The three year album interlude from the compelling, Bristol-based Getdown Services that began with the mordant, energetic 2023 debut album ‘Crisps’ has finally ended with their sophomore album ‘Massive Champion’. An album title fitting for the self-proclaimed “Britain’s best band”. Photo Credit: Sion Marshall Waters The interlude, however, has been a busy one though with a copious amount of sweat-induced, unhinged and infectious performances from the often topless Josh Law a

There is something peculiarly surreal about hearing the unmistakable tones of Joe Newman outside the milieu and alt-pop, art-rock hums of Mercury Prize winning band alt-J. On the heels of almost two decades as the voice and frontman of one of British indie’s most distinctive bands, Newman has stepped out alone, trading alt-J for the rather more cryptic moniker of JJerome87. Photo Credit: Zachary Gray Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Carlos De La Garza, ‘The Canyon’ feel

Keyside didn’t ease their way into their debut album ‘Keyside’ , they kicked the door wide open. With driving guitars and soaring choruses, Keyside makes an immediate statement of intent. But beneath the bright and infectious surface of the album, lies something darker. With songs tackling addiction and emotional struggle yet never losing their irresistible sense of melody. ‘Runaway’ establishes the balance of the album immediately. With the upbeat guitar line and expansive c

One of Sunderland’s most exciting stars Tom A. Smith is back with an outstanding EP ‘Put On A Record Tommy’. This unique dance driven record highlights the parallels of both confidence and insecurity, expressing the difficult changes of becoming a young adult. Smith’s honest lyricism on this record emphasises the vulnerability of establishing an identity and the challenges of embodying new perspectives. The overall sonics of the EP moves contrary to this theme, proving to the

After a recently celebrated decade of Indie-Rock anthems, Garage hits, and Britpop nostalgia, DMA’S are back and ready to reclaim the Indie scene with the release of their fifth, self-titled album, ‘DMA’S’! Released on the 21st August, ‘DMA’S’ beautifully encapsulates the trio’s sonic evolution since their 2016 debut ‘Hills End’, striking a satisfying stylistic balance of both nostalgic sound and a fresh reinvention. Opening track ‘El Alamein’ wastes no time in giving us a t

Back in 19th century New York history, some people in the area didn’t know how trains worked. The ‘Westside Cowboys’ were born from this, horseback riders who helped keep train speeds in check. This is where the Manchester indie folk band originated their obscure but fitting name as Westside Cowboy, a band that invites you in to join their herd with folk infused alt rock tracks from their debut album ‘It Goes On’. This eleven track brand new album features a variety to liste

Following the success of Kansas Anymore, ROLE MODEL returns with 'Chuck Timely & The Hourglass', a 47-minute record that feels like the soundtrack to a late summer evening. Rather than chasing nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake, ROLE MODEL uses vintage influences to create an album that feels warm, relaxed and perfectly suited to the final stretch of summer. Photo Credit: Chuff Media 2026 The album opens with the reflective 'Chuck’s Mantra' before quickly shifting gears with 'Hig

Combining modern music styles with vintage fashions, Opus Kink’s newest album ‘The Sweet Goodbye’ presents a somewhat gothic groove spun through varying genres of Punk, Jazz, Indie and even Ska. A tasteful and cutting-edge sonic experience is offered, where instruments of the brass family conjoin with drums both electronic and raw, gritty guitars, suave bass notes and husky vocals that dive in and out of a beautiful insanity. Photo credit: Jacob Ray Opening with the track ‘C

Our Hull-hailing Alternative favourite LIFE is back with a fresh experimental palette! Their highly anticipated June release of ‘ABSTRACT/NATURAL’ kicks off our summer with a banging start, incorporating their trademark Post-Punk boldness with an expansive taste of Folk influence - all eloquently expressed through frontman Metz Sanders-Green’s vivid vocal delivery. Carrying a similar musical intensity to that of early Shame, LIFE’s poetic meditations provide an emotionally p

Having faced an abundance of nepo baby discourse already at age 20, Violet Grohl proves exactly why she shouldn’t be written off with debut album ‘Be Sweet to Me’. After years of sharing the stage with her dad the alt-rock 90s influence is prevalent, but it’s clear Grohl hasn’t been complacent and uses her debut to define her own sound instead of sinking into expectation. Photo Credit: Bella Newman The fuzzy guitar on opening single ‘THUM’ compliment the haunting flexibility

