Photo credit (video still): Ben Harrison Meek Dutch Uncles have shared ‘Tropigala (2 to 5)’ ahead of the release of their sixth album, ‘True Entertainment’, on 10th March. The new single – inspired by ‘the cyclical resentment musicians sometimes harbour for the rest of the professional world’s lifestyles and aspirations (and vice versa); which can…
The Xcerts have made a welcome return with ‘Gimme’ – a short, sharp and spiky piece of distorted pop that finds the trio embracing the joys (and, of course, angst) that comes with complete artistic freedom. Murray Macleod said: ‘Lyrically, it’s more observational than gut-wrenchingly personal; when burning desire meets apathy, it’s both comical and…
Photo credit: Rob Humm Tugboat Captain have made a triumphant return after two years away with ‘Flash of Light’ – a two-minute kaleidoscopic and psychedelic treat that opens with all kinds of weird and wonderful space-age synths and melodic guitar hooks. Reminiscent of Super Furry Animals’ blend of the experimental and exemplar, the dual harmonies…
Photo credit: Alex Martinez Based in Seattle, Elliott Green’s Bandcamp page simply states ‘I write sad songs’ and she lives up to this statement on new album ‘Everything I Lack’ – out on Count Your Lucky Stars Records on 27 January. Haunting piano tones and atmospheric feedback swathe around the opener ‘Friendly Advice’ – a…
Focusing on the forces of mood and melody, The Murder Capital’s second album ‘Gigi’s Recovery’ finds the Irish band navigating a number of personal issues and relationships revolving around the theme of existence and what it means… The opener – with ‘Existence’ as its title – is 90 seconds of noisy and atmospheric guitar work…
Written over a stretch of two to three years, We Are Scientists’ eighth album ‘Lobes’ finds the New York duo exploring new sounds and directions with confidence and glee… The synthy toe-tapper ‘Operator Error’ opens the album with rhythmic and hypnotic statements – ‘It’s all a a game of confidence’; ‘You kwwp on saying you…
‘Uncertain Joys’, the fifth album from The Subways – and first on Alcopop! Records – finds Billy Lunn and co examining everything from social issues to sexuality and the love of music to the horrors of the patriarchy… Huge riffs signal the start of ‘You Kill My Cool’, a stomping glam-rock-tinged smash with sensual lyrics…
Photo credit: Eddie Whelan Billy Nomates‘ second studio album, ‘CACTI’, comes out this Friday (13 January) via Invada Records. Recorded in both Tor Maries’ flat and at Invada Studios, the 12 songs find Tor Maries laying everything bare while she confronts some uncomfortable truths that have come to light over the past few years… ‘Balance is…
Hundred Reasons have shared new single ‘The Old School Way’ ahead of the release of new album – and first in 15 years – ‘Glorious Sunset’ on 24th February via SO Recordings. Taking aim at those who don’t take responsibility for their own actions, the song opens with Colin Doran urging the subject to change…
We’re kicking off 2023 with the latest offering from our friends Good Good Blood. A cryptic piece about Johnny – a boy who was ‘as cute as cute can get‘ – with a dark edge (‘All the disease, all of the blight, cancels out, cancels the light’; ‘he’s as dead as dead can get’) and…
Our first full year as parents meant Spectral Nights did not get as much love and attention as we would have hoped these past 12 months but our love of music remains strong – and we won’t be disappearing anytime soon! 2022 was yet another fine year for album releases with new bands leaving an…
‘I made a decision on this record to limit the more aggressive edges of my music, and as a consequence I think the sound is more accessible, but that’s not why I did it—I did it because happy, upbeat, indie guitar music can be really great if it’s done right, with passion and honesty, and…
Stars have shared a beautifully melancholic festive song in ‘Chrismas Anyway’. We’re huge fans of Christmas songs here at Spectral Nights, especially ones that evoke the sadness of the season, and this is a fine addition to the list that includes Mud’s ‘Lonely This Christmas’, Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’, ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ and East 17’s…
Dutch Uncles have shared the video for ‘True Entertainment’, the first single and title track from their new album (out on 10 March, 2023 via Memphis Industries. With a title inspired by a nickname given to vocalist – and incredible dancer – Duncan Wallis by guitarist Peter Broadhead, the song falls somewhere between Prince, Phoenix…
Photo credit: Matt Higgs Hundred Reasons have shared new single ‘Glorious Sunset’ – their first new material in 15 years and the opening track on their new album of the same name (to be released via SO Recordings on 24 February, 2023). Opening with some ’80s-inspired synths and a rhythm section that reminds us of…
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