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Listen: ‘Born All Wrong’ by Museum Of Light

Posted: 23 February 2025 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
Tags: Born All Wrong, Diviner, Heavy, melodic, Museum of Light, Progressive, Riffs, Seattle, single stream, Spartan Records

Seattle’s MUSEUM OF LIGHT Unveils ‘Born All Wrong’, the third single off upcoming sophomore album Diviner, out March 14

Drummer Rob Smith says, “As with much of Diviner, ‘Born All Wrong’ is a continuation of all the things that interested us on our first record, just taken further. The heavy stuff is heavier, the pretty stuff is prettier, and the weird stuff is weirder. The song dives into some of the expanded sonic palette that sets this record apart from Horizon. Here, we used a new, lower tuning, replaced some of the synth parts with a human voice (Elissa Alvarez, who is all over this record), and even mixed in some of the crashing waves and sea birds we heard outside the studio window as we worked. The big riff that anchors the first half of the song was written several years ago when we were between bassists. So, we were leaning more on huge, monolithic ideas that sounded good with the guitar running through both guitar and bass amps at the same time. As one of the older songs on the album, we weren’t sure if if was going to make the cut, but as soon as we heard playbacks in the studio, we all had the same thought: ‘well, that’s definitely making the record.’”

Museum Of Light’s sound blends crushing, heavy swagger with ethereal, sparkling melodies, creating a dynamic, otherworldly atmosphere that combines raw intensity with haunting, operatic vocals and poetic, existential lyrics.

Listen to ‘Born All Wrong’ here:

Watch: ‘The Things You Shouldn’t Know’ by In The Woods…

Posted: 22 February 2025 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
Tags: avant-garde metal, In The Woods..., Otra, Prophecy Productions, Single, The Things You Shouldn’t Know, video stream

IN THE WOODS… reveal the video clip ‘The Things You Shouldn’t Know’ as the next advance single taken from their forthcoming new album Otra. The seventh full-length of the Norwegian avant-garde metal band from the city of Kristiansand has been slated for release on April 11, 2025.

IN THE WOODS… comment on ‘The Things You Shouldn’t Know’: "This single is an 8 minute power display as we take a dive back in time to bring back certain elements of ‘what used to be’; and it also demonstrates how we take our roots seriously", guitarist and keyboard player Kåre André Sletteberg explains. "This track is a hard hitting melodic piece of art with smooth and beautiful vocal melodies blended with black metal elements on guitars. It’s stretching from the darkest corners of the forest into the melodic meadows of our dreams and nightmares. When this piece was completed, we knew that due to the many elements, dynamics, and feelings worked into the song, it was a more than worthy opener for the album. Doom!"

Watch the video here:

Watch: ‘Delusional’ by Leatherette

Posted: 21 February 2025 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
Tags: alternative, Bronson Recordings, Delusional, DIY, electronic, Indie, Leatherette, outsider, Post-Punk, Single, Small Talk, video stream

As they near the end of their UK and European tour, Leatherette are back with their latest single ‘Delusional’, the follow-up to the cathartic breakup anthem ‘Itchy’.

‘Delusional’ is a powerful song that explores the complex emotions of yearning for connection while feeling disconnected from the world around you. A song for those caught between the urge to dance and the desire to leave without saying goodbye. The track encapsulates the struggle of wanting to fit in with someone you love while feeling like an outsider in their world.

Musically, ‘Delusional’ weaves together elements from different eras and genres, fusing the gritty sound of ’90s alternative rock with modern influences drawn from hip-hop and electronic music. The result is a dynamic and engaging sonic experience that reflects the longing for connection and acceptance.

After testing the songs live during their second album Small Talk tour last year, they decided to record them spontaneously at home, in messy rooms and using cheap instruments (including unlikely ones such as mandolin and bouzouki).

“Being eternally dissatisfied, but also tireless explorers, we decided to return to our origins, seeking the expressive freedom that can be found in DIY”. The result was then entrusted for mixing to the usual collaborator Chris Fullard (Idles, Boris), and for mastering to Maurizio Baggio (The Soft Moon, Boy Harsher).

