machinery blur. Every track hums with the tension between control and surrender, reflection and release. Amber Hotel isn’t nostalgia. It’s a mirror for now — flickering, dangerous, and alive. Five songs. Five keys. One door you may not want to close again. Welcome to Amber Hotel. Check in. Lean closer. Don’t count on checking out.
Emerging Georgia singer/songwriter Clover County has announced her debut headline Finer Things Tour, which will begin in February and will take her through Los Angeles, Brooklyn, Nashville and more. Tickets go on sale this Friday December 12 at 10 a.m. local time. She will also rejoin Sam Barber for a slew of dates next year, following a widely acclaimed run with Barber earlier this year. For a full list of dates, please visit clovercounty.com.
To accompany this announcement, Clover also shared that Finer Things (Deluxe), the deluxe edition of her debut album that came out earlier this year via Undercover Lover Records / Thirty Tigers, will come out on January 23. The LP features two new songs and an acoustic version of fan favorite “Virginia Slim.” Last week, she previewed the deluxe with the release of gentle new single “Suitcase,” produced by Brad Cook (Waxahatachee, Snail Mail, Bon Iver).
On the new song, Clover shares: “Not too far off from John Denver’s ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ or Townes Van Zandt’s ‘I’ll Be Here in the Morning,’ ‘Suitcase’ is an apology to a lover for leaving — again (and again, and again). In my version of this very unoriginal story, I’m not actually planning on coming back this time. I’m pleading — hoping this person will come with me, find their own purpose in this wild, selfish journey by my side. It breaks my heart to keep going it alone but that’s exactly how it always ends.”
With images captured during one of their recent live performances, director Pablo Delpedro sought to highlight the intensity that is so characteristic of Dead Chic. The release of the band’s new single “The Bells and The Fists” was the perfect opportunity to illustrate this: a strange, shadowy track where flesh and steel collide, the soundtrack to a pagan ceremony unfolding somewhere deep in the bowels of the earth.
The video immerses us in the world of the four band members. Through their looks, their movements, their chaos and fury, we find ourselves at the heart of the storm, in the thick, sweaty atmosphere that turns each of their concerts into a dark and intense ritual.
Dead Chic originally formed from the partnership between Andy Balcon and Damien Félix. They met a few years ago while touring with their respective bands (Heymooshaker and Catfish), frequently crossing paths on the road and catching up backstage to discuss music, idols, and the possibility of collaborating. After a few years without crossing paths, they reconnected in the fall of 2020. Before discussing musical influences, Andy and Damien shared visual references, illustrations, and landscapes that would form the foundation and direction of their work. The idea of working together then took a serious turn, and after some exchanges, "Too Far Gone," their first track, was released in 2022.
They were then joined by Rémi Ferbus on drums (known for his work with Kimberose, Mélissa Laveaux, among others), who had previously collaborated with Andy; and Mathis Akengin on keyboards, a long-time collaborator of Damien in Catfish. Over the years, through tours and travels, the musicians have honed their skills, enriched their cultural knowledge, and defined their individual styles. The combination of the four immediately sparked.
LA-based singer-songwriter Zarema unveils a powerful new chapter with her emotionally resonant remix of her single "Closure" with David Alexander, alongside an extended remix for deeper, immersive listening. The remix follows the Vic Latino remix which was released in October and paves the way for the official original version of “Closure,” which is produced by John Russell.
Originally written in the aftermath of a deeply personal loss, “Closure” was born from Zarema’s experience of losing a close family member to COVID during the earliest days of the pandemic — a time when hospital visitations were impossible and so many families were left without the chance to say goodbye. She began writing the music for the song in late 2020, completing the lyrics months later as the emotional weight of that sudden loss settled in. The result is an achingly sincere pop ballad about grief, unanswered questions, and learning to live without the comfort of closure.
“My latest song was inspired by the unexpected loss of a family member,” Zarema explains. “So many of us never had the opportunity to be there in those final moments. I began writing a song in response — to honour that feeling and, hopefully, help others feel less alone in it.” The David Alexander Remix reimagines the song through a more expansive, atmospheric lens, amplifying its emotional impact while giving it a fresh, club-ready pulse. It retains the heart of the original while opening the track up to new audiences and new emotional textures. With the Extended Remix, listeners are invited to fully sink into the mood and message of the song.
Ker’s “Wondering on Giants” Marks the First Step Toward “Converging Paths” A reflective debut single from the Scottish songwriter introduces a thoughtful new voice preparing his first full-length album From a quiet corner of Scotland comes a project several years in the making. Ker the musical identity of producer and songwriter Barry G. K. Thomson has released “Wondering on Giants,” the first public glimpse of a forthcoming 13-track debut album titled Converging Paths. It is an understated unveiling, yet one that carries the weight of someone arriving at music later in life with conviction, care, and the unfaltering sense that this new chapter has been waiting patiently for its moment.
Ker’s story begins not in studios or rehearsal rooms, but in the long arc of influence that shaped him well before he ever picked up a guitar. A childhood stirred by the crackle of a 78rpm Elvis record, a glimpse of The Beatles on an Edinburgh airport tarmac in 1964, and the presence of artists like Hendrix, Dylan, Neil Young, and the expansive sound worlds of Yes and Pink Floyd all of these found their place in the background, remaining dormant until the time was right. That time arrived unexpectedly in 2014 in a music shop in Kalispell, Montana, where a simple decision to start learning the guitar quietly set this entire project in motion.
