Chicago based outfit Friko have today shared their brilliant new single Seven Degrees. Taken from the band's forthcoming freshly announced second album, Something Worth Waiting For, out April 24th via ATO Records, the track gives us an exciting teaser for what lays ahead. “On our first record we were much more involved in the technical aspect of everything, but this time John made it clear that he wanted us to just come in and do our thing,” says Minzenberger. “I think that allowed us to let go in a way that we never had before, and because of that we captured something very raw.” Take a listen to the first offering below.
Friko - Something Worth Waiting For // ATO Records - 24/04/26
1. Guess
2. Still Around
3. Choo Choo
4. Alice
5. Certainty
6. Hot Air Balloon
7. Seven Degrees
8. Something Worth Waiting For
9. Dear Bicycle
Ahead of his fifth studio album, ‘Julia’, out February 13th 2026 via One Little Independent Records, Icelandic singer-songwriter Ásgeir recently shared Against The Current. Speaking about the record, he explained, "This was kind of the first time I was writing lyrics totally on my own. It was scary. I’m still trying to find myself within that. But I tried to open myself up and I learned a lot through that process, and it was definitely therapeutic for me." Take a listen to the latest offering below ahead of the album's release, along with a run of upcoming UK tour dates.
Live Dates 14 April Leeds Brudenell Social Club 15 April Newcastle – The Cluny 16 April Manchester Band On The Wall 17 April Glasgow Room 2 19 April Birmingham – The Castle & Falcon 20 April Bristol Thekla 22 April London – Islington Assembly Hall
Following its premiere on Steve Lamacq’s 6 Music show, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever have today shared their brand-new single Sunburned In London. Whilst its namesake might seem an almost impossibility under our grey skies, the Australian outfit bring their own heat driven by meticulously layered guitar rhythms and sharp musical detail. "As a band, we have always made songs about cities," explains Tom Russo discussing the track's genesis. "I was thinking about sensory overload and relentless beauty, and the creeping feeling in the streets that the party’s winding up and the lights are about to come on.” The single is released alongside a beautiful live video shot at Melbourne's Northcote Theatre, with the band joined by Stella Donnelly, Sophie Ozard and Julia Wallace on backing vocals and keys. Take a listen/watch below.
Rolling Blackouts C.F. also announce a special show at the Northcote Theatre for February 17th, 2026. Tickets for the show go on presale via the Rolling Blackouts C.F. mailing list Feb 5th at 10am AEDT and on general sale Feb 6th at 12pm AEDT at just $10 per ticket.
Empire of the Sun have announced a run of UK dates set to take place this summer. The Australian duo of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore will bring their vibrant live set to the UK as part of their Ask That God tour which sees them take in cities across Europe, kicking off on May 31 in Oslo’s Unity Arena. Tickets are on sale now.
EMPIRE OF THE SUN - ASK THAT GOD UK 2026 June 23 - TK Maxx Presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle - Cardiff, United Kingdom June 26 - Alexandra Palace - London, United Kingdom June 27 - Alexandra Palace - London, United Kingdom June 28 - TK Maxx presents Live at The Piece Hall - Halifax, United Kingdom
Co-written with Jamie Woon and produced by GRAMMY-winning Martin Terefe, Elín Hall has this week shared her blissful new single Tachylite. Inspired by the volcanic rock formed when lava cools too quickly, and also a quiet nod to her father, a geophysicist who works as a first responder during eruptions in Iceland, the track gives an exciting teaser for what lays ahead this year. Speaking on the track, Elín shares: “Tachylite forms when volcanic lava rapidly cools and so causes the rock to become brittle and quite weak. I thought that was so typically tragic and so descriptive of a love built on lust. Love so impatient to be born it becomes brittle and never solidifies. Naming it after a volcanic rock is also a quiet nod to my father, a geophysicist who is a first responder during eruptions here in Iceland— I used to worry so much about him as a kid every time there was an eruption. I still worry, but I’m also in awe of his work and dedication. He has taught me a lot about following my passions.” Take a listen for yourselves below.
Live Dates 14 + 15 March - Kórinn Arena, Iceland - Opening for Laufey
As excitement builds for Europe’s leading independent new music festival and conference, Liverpool's Sound City has today shared a further mix of names set to join the likes of Jalen Ngonda, Keo and Westside Cowboy.
Taking place across Liverpool's city centre this May 2nd - 3rd, the new music festival has readily become a hot-spot for future talent and this year looks to be no different. Adult Leisure, The Rolling People, Basht. and 18 additional exciting, emerging acts including Arctic Monkeys-collaborator, Tom Rowley, Tough Cookie, Bleech 9:3 and hyped five-piece, Girl In The Year Above are all set to take to the stage across two packed days of music and creative discovery.
Information about remaining tickets for the Sound City festival, taking place over Sat 2 –Sun 3 May 2026, following early bird tickets selling out a year in advance, can be found at www.soundcity.uk.com.
