Author Archives: Zara Hoffman

Scottish alt-folk band Lacuna recently dropped their new single “Creature Comforts” just in time for Mother’s Day.

An ode to the bonds of motherhood and the changing seasons, the single is set against a bed of hazy folk-rock, yearning strings, and warming melodies. Imbued with nostalgia and heartfelt introspection, it’s a gorgeous release that not only marks the return of brighter days, but also an exciting new chapter for the talented outfit.

Talking about the release, front person Emily Beckwith says, “This is one of my all time favourite songs we’ve done, it’s about the day to day of working through the dark mornings and nights before the light starts to creep back in. Also how much I’ve seen my Mum in myself over the past few years. I’m now the same age she was when she had me.”

Born from a wild night at Glasgow’s Slouch Bar, the folk-rock sextet has grown within a tight-knit circle of friends and musicians. Since their formation, the band has consistently released beautifully written and produced music, earning attention from BBC Introducing and The Scottish Alternative Music Awards with their haunting folk-rock style.

“Creature Comforts” is in stores now.

Bristol-based newcomer DANYUL explodes onto the scene with debut single “Cartoon Lily,” out now.

DANYUL blends pulsating ska-influenced guitars, sharp reverberating vocals, and woozy synths to create what he describes as “broad spectrum indie.” Drawing inspiration from artists like Jamie T and Lily Allen, DANYUL’s music is a unique fusion of alt-rock and synth-pop that’s impossible to ignore. “Cartoon Lily” takes listeners on a journey through gritty and surreal scenes, capturing the chaotic realities of adolescence in today’s world.

A true DIY artist, DANYUL writes, performs, and produces every element of his music. Now based in Bristol, he combines deeply personal introspection with sharp social commentary, weaving together drunken exploits, beauty, and tragedy, culminating in the wild 5 a.m. stumble home as the sun rises on another day of mayhem.

“Cartoon Lily” is in stores now.

London-based neo-soul newcomer Sienna Spiro recently released her stunningly soulful debut EP “SINK NOW, SWIM LATER,” and it deserves your attention.

Released alongside the EP is Sienna’s latest single “BUTTERFLY EFFECT,” produced by Yakob (SZA, Lauv); a beautiful piano-led ballad that showcases her incredibly warm and effortless vocal tone. The single is reminiscent of the sensation of the same name that describes how small changes can result in unpredictable consequences over time.

Says Sienna, ‘’BUTTERFLY EFFECT’ is the intro track to my debut EP and really sets the emotional tone of the project. I created the track to have an unexpected climax and lack of structure to capture the unpredictability that mirrors ‘the butterfly effect’ concept and really tells the story of what this song is about. I’m so excited to be getting this out into the world and to share a collection of music I have been working on for such a long time.”

Spiro’s early success in the industry, drawing comparisons to Frank Ocean, Amy Winehouse, and Etta James with her soulful, jazz-infused approach to contemporary pop, is truly inspiring.

Sienna Spiro’s debut EP “SINK NOW, SWIM LATER” is out now.

Australian newcomers Folk Bitch Trio are definitely ones to watch, even if it’s purely for the sake of their intriguingly titled band name.

Their latest single, “God’s A Different Sword” is a wonderfully poignant indie-folk track that features the trio’s gorgeously in sync harmonies at the forefront. Gentle instrumentation weaves into the melancholic lyrics, which explore themes of self-reflection and improvement—the band have been praised for their pensive lyricism which is perfectly demonstrated on this release.

Folk Bitch Trio are a band born out of a mutual love for songwriting, rocking, and the truth. Known for enrapturing audiences around their home city of Naarm/Melbourne, Australia with sensitive and thoughtful arrangements of three part harmony, what begun as an unserious collaboration between three friends has led the trio to share stages throughout the country with acts such as King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Julia Jacklin, and Courtney Barnett to name a few.

Making their way back over to the UK later this year, the trio are already confirmed to play festivals such as The Great Escape and Green Man. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for what else Folk Bitch Trio get up to next…

Prepare to be bewitched, enchanted and generally blown away by Rosina Buck and her spellbinding new single “WITCH,” out now.

Written in a moment of deep introspection and produced by Annie Gardiner, “WITCH” holds an otherworldly power that took Rosina—and all those who joined her—on a transformative journey. This song captures the raw energy of the witches’ love, wisdom, and sacrifice, as well as Rosina’s courage to explore the collective edges. Fans of the likes of Alodus Harding and First will feel at home here.

Set against the raw beauty of nature, the video—curated by Amie Nowlan and filmed by Michael Sides—evokes a dreamscape where time folds in on itself, where past, present, and future converge. Rosina elaborates, “This film is a tapestry of feminine power, woven with truth, reverence, and mystery.”

“It is a celebration of all ages, all bodies, all stories—women standing in their fullness, stripped of expectation, moving as one with the earth beneath them. “WITCH” is not just a song or a music video—it is a spirit, ritual, an offering, an uprising of beauty and truth. A reminder that magic is not a myth. It is alive, breathing, waiting for us to remember.”

