
Declan Welsh & The Decadent West ‘Walk A Mile In Gaza’
Declan Welsh & The Decadent West have shared a rousing new single called ‘Walk A Mile in Gaza’, with all proceeds going to the Islamic Help campaign. The frontman has been using his platform to urge support for the Palestinian people – helping to organise the recent sold out ‘Serve Solidarity’ gig at St Lukes which featured performers like Tina Sandwich, Frankie Boyle, Theo Bleak and other campaign speakers. The new single reinforces his message – asking listeners to ‘walk a mile’ in the shoes of those affected by the atrocities in Gaza. All proceeds go to sending medical help – tune in below.
Walt Disco ‘The Warping’
Walt Disco’s debut album ‘Unlearning’ established them as one of the most bold, ambitious and creatively untethered outfits in the UK. On their eagerly anticipated second album ‘The Warping’, they take that unique sound and push its parameters even further – unfurling into new levels of operatic grandeur with orchestral flourishes of woodwind, brass and strings. Against the glorious shapeshifting music lies deep personal reflection and introspection – resulting in their most inspired and ambitious work yet.
SLIX ‘CHONGA’
Slix have opened their account for 2024 with a frenzied new single ‘CHONGA’. With a live reputation that almost precedes them at this point, the five-piece channel all of this infectious energy into the song’s two minute and 45 second runtime – careening through fast and furious riffs, pulse-quickening rhythms and hook-laden guitar lines. The band say ‘CHONGA embodies the demon we all have inside of us. CHONGA is everywhere, but it merely a voice in our heads. Put simply, CHONGA is ‘The Fear’. Laid down in the studio with Jamie Holmes and Johnny Madden, what emerges is their punchiest and most infectious release to date. If this marks the beginning of a new era for Slix, we’re absolutely here for it.
Hamish Hawk ‘Nancy Dearest’
The enigmatic Hamish Hawk is back with ‘Nancy Dearest’, the second single to be lifted from his upcoming third album ‘A Firmer Hand’. Slated for release on 16th August via So Recordings, the new album follows 2021’s breakthrough LP “Heavy Elevator” and 2023’s critically-acclaimed “Angel Numbers” – both of which received widespread critical acclaim. Said to be his best and boldest record to date, new track ‘Nancy Dearest’ is suitably grandoise and anthemic. He said: “Many of the songs on A Firmer Hand are marked by the presence of another: a lover, an authority figure, an enemy, or a confidante. Nancy Dearest is defined instead by an absence. On the one hand, it’s a bitterly defiant song, an ego trip, a narcissistic flight of fancy. On the other, it’s a song about sheer loneliness, isolation, and ultimate loss.
Either way, it’s a cry for help. We all tell ourselves stories about who we are and who we are not. On occasion something will cause our visions of ourselves to short-circuit. In Nancy Dearest, our hero is spiralling. “I’ve seen the well of emptiness and I have had my fill.” Tell me about it, stud.”
NU CROS ‘DLAW’
After unleashing ‘CREASED’ back in March, Glaswegian noise punks NU CROS have returned with another hardcore assault called ‘DLAW’. The blistering new release takes aim at those in the music industry who wield their power to intimidate and abuse – standing in solidarity with victims and challenging toxic masculinity against a chaotic backdrop of bludgeoning guitars and feedback. Aligning themselves with contemporaries like Humour, Yabba and VLURE, there’s no denying that NU CROS are carving out their own lane, bringing something entirely different in their own right. Speaking about the change in direction, the band stated, “We want to grow with our fans and create a space for them to know they are not alone in their struggles.”
Lacuna ‘Saint Bernadette’
Following the release of last month’s ‘Sinking Woman’, Lacuna have made a quickfire return with the release of ‘Saint Bernadette’. The band are quickly garnering a word of mouth following with each release as impressive as the next – and this new track continues in this rich vein of form. Characteristically opening in a gracefully, understated fashion, the intricately crafted arrangement layers gentle vocal harmonies, yearning strings, pulsing drums and guitars, before culminating in a cathartic release of screamed prayers and harmonies. It’s another accomplished addition to their catalogue. They headline Stereo on 27th July.