Mercury’s Antennae – The Reflecting Skin

Posted: 20 February 2025 in Reviews, Singles and EPs
Tags: Faith and the Muse, goth, Mercury’s Antennae, Sett Records, Shoegaze, Single Review, The Palace of Tears, The Reflecting Skin, This Ascension, William Faith

Sett Records – 22th February 2025

Christopher Nosnibor

Just over a decade on from their debut album, and just shy of seven years after their last release, purveyors of ethereal goth, Mercury’s Antennae mark their return with a new single in the form of ‘The Reflecting Skin’. The trio comprises Dru Allen and Cindy Coulter of This Ascension, and Erick R. Scheid of The Palace of Tears, and the fact they’re currently based between Switzerland and the US is a possible factor in their time away (not to mention the fact a lot of musical artists, especially those who are geographically disparate lost a lot of time and progress to a global pandemic).

As their Bandcamp page states, ‘Their sound incorporates influences from shoegaze pop, ethereal darkwave, and unadorned acoustic beauty, while also drawing inspiration from ambient and modern electronica’.

‘The Reflecting Skin’ brings pretty much all of this in a near-perfect three-and-a-half minutes. Starting out with a dense, chorus-soaked bass, loping drums and chilly synths conjure a dark yet dreamy atmosphere that’s quintessentially gothy but without being cliché. Dru Allen’s layered vocals spin evocative and mystical words gracefully through it all, to mesmerising, almost spiritual effect.

B-side, ‘AGALIA MMXXV’, is, as one might expect, a rerecording of the song from their debut album, A Waking Ghost Inside. It’s different enough to justify the effort: it has a more muscular, denser feel, altogether less brittle and cloud-like, with the bass and drums being sturdier and more pronounced, while still retaining the expansive shoegaze magnificence of the original. This, I suppose is telling in terms of reflecting the evolution of their sound.

That this single release is remixed by William Faith, ex-Faith and the Muse, suggests there’s an original version, which is – one would hope – going to feature on the forthcoming album, due for release in the spring.

Watch: ‘Unisex Games’ by Astari Nite

Posted: 20 February 2025 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
Tags: Astari Nite, Bauhaus, Bowie, Post-Punk, Single, Unisex Games, video stream

ASTARI NITE is delighted to announce the release of their vivid & unapologetic new video for the track, ‘Unisex Games’.

The video and single for ‘Unisex Games’ can only best be described in the words of ASTARI NITE’s vocalist, Mychael: “’Unisex Games’ was written as a sort of tongue in cheek to the max song. I mean, relationships often find an invasive way of telling you how you’re going to spend your time whether you like it or not, right? So, make it worthwhile, have an imagination or get a hobby and try your luck at painting. For what it’s worth, anyone I’ve ever come across has helped define my unusual ways to this very day and for that, I will always be thankful.”

Regarding the music video for ‘Unisex Games’, Mychael goes on to say: “The start of the year was a f**king horror story. My therapist recommended doing something amusing and so I did. My bandmates met me at my hotel, and we played pretend for an hour or two making the ‘Unisex Games’ music video. There is a certain kind of magic that takes place when you can find comfort in the people you surround yourself with. Being obnoxiously silly comes naturally for the four of us. The happiness that is displayed in the video may help some people put a smile on their face for a moment during these chaotic times. This is why I chose to release the video a few weeks before the actual single that comes out on March 14th.”

Watch the video here:

Watch: ‘The Dreamer’ by Pale Blue Eyes – new album and tour announced

Posted: 19 February 2025 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
Tags: Album, Album announcement, Broadcast Recordings, New Place, Pale Blue Eyes, Shoegaze, Single, The Dreamer, UK Tour Dates, video stream

Pale Blue Eyes have announced details of their third studio album. New Place will be released on the band’s Broadcast Recordings label on 7th March. The latest single, ‘The Dreamer’ is out now.