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English indie-pop band Fickle Friends have been around for over a decade now, and they are going from strength to strength. Their latest single, “Swoon,” is no exception as it oozes with fun and is the perfect anthem for the “hopefully” sunny months to come

Talking about the single, front person Natassja Shiner says, “This song was born in our little studio in Brighton…it was the end of the day and we just decided to go a bit old school and plug in some instruments and have a good old fashioned ‘jam.'”

“Lyrically, this song captures the moment I stopped seeing being single and dating as tragic and started embracing it as iconic—pure brat, hot girl summer energy with everything in between. Snogging? Timeless. Those awkward first encounters? Magic. Shifting my mindset from anxiety to excitement didn’t just change how I approached dating—it changed my life.”

Formed in 2013, Fickle Friends is made up of Natassja (vocals, keyboards), Harry Herrington (bass, backing vocals), Sam Morris (drums), and Jack Wilson (keyboards). Natassja met Sam at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and met Chris, Harry and Jack the following year in BIMM Brighton. Since then, they have continued to thrive and are due to release their third studio album in the near future.

“Swoon” is in stores now.

Irish singer-songwriter Niamh Bury goes back to her traditional roots with her latest single “Geordie,” out now.

A wonderful, whimsical trad-folk delight, “Geordie” allows Niamh’s natural Irish charm and poignancy to shine. Talking about the single, Niamh says, “This is a traditional song from the 1600s that I first heard sung by the great Martin Carthy. It’s very dear to me and probably the song in my set that people have asked most about down the years. To me it’s about courage, resilience, survival and the lengths we will go to for our loved ones.”

Niamh Bury is one of the most captivating new voices on the Irish folk scene. Her debut album, Yellow Roses—released in March 2024—quickly stirred hearts and earned her a spot of Mojo’s Best Folk Albums of 2024 list. Niamh’s richly-textured folk sound and singular vocals have lead her to share the stage with acts like Ye Vagabonds, Flyte, Maddison Cunningham, Dermot Kennedy, and Martin Hayes.

“Geordie” is in stores now.

Gear up for Spring with the wonderfully warm new single “Ten Years From Now” by Australian newcomer Ruby Jackson.

Ruby’s sound is fueled by 2000s R&B nostalgia, but consistently in her own way. Her latest release is no exception as it combines soul-pop and jazz-infused sensibilities creating something poignant and powerful. Fans of Olivia Dean and Pip Millett will feel at home here.

Ruby’s unique approach to storytelling and her signature authentic vocal sets her apart as one of the most original sounds in Australian R&B. We’re excited to see what 2025 brings for Ruby and dare we say, manifest a UK tour? Watch this space.

“Ten Years From Now” is in stores now.

Ahead of the release of their debut album, Nottingham-based quartet Divorce share their jangly new single “Hangman,” out now.

Talking about the single, co-vocalist and guitarist Felix Mackenzie-Barrow says, “I wrote ‘Hangman’ late one night, freezing in my moldy bedroom after a long shift as a support worker; the job I was doing at the time. The lyrics and chords and structure came out complete in about twenty minutes, I had stolen Tiger’s Ominchord for it, which is not an instrument I would usually use for writing. The job I was doing necessitated a high level of emotional control, which was not something I had experienced before and so writing about the work and allowing my subconscious to flow freely helped me to gain some perspective.

I listened to it on the way back to work the following morning over and over and I felt like I’d done a good one. I only worked in that job for about six months, but it was simultaneously the hardest and most rewarding work I’ve ever done. The admiration I have for the people I worked with, and the people who choose that career, is immense. The world of social care is hidden in a society that likes to pretend it doesn’t exist, but it is vital and deserves much more focus and investment than it currently receives.”

Last year, Divorce signed to Universal Records’ Gravity Records, before filling 2024 with a raft of international festivals and tours with Bombay Bicycle Club, The Vaccines, and Everything Everything. As anticipation continues to grow for Divorce’s debut album, Drive to Goldenhammer out 7th March, the band are also looking forward to a run of UK in-store performances, followed by a full UK/EU headline tour later this year. Watch this space.

Pre-order the album here.

If you’re a fan of neo-soul infused R&B then look no further. Lucy Park recently dropped her celestial new single “Only Ever” and it’s undeniably impressive.

Starting her singer-songwriter journey in 2018, the London and LA-based Lucy Park has evolved from covering songs on guitar in her college dorm to unleashing timeless records from the studio to the world. Channeling the likes of Olivia Dean, “Only Ever” is further proof that this young artist is most certainly on the rise, and we are extremely excited to see what Lucy gets up to next.

Talking about the single, Lucy says, “I wrote this song the week I moved to London from LA as a little farewell to my life there. It’s a reminder to myself to embrace new chapters and whatnot!”

Welcome to the UK, Lucy! We’re very happy to have you.

