A mind-expanding trio of disparate experimental jazz was on offer at Melbourne’s Northcote Social Club.

YEV’s self-titled debut album introduces listeners to a rich blend of cinematic folk rock, modern blues, vintage pop, world music, and the soulful influence of his Ukrainian heritage. With evocative melodies and raw emotion, each track explores universal themes of hope, loss, and the search for belonging, brought to life by YEV’s dynamic and heartfelt vocal delivery.

Written in the two years between Kaston *Guffey leaving *Nashville and embracing a new life in Pittsburgh PA with his wife Georgia (a fellow songwriter and music educator), the album is many things at once: a celebration of curiosity and discovery, a reflection of what has come and gone, a portrait of the tumultuous nature of American life in these unprecedented times, and an existential examination of what it means to navigate through all of this complexity. Like most of My Politic’s discography, Signs of Life explores the realm where the deeply personal and the universal overlap.

Here is the first original single release of 2021 from the Minneapolis based Kung Fu Hippies. Their homegrown brand of Americana rock is infectious, with a rhythmic acoustic strum and strong percussion and bass lines driving the song on. The self-styled ‘Spaghetti Northern’ is designed to bring a little happiness and hope and when Brad Ray, with his impassioned vocal, sings: “Hello Northwoods boy // You sing a song of joy,” you can’t help but be on their side. The veteran rockers have been around for twenty years, having played their first show in the year 2000.

Weekends In Purgatory is the highly-anticipated second studio album from Minneapolis singer-songwriter FINICK. After writing and recording her first full-length release, Where Could We Go? (2023), when they were only 16, FINICK is back and yet again diving into a high-concept, high-energy project. Recorded at Minnehaha Recording Company with Tony Williamette, FINICK is joined by Taylor James Donskey (bass, guitar), JT Bates (drums) and Jake Johnson (guitar, fiddle) to create a record that hits on everything that made FINICK’s first release special, plus even more range, determination and teenage angst.

Simeon Kirkegaard is back with his latest album * (Asterisk), a release that combines his unique ability to capture emotion through melodic compositions and poetic lyrics. The album, set for release on March 14, 2025, is produced by Kirkegaard himself, with co-producers Gavin Glass and Alwyn Walker, and has taken shape over the course of a decade, recorded in some of Ireland’s most renowned studios, including Westland Studios, Orphan Studio, and The Meadow.

Tidal Water is the brainchild of Martin Hovden, a passionate vocalist, songwriter, and producer from Oslo, Norway. Martin, the primary visionary and financial backer, infuses his deep societal concerns and personal experiences into Tidal Water’s music. His background in project management and event production enables him to bring a unique blend of powerful rock music to life, enhanced by the collaboration of talented friends from his musical journey.

Milk Buttons, an Australian 6-piece from Meanjin/Brisbane and Narm/Melbourne, are releasing “We Loved You Like Rain,” their most ambitious album to date. Think Wilco meets Angel Olsen with a touch of jazz-infused improvisation. This 8-track collection, co-produced with Cody McWaters (King Stingray, The Chats), blends explosive rock with delicate ballads, featuring lush string and horn arrangements. Their current singles, “Sunshower,” and “love And War” are bittersweet anthems already generating buzz.

Police Touch Museum, hailing from Philadelphia, United States, is a captivating indie rock solo project led by the talented singer/songwriter Mike Parry. With a musical journey that began in 2020, Parry’s poignant lyrics and soulful vocals resonate with listeners, drawing inspiration from his personal reflections on love and self-discovery.

RIDE bassist Steve Queralt has just released the first single for his upcoming solo LP out in June on Sonic Cathedral. Featuring Emma Anderson on lead vocals “Lonely Town” is a shimmering, swirling, shoegaze tempest.

