With its focus on authenticity and how, according to singer Noah Alves, ‘nostalgia can be damaging when you feel like the best stuff is in the past and there’s nothing new and exciting to be done’, London quartet Middleman’s debut album ‘Following the Ghost’ (released on 13 February, 2026 via Evil Speaker Records) has its…
Ugly Ozo has shared ‘Hi, How Are You?’ ahead of the release of her sophomore EP in the springtime. Written by Jessica Baker during a period of burnout and emotional exhaustion, the song tackles the impact of depression head on – acting as a discussion between Jessica and her inner rival. Opening with woozy guitar…
Formed when Rachel Love (Dolly Mixture), Ian Button (Papernut Cambridge, The Penrose Web) and Peter Momtchiloff (Heavenly, Would-be-goods) realised they were all born within weeks of each other in 1962, Railcard are set to release their self-titled debut record via Skep Wax and Slumberland Records on 6 February, 2026. The group is completed by Allison…
LAPêCHE’s third full-length album ‘Autotelic’ – named after the idea of doing something for its own sake – is a record that feels very much in the moment. With words anchored in Krista Holly Diem’s clear-eyed vulnerability, the album focuses on both comfort and confrontation. Potent power pop hooks signal the start of album opener…
Born in Dublin and now based in London, Music City (known to his mum and dad as Conor Lumsden) releases the debut album, ‘Welcome to Music City’. Taking inspiration from Ireland’s rock legacy, Conor says the record ‘feels like a constant fight between hope and disappointment’ of love, outside forces and the things that get…
Mandy, Indiana are all set to release their second album – and first on new home Sacred Bones – ‘URGH’ on 6 February, 2026. With a focus on self-determination, resilience and hope for a brighter future, the album – with lyrics largely in Valentine Caulfield’s native French – was written during an intense and eerie…
The Xcerts have returned with ‘Do It To Myself’, the first song to be released on new record label FLG Records. A huge favourite and very important band for us (the centre table at our wedding was named after their seminal ‘There Is Only You’ album, after all), this song finds the band going back…
Holly Head have shared ‘No Country Is an Island’ ahead of their tour opening for Westside Cowboy. Equal parts Squid-esque experimental post punk and agit Afrobeat – with a funk-meets-trip hop edge – the song takes aim at the ‘every person for themselves’ culture that has engulfed the nation in a huge game of divide…
Lime Gardeb have shared new single ’23’ ahead of the release of second album ‘Maybe Not Tonight’ via So Young Records on 10 April, 2026. The band have also announced details of an extensive UK tour in October. Vocalist and guitarist Chloe Howard says the song was ‘born from a dream I had where I…
Mull Historical Society has joined forces with Sir Alexander McCall Smith, bestselling author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, on ‘Cattle Bells’. The song will feature on upcoming album ‘In My Mind There’s a Photograph’ – a collection of songs that finds MHS main man Colin MacIntyre collaborating with popular writers including Irvine Welsh,…
Now expanded to a five piece, Arcane Roots have made a welcome return with the release of ‘A Wave, Across the Sea’ – the band’s first new music since 2018. Opening with swathes of feedback and gentle but eerie piano that has a touch of Radiohead in it, the song finds guitarist and Andrew Groves…
Masca have shared new single ‘Diggin’ ahead of the release of debut album ‘Love Letters’ via Cold Hard Bangers on 3 April. Inspired by the current political climate and how many are ‘getting so entrenched with your own views that you’re unable to take a step back’, the song opens with angular guitar sounds and…
Ailbhe Reddy describes ‘Kiss Big’ as a breakup record that covers the ‘liminal space where you’re equal parts sad, hopeful, terrified and probably a bit delusional. Written between Dublin, London, New York and the American Midwest, it’s an honest account of a confusing and emotional time. ‘Align’ is a slow-burning, electro-tinged opening to the album…
Cork’s rising stars Cardinals have shared ‘I Like You’ ahead of the release of their debut album ‘Masquerade’ on 13 February bus So Young Records With an accordion at its core and Conor Oberst-esque angst around the edges , there’s a traditional and anthemic feel to the song – coming across as the love child…
Following shows with Adore, US Girls and The Belair LipBombs, Dublin-based duo Burglar have shared new single ‘Lovey’. Originally written a week after Eduardo Pinheiro went through a break-up, he revisited the words a year later by commenting on the embarrassing first thoughts – although there’s an underlying tenderness shining through the Tigers Jaw-esque soundtrack:…
Spectral Nights - alternative music, indie music, music reviews, new music, music blog 