Uncle Luc – ‘Humblebrag’ album review


We’ve spoken at length about our love for the much-missed Stagecoach before and have hosted the first releases from frontman Luke’s Barham’s solo project Uncle Luc. ‘I Write’, ‘Farewell Monsoon’ and the songs featured in his mini movie ‘Owner of the Loneliest Song’ hinted at a more stripped-down sound than his previous band, but with…

Olympians – ‘Brunch Cannon’


Ahead of their triumphant performance at ArcTanGent festival, Olympians released their new single, the fantastically named ‘Brunch Cannon’. The first song from an as-yet-untitled debut album, the synth-laced and doom-laden math-pop song is wonderfully layered as it gradually builds to the memorable but gloomy group-chanted statement of: ‘Find a melody and keep it in your…

JOHN – ‘JOHN’ EP review


They played the Brain Wave all-dayer on Easter Sunday this year and since then London duo JOHN have gone from strength to strength. With a support slot to Talons and a festival appearance at Southsea Fest in the pipeline, they’ve also become BBC 6Music favourites. On 15 September, they will be releasing their debut EP,…

Salvation Bill – FML (Feel My Lump)


Salvation Bill is truly a mesmerising prospect and now Ollie Thomas’ all-encompassing musical project is back with a new single – the self-depreciatingly titled ‘FML (Feel My Lump)’. With guitar work that has the essence of math-rock complexity looped around an altogether more tropical ambience, Oxford resident Ollie’s distinctive and slightly mumbled vocals are delivered…

The Xcerts – Shaking in the Water


It’s been a long time coming – and it’s been a huge live favourite for some time – but it’s an absolute delight to finally see The Xcerts back with new material. ‘Shaking in the Water’, the first single from their new album, started life as a jangly 60s Beach Boys-esque pop song but after…

My Fictions – Stranger Songs


Formed in Massachusetts’ Merrimack Calley in 2010, hardcore heroes My Fictions have released a number of highly acclaimed recordings through the brilliant Topshelf Records and ‘Stranger Songs’ – their first full-length album – is set to unleash their sound to an even wider spectrum of unexpected music fans. One of the heaviest bands on the…

Braid – No Coast


Returning after 16 years and fully immersed in the so-called ‘emo revival’, Braid have released new album ‘No Coast’ via the ever-reliable Topshelf Records. Hailing from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, the quartet’s last album was the seminal ‘Frame & Canvas’ in 1998, but after so long away, will the band be able to deliver new material that…

The Cottonettes – For the O’s


As football fans around the world gear up for the World Cup in Brazil (kicking off on 12 June – it’s almost here!), The Cottonettes have turned their attention closer to home. With a certain section of South East London gearing up for a huge game at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 25 May – the…