“Only Ever” is in stores now.

Sri Lankan Aussie Kiki Wera continues to make waves and from across the pond with new single “Lazy,” out now.

Channeling the likes of Hope Tala, Remi Wolf, and Dominic Fike, Kiki creates warm, fuzzy bedroom pop that is the perfect distraction for the winter blues. “Lazy” is utterly charming from the offset and certainly puts Kiki solidly on the map of ones to watch for 2025.

Kiki sings, produces, and writes all of her own music. She loves making music with good vibes—an escape with unique, quirky production and whimsical, honest lyrics. The pop artist grew up in Melbourne, but more recently studied contemporary music and songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Kiki Wera’s music is being discovered on Spotify New Music Friday AU and NZ, along with Fresh Finds AU and NZ.

“Lazy” is in stores now.

Ease into the working week with singer-songwriter Emma Harner who recently released her stunning new single “Do It,” out now. Known for her combination of folk and math rock infused soundscapes, “Do It” is no exception. Of course, it’s not every day you see these two genres entwined, but somehow it really works.

Talking about the single, Emma says, “It’s a song about giving your all to something that demands everything from you and getting nothing in return. Fitting, I think, that I’m releasing this song independently. So, help me out! Tell your friends about it! Add it to your playlists! I am so grateful to have an audience who believes in the power of math folk (or whatever you’d call this).”

Emma Harner is an accomplished guitarist, songwriter, singer, recording/ touring artist, and multi-instrumentalist known for her eclectic blend of classical guitar technique, folk music, and math rock/ midwest emo riffs.

Inspired by artists like Radiohead, Adrienne Lenker, and Paul Simon, her intricate guitar work and heartfelt songwriting have captivated a growing fanbase. Last year, Emma toured as direct support on several tours including Orla Gartland, Mxmtoon, and The Bygones. Emma is launching headfirst into 2025 with her highly anticipated debut EP.

Canadian newcomer Laura Roy returns with the release of her beautifully introspective single “BONE TO PICK,” out now. Currently based in London, 2025 is already shaping up to be a pretty exciting year for this emerging artist.

Known for her signature fusion of folk-soul and alternative R&B, Roy’s latest single reaffirms her knack for combining poignant storytelling with rich, genre-defying soundscapes. Talking about the single, Roy explains, “It’s a song about finding clarity in chaos, a reminder that personal growth often springs from moments of uncertainty.”

2024 saw Roy sing backing vocals for Sabrina Carpenter at her Wembley Arena show and Dua Lipa’s BBC Live Lounge. She also performed with Lianne La Havas and toured the world with JP Cooper’s band.

“BONE TO PICK” is another taste of what’s to come from the rising star as she records her debut album. Watch this space.

Scottish twin-sibling duo Cloth recently shared their new single “Polaroid,” and it’s a dreamy delight from the offset.

Channelling the likes of Wet Leg, Cloth combine classic indie-rock soundscapes with shoegaze and dream-pop infused sensibilities creating something truly magical. Lyrically, “Polaroid” carries a quietly devastating impact and discussion of the loss of a friendship. Vocalist Rachael Swinton elaborates, “We knew that we wanted to push ourselves outside our comfort zone and write a really upbeat, fast track which would feel great to play live. ‘Polaroid’ has such a strong, driving beat and a soaring string arrangement from Owen Pallett. We’ve never had strings on our music before so this was a real first for us.”

“I was a little nervous about the idea because I think adding strings can sometimes go one of two ways—they can sound great or they can overpower the nuance of everything going on underneath. I can still remember hearing Owen’s arrangement for the first time and just turning to Paul with the biggest smile on my face—they absolutely nailed it. ‘Polaroid’ is quite different to anything we’ve done before, but I think it’s one of the most exciting songs we’ve made.” “Polaroid” was produced by Ali Chant (Perfume Genius, PJ Harvey, Yard Act).

“Polaroid” is in stores now via Rock Action. It’s the band’s first release since their 2023 album Secret Measure.

Singer-songwriter Lily Lyons pens powerfully poignant songs that are soft, sweet, and celestial. Her latest single “No One Leaves” is no exception and certainly puts her on the map as one to watch for 2025.

Talking about the single, Lily says, “This song was so fun to stitch together. Chris Vatalaro came in for day one and I remember Leo Abrahams and I totally changing the direction of the song because of what he brought to the table. The first time we played it through I hear him in the background of a video saying “or something” at the end. Completely unaware he was blowing my socks off. Having Tara Cunningham and Angus Bayley in as well, building this new sound world… it was such a different, collaborative, and beautiful experience! Hope this translates in the music.”

Lily Lyons searches for truth in her music, exploring simple things that are easily forgotten—not revolutionary, but the everyday beauty and tragedy of relationships. Each track that Lily writes is a beautiful vignette capturing her experiences so far, with perceptive lyrics delivered in an elegant voice that could easily sit among the greats.

“No One Leaves” is in stores now.