Madra Salach ‘It’s a Hell of an Age’

One of the most hotly tipped acts of 2026, Irish alternative-folk six-piece Madra Salach have shared their eagerly anticipated debut EP ‘It’s a Hell of an Age’. The band have cultivated a reputation for their rapturous live shows, gaining comparisons to the likes of Lankum for their compelling blend of traditional folk and distortion and experimentation. Rich in Irish folk storytelling tradition, the new EP ranges from lyrical balladry and vulnerability to dynamic instrumentals, sonic distortion and ambient drones. At the centre of it is Paul Banks’ incredible vocal – guttural, fierce, emotive, timeless, it seizes the listeners’s attention. And when delivered against his bandmates’ instrumentation, the results are nothing short of gripping. Lead single ‘I Was Just A Boy’ strikes that balance between lyrical vulnerability and sonic flair. It finds them reflecting on the tumultuous period between teenage years and adulthood, opening with three minutes of verses but a four-minute outro. Meanwhile, ‘The Man Who Seeks Pleasure’, a live favourite and a rambling tale, shifts between the gently tender and passionate, and ‘Blue & Gold’ taps into the thought of a scratchcard win to be pulled out of poverty. It’s an EP that feels raw in emotion and delivery, but full of detail. Set to propel their momentum forward even further, they have a sold-out UK tour lined up for March – including dates at McChuills and Sneaky Petes on 18th and 19th March.

Cowboy Hunters ‘Have a Pint’ 

Glasgow duo Cowboy Hunters have announced details of their debut EP ‘EPeePee’ on 20th March, along with a new track called ‘Have a Pint’. Known for their unpredictable and confrontational live shows, the new track captures all of this energy in its two-and-a-half minute runtime, erupting with a raw, intense mishmash of drums, bass and roaring vocals. Full of tongue-in-cheek lyrcism and sharp, snarky vocals, it’s a heady mix of catharsis and nihilism – and to lose yourself to the dancefloor.

Billy Reuben, Theo Bleak ‘Close Enough’ 

Billy Reuben caught our attention with his debut single Pull Me Undone back in October, an intimate folk song defined by its gentle, finger-picked arrangements and warm, homespun feel. Now he’s back with a new track called Close Enough that builds on those first impressions with a brighter, more expansive sound. There’s still emotion at its core – it feels deeply heartfelt – but this time his personal ruminations are set against jangly guitars and punchy drums, giving the track a wider, more confident scope. Dreamy and ethereal with floaty 90s-inspired melodies, ‘Close Enough’ builds to cathartic highs with flourishes of slide guitar, with Theo Bleak lending gorgeous harmonies that elevate the track even further. It’s a release that suggests Reuben is stepping into something bigger, without losing the intimacy that made his debut so compelling.

Vanderlye ‘One Way Train’ 

Glasgow’s Vanderlye are kicking off the year with the release of an emotive new single called ‘One Way Train’. A haunting meditation on longing and unrequited connection, the track channels the ache of seeing intimacy around you while it remains out of reach. Centred around those impeccable. vocal harmonies that have become a staple feature of their sound, it’s full of soaring melodies and lyrical vulnerability, all while packing a raw emotional punch. Set to feature on a new EP coming soon, frontman Sean said of the song:

“At the time of writing ‘One Way Train’ there was an inherent melancholy in my mindset. I found myself looking at past relationships or relationships around me through rose-tinted glasses, or through social media, which feels like a fabricated keyhole into reality. I wanted the verses to feel meditative, seen through the eyes of an observer, and for the music to feel cinematic, almost like a narrator within the song.”

He continues, “When the chorus hits it feels like this huge release, a moment of catharsis after all that reflection. It’s the point where the tension from the verses opens up and the emotions spill out.”

Étáin ‘Release Me’ 

Étáin, the Edinburgh-based singer, songwriter and producer originally from the north west of Ireland, will release her debut album The Well on 20 March 2026. The 12-track record is introduced by third single Release Me, out now, following earlier album tracks combustible! and Raining in Glasgow.New single Release Me captures the catharsis that can accompany the end of a relationship, balancing grief with freedom and momentum. Musically playful and rhythmically driven, the track expands the sonic palette of the album while mirroring its emotional core, embracing uncertainty as a necessary step towards renewal.

Pleasure Trail ‘He’s Got It’ 

Gearing up for the release of a new EP titled ‘Repeat It’, Pleasure Trail is kicking off the new year with a new single called ‘He’s Got It’. The song continues the story of last year’s ‘Alone at Night’ – a track written in the aftermath of a relationship breakdown – and finds them processing more difficult personal revelations. Bearing all the hallmarks of their sound – driving drum beats, droning synths and a bright, addictive melody – it’s a playful, upbeat track rooted in personal catharsis.

Burglar ‘Lovey’ 

Irish newcomers Burglar have shared a new track called ‘Lovey’. Recently signed to TULLE (M(h)aol), the duo, comprised of Willow Hannon and Eduardo Pinheiro, formed over a shared love of acts like Stereolab and Smashing Pumpkins. And blending inspiration from Eduardo’s hometown punk scene in Brazil and Dublin’s indie-pop scene, the result is a a unique and addictive sound. ‘Lovey’ feels understated yet infectious – centred around their vocal harmonies, confessional lyrics, distorted guitars and buzzing synths.

Detailing ‘Lovey’, Pinheiro revealed: “It’s a breakup track I wrote a week after it happened. I don’t think I was in the right headspace to see potential in anything I was doing around then, so I just didn’t give it any attention. Not visiting it for a year made me change the narrative a little, cause I didn’t really feel the same anymore. So I tried to make it more fun by saying embarrassing things and commenting on the things I just said. As if I’m writing about writing a song. But the main thing I tried to remind myself with this was that heartbreak wasn’t (totally) physical. Aside from crying, everything else was just in my head.

Cardinals ‘I Like You’ 

Cardinals have shared the final single ahead of their debut album release. ‘I Like You’ will feature on the hotly anticipated ‘Masquerade, out on 13th February. We’ve already heard the likes of ‘Barbed Wire,” “The Burning Of Cork,” “Big Empty Heart,” and the title track, but this new track feels more grounded. It’s a brooding, romantic accordion-led folk-rock track that builds to surging highs, without ever losing its storytelling essence.

They said: “This is the first song we wrote with the album in mind. After a very long period of not working on anything we started and finished this some bright morning last February in our practice studio. It felt cathartic, a completely grounding moment after feeling slightly lost for months.

The first lyric is stripped/paraphrased from the tune ‘My Funny Valentine’. I don’t think it was written by Chet Baker but that’s the version we know.”