Hope of the States – ‘Billboard Mountain’


Hope of the States continue their unexpected but most welcome of combacks with the release of ‘Billboard Mountain’. While its opening minute is filled with typically cinematic strings and Morricone-esque tones as Sam Herlihy declares ‘This grief makes energy. Believe, believe, believe’, the song then harks back to ‘The Lost Riots’ favourite ‘George Washington’: ‘Set…

Brutalligators – ‘Hold Fast’


Hitchin’s queer indie-punk rockers Brutalligators have returned with ‘Hold Fast’, the first single to be taken from their upcoming second album ‘Hold Fast’ (to be released via Fika Recordings on 21 November, 2025). With the record described by the band as a ‘love letter to learning to accept all that life throws at you’, ‘it…

The Orchestra (For Now) – ‘Deplore You/Farmers Market’


Who’d have thought there’d be two songs named after farmers’ markets in 2025? The Orchestra (For Now) follow Pulp’s album track highlight with ‘Deplore You/Farmers Market’ – the first song this special band wrote and played live. Mixing orchestral string manoeuvres with dashes of chamber pop melody, it starts in softer fashion before taking a…

The Belair Lip Bombs – ‘Back of My Hand’


Australian quartet The Belair Lip Bombs have shared new single ‘Back of My Hand’ ahead of the release of new album ‘Again’ via Third Man Records on 31 October, 2025. Opening with melodic and jangly hooks that reminded us of The Maccabees or Rilo Kiley, the song finds Maisie Everett in defiant mood as she…

Westside Cowboy – ‘Don’t Throw Rocks’


Westside Cowboy have shared new single ‘Don’t Throw Rocks’ ahead of the release of second EP ‘So Much Countryy ‘Till We Get There’ via Island Records imprint Adventure Recordings on 16 January, 2026. Originally starting life as a ‘fuzzy drum machine demo that Jimmy made in his bedroom’, the song finds the four-piece reflecting on…

Richard Ashcroft Lovin' You album artwork

Richard Ashcroft – ‘Lovin’ You’ album review


Richard Ashcroft follows up a celebratory summer supporting Oasis with the release of ‘Lovin’ You’ on 10 October, 2025. This is Richard’s first album filled with new material since 2018’s ‘Natural Rebel’ and finds the singer-songwriter exploring, experimenting and celebrating love. ‘Lover’ opens the record with its take on Joan Armatrading’s ‘Love and Affection’. The…

Idlewild album artwork

Idlewild – ‘Idlewild’ album review


With cover artwork photographed from the exact same spot as the sleeve for ‘Hope Is Important’ – only facing in the opposite direction and in glorious colour – Idlewild make a welcome return with their new self-titled record. The tenth album in the band’s career, it finds them ‘looking back without being nostalgic’ according to…