Happy Accidents – Infinite Possibilities
Taken from their freshly announced new record Edit Undo – releasing September 27th via Alcopop! Records – the dearly beloved indie-punk duo Happy Accidents are back with not only their new single ‘Infinite Possibilities’, but the promise of a lot more. Thematically exploring how our brains falsely interpret events and often leave us feeling incorrectly boxed in within a wide open world, ‘Infinite Possibilities’ doesn’t just harken a new record, but a total new era for the band. In an age where music is often seen as a disposable commodity, here, Happy Accidents invite fans to enter a whole secret world centring around the record, with hidden clues and content being hidden behind artist profiles on streaming services. However, to partake, you’re going need to rightfully pre-order the record. “It’s partly about looking at ways to challenge the ‘flash in the pan’ nature of releasing music nowadays”, state the band on the project. “It feels like with digital distribution, many small scale releases are here today gone tomorrow, and everyone immediately moves on. This is sort of an experiment in digital liner notes, trying to do something interesting within the streaming space without losing the convenience of how we all listen to music in 2024.” – Dan Hillier
Show Me The Body – It Burns
One of the most unique bands flying the hardcore flag today, the banjo-toting Show Me The Body have turned the dials all the way up on new single ‘It Burns’. Blending dark, sinister electronic elements with crunching riffs and bass, the track is driven by the almost corrupt preacher-style vocals of Julian Platt. It may unsettle and even drive you a little crazy, but the industrial thumping fuzz is incredibly addictive, sounding like Aphex Twin in parts. Never ones to go with the crowd or, for that matter, sound like anyone else, Show Me The Body continue to push the limits of their sound and if this is just a taste of what’s to come in the future, then you genuinely don’t know what to expect. – Chris Earl
GEL – Persona
Fresh off signing a brand new record deal with Blue Grape Music and having just departed our shores following an incredible UK run, GEL have a new track to share with us. The title track from their upcoming August EP Persona is out now and much like ‘Mirage’, it’s a step into a more melodic and expanded sound for the New Jersey crew. Don’t take that as the band going soft though, because that is certainly not the case. The raw aggression and barely contained fury of Sami Kaiser is still there in force and is backed up by a furious, two-step inciting backdrop. There’s a reason that GEL are one of the most exciting bands in hardcore and this track is simply another prime example of honest, take-no-prisoners modern ‘core. – Chris Earl
Vower – False Rituals
Vower are creating a lot of fuss in the scene at the moment, and very rightly so. Their latest single ‘False Rituals’ seamlessly blends angsty metal on the verge of breaking out, and melancholic crooning to distill a finely poised three-and-a-half minutes of intrigue. As the track builds to its finality the metal finally comes to the forefront, bringing to mind the huge progressive sounds of Between the Buried and Me, soaring, triumphant, with vocals that drown any leftover space in despairing screams, it’s not bold to suggest their upcoming release might be one of the best this year. – Rob Bown
Grove Street – Divided Kingdom
Never ones for subtlety, UK thrash-worshipping hardcore stars Grove Street have dropped a standalone track ahead of their late summer/autumn tour dates. With their 2023 debut full-length still packing a hell of a punch, ‘Divided Kingdom’ is born from the band’s experience of touring and the reaction of the rest of the world to their Britishness. Addressing the stark and frankly dangerous divides in our country and being ashamed of where you’re from, it’s naturally a fast, no-bullshit track that continues to blend deadly hardcore with those thrash riffs the band is so legendary for, chock full of groove and deadly breakdowns. With the country in the state it’s in, expect it to strike a chord with fans across the country when they make their way across the UK in July and August. – Chris Earl
Soot Sprite – I Went Swimming
It’s been a hot minute since we’ve had some new music from Soot Sprite, but the trio are cresting the scene again with their brilliant new single ‘I Went Swimming’. Dropping just prior to a run of dates – some with Sweet Pill and Suds, some with Regal Cheer – ‘I Went Swimming’ see’s Soot Sprite melding heartfelt indie with shoegazing introspection to offer up something that’s as emotionally deep as the pelagic depths and as pulling as the greatest of tidal swells. Regardless if you’re already well immersed in the bands’ work or just dipping your toes in for the first time, this is indiegaze well worth diving into. – Dan Hillier
Zetra – Shatter the Mountain (Feat. Sólveig Matthildur)
