Tugboat Captain – ‘Deep Sea Diving’


Tugboat Captain follow up recent single ‘Flash of Light’ with ‘Deep Sea Diving’ – a piece of intelligent baroque pop that takes a look at the polymetallic nodules that can be found on the ocean floor, and how this might lead to ecological disaster: ‘Maybe we’re running on borrowed time, got no answer. I don’t…

The Antlers – ‘I Was Not There’


The Antlers make a welcome return with new single ‘I Was Not There’, a song Peter Silberman says is about ‘the elusive experience of complete presence. Across three scenes, the song describes fleeting moments of clarity and wholeness, and the accompanying feeling of leaving yourself’. It opens in evocative style as Peter sings about the…

Joanna Sternberg – ‘I’ve Got Me’


Photo credit: Shervin Lainez Joanna Sternberg has shared the video for new single ‘I’ve Got Me’, the title track from their new album out via Fat Possum on 30 June. Partly inspired by Charles Bukowski’s ‘Oh Yes’ poem (which Joanna has tattooed on their right arm), the song brings back memories of the anti-folk scene…

Saloon Dion – ‘Happiness’


Following a support slot to Pip Blom and ahead of shows at SXSW and with Grandmas House, Bristol post-punkers Saloon Dion release new single ‘Happiness’ from forthcoming debut EP ‘Muckers’ (out on 19 May). With frenetic yet melodic pop hooks and vocals demanding ‘Stand by yourself, forget everything else’, there are elements of Life or…

Bleach Lab – ‘Indigo’


Photo credit: Rory Dunn Following tours with Priestgate and We Are Scientists, Bleach Lab release new single ‘Indigo’, a song inspired by being in a toxic relationship where the person responsible for the pain keeps trying to apologise for their behaviour. The band say the song is partly based on the famous John Cusack boombox…

The Xcerts featuring Sam Carter (Architects) – ‘Ache’


Photo credit: Zak Pinchin The Xcerts follow up recent release ‘Gimme’ with ‘Ache’ – ‘a song about desperately clinging on to hope when your own mental wellbeing is cumbling’. It’s 104 seconds of adrenaline-driven power-pop hooks, poignant discussion and advice on letting go when things get too much (‘Life’s a bitch, please take care of…

Dutch Uncles – ‘True Entertainment’ album review


Photo credit: Oliver Sangster Dutch Uncles return after six years with ‘True Entertainment’, their sixth (!) album since 2009. Inspired by acts including Kate Bush, The Blue Nile and Ennio Morricone, the album features guest appearances from Metronomy’s Anna Prior and Everything Everything’s Jonathan Higgs while the sound continues to blend eminently danceable hooks with…