Kerr Mercer ‘Love Me Twice’
‘Rising Scottish singer-songwriter Kerr Mercer returns with his powerful new single ‘Love Me Twice’. Written alongside Mattman & Robin (Ed Sheeran, Adele and Taylor Swift), it’s an emotionally charged, piano-driven pop song that allows Mercer’s deep, soulful vocals to shine – elevated by gospel harmonies and the heartfelt lyrics. Having already built a loyal fanbase with his live performances and viral online clips, Kerr Mercer has been tipped for big things, earning the support of some of the industry’s biggest artists, including Teddy Swims, Myles Smith, and Lewis Capaldi. And with ‘Love Me Twice’’ now out in the world, it’s the perfect time to tune in.
Kneecap ‘Smugglers and Scholars’
Ahead of the arrival of their second album ‘Fenian’ on 24th April, Kneecap have given us another glimpse of what’s to come with ‘Smugglers and Scholars’. It’s a raw, hard-hitting number that’s locked into a low-end bass groove, expertly building tension as it progresses. The track reaches back to Ireland’s revolutionary past, at a time when people of all backgrounds came together in search of something better. But tather than misty-eyed nostalgia, it’s a track rooted in honesty and reality – evoking a sense of unity and collective defiance. Full of that fearless, unfiltered edge that Kneecap are known for, it’s a bold insight into the new album.
Flair ‘Nausea’
Glasgow-based post-indie group Flair are back with a new single ‘Nausea’, taken from their upcoming second EP ‘For Lack of a Better Word’, set for release 10th July via Revo Pro. Citing the likes of Wunderhorse, War on Drugs and Fontaines D.C. as influences, the new single sees them at their most raw and unflinching, capturing the claustrophobia of spiralling thoughts and the uneasy thrill of losing control. The track opens with a brooding intensity pulsing basslines, jagged guitars and gritty vocals coming together to create an emotionally punishing earworm, exploring the darker corners of Flair’s sound.
Discussing the track’s lyrical inspirations, vocalist and lyricist Tony Collum says “Nausea emerged during a few bleak winter studio sessions in Glasgow in late 2025. The song reflects the inner pressures we faced at the time. Nausea channels spiralling thoughts and the emotions behind the pressures of lineup changes, tumultuous relationships and restless ambitions.”
Pippa Blundell ‘ca’ the yowes’
Glasgow-based songwriter Pippa Blundell released her acclaimed debut album ‘common thread’ last year – a collection praised for its emotional honesty and poetic exploration of the many ways we love. She’s now getting ready to release a new EP called ‘songs with james’, a collection of intimate, acoustic tracks recorded with partner James Mackay in a studio in Lochwinnoch. The first single, “ca’ the yowes” is a Scottish folk ballad (“drive the ewes to the hills” is the extended translation from Scots to English) made famous by Robert Burns but actually “borrowed” from the original makar, fellow Ayrshire poet Isabel Pagan. It’s intimate and beautifully simple – the sparse backdrop allowing Blundell’s gorgeous voice to shine.
“This is a reimagining of the Burns classic and my favourite Burns song,” explains Pippa, “which he actually took from a woman called Isabel Pagan. Our version is eerie and witchy in the style of a murder ballad. The poetry itself is a classic farmers love ballad of winning the lady over, but if this was to be recited in a modern setting it would come across as pretty damn creepy. So, we’ve really leaned into this aspect in a sort of crazy feminist witchcraft murderous reinterpretation.’
Kojaque ‘Anithistamine’
Irish artist Kojaque has made a welcome return with new single ‘Antihistamine’. Following on from his acclaimed album ‘PHANTOM OF THE AFTERS’, the new rack finds him trying to find light amidst dark times. He says: “The last couple years has turned me into a tinfoil hat conspiracy theorist. I can’t remember another time in my life that has felt as dystopian as the world we’re in right now. I think people need an alternative to the current hellscape, there needs to be an escape, there needs to be another narrative, there needs to be joy and music, joy as an act of rebellion.”
Violet Grohl ‘Be Sweet To Me’
With an illustrious music background and a surname that’s synonymous with modern rock and roll, Violet Grohl is set to release her own debut album ‘Be Sweet To Me’ on 29th May. Ahead of that, she’s shared a new song called ‘595’ – a track that speaks to her 80s and early 90s rock influences. Grungy and distorted, it’s built around a killer chorus – inspired by a vintage t-shirt advertising a phone sex line.
Tooth ‘Medicine’
London outfit Tooth have shared their second single ‘Medicine’ – a track that showcases the darker, more gothic side of their sound. And while it doesn’t soar in the same way as their debut ‘Age of Innocence’, lead singer Tom Pollock delivers another strong vocal over intertwining guitar melodies and driving rhythms. It’s a confident, impressive offering from the four-piece that bridges the gap between their melodic sensibilities and their high-energy live shows, with excellent guitar work and plenty of sharp pop hooks thrown in for good measure.
They said: “We wanted to take the chaos of Sonic Youth but dilute it with a bit more structure and melody, and make it catchier. Lyrically, it revealed itself as a love song about an incessant lust for someone. This ‘someone’ was pretty vague in my mind, but it has a rawness of emotion I was fond of.’
Iceage ‘Star’
Danish outfit Iceage have returned with their first new single in five years. ‘Star’ is a passionate, vibrant return that marks an exciting new chapter – shedding some of their world-weary grit for what they describe as a ‘total love song’. With propulsive rhythms, guitars and enthusiastic handclaps, the melodies twinkle and soar – as their frontman explores fatal love through the lens of a dying star. ‘You’ve got me dying like a star’ he croons over the earworm chorus, in what is a bright, urgent and dynamic comeback.
The Rosellas ‘Beautiful Lonely’
‘Beautiful Lonely’ serves as Rosellas’ first release of 2026 and the first single from their upcoming EP ’Shadow Dancing’. Following the release of last year’s EP ‘Beautiful Night’, the new track is another soaring guitar-based anthem to add to their collection – full of shimmering guitars, driving rhythms and heartfelt lyrics. Led by Drew Selby’s impassioned vocals, it’s a track that sets the tone for what’s to come.
The band comment on the new release: “Beautiful Lonely is a song about looking for answers, both in other people and within yourself. We thought the mirror imagery was a nice way to show the way people present different versions of themselves, and how there can be a difference between the versions of ourselves that we present to the world, and the versions of ourselves we are when we’re alone (i.e. when we look in the mirror). It has that fairytale feeling of “mirror, mirror on the wall…” which we liked”.