Big Special’s latest album, ‘O’JOY’ gets us into the thought-provoking groove as West Midlands duo Joe Hickin and Callum Moloney craft the perfect blend of poignant lyricism and dynamic instrumentals, inviting us into their universe of Post-Punk, Folk, Rock, and Blues…just to name a few! In thirty minutes, Big Special delivers a sound so uniquely theirs, yet speaks to an entire nation as they relay themes of political turmoil, working class issues, and mental health through a

Garage Rock’s high priest continues to misuse priceless boutique recording equipment with aplomb, resulting in a riotous LP. Thrillingly live, with few obvious overdubs, White produces his most primal recent expression of Rock ’n’ Roll minimalism, while asking many big questions and answering few. Photo Credit: David Swanson Comparisons to his last effort, 2024’s ‘No Name’, are inevitable here, but there is divergence enough to make this a worthwhile add-on. ‘Frozen Charlotte

Few bands have evolved as fearlessly as Yard Act. Three albums in, and the Leeds four-piece have pushed the boundaries of post-punk more than ever. Now with their new record ‘You're Gonna Need a Little Music’ (Out July 17th), they take another confident leap forward. Photo Credit: James Winstanley Recorded together as a full band in the studio for the first time, it captures an energy that goes beyond their other records. There is a rawness to these tracks that almost mirro

Norwegian Dream-Pop duo Misty Coast have once again entranced listeners with their fifth album ‘Always Sun’, released on April 24th. A whirlwind of synth-induced psychosis, this record traps you in a void of swirling sounds, with harmonies like golden embers, and guitars flickering with sunlight. We are thrown straight into the psychedelic deep end with no arm bands as the titular track begins. Engulfed in smoky synth waves, Linn Frøkedal's ethereal vocals softly speak, “It’

Kick-ass Australian Rock star Courtney Barnett returns from a five-year album hiatus with ‘Creature of Habit’. The album is strong, showcasing Barnett’s signature deadpan delivery and witty lyricism throughout. While it stays rooted in her Indie Rock foundations, there are subtle shifts in texture and influence, with country-tinged flourishes woven into the mix. The record moves comfortably between punchy guitar-driven tracks and more melancholic, stripped-back ballads, showi

This month saw the highly-anticipated sophomore release from Alt-Pop princess Holly Humberstone. Despite its pessimistic title, ‘Cruel World’ is undeniably Humberstone’s most confident, polished release to date. Across its tracklist, she builds an almost ethereal, fictional landscape that moves effortlessly between forward momentum and a lingering trance of vulnerability and yearning. Photo Credit: Silken Weinberg The album starts with the interlude ‘So It Starts…’, which se

Enter Shikari are back with a surprise release album, ‘Lose Your Self’, announced to be dropping at midnight at their intimate gig at Satan’s Hollow in Manchester. The four-piece have been looking back on where they first started, discussing their first ever Manchester show as “the first sense we got that something was happening”. We see through the album they haven’t forgotten their Electronicore roots, using it to push their frustration over the lack of connection growing e

Lime Garden are back with their fresh album ‘Maybe Not Tonight’, spilling out energy and revitalising the spirit of Indie music. The release is the successive album to the band’s debut ‘One More Thing’. The band have evidently kept the momentum going in a fusion of lively vocals, and energetic instrumentation. The album holds its four singles within the first five spots on the album, with each packing its own powerful punch. ‘23’ expertly establishes the feel of the record,

Mary Middlefield’s sophomore album, ‘Will You Take Me As I Am?’ , explores the complexities of identity, relationships and validation. Finding catharsis in creativity, her album was released on March 6 th and has garnered significant praise and visibility. Photo Credit: Valeria Shashenok The first track of the album, ‘Ladida’ , opens with a beautiful string composition and layered vocal harmonies, leading into Mary Middlefield’s heartfelt lyricism. Drawing on a previous l

‘ How To Exist ’ is a sucker punch of an introduction to The Clockworks’ second album, ‘The Entertainment ’. An unfiltered stream of consciousness, the opening track is upbeat and with the final lyric ‘I’m looking for something to believe in’, quickly sets the backdrop of the album. ‘ Best Days ’ follows and is a quick shift in sound and pace. The slowly chugging verses bleed into an anthemic chorus, creating a track that feels effortless and yet carefully crafted, a highlig