UK industrial metal project, BEAUTIFUL FREAKIN’ WEIRDO recently dropped the video for their single, ‘Psychohead’. The track appears on their latest EP, Zap The Fear.
‘Psychohead’ dives head-first into escapism, away from this world of fear in which we are all manipulated and controlled. “I think most, if not all, people have a little psycho in them,” founding member, Mick Pritchard says. “Your alter ego, your dark side, call it what you will. Take the red pill. Take the blue pill and all placebos. Good luck!”
‘Psychohead’ is a tale of sleepwalking into the abyss of smoke and mirrors – into a world controlled by fear because there isn’t a “Hell”. Hell is here. This is where you take the red pill just to try and kill your savage alter ego – the Psycho in your head.
The seventh single released by the Papillon de Nuit project / collective / ensemble centred around Stephen Kennedy is perhaps the most ambitious yet. It’s clear that Kennedy, who has for a number of years, operated as a live music promoter under the guise of The Velvet Sheep, is an irrepressible creative, a restless spirit never content to do or be any one thing. In Papillon de Nuit, he’s songwriter, arranger, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, bringing to this track vocals, found-sounds, additional percussion, additional piano. And here, in just three and a half minutes, he and his collaborators have produced a song which is many things at once. They’ve also got Steve Whitfield, known for his work with The Cure and The Mission (admittedly, some of my least favourite works by The Mission, but that’s more a matter of material than production) in as producer again.
Being drawn to certain names because of songs is, I suppose, only natural: favourite songs create images and associations which in some way we use to orientate ourselves within the world, internally. And there’s no doubt that Charlotte, like Alice, is a name with special resonance to those with musical tastes which lean towards the gothier domains. That Robert Smith’s inspiration for ‘Charlotte Sometimes’ was inspired by Penelope Farmer’s haunting 1969 novel of the same title was reason enough for me to track down and read a copy of the book, and in context, the doubling / overlapping of the vocals can be seen to represent the parallel / interchangeable lives of the lead character.
‘Frozen Charlotte’ is also a work of a historical persuasion, described as ‘a dark Victorian morality tale about the folly of vanity.’ And it is, indeed, dark. It arrives with a sharp squeal of feedback and the crunch of feet on gravel, before a low but springy – classic goth – and ultimately stealthy bass strolls in and completely shapes the song’s framework. Rolling drums – a minimal, Mo Tucker style, which adds to the stark, brooding atmosphere. The addition of cello and piano builds things further ahead of the arrival of the vocals. It is all about the intro and the build here, but Kennedy gives a magnificent performance. It’s not the overdone booming baritone goth cliché, but a rich, soulful delivery which imbues the lyrics with meaning, in what I can perhaps best describe as a ‘literary’ sense. What I mean by this that while studying English literature at university, some lecturers had the ability to get you completely hooked in a writer because the way they delivered the quotations had impact: they felt the words, and could convey them in a way that opened your eyes to the fact the word on the page contained so much more depth when orated with passion.
The chorus here is understated, the emphasis very much on the dark atmosphere, although the vocal melody does still provide a clear and vital hook, and the ultimate result is alchemical.
KEYS return with Acid Communism, their boldest and most expansive record to date – a rich and unfiltered document of collective creativity, sonic exploration, and philosophical curiosity. Released by Libertino Records on Friday 18th July, the album draws inspiration from the late cultural theorist Mark Fisher, whose unfinished work left a lasting impression on the band.
“We were captivated by the poetry of those two words,” Matthew Evans (KEYS – vocalist and songwriter) explains. ACID COMMUNISM isn’t just a title – it’s a guiding principle. ACID symbolises creative play and experimentation, while COMMUNISM speaks to the strength found in (comm)unity. In a time when the internet often amplifies individualism and leans into certain ideologies, the band wanted to celebrate togetherness and collective expression.
While Acid Communism isn’t overtly political, it does pulse with a quiet sense of purpose – to resist isolation, to reconnect with others, and to celebrate the kind of shared, DIY spirit that binds bands, friends, and scenes together. It’s about building something together, rather than standing apart.