Darkwave synth duo Zetra ooze effortless cool not only visually but musically too. Their latest single ‘Shatter the Mountain’, from the upcoming self-titled debut album continues that vein of spacey synth melody paired with ethereal vocals. Opening with a soaring synth line, it’s a mid-paced but no less ascendant piece from the mysterious duo. With their last single they recruited Svalbard’s Serena Cherry to lend her ferocious screams; this time, they’ve enlisted Sólveig Matthildur of Icelandic avant-garde post punk trio Kælan Mikla and she lends an extra dimension to the already-stunning arrangement. Cryptic as ever, Zetra simply say of the new song, “Join us on a journey into the mind. Dream of a world. Become the creator. The old must be destroyed before the new can arise. Shatter the mountain. Begin to know.” – Will Marshall
Sans Froid – Gammons
The latest track to lifted from their upcoming LP Hello, Boil Brain – released 13th September – ‘Gammons’ is a certainly a strange listen in thanks to it’s gorgeous vocals, oscillating keys and general sense of disjointed unease. However, it’s Sans Froid; it would be weird if this wasn’t a bit off-kilter. Superbly displaying their home-brewed approach to progressive art-rock whilst lyrically decrying the kind of passive misogyny that’s lies centre of the cultural rot that’s eating away at our societal foundations, ‘Gammons’ is the peak embodiment of this wonderfully weird band; it’s strange yet inviting, wholly authentic and absolutely crucial. Some listeners may be quick to abandon this in part to it’s strange delivery, and structure but truly, the way in which ‘Gammons’ articulates a crucial subject in a way that’s uniquely arresting just shows how crucial this band are. – Dan Hillier
Lakes – Stitches
Our favourite glock-rock super stars return with new members in-tow. The first track to feature new members Cat Rowland and Marcus Gooda, ‘Stitches’ is a gilded and wonderfully earnest spool of sublime modern emo that still bares the intricate velvety threads of their last EP Elysian Skies. Whilst the some aired concerns regarding the future of this band following the departure of personnel following the release of their aforementioned last record, with ‘Stitches’ it’s clear Lakes are still set to sew the future of UK emo in their own bespoke image. – Dan Hillier
Student Slasher Film – Boulder
The second track courtesy of the self-proclaimed pioneers of Midwest-Yorkshire emo, the single from Student Slasher Film strikes a unique balance between being instantly nostalgic yet strikingly fresh. Sitting dead centre of venn diagram composed of Midwest pioneers in the vein of American Football, current scene flag-bearers like Origami Angel and UK acts such as Slash Fiction, ‘Boulder’ is an amalgamation of scenes and sounds separated by both time and distance. Should one be into the names aforementioned, then is crucial listening. – Dan Hillier
Mrs Frighthouse – DIY Exorcism
Channeling the spirit and spectre of Lingua Ignota, Uboa, Julie Christmas and other noise-racked musical poltergeists that would make a nun rush for their rosaries, the new single from the Mrs Frighthouse is a possession worth embracing. The third single from the wife-and-wife industrial noise duo, ‘DIY Exorcism’ is a ghastly and borderline terrifying avant garde soundscape that pits gothic imagery with grating industrialism so intense and fraught it would even make dear Regan MacNeil tremor and second guess their antics. This sure as hell ain’t for everyone, but for those wanting genuinely brilliant avant garde noise that uses gothic symbolism in order to highlight misogyny, transphobia and homophobia, look no further. – Dan Hillier
Yours Truly – California Sober
The third single from upcoming album Toxic, ‘California Sober’ sees Yours Truly once more arming themselves with intensely personal lyrics, this time centredd around never feeling good enough to hang out with as your friends are always high when you see them. “Maybe you would like me more / if I get you high / I can’t compete with that” vocalist Mikaila Delgado sings on its raw bridge, at odds with the breezy melodies and bouncy guitars from Teddie Winter-Haron. After a few years of significant upheaval for the band in spite of their steadily rising star, ‘California Sober’ proves the now-trio hasn’t lost any of their edge or relatability. Toxic is shaping up to be a stellar addition to the Yours Truly canon. – Will Marshall
delving – Zodiak
Coming at delving blind is a real trip. Nicholas DiSalvo (Elder) explores a more expansive sound that bridges between psych rock, krautrock, and early electronica with a smattering of ambience. For the first half of the track you’re weightless as if floating on the smell of a cartoon pie left to cool in the window, only to be pulled down into some syncopated, delayed fun. There’s phase aplenty, which gives a feeling of a more guitar-orientated Tame Impala. ‘Zodiak’ is eight minutes long which some might balk at, however the loving attention to the riff, the feel of the drums and the overall tone of the music means that the time is passed is a blissful state of euphoric swaying. Is this what it’s like to go to an OG Grateful Dead concert? – Rob Bown
