Category Archives: TVD UK

Neo-soul newcomer Maya Law has teamed up with producer, beat-maker, and multi-instrumentalist edbl (Ed Black) on new single “Final Round,” out now. The single is taken from edbl’s upcoming Archives Mixtape, out on 6th June 2025 via edible recordings.

Combining soul and pop, Maya Law’s music warmly invites you alongside as she navigates life as a queer woman, offering refreshingly candid snapshots into her own mental well-being. Latest single”Final Round” is no exception as it oozes smooth, sultry, sexy vibes akin to the likes of Pip Millett and Solange.

Maya is immensely inspired by Amy Winehouse, and credits the late singer’s ability to weave heartbreak into beautiful music as a big reference point in her own music. Having already shared stages with the likes of Connie Constance, Loyle Carner, Andreya Triana, and Akala in recent years, its pretty obvious Maya is definitely one to watch.

edbl’s free-flowing beats have amassed upwards of 130 million streams and have garnered support from BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Jamz Supernova, BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley, Jazz FM, BBC 6 Music’s Don Letts, and BBC Introducing to name a few. With his roots as a session musician, Ed strives to keep his sound as live as possible. Aside from the drums, everything you hear on a track—from the keys and the guitar to the trumpet—will be live instruments. The result is a free-flowing pool of textured sounds, each collaboration teeming with natural synergy.

“Final Round” is in stores now via edible recordings.

It’s a normal Wednesday afternoon, and I’m planning on seeing Hundred Reasons’ final show at the legendary Royal Albert Hall. Early in the day, I get a note that I’m approved for a photo pass. Instant adrenaline shot. About five minutes later, my friend Jay Jay French (founding member of Twisted Sister) texts me: “I’m in town. Are you around?” I say yeah, I’m heading to a gig tonight, and he says, “I’m in.”

Fast forward six hours and we’re walking through the gilded halls of one of London’s most prestigious venues. I never thought I’d be bringing a founding member of Twisted Sister to a post-hardcore show, but rock music has a way of creating these beautiful collisions.

Rival Schools started the night off. It’s no secret that these guys are best buds with Hundred Reasons. Funny enough, Rival Schools seems to be much bigger here in the UK than in the US. Now, while I’m honestly more of a Quicksand fan, I do think that anything Walter Schreifels touches is pure gold. Rival Schools made some fantastic albums, and they were on full display at the gig. “Everything has its Point,” “Used for Glue,” absolutely stellar.

The Royal Albert Hall isn’t built for bands like Hundred Reasons. Its ornate design and perfect acoustics were meant for symphonies and opera, not the raw, distorted assault of post-hardcore. But that’s exactly what makes tonight special. Watching Colin Doran scream his lungs out while surrounded by Victorian architecture is punk rock in its purest form—the invasion of spaces not meant for you.

After the first few songs, Jay Jay turns to me and says point blank: “Now this is a good band. I really like the singer.” When a guy who helped define heavy metal thinks your band is great after only just a handful of songs, you’ve done something right.

Read More »

Brussels-based artist Adja recently released her debut album Golden Retrieve Her (get it?), and it’s an undeniably impressive body of work from the newcomer.

This contemporary album showcases eleven stories, each discussing the impact that our capitalistic society has on our most intimate moments. From dystopian neo-soul tales of Deliveroo-drivers being stalked by telemarketers, to re-imagined jazz standards and classical songs about conditional friendships based on time and money. Serious and concrete topics, wrapped up in a symbolic package, as Adja values both straightforwardness, critical thinking, and paradoxically, a bit of mysticism.

Talking about the title track, Adja explains “‘Golden Retrieve Her’ is a wordplay on wanting to retrieve my kindness in a violent social system. Simultaneously, it is criticizing the fact that we, the masses, are often asked to either be naive or pretend we are. All of this accumulated in a visual image of what our social system considers ‘the perfect, obedient nuclear family’: a kind couple with 2.4 children, a house in the suburbs and… a Golden Retriever.”

Adja translates through jazz, soul, gospel, and her ever-expanding and transforming experience of reality, simultaneously using the creative process as a vehicle to make known to herself the answer to those inner questions. Her goal is making her spiritual path in this life as tangible as possible. A force of nature on stage with warm, sensual vocals, fans of the likes of Erykah Badu, Solange, and Lianne La Havas will feel at home here.

