Man/Woman/Chainsaw ‘MadDog’

Man/Woman/Chainsaw have been described by Rolling Stone at SXSW as “a young band in the process of inventing something ecstatically new”, the London-based six-piece share the second half of a special AA release for So Young Records today with their new single “MadDog”. Like  previous single”Adam & Steve”, it was recorded with Geordie Greep producer Seth Evans & Margo Broom at RAK Studios.

Since their debut at 16 years old and across three self-released singles, Man/Woman/Chainsaw have proven themselves as one of the most exciting and unpredictable young acts in the capital, both joyous and raucous in equal measures. 2023’s “What Lucy Found There” was to be their breakthrough, securing attention for the band from the likes of The Quietus, NME, So Young, BBC 6 Music and more.

Man/Woman/Chainsaw’s Vera Leppänen had the following to say about the themes behind their new single: “Mad Dog talks about losing a friend and watching them become everything you thought they wouldn’t. We wrote the song as two parts, the pissed off bit and the sad/nostalgic bit, and recorded it with a quick turnaround which was fairly new to us.”

So Young will release a very limited 7″ of “Adam & Steve / MadDog” on May 23rd with a secret show the night before to celebrate its release.

 

 

Connor McGlave ‘Better Man’

Connor McGlave shares his first single of 2025, ‘Better Man’. Following on from the ‘Heaven’s a Place’ EP dropped in 2024, McGlave returns with the first glimpse of a new EP showcasing the latest evolution of a writer and performer who remains relatively new to it all despite the experience evident in both the emotion of the vocals and the writing itself. He’s ticked off massive touchstones like selling out King Tut’s, selling out Saint Luke’s and set to announce another step up. But for Connor, all roads lead to the Barrowlands – the hunger to play there is so potent, he has a picture of the venue on his wall as a daily inspiration:

“It is all about the Barrowlands for me. I’ve got a photo in my room of the outside, the sign – it’s always there, even when I was away from music for a while. I’ve been on that stage in the Barrowlands many nights lying in my bed, that’s it for me.  And I do believe it will happen, standing on that stage will be the moment that all of this will have been worth it. That’s it. That’s the moment.”
When that moment comes – and it will – it’s likely Connor will already be thinking about the next dream, because his drive to write, record, release, perform, essentially bring his music to more and more ears, is relentless. Connor said: “Connection and meaning are the things I look for. The commercial side of it, I could not care less about, it’s all about the realness of music connecting with people. I hate the word fan, it’s just reaching another person, and for them to enjoy the music and feel something about words I have written. The commercial side of things I genuinely could not care less about. The songs are honest and from the heart, it’s stories about my life from when I was digging ditches on building sites and stuff.”

 

Alice Faye ‘Silly Little Fool’

The title track From Alice Faye’s lates EP, Silly Little Fool, opens the record with a confessional reckoning—examining first love, self-criticism, and the journey toward self-forgiveness. Other songs explore themes of boundaries (Bitter Minded Lover), addiction (All Your Wine), and the decision to break destructive cycles (Angeline), before closing with More Than a Few Mistakes, a song that acknowledges the universal nature of error and the healing power of understanding.

Musically, the EP is rich with the influences of Alice’s favorite songwriters, including Rufus Wainwright (Want One), Harry Nilsson (Everybody’s Talkin’, Gotta Get Up), John Grant (GMF), Molly Drake (Do You Ever Remember?, I Remember), and Connie Converse (Talkin’ Like You, Roving Woman). These inspirations shine through in the EP’s lush arrangements, combining 70s pop grandeur with folk’s intimate storytelling and chanson’s dramatic flair. Alice’s unmistakable voice ties it all together, carrying each lyric with both vulnerability and conviction.

The result is an EP that embraces the beauty in imperfection—a deeply personal yet widely relatable collection of songs that speaks to anyone who has ever wrestled with regret, self-acceptance, and the journey toward healing.

 

 

Stina Marie Claire ‘The Human Condition (Memento Version)’

Formed during the Covid pandemic by Honeyblood, Stina Marie Claire provided the band with a creative outlet while she was unable to perform and record with her live band. Having been in the middle of recording the fourth Honeyblood album when the pandemic hit, the record had to be put on hold, with all concerts – including a show with the Foo Fighters in Europe – also being postponed. This week, Stina Marie Claire shares ‘The Human Condition (Memento Version)’.

Quickly adapting to the challenges, Honeyblood set-up a home studio and pivoted her plans to begin developing the Stina Marie Claire project through the design of a unique, community-driven experience which fans were invited to take part in. Facilitated online through the membership platform Patreon, fans who signed up to support the project were given the opportunity to input and vote on a wide range of creative decisions. Together they developed Stina Marie Claire, as well as what eventually became the ‘A Souvenir of a Terrible Year’ EP.

Honeyblood said the following about the development of the Stina Marie Claire project:

“2020 was a strange year. Trying to navigate the challenges of Covid-19, I set up a wonderful online community, inviting those who love my music to come on a unique journey with me. These fans were able to be a part of my creative process every step of the way; an eye-opening experience not just for them but for me. We made this release together, collaborating directly from artist to fan. If anything, this experience has been a shining beacon of creativity in a time where keeping the embers of inspiration has been so difficult. 

Just before the pandemic hit, I decided it was time to start my own record label – ICEBLINK LUCK – with my dear friend Robert Kilpatrick. Together, we developed the label to further shine a light on Scotland as a creative musical hub and build within our wonderful music industry at home. We have been working with a creative in-house team and have been enjoying watching our community flourish despite it being an incredibly challenging time for music. I hope to look back on this release as a souvenir of something special we made together.”

The Memento Version provides a fresh outlook on the 2021 EP title track, reimagined and recorded live with the full band and the addition of strings. Honeyblood note that this version of the first glimpse into their upcoming EP, ‘Memento’ – limited edition double EP pink vinyl is available to pre-order until 31st May, featuring exclusive tracks unavailable on streaming platforms.

 

 

Check out the full playlist below.