Sunturns – ‘Christmas III’ album review


Norwegian indiepop supergroup Sunturns (Ola Innset, Einar Stray and Sjur Lyseid) share their third selection of festive anthems in ‘Christmas III’. While inspired by the season’s festivities, the song’s also look some of the more somber and sad moments that affect us all come 25 December… There’s a Ronettes-style introduction to the album opener ‘New…

Ciao Malz singer songwriter photo

Ciao Malz – ‘Safe Then Sorry’ EP review


Brooklyn-based Ciao Malz (Malia DelaCruz) releases her debut EP, ‘Safe Then Sorry’, via Audio Antihero on 6 December There’s a woozy alt-rock sound to the opening ‘Two Feet Tall’. Bringing back memories of Best Coast or Frankie Cosmos, this breezy piece finds Malia talking about how she’s ‘always reaching’ and how ‘I’ve been meaning to…

Phoebe Green – ‘Precious Things’


Manchester singer-songwriter Phoebe Green has shared ‘Precious Things’ ahead of a UK tour next April. Covering the ‘Obsessive, almost fan-like behaviour that we can exhibit in romantic relationships’. With elements of Imogen Heap and St. Vincent in its sonic orchestration, the song finds Phoebe embracing a big pop sound that offsets the vulnerability on show…

Delivery – ‘The New Alphabet’


Melbourne five-piece Delivery have shared new single ‘The New Alphabet’ ahead of the release of their second album ‘Force Majeure’ on 17 January 2025 via Heavenly Recordings. ‘The New Alphabet’ finds the band delving into a post-punk sound, complete with scattergun riffs and wonky, scuzzy Cribs-esque interludes. The band say the song takes ‘on the…

Tugboat Captain – ‘Christmas Commercial Song’


Spectral Nights favourites Tugboat Captain celebrate the (not so?) most wonderful time of the year with ‘Commercial Christmas Song’, a strings-laden song about seasonal despair and heartbreak: ‘I wish I felt better, in my winter sweater. I’ve worn it so long, why do I feel so wrong hearing Christmas commercial songs?’. The genteel piano notes…

Cloth – ‘Polaroid’


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…

Brutalligators – ‘Get Better’


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…

Sassyhiya – ‘Take You Somewhere’ album review


With influences ranging from the Breeders and Broadcast to Dolly Parton and ‘Kristen Stewart’ already on its way to becoming a queer anthem, Sassyhiya’s debut record ‘Take You Somewhere’ promises to be a glorious celebration of modern life. The wonky, woozy pop melodies of opener ‘Boat Called Predator’ bring back memories of indie legends Bearsuit,…