Mercury Rev – ‘Patterns’


The legendary Mercury Rev have shared ‘Patterns’ ahead of the release of new album ‘Born Horses’ on 6 September via Bella Union. On the themes of the track, the band said: ‘When we gaze up at the stars in the sky at night, the flickering lights seem random. If we could zoom out and see…

Masca – ‘Stage Fright’


Masca’s ‘Stage Fright’, the latest release from forthcoming EP ‘Teen Dream Dealer’ (out on 5 June) finds vocalist and guitarist Tina Maynard confronting the demons that arrive when it comes to performing in front of people. Opening with scuzzy Reuben-style riffs, Tina sings about having butterflies and trying to cope with bright lights before explaining…

Maxïmo Park – ‘Favourite Songs’


Maxïmo Park have returned with new song ‘Favourite Songs’ and an extensive UK and EU tour for the autumn. An ode to the timeless power of pop music, ‘Favourite Songs’ opens with a line about Paul Smith’s best years being behind him but soon changes into a more celebratory tone as he decides to focus…

Bess Atwell – ‘Fan Favourite’


Bess Atwell has shared ‘Fan Favourite’ ahead of the release of new album ‘Light Sleeper’ on 24 May via Lucy Rose’s Real Kind Records. Produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner, the song is an ode to shared experiences and our strong connections to them. With swaying melodies and a bittersweet look at how sometimes these…

Rosie Tucker – ‘Utopia Now!’ album review


Rosie Tucker’s fourth album, ‘Utopia Now!’, finds the talented singer-songwriter asking what an artist’s life looks like in 2024 – a time where people’s (especially trans) rights are being taken away because they’re deemed ‘different’ and capitalism rules over (almost) all. The album opener ‘Lightbulb’ is full of synths stabs and Rosie’s trademark stream-of-consciousness thoughts:…

Pillow Queens – ‘Like a Lesson’


Pillow Queens have shared new single ‘Like a Lesson’ ahead of the release of their third album ‘Name Your Sorrow’ via Royal Mountain Records on 19 April. With the band claiming the track was sonically influenced by Blur, R.E.M., Semisonic and New Radicals (all of whom we also love), it’s a breezy sound underpinning lyrics…

Wild Pink – ‘Air Drumming Fix You’


Wild Pink have made a welcome return with ‘Air Drumming Fix You’, a subtly powerful and sax-infused Antlers-esque piece that finds John Ross ruminating on the potential horrors of a VR world, ‘baby’s breath just like crème fraiche’ and how ‘the good life didn’t look like you thought it might’. With meditative melodies and an…

China Bears – ‘Easy Kill’


China Bears have shared ‘Easy Kill’ ahead of the release of their debut album ‘Participation Trophy’ (out via Fierce Panda on 12 July). Packed with Fatherson-style heart-on-the-sleeve sensibilities, ‘Easy Kill’ shares innermost thoughts about the power of (unrequited?) love against an anthemic backdrop of hooks, harmonies and heartbreak: ‘You bring out a side of me…