swim school ‘Heaven’

Hailed as one of Ticketmaster’s Breakthrough Artists of 2025, swim school are setting themselves up for another immensely successful year, kicking things of with their dreamy rock single, ‘Heaven’. The band’s stellar 2024 involved a sold out headline tour, a run of European shows, support slots with Paolo Nutini and Pale Waves, paired with the release of their ‘Seeing It Now’ EP.

The new single is a triumph – opening with a dark, heavy, dirty riff and driving forward with a propulsive drumbeat and a delectably catchy chorus. Showing their darker, heavier side, it’s imbued with the influence of 90s alternative bands, while still shining bright as a classic swim school track

“We spent so much time on the road last year we felt more locked in as a band than ever before and we wanted the new songs to reflect that. We played live in the studio, used less pedals and effects and more guitars and amps. Recording felt a lot like performing and we absolutely thrive on that.”

swim school graced the stage this week at their sold out intimate headline show in London at the iconic 100 Club for DORK Magazine on January 23rd where fans were lucky enough to hear new music and experience their raw and captivating live presence.

Zoe Graham ‘Good Girl’

Zoe Graham has announced details of her debut album ‘TENT’ – a part open and perpetually-shifting acronym (The Eternal Navigation of Truth, or TEN songs about Therapy) and part metaphor for the mixture of exposure and safety from the outside world that sleeping under canvas provides. “That’s kind of what this journey has felt like,” Zoe says.

Several years in the making, the album will be released on 21st March with the announcement coming with a new single ‘Good Girl’. It’s an introspective number about being denied the affection of another woman, and traded in for a man. The song is built around a drum machine, gentle vocal hooks and bow-brushed guitar – its minimalist opening gradually unfolding into something ethereal and dreamy. 

“We all on some level have a need to feel loved. But sometimes in the heat of a moment our actions can lead us to be undesirable.”  says Zoe. “This song is about wanting to be vulnerable with someone while being endlessly worried about what they really think of you. It’s easy to become hyper self aware, constantly checking yourself, worried if you said or did the wrong thing, or if you look the wrong way. Sometimes for queer people, like me, this can also inflame a feeling of internalised homophobia. It can be weird and heartbreaking to navigate a connection with someone who fundamentally just doesn’t bat for the same team as you. Somehow you can lose sense of who you thought you were, any shred of confidence can disappear. Slowly all you start to think about is how cool or appealing you are. Then you realise you’re neither of those things because you think about them too much.”

Becky Sikasa ‘My Love Says It’s All Gonna Be Alright’ 

Fresh from her performance at the Barrowlands last Saturday in support of corto.alto, Becky Sikasa has shared the gorgeous ‘My Love Says It’s All Gonna Be Alright’. It’s a warm hug of a song – a direct response to the increasingly tumultuous nature of the world in which our anxieties can take over. An uplifting ode to finding comfort in those around us, she delivers her sermon over a piano melody, minimalist drumbeat and gospel harmonies.

She shared on social media: “It used to drive me insane when people would tell me just not to worry.
But sometimes the right person telling you that it’s all gonna be alright can be the difference betweenthrowing in the towel and having a glimpse of hope. And I’d like to hold onto as much of that as as I can. Hope the right person tells you sometimes. And if not maybe you can listen to this song and catch a glimpse of mine.”

Rebecca Vasmant ‘Rooted’ 

DJ-Producer Rebecca Vasmant has announced the release of her second album, ‘Who We Are Becoming’. Out 9th May 2025 via a new label partnership between New Soil and artist-champion platform Women In Jazz, the 12-track collection will follow her acclaimec debut album, With Love From Glasgow.

Expanding the boundaries of traditional jazz production, Vasmant leads a 25-strong collective of musicians on a sonic journey exploring themes of identity, equality, femininity, and self-growth. As she puts it, “This album is about becoming your true self and accepting that we’re part of something bigger.”

The announcement has been accompanied by lead single ‘Rooted’ – a perfect introduction to the self-reflective record. ​​Interdisciplinary artist Paix and vocalist Emilie Boyd join her on the track, alongside Amanda Whiting (harp), Joe Rattray (bass), Graham Costello (drums), and Cameron Thomason-Duncan (trumpet). It’s a hypnotic number, dream-like in its composition as she reflects on her own heritage.

Vasmant explained: “My grandparents were Holocaust survivors and they were hidden by a family in France. If they weren’t hidden, none of my family bloodline would exist. I exist because of that.” A song of gratitude, with Rooted, Vasmant pays tribute to those who came before her and the ways in which her elders fought to give her a better life.

Mogwai ‘Hi Chaos’ 

Mogwai have today shared their eleventh studio album ‘The Bad Fire’. Recorded in Blantyre at Chem19 studios with Grammy-Award winning producer John Congleton, it’s another masterclass of (mainly) instrumental post rock to add to their fiercely impressive catalogue – which also includes a host of film and television scores and a UK number one for their last outing ‘As The Love Continues’. ‘Hi Chaos’ is one of its many highlights – a track that instils a sense of unease and foreboding before exploding upwards with ferocious guitars and emotive keys.

Midnight Ambulance ‘Just Kids’ 

Midnight Ambulance, comprised of Amelia Stokes and Fraser Fulton, are kicking off the release with a double single featuring ‘Just Kids’ and ‘Best Count Knives’. Known for their dark, powerful sound that can be as theatrical as it can be deeply entrancing, ‘Just Kids’ shows a more wistful sound to their songwriting and is more traditional in structure – exploring the beauty and hardship of growing older and the power of nostalgia. Meanwhile, ‘Beasts Counts Knives’ has a darker edge, anxious and wound tightly – as if to convey a feeling of entrapment. They say: “The years pass, and the realities of privilege and power dynamics start to rear their ugly heads. Before you know it, you’re trapped in a cage you didn’t know was there.”

Katie Nicoll ‘with you (na na na)’

Having already received airplay from BBC Radio Scotland’s Introducing show, Katie Nicoll’s ‘with you (na na na)’ follows a busy year of gigging and releasing in 2024. Making its debut performance at Scotland’s Resonate music conference last year, the latest track from Katie showcases her talent of creating catchy sing-along tunes that are destined for the stage. Singles ‘bye!!!’ and ‘jodi said’ established Katie’s style of infectious indie-pop tunes, paired with her charismatic stage presence and live band. Catch Katie Nicoll headline SWG3’s Poetry Club on February 15th, tickets available here.

Cold Desires ‘Unreal’ 

After introducing themselves with ‘Blush’, Cold Desires have shared a follow-up single called ‘Unreal’. Channelling the likes of Beach House in its panoramic proportions and gleaming finishes, it’s another hugely impressive release – Elina Lin’s vocal the perfect foil to Joe Falconer’s breathy harmonies. Bursting to life on the stunning chorus, it’s beautifully crafted, ethereal and surging with emotion.

Check out our full playlist featuring more tracks from Starsky-Rae, Dylan Winters, Pleasure Trail and more.