When the Trump administration killed USAID it stopped vital funding to rescue, protect, heal and empower vulnerable children abused by their families, paedophiles and US service-men. In response, British Filipino band Ooberfuse have been working directly in Olongapo, Philippines with the People’s Recovery, Empowerment and Development Assistance Foundation (PREDA) and its founder Nobel peace prize nominee Father Shay Cullen. In a music project using compelling images they are attempting to make the Foundation’s vital work more widely known to new audiences.

BT Frankie, hailing from Belfast, Ireland, is the mastermind behind the original EP “Man Up.” Embracing his roots, BT Frankie’s music is a unique blend of influences from punk, grunge, and traditional Irish sounds. Drawing inspiration from real-life events and the colorful characters of his hometown, each BT Frankie song tells a captivating story that resonates with authenticity and raw emotion. Despite facing initial skepticism, BT Frankie’s solo project is a
testament to his unwavering passion for creating music that is distinctly Belfast in its essence.

Opening a window into a fragmented world, where haunting synths weave a tapestry of ethereal textures, interspersed with cascading guitar lines that radiate like distant starbursts. Drenched in reverb, they carve out atmospheres thick with longing, a bittersweet endeavor to touch the ineffable. The audacious purpose of this sound fabric is not merely to entertain but to instill a sense of deep introspection, a mirror reflecting the complexities of our inner lives. Within the depths of honeyed voices that drift like autumn leaves, there lingers an aroma of ache, a wistfulness that invites fumbling memories of love lost, moments shrugged off, and fragile dreams slipping through eager fingers.

Based in New York City, The Broadest Blue features Kurt Juergens presenting creative and melodic storytelling over a backdrop of rich and unusual textures. Always in pursuit of the harmonically otherworldly, Juergens’ songs feel like a dream world.

Rising UK singer-songwriter FIONA is set to captivate listeners with her debut single, ‘Enough’s Enough’ — a soul-stirring blend of pop, R&B, and jazz influences that showcases her powerhouse vocals and raw emotional storytelling. At just 18, FIONA’s voice carries a weight of maturity and depth that resonates far beyond her years, delivering a track that explores the painful tipping point before a breakup.

New Jersey’s Pocket Gum returns with their gripping new single, “Wasted.” Known for their dreamy yet fierce fusion of pop-punk and shoegaze, the duo of Joshua Elavia (guitar) and Ryan Von Sauers (bass) continue to push their sonic boundaries, this time with their most raw and unfiltered release yet.

Award-winning singer-songwriter Nathaniel Paul delivers a soul-stirring new release with “When Stars Weep”, an acoustic ballad that strips music down to its purest form—one voice, one instrument, and an unshakable depth of emotion off his upcoming full-length release. A deeply intimate performance, “When Stars Weep” captures the raw beauty of human connection amid the chaos of an unpredictable world. With heartfelt lyrics like “when the stars weep, they will be yours to keep,” Nathaniel Paul reminds listeners that even in the darkest of times, love and presence remain the greatest gifts we have.

Following the success of their critically acclaimed debut album Murmurations, Ireland’s rising alt-rock outfit Under Starling return with a breathtaking new single, “Bird Watching”, set for release on March 21st. A poignant love song infused with nature’s fleeting beauty, “Bird Watching” transports listeners to Ireland’s southeast coast, where reverb-drenched guitars, warm basslines, and hypnotic melodies mirror the delicate balance between presence and parting. Danny’s emotive vocals intertwine with Molly Robb’s ethereal harmonies, evoking a dreamlike atmosphere rich with imagery—skylarks in flight, tides rising, feathers drifting on the breeze.

Moontwin release their second album, simply titled ‘two’, on 21st March 2025. It includes fan favourites ‘Storm In A Shell’, ‘Tsunamical’ and ‘Rainy Day’, as well as four previously unreleased tracks. New single, “Doused in Blue”, rises and chimes, crashes and falls, creating something captivating and haunted by nostalgia. The duo find themselves on a dreamlike journey, their lives woven together through the seasons, their evolution both exquisite and pained. The song captures something of our common experience as human beings negotiating the passage of time.