Bloc Party – Flirting Again
There’s something about a Bloc Party riff that is not only instantly recognisable, but also whisks you away to another time and place. Whether it’s melodic and contemplative with ‘Silent Alarm’, or fast-paced and heavy like ‘Four’, Bloc Party just keep on adding more strings to their bow. ‘Flirting Again’ bounces around the room like a maniac dressed in a knitted jumper and wielding a Fender Telecaster. The chorus is like a trenbolone gorilla version of a classic Bloc Party offering, bobbing back and forth before falling into a syncopated, lightly drummed, and weirdly riffed verse, which breaches the dam releasing a tide of driving electronica breakdown to see the track out. This was a surprise single, so no one’s sure what’s coming next. The band released material recently, but who doesn’t want more Bloc Party? – Rob Bown
Barbarian Hermit – Mean Sugar
Who ordered the Fu Manchu with a side order of Kyuss? The new Barbarian Hermit track comes stomping through the room like a stoner looking for cereal, with riffs as big as a novelty bong, and grooves longer than a smoke-induced Nicholas Cage marathon. ‘Mean Sugar’ compels the head to nod to the massive mid-tempo drumming, you can only imagine was produced in a studio dense in smoke. The track eventually devolves into more knuckle-dragging heavy riffing, paying homage to Red Fang both at the altar of the riff, and the temple of vocals. By the end of the track, even the weary pothead is roused from their slumber to get up and stamp out the beat to that final section. The new album is en route (and shares the same name) and if this is anything to go off it should be a jolly green time. – Rob Bown
Uniform – This Is Not A Prayer
Two words: disgusting, sludge. This entry could be ended here and it would do justice to the new Uniform single ‘This Is Not A Prayer’. Instead let’s have a little chat about driving industrial guitars akin to Godflesh, combined with pounding and relentless drumming a woods-dwelling black metal enthusiast would be proud of. The whole song is drenched in despair as vocalist Michael Berdan exhales his black breath of anguish all over the place. The drums give a sense of urgency that keeps you on the edge of your seat for the entire track, between that and the berating noise rock vocals and chanting gang shouts this isn’t the most comfortable of listens, but then again it shouldn’t be. Either way get yourself on to the streaming platforms and subject yourself to 6:39 of panic attack, it’s worth it. – Rob Bown
Orchards – Sweetie Pie
It may be a bit less twinkly than their normal work, but the latest single from Brighton math poppers Orchards is still a sugary sweet slice of irresistible guitar pop that’s just the right level of indulgent. Sticking to the band’s tested recipe of music thats musically indulgent yet lyrically bitter, ‘Sweetie Pie’ brilliantly showcases the inherent juxtaposition between sickly sweet pop hooks and biting delivery that makes Orchards’ work so refreshing and satisfying. This single and it’s respective predecessor ‘I Feel Terrible’ seem to show the band in their most driven form in years, and in all, hints towards Orchards cooking up their most delicious record yet. – Dan Hillier
Tribulation – Saturn Coming Down
The dark, sinister metal of Tribulation has been one of the high points of new music coming out of Sweden in the last decade. Balancing gothic ambience with an almost macabre sound, they’ve returned following last year’s EP with a new track that will, if nothing else, get the hair on your arms raised. ‘Saturn Coming Down’ is a masterful piece of modern metal, indebted to bands like Paradise Lost and Enslaved as much as it is a celebration of the band’s signature sound. The chorus is incredibly and immediately addictive, while the opening creeps into the room like fog underneath the door. If this is the precursor to another full length then this is a brilliant way to announce a new era for the Swedes, who still stand at the top of the modern metal mountain. – Chris Earl
Problem Patterns – I Think You Should Leave
Straddling the line between being a fierce rebuttal and a tender love song, the latest single from queerpunk quartet Problem Patterns is a heart-on-hand ballad to their city of Belfast that only compounds on everything that made their debut LP Blouse Club just so brilliant. Propelled by a baseline so filthy it sounds it like it’s dripping diesel and presenting the brilliant dichotomy between raw emotion and poetic lyricism that made their aforementioned full length just so brilliant, ‘I Think You Should Leave’ is a scuzzed out ode to home that’s delivered with the kind of fierceness required to defend against those who baselessly decry their home. – Dan Hillier
