Bee – I breathe
The latest in a string of irresistible singles, Bea's notable new song 'Breathe' confirms that the genre-plicing East London startup is one of the biggest names to know in 2024 This is further evidence. This album aims to sonically emulate the experience of a panic attack through racing beats, crashing guitars, and breathy vocals that vie for attention in an increasingly claustrophobic soundscape. The track is also accompanied by a video that speaks to the band's incredible talent for online translation. Join his community of DIY, IRL cults. Come on, join the club! (Daisy Carter)
Sophie May – The Little Dictator
Ahead of Sophie May's upcoming EP Deep Sea Creatures (due out June 21st), her latest acoustic offering Tiny Dictator is a harrowing look at her experiences with OCD and intrusive thoughts. A theme often misrepresented and misunderstood in the media, the song sheds light on the truth behind common misconceptions about OCD as Sophie regains some of her control. Explore its numbing and all-consuming nature. This cut will definitely bring peace and comfort to anyone who is suffering or has been through a similar struggle, giving them a relatable yet powerful voice to their emotions. (Gemma Cockrell)
The Pill – Hay Bales
Following a raucous support slot on DIY's Now + Next tour, Isle of Wight-based band The Pill's debut song 'Vail of Hay' delivers tongue-in-cheek energy and a punk sensibility. It playfully discusses femininity and the pressure to conform to stereotypes. : “Expect me to be a sex icon / Oh wait, I am!” Sonically, the track seems to be influenced by the likes of Amir and The Sniffers I can feel it. Noisy guitars cutting through sassy vocals and energetic drums give us our first glimpse of a band that has a lot of fury to unleash in the form of outstanding guitar music. (Kyle Rosniak)
Christian Music – Feed the Monkey
Like the ferocious little brother of doom psych wizards Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats, Christian music creates songs that sound more dredged from the gutter of the underworld than pray to a heavenly master. There is. Built around a heavy, seesawing two-note riff with wild-eyed vocals from frontman Josh Baker and a suitably fret-shattering guitar solo, 'Feed The Monkey' is a grizzly song. It's intense, but there's a sparkle in its eyes. We don't know what exactly the Stoke-on-Trent quartet is feeding the primates, but it's a harmful mixture. (Lisa Wright)
Fake Dad – Crybaby
Fake Dad, the Los Angeles-based duo that boasts songs that are “cheaper than therapy and almost 50% more effective,” are back with their latest single, “Crybaby.” Blending bedroom synth-pop and indie rock through needle-like guitars and wry lyrics, this track washes over listeners in a tide of bitter salt-stained tears. Please be still and try it. (Neve Dawson)
Friedberg – my best friend
There's a kind of effortless cool that certain parts of Europe do better than anyone else. That's what makes French pop so much more appealing than our own British efforts. Anna Friedberg, who hails from Austria and is part of a band based in both Berlin and London, has plenty of that special magic. The song features “My Best Friend,” the smooth, propulsive first single from his forthcoming debut LP, with wandering guitars and artful vocals lash-waving on a track filled with his rock swagger. Although it is expressive, it has a fascinating sense of crisis and is very sweet. (Lisa Wright)
Rooty – Don't make a sound
Since winning The Voice UK in 2018 and parting ways with her then-label and management in 2020, Rooti has gone from strength to strength, regaining creative control and reintroducing an authentic version of her artistic self. She continues to combine pop and jazz in this dreamy yet purposeful and punchy number. It all starts softly with dreamy guitar strums and vocals, then a tsunami of drums and synths is released, gaining momentum with a unique sharp sound that propels her music forward. (And Ruthie herself) Please move forward. (Gemma Cockrell)