Tiny Vessels – Torn
Norwich based Tiny Vessels (pictured above), who you may have seen at Shiny New Model in Cambridge last year, released a new single in April. Torn has hints of Circa Waves and Wombats to it. With a fast solid beat driving it on and a catchy chorus of “Should we brace for impact, spin the wheel of fortune”.
Kacey Musgraves – Middle of Nowhere
The country star releases her sixth studio album at the start of May, with two tracks from it released so far. Title track Middle Of Nowhere is sonically very country with slide guitar kicking in about 40 seconds in, lyrically sums up living in a small town nicely. It follows lead single Dry Spell which has a innuendo laden wit similar to Sabrina Carpenter’s last couple of albums, the video has some neat double takes for Kacey to visualise phrases such as “Ain’t nobodies tool up in my shed”
Death Cab For Cutie – Riptides
Riptides is the first track released off of the latest LP, I Built You A Tower, from one of the finest crafters of softer emo rock tunes. Benjamin Gibbard’s distinctive vocals, sit over a slowly thickening mix of guitars and an almost drum machine precise beat. It’s classic Death Cab and reinvigorates a desire to seen they live.
Hollowwaves – Eyes Shut
I’ve seen hollowwaves a couple of times at The Fiver in Cambridge, so great to be able to give their first single Eyes Shut at home. Frontman Reuben’s vocal soars with a decent amount of reverb, over a great indie base of solid rhythm section. With lead guitar left to ramble where it feels right. Look forward to hearing more from them.
Nine Inch Noize
After a set at Coachella as Nine Inch Noize, where Nine Inch Nails and Boys Noize came together to play a set of classic NIN songs with a stronger electronic feel to them. The set is available as an album now, which is essentially a live remix of a greatest hits album. It pulls elements that sat in the background of original releases to the foreground and reinterprets other songs.
Militarie Gun – Kick
LA’s Militarie Gun released a video for Kick, filmed here in the UK, possibly well timed with UK shows coming up soon. The track comes from last year’s album God Save The Gun, and has Ian Shelton’s raw vocal blasting through a distorted guitar and siren like synth, which feel very shoe gaze in isolation. But that vocal pulls it pack to a solid head bobbing anthem.
Matilda Mann – Bittersweet
I first saw Matilda Mann on stage at Thetford supporting Tom Grennan in 2023, since then she’s graced the main stage at Latitude and many others. Her latest single Bittersweet has a lovely warmth to the laid back, soundscape for her smooth as silk vocal delivery. It will make you want to give her 2025 debut LP Roxwell, another listen.
Jim Jones All Stars – Cat Fight
If you’re enjoying a revival of 70s rock such as the punchy Molotovs, but fancy leaning more towards the funk end rather than the punk side. Cat Fight will not disappoint, from the opener Make It Rains great drum beat and bass lines. Through to the howling and screeching of Let U Go, this album will have you wanting to dance all around whatever room you’re in.