Hybrid Kid’s latest single “Cry” is a message of resilience and determination. Infused with catchy fluid fingerpick style acoustic guitar lines that seamlessly blend with a walking bass, the track creates an irresistible earworm groove that lingers long after the music stops. Recorded in a tranquil barn in the South Downs National Park, away from the chaos of modern society, the song encapsulates a laid-back strolling vibe that transports listeners to a serene sonic landscape.

Meghan Pulles reigns as an emo-positive singer-songwriter who heals the world through her lyrical lens. The Nashville based artist has touched fans across the globe with her music: taking her listeners on a cathartic journey of mental and emotional healing and wellness.

Plastic Ideas was formed in 2018 as the solo project of Berkan Çalışkan. After releasing three singles under the Mevzu Records label in 2019 and 2020, the band began to take shape with its members, and in 2022, they released their debut full-length album Bakiyesi Belirsiz Ömrüm_under Hexe Records. Currently consisting of Berkan, Sertaç, and Efekan, the band released their second long-play _Afterglow in 2025, via Tamar Records.

“A Man from No Time” showcases lyricist Michael Walsh’s ability to write powerful, poetic lyrics that resonate with listeners. Walsh has been writing song lyrics for the past five years and recently worked with the talented producer/composer Jonathan Wood of Premier Song Productions in the UK to record this track along with “Give Me A New Sky”, which was released in late 2024. Wood wrote the music, and his gifted session musicians and vocalist Jonathan Markwood performed with passion and intensity

Parmy Dhillon’s songwriting often delves into themes of personal struggle, resilience, and emotional depth. His lyrics are known for their raw honesty and relatability, often reflecting on life’s challenges and the human experience. His latest release, “Organise Your Mind,” follows his previous traits as a songwriter
with a more reflective and mature outlook. His ability to blend uplifting melodies with darker, introspective lyrics creates a unique and compelling sound.

An ethereal, introspective yet uptempo track, “Elvira” is the latest release from Lafayete, LA’s The Links. The tune makes use of several shoegaze/dreampop elements while also turning the usual tropes of those genres on their head; namely by way of the clear & cutting vocals of Jack Morrison, leading the charge between spacey, cold but comforting guitars and driving, grooving rhythm section.

“Snake (Folk Version)” brings new depth to Estelle Mey’s sound, weaving earthy acoustics, deep hurdy-gurdy drones, and dynamic vocals into a hypnotic neo-folk journey. Raw, powerful, and immersive, it captures the firelit energy of her live performances

Born in Canada to French parents, Elea lived in Hemmingford until age 5 when her family moved to Dharamsala, India for her father to pursue Tibetan medicine studies. She subsequently spent a few years in the south of France before moving to Bristol, UK at 16 to study music. Releasing a string of singles, “Lust”, “Trigger” and “Sacrifice”, to critical acclaim in her idiosyncratically “towering sound reminiscent of PJ Harvey and Feist”, she was touted as “a millennial Patti Smith”. Albeit being Gen Z, she decided not to correct the journalist for the (hopefully only partly) erroneous compliment.

Sometimes the future catches up with us. Although Tom Minor’s current track “Expanding Universe” was written a couple of moons back it could hardly be more topical than now at the time of its release when all manner of global bullies (including but – not limited to – the big tech biggies also known as the Four Henchmen of the Trumpocalypse, who have long since forgotten about one of their own early mottoes ‘don’t be evil’) – are selling us short down the live stream on a daily basis while we rush to pay them for it.

Brooks J Martin’s new album doesn’t have a clever title. It is the type of singer-songwriter album that only Martin could make. His fifth full-length release, Brooks J Martin, is a noir-ish collection of folk songs lavished with Brian Wilson-like symphonic grandeur and teeming with abstract lyrical expression. Martin has previously released albums under the band monikers Toast and The Blue Danes and recorded under the alias Frank Hansen. However, in contrast to this clandestine creativity, he grew up in a household where music was at the forefront of life. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and his mom and aunt are singers.