From there, a path unfolded. Local musicians offered guidance. Songs emerged first in the country tradition, then gradually widening toward Ker’s own interests in melody, narrative, and atmospheric sound. A garden studio was built, piano studies began, and the first outlines of an album took shape. Throughout, he maintained a songwriter’s curiosity: Why do some phrases resonate? What makes a melody linger? And how might lyrics reflect personal experience without becoming overly confessional? Converging Paths is his answer to those questions, and “Wondering on Giants” serves as the opening note of that larger conversation. The single introduces listeners to Ker’s methodical yet instinctive songwriting.
Big Stir Records - 25 For '25: The Big Stir Records Hit Machine.
Big Stir Records is proud to presents a look back at our stellar release slate from the past year: 25 For '25: The Big Stir Records Hit Machine. The title may be tongue-in-cheek, but the tunes here sum up an extraordinary year for the label, showcasing tracks from 11 full-length albums and a handful of superb standalone singles, compilation highlights and much more.
You'll find them all, along with a few surprises, in our look back at the tracks you loved – and some you may have missed! – on this collection of contenders for anyone's Best Of 2025 lists.
UK dark-electro duo, Palindrones has just unveiled their double A-Side release containing the tracks, "Abraxas" & "The Brightling Star" as well as a new video for "The Brightling Star". Palindrones is an emotionally immersive, captivating, dark electronic duo from South London. They take listeners on a shimmering and cathartic sonic journey with dreamy industrial synthpop, infused with pounding rhythms, haunting, evocative vocals and esoteric ambiance.
"Abraxas", taken from Palindrones’ third album Chapter Two: The Slender Blade, conjures a space where chaos and harmony intertwine: brutal, distorted breakcore rhythms crash and convulse beneath a weaving, joyful melody. The result is both blissful and violent. "Abraxas" itself represents a duality: the sacred and the profane, the serene and the savage. In its volatile balance, the track captures the space between ecstasy and annihilation, where contradiction becomes transcendence.
"The Brightling Star", a brand new companion piece to "Abraxas", continues this theme of unity and connection but rises from a dark and fiery chaos to bring resolution and renewal. The music grows gradually, until all elements converge in a crescendo of pulsing trance. The song’s central truth is that individuality and unity can coexist in a shared heartbeat. "The Brightling Star" is an anthem of hope, redemption, and the transcendence that emerges when forces align in perfect, radiant balance.
Nashville based Too Hot for Leather this week announce their Superhero Tour 2026, including a performance at NAMM 2026. They are a dynamic rock band hailing from Nashville, blending the raw energy of classic rock with modern influences to create a sound that's as electrifying as it is unique. Known for their high-octane performances, the band captures the essence of 70s and 80s rock with powerful vocals, soaring guitar solos, and a rebellious spirit. Drawing from influences like Paramore, Guns N Roses, and Muse, Too Hot For Leather has quickly earned a reputation in Nashville's thriving music scene.
Formed by a group of seasoned musicians who share a passion for rock's golden era, the band's chemistry on stage is undeniable. Their live shows are a spectacle of tight musicianship, flashy stage presence, and pure rock 'n' roll attitude. With a growing fanbase and a commitment to keeping the heart of rock alive, Too Hot For Leather is making waves beyond Nashville, captivating audiences wherever they play.
The band tell Beehive Candy - "We are starting 2026 off strong! We head to the west coast to perform at NAMM 2026 and then we are hitting the road back east! This is our first major tour, revisiting cities like Cincinnati, Charlotte and Atlanta, while playing for our very first time in cities like Cleveland, Louisville, and Birmingham. We can’t wait to see our fans in these cities and meet new ones! We have one more thing that we are very excited about, but we can’t quite tell you about it yet. Stay tuned!"
Dwight + Nicole, based in Burlington, Vermont, traces its musical roots through the blues, soul, and R&B traditions by exploring the spaces between these genres, connecting them with themes found in dream pop and alternative rock. Dwight Ritscher’s warm, soulful tenor would be the envy of many bands, but it is Nicole Nelson’s four-octave vocal range that wowed a national audience during season three of NBC’s “The Voice.”
Dwight, the band’s principal songwriter and guitarist, first started performing live as a child with his grandfather, and it wasn’t long before players were sneaking him into blues clubs around Monmouth Park, New Jersey to man the tubs. Nicole, also a major songwriter for the band, plays bass, her first love was the musical theater, but she also explored musical expression through flute and violin.
Dwight started his first bands while in college in Burlington, and, after graduation, he relocated to Boston where he further developed his craft on stages throughout New England. Meanwhile, Nicole was being recognized as a standout jazz vocalist throughout Boston. Their paths crossed around town, and they discovered they shared an obsession with the soul and blues greats like the Staple Singers, Albert King, and Etta James. As a result, it wasn’t long before Ritscher and Nelson formed a duo.
Dwight + Nicole, the duo, began with Dwight on electric guitar and Nicole on tambourine, with both stomping their feet for the beat and singing in harmony. The couple later moved to Vermont, where they met and joined forces with powerhouse drummer Ezra Oklan and keyboard wizard Leon Campos, thus completing the band. They have toured throughout North America with Mavis Staples, Melissa Etheridge, and Norah Jones, among others, as well as performing as headliners.
