Smiling – ‘Why Are You’ album review


Having started as a solo project of Oslo-via-Malmo based artist Johan Hansson Liljeberg, Smiling is now a full band completed by Johan Arvid Ingvarsson (Mary Anne’s Polar Rig, New Banke), Julia Wiklund (New Banke), and August Glännestrand (LAV SOL, Liv Andrea Hauge Trio). They’re now set to release their third album ‘Why Are You’, a…

The Cave stage tent at 2000trees festival 2026

2000trees Festival 2026 review


Blistering heat and brilliant bands collided in style at 2026’s 2000trees Festival. A highlight of every summer – we really can’t wait to see what they pull out of the bag for next year’s 20th anniversary – there’s so much to enjoy at Upcote Farm every July. Will you find your new favourite band, or…

Howdytoons – ‘Smilodon’


Howdytoons – Spectral Nights Jr’s absolute favourite band in the whole wide world – have shared ‘Smilodon’, a song that features on the Toronto band’s debut full-length album ‘Megafauna Metal’. Written by Mike Whitla and his son Jake, the riff-laden song provides an insight into what it must have been like to be one of…

The Stanford Family Band – ‘When Lonesome’


Brighton four-piece The Stanford Family Band have shared ‘When Lonesome’, a sublime song that captures the spirit of ’60s pop and blends it with C86-inspired jangly guitar hooks – plus a touch of The Carpenters and Queen along the way. There’s talk of ‘confusion and disillusion’ amidst the harmonies and warming flourishes of piano.

Jawdropped band photo

Jawdropped – ‘Monday’


Los Angeles band Jawdropped have shared new single ‘Monday’ and announced they’ve signed to Transgressive Records/Canvasback. Regarding the subject matter of the song, the band say: ”Monday’ is about treading the waters of anticipation, but deciding to face your feelings head on. The truth will set you free, even if it’s just the Sunday scaries.’…

A cat in infra-red imagery. Basement's Wired album artwork

Basement – ‘Wired’ album review


Basement return with ‘Wired’, the Ipswich five-piece’s first new album in over eight years. Released via their original label, Run For Cover Records, the record is the result of all the band members collaborating during the songwriting process and working with producer John Congleton (Sharon Van Etten, Death Cab for Cutie, St. Vincent). The atmospheric…

Truthpaste – ‘Friendship is the Truth’


Truthpaste have shared ‘Friendship is the Truth’ ahead of the release of debut EP ‘I Don’t Know Either’ on 28 April, 2026 via Dirty Hit and Memorials of Distinction. Reminding us of Slow Club and the anti-folk classics of the early 2000s but combined with the complex chamber pop melodies of contemporaries like Black Country,…