RADAR: Slix, Madra Salach, Cardinals and more

Madra Salach ‘Blue and Gold’ 

Set to make their debut at TENEMENT TRAIL in just a couple of weeks, Madra Salach are a six-piece from Dublin, founded on a shared love of traditional Irish folk music and impromptu sessions in pubs around the Northside. Having already garnered a strong word-of-mouth following off the back of their magnetic live shows, the group take inspiration from the experimental folk scene in Ireland, with clear nods to Lankum, and blend it with the raw energy of The Pogues. And this week, they’ve finally unveiled their debut single ‘Blue & Gold’ – a brooding tribute to singer Paul Black’s habit of scratch cards. A timeless track that feels like it could come from a bygone era , it encapsulates everything that makes the outfit such an exciting prospect – set against the sustained brooding tone of a harmonium, it’s fiercely original, atmospheric and filled with heart and storytelling flair. Already tipped for a big things, with a slot at next year’s The Great Escape already confirmed, catch them at TENEMENT TRAIL here.

Black says: “In the absence of any lucrative career path or generational wealth, I started habitually buying scratch cards in the hope of running into a small fortune in my early twenties usually opted for a €2 All Cash, a small ticket coloured blue and gold. My ‘get rich quick’ scheme proved unfruitful, but I did get a song out of it.”

Slix ‘Gut Punch’

Gourock five-piece have announced their return with the release of ‘Gut Punch’, their first single since ‘Sick’. While its predecessor showed a darker, more menacing side to the group, this new single sees them return to their bouncy indie roots – channelling the likes of indie heroes Bloc Party and Interpol in their vibrant, jangly guitars and heart-thumping rhythms. Written with Johnny Madden, it’s another indie banger to add to their growing catalogue – full of earworm hooks and heartfelt lyrics.

On the new track, SLIX comment: “As a band this is a song that says exactly what we wanted to say, it came to us naturally and poured out of us. There was a real buzz in the studio the day we brought it to life with Jamie Holmes and Johnny (Madden), we all collectively felt as though we were listening to something special, that next step of growth and maturity that artists long for when creating music.”

Rianne Downey ‘Good in Goodbye’ 

Currently on tour with Tom Grennan, Rianne Downey releases her debut album ‘The Consequence of Love’ in about a month on 17th October – and she’s unveiled its opening track ‘Good In Goodbye’. A track that perfectly encapsulates her knack for earworm hooks and storytelling flair, it’s a song that’s rooted in pain and melancholy before the singer ultimately finds peace and a doorway to growth. Enlivened by a bright mandolin and banjo, it’s a song that builds into a burst of positivity. She said: “This song is about coming to terms with growing older, embracing change, and realising that love and loss are intertwined. It’s a reflection on finding peace in goodbyes and trusting that heartbreak is the doorway to growth.”

James Emmanuel ‘Healing’ 

Rising soul star James Emmanuel has shared a new track called ‘Healing’ – the third single he’s released with the legendary Decca Records. The track follows blistering performances at the BBC Proms and Edinburgh Fringe and is set to feature on the Nigerian born singer’s debut EP ‘A Time To Heal’, out on October 22^nd.

Like his previous singles Nothing But Love, an ode to his adopted hometown, and Brothers and Sisters, voicing the love and worry every father has for his children, Healing draws on a deeply personal experience and makes it universal. Written for James’s brother who, after finishing university in Nigeria, found himself at a crossroads, unsure of what came next, it’s a song of comfort in the face of uncertainty. Infused with gospel warmth, it’s led by James’ inimitable vocals – powerful yet tender, timeless yet distinctive, while carrying an emotional weight and truth that really resonates with the listener. A reminder that you don’t have to walk the storm alone, check it out here.

Vanderlye ‘Blackened Sky’ 

Another band set to make their TENEMENT TRAIL debut next month, Vanderlye have returned with a new single called ‘Blackened Sky’. The track is the first glimpse of the band’s forthcoming second EP ‘Dystopia Calling’ — a darker, heavier, and more politically charged body of work exploring mental health, anxiety and the modern world in crisis. ‘Blackened Sky’ itself is a call for empathy that confronts the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Confronting the listener to imagine life under siege, it’s heart-on-sleeve lyrics are delivered against strident guitars and driving drums – channelling the soaring melodies and urgency of bands like U2 and War on Drugs. Adding a new emotional depth to their writing, it’s a track that will undoubtedly resonate when they appear at TRAIL.

Frontman Sean McGarvey says: “Blackout Sky isn’t just a song — it’s a reflection on lives silenced by displacement, and a call for empathy. Growing up in Glasgow, we’ve always believed that art should challenge, provoke, and give voice to stories that matter. This track carries both urgency and hope. We want it to help listeners look past headlines and statistics — and connect with the human experience behind them”.

“The story follows a boy who’s lost his brother and mother — inspired by an article written by a paramedic in Gaza, describing the horrors they were witnessing daily. I’ve spent hours watching footage from the destruction, and I’ve cried more times than I can count. I needed to put a human face to the pain — to counter the numbness that comes with endless statistics. This isn’t about sensationalising suffering. It’s about reminding people of the humanity behind it all”.

Psweatpants ‘RedRum’

Saint Sappho ‘Cracks’

‘Cracks’ is the first song from Saint Sappho’s debut album ‘Between the Lines’, slated for release on 6th March 2026. The Glasgow alt-rockers are known for harnessing the nostalgia of nineties rock in their own guise, blending shimmering synths, strong percussive grooves and soaring melodies with existential themes. This new track sees them take another step forward, exploring unravelling identities against a backdrop of heavy, industrial trip hop drums and haunting, retro soundscapes. It’s a wholly immersive return that points towards an intriguing debut record.

Cardinals ‘Masquerade’ 

Irish outfit Cardinals have announced details of their much-anticipated debut albu ‘Masquerade’, set for release on 13th February via So Young Records. Along with the news, the band have shared the expansive title track – one that feels vulnerable yet immediate, with 90s rock influences at its heart.

Frontman Euan Manning said: “Something the record looks at is peeling back the ‘masquerade’ or the facade we all put up. The curtain is pulled and cynicism takes its place – it’s really easy to be cynical and far harder to be hopeful and genuine. We’ve learnt this through playing and touring but you can’t be a total cynic if you’re making music or films or whatever it is, making art forces you to dig deeper than that protective layer. Stripping it back is painful, you can find things you’re really not proud of but it also lends itself to a sort of acceptance that can’t be attained if you don’t allow yourself that vulnerability. A lot of the themes and ideas in the album come from that place.”

“The song ‘Masquerade’ is the broadest exploration of that. It’s definitely one of the more intimate moments on the album. The vulnerability it reveals is uncomfortable and that’s where we wanted to be when we were writing the songs on the record”

Check out the full playlist here: