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…

Bat for Lashes – ‘The Dream of Delphi’


Natasha Khan makes a welcome return with ‘The Dream of Delphi’, the first single (and opening track) to be taken from the upcoming album of the same name, out on 31 May via Mercury KX. Inspired and influenced by the birth of her daughter in 2020, the song captures ‘what happens when you’re stretched physically,…

Young Jesus – ‘Brenda & Diane’


Young Jesus has shared the stirring story of ‘Brenda & Diane’ ahead of the release of new album ‘The Fool’ on 24 May via Saddle Creek. Very much in the character-driven Springsteen/Hold Steady space – but with more choice swearing – it tells the tale of an encounter with a couple of down-on-their-luck drifters on…

Magana – ‘Paul’


Released ahead of new album ‘Teeth’ (released via Audio Antihero on 25 March), Jeni Magana’s latest single is a deeply personal piece about grief and mortality: ‘This song is for my friend, who dealt with death too early. These are her words, and I processed them by turning them into a song.’ Sparse and spectral…

Tugboat Captain – ‘Bosch’


Tugboat Captain make a welcome return with ‘Bosch’, the story of a homicide detective who has a horrible realisation about his own actions. It’s delivered against an intro that reminded us of Sneaker Pimps or I Monster’s ‘Daydream’. This soon morphs into the more familiar baroque pop sound – albeit with pleasing jazzy interludes –…

Masca – ‘Sweet Tooth’


Masca have shared ‘Sweet Tooth’ ahead of the release of new EP ‘Teen Dream Dealer’ in June. With angular guitar work and a woozy, wonky melody that falls somewhere between Everything Everything and Anamanaguchi, the song ponders the seemingly perfect nature of AI and how – if you fall madly in love and come to…

Silent Forum – ‘Yes Man’


Silent Forum have shared ‘Yes Man’ ahead of the release of new album ‘Domestic Majestic’ on 23 February. Opening with a group vocal harmonising instructions to ‘keep your head down’, the song – about working under a psychopath – veers into a sound akin to Modest Mouse grappling with Bombay Bicycle Club, over a bed…