Waves Crashing infuses lush soundscapes into fresh melodic hooks putting a new spin on alternative music from the 80s & 90s.

Cork, Ireland’s The Frank & Walters returned to NYC for the first time since 1998 as an acoustic duo of founding singer-songwriter Paul Linehan and new member London-via-Cork’s Dylan Ó’hEochaidh, a dazzling multi-instrumentalist, and played 17 songs over a delightful two sets to a sold-out audience, some of whom journeyed from Quebec, Canada, Nebraska, Washington, D.C. (and western parts of Brooklyn) to rejoice in an unexpected appearance after so many years.

Jeremy Climer, the creative force behind Mountain Climer, unveils “Paper Gowns,” a gripping reflection on life’s final moments. Releasing on February 28th and produced by Paul Mahern (John Mellencamp, The Blake Babies), the track brings together an all-star lineup, including Heidi Lynne Gluck, Shannon Hayden, Devon Ashley, and David England, weaving a rich sonic tapestry of raw emotion and atmospheric instrumentation.

Nightfall is a daring protest album that promises to challenge listeners and provoke critical thinking. With a unique blend of alternative rock, dark wave, metal, and other unconventional elements, the music of Apex4X defies categorization, mirroring the raw emotions and powerful narratives woven into the album. The thought-provoking lyrics delve into themes of societal control, censorship, and the stark realities of our world, ensuring that Nightfall will captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact.

“Dance With Me (In Oblivion)” is the debut single of Sirenglas, out on February 28. The single is a ghostly amalgam of human passion and artificial intelligence forged in the static void between Berlin’s coldwave grit and the post-punk shadows of 1980s London. The music is a collision of shadowy human emotion and the intricate precision of AI, weaving together melancholic melodies, haunting vocals, and pulsating rhythms.

“Algorythm” is a mind-melting trip through the digital void—where clicks breed clicks, feeds devour minds, and we’re all just puppets in the machine. We built the algorithm, but it hacked our brains right back, twisting reality into an endless dopamine loop. Hypnotic, pulsing, and just unhinged enough to make you question if you’re vibing… or glitching out. You wanna break free? Too late.

Emerging from the shadows of groove metal grit and progressive soundscapes, Kids in Decay forge a unique identity in progressive rock-metal, blending melancholic beauty with poised aggression. Their music embodies a delicate balance—cinematic and haunting, yet explosive and unpredictable. Dark Tetrad explores the darker nature of human personality, ultimately ending on a hopeful resolve.

Dean Carter is a seasoned guitarist, songwriter, and sound healing practitioner based in the UK, whose career spans multiple decades and a remarkable journey of resilience and reinvention. He first emerged on the music scene in the 1980s and early 90s, captivating audiences with his ambient electric performances.

John Deering, hailing from Minneapolis, United States, is set to make waves in the music scene with his original single, “Strip Mall Jesus,” releasing on 15th March 2025. Collaborating with key contributors like mentor Ryan Smith of Soul Asylum, who helped refine the early versions and craft the arrangement, and drummer Peter Anderson of Run Westy Run, Deering delivers a powerful track that encapsulates the raw energy of ’90s rock influences like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. With a compelling narrative behind the song’s creation, Deering’s ability to channel personal experiences into his music sets him apart as a truly authentic artist.

Praised Swedish dream pop duo Marble Raft has released their new single “Here in Your Backyard” alongside a brand-new music video created by Jonna Laurin. The duo’s new album Dear Infrastructure has received high praise for their ethereal pop duets and warm soundscape. The new single “Here in Your Backyard” is the fourth single drop from the lush pop album. It´s a playful and euphoric indie pop duet about a motley crew gathering in a neighborhood of an eerie metropolis. The song is brimming with string synthesizers, 12-stringed guitars, and autoharp. It portrays a messy crowd of strangers getting together in some sort of backyard party.