Watch ‘The Dreamer’ video here:

Guests on the album include two musicians who have featured in the PBE live line-up – Tom Sharkett, music producer and guitarist with W.H. Lung, and music producer and musician Lewis Johnson-Kellett.

“The new album comes with a new landscape,” says Matt…“I hope the result is uplifting. The album reflects the end of an era and embracing new beginnings. But when we were unpacking in our new house in Sheffield we found an old slide projector that had belonged to my mum and Dad. We spent hours looking through the old 35mm slides and decided to use one for the album cover. The album arrives on the back of extensive and emotional transit, a record of time reflecting on a lifetime of memories – but now beside a world of new beginnings.”

The album will be released on classic black 180g vinyl, limited edition transparent blue 180g vinyl and CD. There will be an exclusive limited edition with Rough Trade that includes a clear 180g vinyl + bonus 7”. There will also be an exclusive signed print for anyone who pre-orders their copy through DRIFT record shop in Devon.

The band have announced a full UK tour for April 2025:

Thu 3rd – Thekla, Bristol

Fri 4th – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds

Sat 5th – Room 2, Glasgow

Sun 6th – Bodega, Nottingham

Tue 8th – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham Gorilla, Manchester

Wed 9th – Gorilla, Manchester

Fri 11th – Dust, Brighton

Sat 12th – Phoenix, Exeter

Sun 13th – Esquires, Bedford

Wed 16th – The Bullingdon, Oxford

Thu 17th – Islington Assembly Rooms, London

Credit: Aubrey Simpson

Watch: ‘Cancerous Bane’ by Antropomorphia

Posted: 18 February 2025 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
Tags: Antropomorphia, Cancerous Bane, Death Metal, Devoid of Light, Testimony Records, video stream

ANTROPOMORPHIA unleash the sinister performance video ‘Cancerous Bane’ as the first single taken from their new full-length Devoid of Light. The sixth studio album of the Dutch death metal veterans has been scheduled for release on May 16, 2025.

ANTROPOMORPHIA comment: “The first advance single ‘Cancerous Bane’ represents Devoid of Light well, although it is one of many faces that our forthcoming album shows”, frontman Ferry Damen writes. “The track opens with a ruthless maelstrom of riffs accompanied by violent wailing screams to set the tone. ‘Cancerous Bane’ refers to a path of spreading blackness, the waging of war against the betrayal of earthly flesh and its futile struggle against the timeless slumber.”

Watch: ‘Narrow Tracks’ by Berries

Posted: 17 February 2025 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
Tags: Berries, Frank Turner, International Women’s Day, Narrow Tracks, OCD, Single, Tour Dates, video stream, Xtra Mile Recordings

BERRIES have released the official video for their power-pop tune ‘Narrow Tracks’, taken from their self-titled sophomore album, BERRIES, which arrived in the autumn of last year.

In their new video for ‘Narrow Tracks’, Berries splice fuzzy live footage together with shots of lead vocalist Holly Carter ripping up jigsaws, devouring books backwards, and walking the pavement like a tightrope in her crimson Converse. Each shot reflects the indecision and doubt that runs throughout the song’s lyrics, with many playing in reverse or at an unnatural speed.

“Doubts tingle with the facts, like passing trains on narrow tracks,” the band sing as the video cuts to live shots of the band performing at their BBC Introducing session earlier this year. The new release also acts as a lyric video, layering handwriting-style text over each shot.

The band explain the themes of the song:

“’Narrow Tracks’ is a song for anyone who struggles with OCD. It speaks of those tingling doubts, the constant stream of dark thoughts and the longing to be able to do the simplest of tasks, but ultimately it’s an optimistic track. It’s about fighting back and finding strength to keep those thoughts at bay.”

The video arrives just ahead of BERRIES’ support slot with Xtra Mile Recordings label mate FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS. The band will join Turner and co. at their Wolverhampton Wulfrun Halls show on Tuesday, 18th February.