Golden Retrieve Her is in stores now via SDBAN.

Our UK Artist of the Week is London-based singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist, J. C. Wright. Having been involved in making music for decades, from major label stints in bands to production work, Wright has emerged through the release of his debut EP, “In The Halfway House Of Hearing.”

The record is a sumptuous collection of folk-inspired songs exploring themes of love, loss, and regret. Featuring five enchanting tracks, “In The Halfway House Of Hearing” takes the listener on an emotional journey through Wright’s life.

Stand out track “The Fallen Few” encapsulates the EP as a whole. Written after the loss of two close friends who died within two years of each other, the song builds beautifully throughout, showcasing Wright’s emotive lyricism, rich vocal delivery, and skillful songwriting.

“In The Halfway House Of Hearing” is in stores now.

Having already released two singles earlier this year, Copenhagen-based duo Snuggle continue to prove they are on the rise with new single “Woman Lake,” out now.

Falling somewhere between Lana Del Rey and Beach House, the duo create sultry, sweeping soundscapes that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. “Woman Lake” is their most vivid and heartfelt track to date, where lead singer Andrea Thuesen imagines a place she’s never actually visited, drawing on secondhand memories that feel oddly personal.

“I have memories of a place I’ve never been—never been to Saint Paul or the Cass County lakes—I remember vividly though getting mosquito bites on my eyelids and cannonballing into cloudy waters. Because of stories told by a dear friend,” she elaborates.

Snuggle are Andrea of Baby in Vain and former Liss guitarist Vilhelm Strange, and we can’t wait to see what they plan to release next.

“Woman Lake” is in stores now via Danish label Escho.

British folk artist Sam Kelly returns with the announcement of his highly anticipated new album Dreamers Dawn, out June 6th on Navigator Records. Taken from the album is the infectious title track “Dreamers Dawn,” out now.

Described by Sam as “a song capturing the euphoric and unadulterated joy of being at a music festival, and the unique magic that live music creates.” Written and recorded with long-time collaborator Jamie Francis and including the talents of his celebrated live band The Lost Boys, the fun-filled “Dreamers Dawn” is definitely festival ready and teases exciting hints for the album to come. A full UK tour coincides with the album’s release in June 2025.

Sam Kelly is a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning musician, singer, songwriter, and producer from Norfolk, UK. His band The Lost Boys are festival favourites across the UK and beyond, and as an accompanist on guitar and Irish bouzouki, his portfolio includes playing with the likes of Kate Rusby, Seth Lakeman, John McCusker, Phil Beer, and Katherine Priddy to name a few.

“Dreamers Dawn” is in stores now via Navigator Records.

The sold-out crowd at London’s Eventim Apollo saw Godsmack in a state of flux last week. With Will Hunt (Evanescence) filling in on drums and Sam Koltun (Dorothy, Faster Pussycat) handling lead guitar duties in place of Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola, longtime fans had reason for skepticism. But from the moment they launched into “Surrender,” it was clear we weren’t getting some watered-down version of the band.

Sully Erna stalked the stage like a man with something to prove, carrying the same pissed-off intensity that’s been his trademark since their 1998 debut. Hunt and Merrill locked in immediately. During “1000hp,” Hunt’s thunderous attack had the floor section visibly rippling while never losing the groove. Cue the mosh pit and stage divers.

Koltun faced the night’s biggest challenge, stepping into shoes most guitarists wouldn’t touch. Smart enough to skip the carbon-copy approach, he found his own lane within Rombola’s framework. During “Voodoo,” lit in violent reds and purples, he leaned into the track’s hypnotic pulse, nailing the signature licks while adding flashes of his own style. Nothing showy. Just solid, confident playing with the right amount of bite. The kid can play. He threaded his own personality through those familiar riffs without losing what made them work in the first place. By the second chorus, nobody was missing Rombola anymore.

