New York duo Frog follow up 2023’s ‘Grog’ with ‘1000 Variations on the Same Song’, out via Audio Antihero Records on 14 February, 2025. This is an eclectic record that takes in themes of parenthood, living and finding yourself in your home city, with Frog singer-songwriter Daniel Bateman saying: ‘1000 Variations on the Same Song…
It’s that time of year again. Yes, the Spectral Nights Top 5 albums of the past 12 months. There have been some exciting new releases and long-awaited returns in 2024. Now it’s time to celebrate some of our favourites. As always, it’s important to note music is not a competition hence we’re hesitant to use…
Glasgow-based twin sibling duo Cloth return with ‘Polaroid’. The band’s first new music since 2023’s ‘Secret Measure’ album, it’s produced by Ali Chant (Perfume Genius, PJ Harvey) and features a string arrangement by Owen Pallett. The song itself has touching lyrics that deal with the ‘gradual loss of a friendship which used to burn very…
Hitchin’s queercore punks Brutalligators return with ‘Get Better’, an ode to coming out and finding your chosen family – the ones who love you for who you are – that will feature on the four-piece’s upcoming second album. Self-recorded and produced by drummer Rhys Kirkman, ‘Get Better’ is already a live favourite and you can…
Doves have made a welcome return with ‘Renegade’, the first single to be taken from upcoming sixth album ‘Constellations for the Lonely’ (out, appropriately enough, on Valentine’s Day, 2025). Described by drummer Andy Williams as ‘’Blade Runner’ set in our home city’ (Manchester), there is a cinematic and – at times – dystopian quality to…
2000trees Festival has announced their first wave of bands for 2025’s festival – including five headliners. Kneecap, PVRIS will co-headline the Thursday 10 July while Taking Back Sunday and Coheed and Cambria appear on Friday 11 July. Alexisonfire will close the festival on 12 July. Other exciting acts are the newly reformed Million Dead, La…
On new album ‘Film Buff’, Slotface delve into the worlds of film and TV to tackle stereotypes, gender roles and toxic masculinity… ‘I Used to Be a Real Piece…’ opens the album with big power pop hooks and lyrics about narcissism and confessions. These lead brilliantly into the repeated mantra of ‘I used to be…
Eight albums into their career and Maximo Park continue to delight with their intelligent brand of indie pop. ‘Stream of Life’ finds the band trying to make sense of what life is and what things mean when you are in your 40s… There’s that distinctive guitar sound on album opener ‘Your Own Worst Enemy’ that…
Just over a year after the release of their debut album, The Waeve (real-life couple Graham Coxon from Blur and Rose Elinor Dougall of The Pipettes) return with ‘City Lights’, a bolder, brashier affair with an even more personal approach. The title track opens the album, landing in the sweet spot where disco meets art…
Oso Oso follow up 2019’s smash ‘Basking in the Glow’ and 2022’s ‘Sore Thumb’ with ‘Life Till Bones’ – a collection of 10 songs that find Jade Lilitri looking back over past loves and experiences with fondness and frustration. ‘Many Ways’ opens the album with what might rank as the most famous and special three…
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