This March, BERRIES will also embark upon a run of shows in celebration of International Women’s Day. The three-date tour kicks off at Bodega in Nottingham on 5th March, before BERRIES take their jagged rock sound to Birkenhead and London in the days following. The full list of live dates can be found below.

LIVE DATES 2025

18 Feb – WOLVERHAMPTON Wulfrun Halls (w/ Frank Turner)

5 March – NOTTINGHAM Bodega (for International Women’s Day)

6 March – BIRKENHEAD Future Yard (for International Women’s Day)

7 March – LONDON Signature Brew (for International Women’s Day)

Photo credit – Derek Bremner

Listen: ‘Swoon’ by Peter Murphy

Posted: 15 February 2025 in Recommended Streams and Videos, Singles and EPs
Tags: Metropolis Records, Peter Murphy, Silver Shade, single stream, Swoon, Youth

Following a triumphant return to the spotlight in November 2024 with ‘Let The Flowers Grow’, his duet with Boy George, original post-punk icon Peter Murphy has today released ‘Swoon’, a brand new single that also serves as the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for his fans.

Percussive and expansive, ‘Swoon’ is a superlative slice of synth-punk/funk that captures Murphy’s voice in all its sonorous glory. Produced by Youth (Pink Floyd, The Verve, Crowded House, member of Killing Joke, The Orb, The Firemen w/Paul McCartney), the song is the first to be released from Murphy’s new album, Silver Shade, due out on 9th May 2025. Recorded at Youth’s studio in Spain, it is the long-awaited follow-up to Lion, which the pair worked on together a decade ago. A symbiotic relationship born of artistic collaboration, Murphy states that “this new album is as powerful as any of my work to date.”

Eville – Plaything

Posted: 14 February 2025 in Reviews, Singles and EPs
Tags: Ballistic, Eva Sheldreake, Eville, Feminism, Industrial, nu-metal, Pitchshifter, Plaything, Riffs, Single Review, The Prodigy

14th February 2025

Christopher Nosnibor

Eville, who have been gaining momentum – and radio play – for a while, soared to a new peak with ‘Ballistic’ late last year. While sonically encapsulating the title, it also distilled the very essence of the band into THE most explosive two-and-a-bit minutes of no-messing nu-metal.

If ‘Plaything’ suggests something more cuddly, think again. Once again, they tap that classic nu-metal structure of a quiet but tetchy intro, jittery electronics by way of an intro – Something that can be traced back to Pitch Shifter’s first couple of albums back in the early 90s. ‘Gritter’ from Submit is exemplary, and of course not only would Pitch Shifter transition to an overtly nu-metal sound at the turn of the millennium, incorporating elements of drum ‘n’ bass in their sound in the late 90s, but guitarist Jim Davis played with both Pitchshifter (as they became) and The Prodigy. This detour is simply to illustrate the crossover between genres, and to contextualise the sound Eville have absolutely mailed – because after this tense, tetchy intro, the monumental riff hits, and hits hard, and immediately hits an irresistible groove.

A mere ten seconds in, and it’s clear that this is going to be a killer – and it is.

‘I might look cute but Imma get gnarly / I can get nasty, nothing gets past me,’ Eva Sheldreake warns, picking up the lyrical thread of ‘Ballistic’ and presenting a strong feminist stance. The message is direct and clear, and the band’s photos back it up: whether the outfit is a pink bikini or decorating garb, never judge a woman by her outfit, and never assume she’s lacking capability, whether it’s to do DIY or play guitar and rock out, hard.

‘Plaything’ certainly rocks out, and hard. The sheer density of the sound kicks the air out of your lungs, while the chorus hook is as strong as they come. The mid-section goes full Slipknot, the barbed-wire-wrapped baseball bat referenced in the lyrics translating to the brutal delivery.

Where Eville stand out – apart from on every level – is in the way they bring ultra-pro, radio-quality production and accessible melody to massively hefty, bludgeoning metal. If there was ever any doubt that they should be playing festivals rather than pubs, ‘Plaything’ obliterates it. No two ways about it: these guys are ready to conquer the world.

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