The band took a hybrid approach to recording. Much of the album started life on 8-track tape before being moved into Logic, capturing a blend of home-recorded warmth with digital precision. Musically, it draws from the live, freewheeling energy of JERRY GARCIA and the lo-fi intimacy of their lockdown-era album HOMESCHOOLING. The result is a sound that’s raw yet refined, unpolished but deeply intentional.
Across its twelve tracks, Acid Communism flows through a variety of textures – from sun-scorched psych-pop and angular guitar riffs to gentle, piano-led introspection and atmospheric washes. It’s a record that favours connection over perfection, instinct over polish.
The recently released double A-side ‘Your Shoes’ / ‘The Greatest Joke of All’ coincides with the announcement of Acid Communism, offering a glimpse into the album’s contrasting emotional tones’
Alternative pop artist Celeste Corsano has unveiled the video for her latest single ‘Stuck’, the third in a trilogy of singles the Pennsylvania-based artist has released this year, following ‘Nightbird’ and ‘Sunlight Gazing’. With hues of Kate Bush and Tori Amos, Corsano is the latest artist to join the talented roster of blossoming Montclair, NJ-based indie label Magic Door Record Label.
This song features famed guitarist James Mastro (The Bongos, Mott the Hoople, Ian Hunter, Patti Smith, John Cale), drummer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Luna, Crash Harmony) and keyboardist-bassist David Nagler (Nova Social, Joan Baez, Aaron Neville, Rosanne Cash, Yo La Tengo).
A tender composition that explores being caught in the inescapable grip of an emotional impasse, Corsano masterfully conveys the struggle of a mind wrestling with an unyielding heart, creating an intimate space where raw emotion takes center-stage. The animated video reflects this perfectly through the journey of a ball cutting loose from his existing reality and his loss of direction to find a new path.
“I’m really excited to have a video for this song – the first video created for my music. This artist, known as Brother JT, is an incredible musician, artist and animator. So happy to share it with everyone. It’s fantastic and gives me goosebumps. Lots of humor and wisdom here and very well thought-out,” says Celeste Corsano. “’Stuck’ is a “little” song with a big meaning. The lyrics come from a tender place that needed simplicity and not a big vocal sound. Actually, any time I tried to sing it any differently, the vocals still came out simplistic and childlike."
A gentle but potent counterpoint to the noisy world we live in, Corsano forfeits flashy gestures in favor of the quiet sacred space, offering an raw peek into the most fragile parts of our hearts. With a simple unassuming style, there’s a disarming honesty in her work that feels deeply personal, yet speaks to something we all feel. Revealing a vulnerability that is both deeply personal and strikingly relatable, her sparse, almost childlike vocals amplify its impact.
Corsano’s music blends poetic lyricism with adventurous arrangements, unexpected rhythms and a distinct emotional range — from ethereal and moody to playful and bold. With a natural use of mixed meters and layered vocal timbres, her fearless approach to storytelling conveys a deeper truth.
Continuing with their nature-inspired theme, ‘Cwlwm Cariad’ refers to a type of moth, the ‘True Lover’s Knot’ in English. This is the second in a run of singles by singer-songwriters Eve Goodman and SERA from their upcoming collaborative album, Natur, due for release in the Autumn of 2025. It follows their first single ‘Blodyn Gwyllt’ which was released in July.
Where Blodyn Gwyllt was a celebration of freedom and the summer, Cwlwm Cariad is quite different. There are no guitars and percussion here, only one piano and 2 live voices almost until the end. It is delicate and it sings of the peril often tied up in the complexities of love and relationships, the passion, the self-destruction and flying too close to the flame. The delicate moth and the human heart connected in this way.
The track was recorded on an upright piano and the duo’s voices weave together in harmony once again. Recorded at Wild End Studio near Llanrwst, North Wales, with co-producer Colin Bass. (member of Camel and also producer of the Tincian album from 9 Bach which won ‘Best Album’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award in 2015)
The single is out on 15th August. Watch the video here.