“Morbid Craziness” is a poignant reflection on the complexities of our modern world, urging listeners to embrace their humanity amidst chaos. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musical influences, Balazs Janky’s unique sound and insightful lyrics set NBP Human apart in the realm of rock music.

Red Light Factory was conceived in Greater Manchester, off the back of a post-covid malaise. Many bands split up, entered a long hiatus or just simply failed to get back on the horse again. In February 2020, Harry Lavin and Ben Warwick had just come back from a hugely successful European Tour with Twisted Wheel; supporting Liam Gallagher at arenas around the continent. By March 2020, the world was in lockdown, and by March 2024, the band still hadn’t returned to pick up the momentum they had spent the last 3 years building up. At the ages of 25 and 26, the duo decided to stop waiting around for their youth to pass them by and re-kindle their songwriting partnership under the red studio lights.

“Where Now?” is an unashamedly nostalgic-sounding record, with an increasingly urgent message. It also has a strong sense that redemption/recovery is still possible – with the solo and the last verse bringing a sense of renewed hope.

Recorded at Brighton Electric Studios, drawing inspiration from the likes of Tigercub, QOTSA, and Foo Fighters, “Burn the Bridges” showcases SANSOM’s musical prowess and emotional depth. The single is the first of four tracks slated for release this year, promising a compelling journey for fans. With a memorable quote, “Burn the bridges to light the way,” encapsulating the essence of the release, SANSOM invites audiences to experience the cathartic power of their music firsthand.

The first Sukilove album has long been overdue being issued on vinyl and Jezus Factory Records have lovingly arranged this to happen. The Belgian classic from 2002 has been freshly remastered for vinyl by original mastering engineer, Uwe Teichert of Elektropolis and the artwork has been rearranged for vinyl by Alain Rylant.

‘Headwind’ is the 3rd and final single taken from the Headwind EP by CMON CMON. Both the single and the EP will be released on March 14 2025. The release will be supported by a tour from March 14. This spellbinding title track is a sonic outlier on the EP, a mid-paced stunner that sucks you under its spell. It’s about following your own path

Fringe Frontier’s tunes are fueled by Americana storytelling and gritty guitar hooks. Their music rolls through the back counties of the South up to New York City. Songs from the Wirehouse, their forthcoming LP, was mixed by 2x Grammy-winner and Midlake drummer McKenzie Smith, and mastered by Grammy-nominee Kim Rosen.

Drovers Unlimited Orchestra Volume 3 is the final, posthumous release from Mike Kirkpatrick, a Chicago-based musician, composer, and producer whose work drew from—and gave to—a stunning array of musical genres and traditions. This wild, triumphant closing party for Kirkpatrick’s ultimate triptych serves a vigorously eclectic blend of jazz, world music, and traditional Irish sounds, showcasing Kirkpatrick’s unique ability to synthesize different genres into a cohesive, innovative, and truly unique whole.

Ian M Bailey and Daniel Wylie further explore their songwriting and arranging partnership in the hauntingly beautiful new album Lost in a Sound.Lost in a Sound is a psychedelic-tinged masterpiece, born from the haze of drug-induced nights in the desert and the depths of the deep blue ocean. Drawing from their respected influence’s Gram Parsons, David Crosby, Gene Clark, the album’s 10 tracks are a sonic exploration of the human experience, with songs like “White Whale” “Deep Blue Water” and “Welcome To The Desert” conjuring up images of vast, open spaces and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.

El Camino Adios is the follow-up record by the band hailed as “the most unusual mash-up in Minnesota Music history, The Scarlet Goodbye. As the new songs were being created, “El Camino Adios” began to shape into a series of scenes relating to a mythical small town and everything that goes on—hellos, goodbyes, heartache, seasons, dopamine rushes, reflection…experienced by those who have been around awhile.