Lowen – The Seed That Dreamed of Its Own Creation
Lowen are a fascinating band. The quartet meld Bolt Thrower-esque riffs with some of the progressive elements of Baroness, gothic splendour and more; latest single ‘The Seed That Dreamed of Its Own Creation’ features all that and a rapturous vocal performance from Nina Saeidi. Written and sung entirely in Farsi, the native language of Iran, it pairs crushing progressive riffs with lush melodic arrangements including Saeidi’s voice and sumptuous leads. The band describe the song as being “about Azhi Dahāka, a serpent tyrant from ancient Iranian mythology that is overthrown after a violent reign of chaos, drought and instability. Zoroastrian eschatology is considered one of the oldest on earth and [we were] loosely inspired by its descriptions of the end of the world, but wanted to introduce an element of hope to the song as well.” Their new album, Do Not Go To War With the Demons of Mazandaran, is out October 4th via Church Road Records. – Will Marshall
Beabadoobee – Ever Seen
The third single from bedroom-popstar Beabadoobee‘s upcoming This is How Tomorrow Moves, ‘Ever Seen’ is a blissed-out summer’s day anthem. Heavily inspired by her time touring with Taylor Swift, the original intention was to make a country song but it spiralled into more than that, with a quiet but driving drum beat and strings. As she explains, it captures the feelings of being at Glastonbury with the thudding of drums on the wind and the sprawling, endless possibility that the site and festival invites people to experience. – Will Marshall
To The Grave – Dead Wrong
Everyone’s A Murderer. So claim Aussie animal rights activists To The Grave, with their upcoming third album titled exactly that. ‘Dead Wrong’ is another slab of brutalising deathcore, with stomach-churning artwork and a visceral feature from Empty Cages‘ Michael Kearney. Erupting out of the stocks with double-bass drumming, gurgling vocals and deliriously heavy slams, ‘Dead Wrong’, as with the rest of Everyone’s A Murderer, is their attempt to “speak through the faceless activists that fight for animals, for those living in vystopia [being vegan in a non-vegan world] feeling alone and helpless… Due to it being illegal to rescue farmed animals from abuse these activists must stay silent about it to avoid having their own freedom taken.” Strong words and heavy music for strong morals, To The Grave are coming for blood. – Will Marshall
House of Protection – Being One
Having exploded onto the scene earlier this year with an electrifying debut single, House Of Protection continue to demonstrate that they’re not here to play by the rules on their new release, ‘Being One’. A far cry from their raucous punk-infused prior releases, ‘Being One’ is a glistening electronica affair that represents a shockingly cinematic tonal shift for the duo. D’n’B-styled percussion rattles beneath sparse, reverb-soaked keys and jittering synths. Punchy verses surge into luscious and surprisingly tender choruses, as the vocals alternate between near rap flows and beautiful, soft melodies. It is the sort of track that truly marks an outfit as being one to watch, building upon a strong foundation and diversifying their sound in unexpected ways that still remain coherent with their identity. – Ryan Ward
Melt-Banana – Flipside
Noise rock aficionados will be familiar with Japanese duo Melt-Banana, whose uniquely insane take on the genre is finally making a return with their upcoming eighth album, 3+5, their first in 11 years. Sat at the unlikely crossroads of grindcore and pop, ‘Flipside’ is a raucous, thoroughly mental two minutes that cares little for being understood – but if you listen carefully, it does make a certain kind of sense. Seesawing guitars are underpinned by punky, frantic drums and there’s recognisable hooks despite the atypical structure. A whirlwind of electronics, hyperactive vocals and glitchy guitar work, ‘Flipside’ is a gleeful reintroduction to the wacky world of Melt-Banana. – Will Marshall
40 Watt Sun – Closer to Life
Fans of melancholic longing can rejoice (or whatever the miserable equivalent is); 40 Watt Sun return this year with their new album, Little Weight, and its first single ‘Closer to Life’. The intention was to recapture some of their earlier work’s spontaneity by imposing often isolating conditions on themselves to make it, and that feels evident in a song that’s more immediate than you might expect, but still chock full of the longing, poetic and nostalgic tales fans have come to expect. ‘Closer to Life’ is a slow burner but there’s plenty of emotional weight in its pondrous journey. As ever, we don’t know exactly what inspired 40 Watt Sun this time, but it’s a strong start, and a new chance for fans to once more see themselves in the song’s journey. – Will Marshall