US dark-pop duo Magic Wands have released a double single today (1st August) that couples the brand new song ‘Across The Water’ with a remix by Stargods of their ‘Hide’ single issued exactly a year ago. The latter is accompanied by a new video that can be seen here:
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They describe ‘Across The Water’ as “setting the tone for a sonic journey through time, transporting us to a 16th-century French European landscape and evoking the essence of a bygone era. Its repetition invites interpretation, allowing listeners to weave their own narrative and connect with the music on a deeper level.”
‘Across The Water’ is the opening track on a brand new album by the duo entitled Cascades, which is set for release on 24th October via Metropolis Records. It also includes the original single version of ‘Hide’, plus the previously issued ‘Armour’ and ‘Moonshadow’. The album will be promoted with an appearance at the Substance 2025 festival in Los Angeles on 7th November, with further shows to be arranged.
We haven’t been keeping up. The last time we featured break_fold, the solo musical vehicle of Tim Hann, former front man with Leeds’ finest, i concur, was in the Spring of 2023.
He’s slipped out a couple of releases since then, and is threatening a few more in the near future. This flurry is spearheaded with the release of the single ‘The Bairns’, of wioch he writes, “’The Bairns’ is a song that I wrote about my younger cousins, who are brothers, and were toddlers at the time. I remember them bounding around my parent’s house chasing each other and playing games – the song is supposed to represent the sound of the two boys causing havoc!”
COVENANT announce the release of the new Andreas EP. The EP is dedicated to the memory of Swedish band’s former member Andreas Catjar-Danielsson (March 3, 1973 – July 29, 2024) who sadly passed away from cancer on this day one year ago. All proceeds of Andreas EP will go to charity in benefit of his wife and children.
Dependent Records will waive all proceeds from the vinyl EP in contribution to this important charity.
In further news, COVENANT present the track ‘Winter Kills’, a cover of legendary British synth-pop duo YAZOO, as an advance single taken from the Andreas EP. You can hear it here:
Cowabunga! BONGINATOR are back with a vengeance! The New England death metal posse is steaming full weed ahead with their sophomore full-length Retrodeath, which will be out on October 24, 2025. As an obvious sign of insanity, with ’80s synthwave added to death metal brutality, the video single Pizza Time featuring their vocalist buddy Vinny Castellano (BELUSHI SPEED BALL) is now being unleashed onto an unsuspecting metal world that will never be the same!
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BONGINATOR comment: “Cowabunga, bitch!”, audio torture tortoise Erik Thorstenn states matter of fact. “This is our righteous new banger best enjoyed with Bonginator’s favorite meal, pizza! Remember – chicks love dudes who eat out! On this one, our metalocity is off the charts! This is a bodacious rager for doing bong rips and stage diving. Just don’t tell Master Splinter about the primo kush that we got, yeah? Anyway, go stream this one, and if someone doesn’t dig it… what the shell?”
UK mathcore outfit Wolves have announced their long-awaited debut full-length, Self Titled, set to be released on September 5th on Ripcord Records. Alongside the announcement comes the explosive new single ‘Reformed (Try Love)’.
“The ‘Stop The Boats’ narrative was a last gasp effort to hold onto power by fear-mongering to appeal further to the right,” says Mark Howes. “The song is a tirade against what I and my fellow Wolves believe to be an ignorant and vile ideology, foisted upon people by others who are exploiting fear for personal gain. Try having some dignity, or compassion, or courage, or some basic fucking empathy. Or heart, or respect, or honour, or wisdom… or love? Try love.”
Formed in 2016, Wolves is the culmination of over a decade of chaotic riffs, bloodied stages, and shared history. Born from bands like Bludger, Finish Him!, EFK, and Ashes of Maybelle, and featuring members who’ve played with Hundred Year Old Man, Conjurer, The Grey and more, Wolves emerged as a full-force unit shaped by scars, trust, and unfinished business.
Their debut EP, Gone Are The White Flags, captured their raw energy, leading to wild live shows alongside Sectioned, LLNN, Renounced, and others. After pandemic delays, Wolves regrouped in 2021 to create Self Titled, a ten-track blast of Every Time I Die swagger, post-metal atmosphere, and Dillinger-grade chaos.
Aural Aggravation 