SILVI ‘Here Comes The Agony’
Scottish singer/songwriter SILVI returns with ‘Here Comes The Agony’, showcasing a catchy and hard-hitting alternative rock sound. Having headlined the iconic King Tuts and sold out further headline shows in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, SILVI is no stranger to the live scene in Scotland. With impressive slots at Tenement Trail, Wide Days and more recently Sweden’s Future Echoes Festival, her latest single builds on this momentum with a fast paced track that is bound to go down a treat live.
SILVI comments: “Here Comes The Agony is about that feeling of clarity you get when you finally know to call it quits with a pursuit of something that just simply isn’t working. This could be in the form of relationships with friends, family members, romantic interests or even something like an aspiration or goal that just isn’t meant to be. Despite wishing things could be different, accepting the reality of it is painful but necessary.”
Junk Pups ‘Spoonfed’
Junk Pups share their EP ‘Ball and Chain’ on 27th June, with producers Jocleyn Si and Finlay McCarthy (Walt Disco) lending their influence to the theatrical art-rock sound. Before then, they treated us to ‘Spoonfed last’, a dark and murky track that lurches through three and a half minutes of bluesy punk rock. Led by the inimitable growl of Jack Faulds, it’s entirely unpredictable – the eerie lyrical narrative delivered against stabbing guitars and, a swirl of ringing synths and more.
Hen Hoose ‘EP 1’
Last week, Hen Hoose, the female, non-binary songwriting collective based in Glasgow, unveiled their seven-track, multi-genre EP ‘Hen Hoose – EP 1’. The first of three to be released this year, the ambitious release showcases the breadth of talent at the heart of the collective, presenting work from Lucy Parnell and Djana Gabrielle, Tanya Mellotte and PAIX, Ray Aggs and Kathryn Williams, Shears and Xo, Cariss Crosbie and Elizabeth Elektra, The Anchoress and Jill Lorean and BISHI and Inge Thomson. With many having never worked before, the project is brimming with the creative spirit and myriad of influences with which it was produced – from that stirring, downpeat synth pop opener to the spectral electronic sheen of ‘Waves’ to the pristine, R&B inflected pop of ‘Let It All Go’.
Red Vanilla ‘Days of Grey’
Dundee alt-rockers Red Vanilla shared their debut EP last week ‘Days of Grey’. A striking introduction for those not yet acquainted, the seven-track collection undoubtedly earmarks them as a band to watch. Atmospheric opener ‘Embers’ is reminiscent of Wolf Alice, with Anna Forsyth’s delicate vocals delivered against an enveloping instrumental. ‘Outside In’ then sees the band kick into gear with 90s alt-rock and grungy influence, while ‘All These Better Things’ is rampant with heavy riffs and big choruses. Showing different dynamics – from heavy riffs to tender meditations on lost love – it’s an EP that is sure to seize the attention of many.
DIVORCE ‘My Room’
Last week, Divorce shared their new single ‘My Room’. It follows March single ‘Gears and sees them link up again with producer Catherine Marks (boygenius, Foals, Wolf Alice).
With quiet, escalating drama and an open heart, Divorce plant another signpost in the ground that points towards their grand, adventurous ambitions on the new track. Vocalist and bassist Tiger Cohen-Towell says: “My Room is an ode to unconditional love. These lyrics are truly some of the most emotionally vulnerable I think I’ve written to date; it speaks of a deep desire to be relaxed about showing affection toward someone that you know extremely well.”
Cardinals ‘Twist and Turn’
Cork five-piece released their self-titled debut EP via So Young Records last week, and one of its many highlights “Twist and Turn”. A song that builds and builds on warm major chords and looping melodies, it is already proving a live favourite.
Euan Manning of the band had the following to say about their latest:“To me Twist and Turn is a song about how writing has become a highly therapeutic practice for us all. It’s got some poppy melodies and a danceable backbeat, the lyrics though, they’re all about grief. I wanted to have a song where the tambourine is the main instrument.”
Font ‘Natalie’s Song’
Austin quintet Font have announced their debut album, Strange Burden, out July 12th via Acrophase Records, alongside the release of new track ‘Natalie’s Song.’ After seizing our attention with ‘Hey Kekulé, a track we described as erratic and instantly infectious, album closer ‘Natalie’s Song’ opens with discordant and jangly guitars on top of almost-disco drum beats, fusing with an unrelenting vocal melody. Inspired by sounds of the past while forcibly looking forwards, it’s a gripping listen.
Catch up on the playlist here.