After an extended hiatus of almost two decades (!), The Race continue their welcome return with the release of ‘Family Tree’ ahead of the release of their four-track ‘Family’ EP on 23 October. Written at the request of vocalist Dan Buchanan’s son, the poignantly powerful song celebrates the bond between parent and child while also…
A Stoke-on-Trent band that embraces the typo in their name, Formal Sppeedwear release their debut album ‘Punch Card’ on 11 September, 2026. When talking about the record, the band said: ‘Our aim is to undermine anything leaning too far one way or the other. We shoot for homogeneity – if it sounds good and its…
Sadurn have shared ‘never tell me’ ahead of the release of their sophomore album ‘The Underworld’ via Run for Cover Records on 16 October, 2026. Songwriter G DeGroot describes it as ‘one of my favourite songs ever written’ and its sparse, stripped-back opening immediately shows why with its heartfelt conversational tones and Big Thief-style setup:…
Jawdropped have shared another damn fine single ahead of the release of their debut album ‘Secret to Spare’ on 18 September via Transgressive Records. ‘Cup’ has a touch of Lemonheads or Dinosaur Jr. in its scuzzy guitar sounds but blends this with the poppier sensibilities of Teenage Fanclub. Following the lead character of an older…
Winter Gardens have shared new single ‘Adored’ ahead of the release of new EP ‘Macabre Divine’ on 16 September, 2026. The song explores the discomfort of existing in spaces dominated by corporate masculinity and how performative conversations can sometimes overtake genuine exchange: ‘It’s about the tension between having something meaningful to say and navigating a…
Boone, NC duo Babe Haven have signed to Hassle Records and are all set to re-release their sophomore album on 16 October, 2025. To celebrate this news, they’ve shared a live video of the title track – filmed in their home state – that captures the ferocious energy of their live show. With a mission…
Having started as a solo project of Oslo-via-Malmo based artist Johan Hansson Liljeberg, Smiling is now a full band completed by Johan Arvid Ingvarsson (Mary Anne’s Polar Rig, New Banke), Julia Wiklund (New Banke), and August Glännestrand (LAV SOL, Liv Andrea Hauge Trio). They’re now set to release their third album ‘Why Are You’, a…
With an original mission statement of ‘If you’ve got too many chords in it, you’re wrong’, much-hyped Manchester-based four piece Westside Cowboy release their debut album ‘It Goes On’. Focusing on the joy that can be found in each other’s company and the organic chemistry that resonates with this, it’s a record the band want…
Wild Pink return with sixth album ‘Still Coming Down’, a record that finds John Ross blending existential tales with celestial stories and bringing to life some charismatic characters while also poking fun at the listless nature of consumerism. He also takes inspiration from the grunge movement that soundtracked his teenage years, recording the album in…
Over the past six years, The Magic Gang’s Jack Kaye has reflected, reconciliated and collaborated with others, while also starting a family and rediscovering his voice. He’s now set to release his debut solo EP, ‘Go Easy’, on 14 August, 2026. The five songs featured here vary from character-based storytelling to self-examination and forlorn romances.…
Westside Cowboy have shared new single ‘Dobro’ ahead of the release of their debut album ‘It Goes On’ via Island Records on 21 August, 2026. Guitarist Jimmy Bradbury takes on the lead vocals for this razor-sharp slice of slacker pop, a song the band say could be ‘For perhaps a younger self? For that moment…
American Football have shared the video for ‘Wake Her Up’, one of the standout tracks from this year’s self-titled fourth album. Featuring guest vocals from Wisp (who stars in the video alongside Mike Kinsella as they enjoy a bike rise around night-time LA, while picturesque views of Paris are projected behind them), the glacial and…
Australian indie-rockers Sesame Girl have released ‘Butterfly Wing in a Silver Locket’, an EP filled with six songs that are a delicate and sublime as the title would suggest. Throughout the EP, Heather Duncan ruminates on people, possessions, moments and memories. ‘Wings of a Butterfly’ opens the EP in genteel fashion as Heather sings about…
A high school band that emerged as one of 2026’s most anticipated acts, Man/Woman/Chainsaw release their debut album ‘Cannonball’ on 7 August via Fiction Records. Recorded with Seth Evans (Geordie Greep) and Margo Broom (Big Joanie), the record finds the six-piece (Billy Ward, Clio Starwood, Emmie-Mae Avery, Lola Cherry, Billy Doyle and Vera Leppannen) navigating…
Martha Hill has made a welcome return with the quietly gorgeous ‘Granite Feet’. Co-written and recorded at home with fellow new parent Jordie Cooke during nap times, the introspective and deeply personal slice of indie-folk finds Martha talking about waking up with a ‘storm cloud head’ and making promises to try harder. There’s a touch…
Spectral Nights - alternative music, indie music, music reviews, new music, music blog 