Critics have dismissed Godsmack as Metallica-meets-Alice in Chains since day one. So what? From my perch in the balcony, beer in hand, I couldn’t care less about originality scorecards. Sometimes familiar ingredients, mixed right, just hit the spot. What I heard was a band that took those influences and hammered them into something that dominated rock radio for decades. Judging by the crowd’s reaction, it still matters.

Read More »

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.

Andy Scott’s Sweet tore the roof off Shepherd’s Bush Empire last weekend. It felt like a full-blown arena show packed into a theatre, and honestly, worth every second of the wait. I’ve had them on my must-see list for years, and now I get it.

At 75, and after a tough run with his health, Scott still showed up and delivered. He’s not leaping around the stage anymore, but watching him stand there and let rip with those classic Sweet riffs was something else. The man is the last original member still with us, and you can feel the weight of that every time he hits a chord.

The current lineup sounded huge. Guitars filled every corner of the room, lights blazed, and the volume hit you square in the chest. They jumped between the poppy, glittery stuff from their early days and the harder glam bangers that inspired everyone from Kiss to Mötley Crüe.

“Fox on the Run,” “Burn on the Flame,” and “Broadcast” hit like they were made for stadiums. “Wig Wam Bam” was sugary as hell and still totally irresistible. “Windy City,” from the undercelebrated 1976 classic Off the Record, felt like watching the band that gave Cheap Trick their early sound. The riffs in that song were massive. I still have that verse chugging in my head as I write this.

Read More »

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.

Bloodywood stormed the O2 Forum Kentish Town last Thursday, delivering a cultural hurricane that London won’t forget anytime soon. The New Delhi-based band has gained serious attention since their early YouTube days, and from the moment they launched into “Dana Dan,” it was clear why. It was a statement from start to finish, unlike anything I’ve ever heard before.

Currently touring in support of their highly anticipated second album, Nu Delhi, Bloodywood is on a mission and clearly enjoying every moment of their meteoric rise. I missed them the first few times they came to London, as they gradually moved to larger venues, but this was the band at their absolute peak. Jayant Bhadula’s powerful clean vocals went head-to-head with Raoul Kerr’s sharp rap verses, while Sarthak Pahwa’s thunderous dhol percussion hit like a freight train. The sound was seismic, a frenzy unleashed on the crowd, ripping through every corner of the venue.

The set was relentless, never losing intensity, even though it came in a bit short at around 60 minutes. They opened with “Dana Dan” before diving into the title track from their new album, “Nu Delhi,” and kept the energy high with tracks like “Aaj” and “Tadka.” By the time they hit “Gaddaar” at the end, the place was absolutely buzzing.

What sets Bloodywood apart is more than just their technical skill—it’s the audacity of their vision. They’re blending worlds that shouldn’t work—metal aggression, hip-hop swagger, and traditional Indian folk instrumentation. This is the type of fusion we need more of, not only in metal but across all genres. Too many bands sound like copies of what came before, but these guys have created something genuinely original.

Read More »

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.

I’m a metal guy. I’m not who you’d expect to see at a country gig, but something about Morgan Wade pulled me in. She doesn’t play it safe. Tattooed, raw, unfiltered. Open about sobriety, mental health, all of it. She writes from the gut and performs like it still costs her something.

There were a few other metalheads there. Not loads, but enough to notice. One guy in front of me wore an Exodus shirt, so safe to say he’s more of an old school Thrasher like myself. This sort of thing doesn’t happen by accident. People who are used to cutting through the noise can tell when someone’s telling the truth. Morgan’s music has that kind of gravity—authentic and real in a way that can be felt, with just enough of that misfit energy that speaks to those of us from heavier scenes.

The setup was bare, just the essentials. Two guitars and a keyboard. No smoke, no filler, no pretending. Just songs. “Psychopath,” “Take Me Away,” and “2am in London” didn’t need anything else. While I would have loved to see a full band performance, this setup sounded like there were twice as many musicians on the stage.

Her voice holds tension, or grit, or maybe that’s the sound of someone who’s lived it. It’s clear she can open up and let it rip, but it’s the quieter moments that take you to another place. Sometimes you catch a trace of Janis Joplin, other times a classic country twang, but always a sincere delivery that makes it look effortless—and that’s where the connection happens. She’s not trying too hard; it’s just pouring out of her.

Read More »

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.”

Read More »