Sound City's Managing Director, Becky Ayres, says: “Sound City has always been about spotting talent at the moment it’s about to break, and this latest wave of artists perfectly captures that spirit. From acts already making serious noise to those right on the cusp of something special, this line-up underlines why Sound City remains the place where future headliners are discovered first. Alongside welcoming back major names like Jalen Ngonda and Keo, we’re proud to be creating space across Liverpool city centre for the next generation of artists to connect with audiences, industry, and each other -all while continuing to push forward meaningful conversations through Sound City+ about where music is heading next.”
Now Confirmed for Sound City 2026: The Rolling People / TIDETIED / PISS / Brooki / Tom Rowley / Adult Leisure / AKA/ Zander/ Jamie McIntyre/ Ben Ellis / Tough Cookie /Little Grandad / Bleech 9:3 / Basht / The North/ Dolder / Talia Rae / Dirty Circus / Girl In The Year Above / Palembu / Remee
Sound City 2026
The UK’s Inner-City New Music Discovery Festival
Liverpool City Centre, Sat 2 –Sun 3 May 2026 Sound City+ Conference Fri 1 May 2026
Following up the release of their highly acclaimed second album Bless You & Be Well last summer, Chartreuse have today shared Heaven Sent. The single marks the band's next stage in growth, as they continue to push into new sonic territory, stretching their songwriting in exciting ways. Vocalist/keys player, Hattie Wilson, explains: “‘Heaven Sent’ is about the place I grew up in. It's a small village where everyone knows each other, but I've always felt there's a bit of a superiority complex; if someone does something good, they have to tell you about it. I loved growing up here as a kid, but I think I feel somewhat trapped here at the moment. With health struggles, with money and general life worries being at the forefront of my mind, I’m wondering if I'll amount to more. The song encapsulates the different feelings I have towards my hometown that have come to the surface because of where I'm at in life.” Take a listen for yourselves below, along with their upcoming European tour dates.
Chartreuse EU Tour Dates - (supported by Woom on all dates except Paris) Monday 2nd February - DR Studio 3, Copenhagen Wednesday 4th February - Paradiso, Amsterdam Thursday 5th February - Lutherse Kerk, Groninge Friday 6th February - Artheater, Cologne Saturday 7th February - Molotow, Hamburg Sunday 8th February - Bergahin Kantine, Berlin Tuesday 10th February - Supersonic Records, Paris
London-based outfit CHEST have today shared their brand-new single SO BETTER NOW, taken from their forthcoming EP ‘never really here’, out 27th February. Packed with insatiably catchy melodies and funky arrangements, the track gives an exciting introduction to what lays ahead. Speaking on the release, vocalist and lyricist Joel Reader said: "The song came from two images stuck in my head. A McDonald’s sign on fire in the LA wildfires, an incredibly sardonic image of American excess literally fuelling its own destruction. And the moment after the Trump attempt, his fist raised dripping in vulgarity and violence. The song grew from the feeling those two pictures created together exploring the irony and humour in nihilistic release. Lyrically it is the most outward looking track we’ve released, it’s a commentary on the world rather than self exploration." Take a listen below.
Live Dates 30 January - Stowmarket, John Peel Centre 27 February - London, The Elephants Head 28 February - Norwich, Arts Centre 10 April - Bury St Edmunds, The Apex
Today sees Wolverhampton-based outfit FRIEDA STAR share their debut single Mothers and Sisters. Wasting no time in announcing their arrival, the band fuse bright, jangling guitar lines with a surge of relentless energy as they barrel toward the finish line. Speaking about their new offering, the band revealed: “‘Mothers and Sisters’ was inspired by an up-skirting incident involving Garran’s girlfriend, while returning home from Birmingham via the railway. Aggressively, and rightly so, Garran took his pen to paper to release frustrations and angst that his girlfriend fell victim to a complete stranger. As for many women across the world, these monstrous forms of misogyny are still present in modern society yet having been highlighted for decades. Hopefully, it demands the attention this injustice deserves.” Take a listen for yourselves below.
FRIEDA STAR is Garran Hickman (vocals, lyrics), Scarlett Churchill (vocals, drums), James Knott (guitar, backing vocals), Xavier Al-Naqib (bass).
Live Dates 7 FEB -Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham (UK)
Today sees London four-piece Tooth unveil their brilliant debut single The Age of Innocence. Comprised of Tom Pollock (guitar, vocals), Ben Ashley (guitar), Charlie Arnison (bass) and Roy Lowe (drums) - the band have built a devoted following through their live shows, and this opening statement distils that immediacy and frantic energy into a tightly packed two-minute-forty anthem. "It was written almost as an epilogue for my adolescence," says Pollock. "I was almost 18 and could feel this restless and confused teenage chapter of my life slowly coming to a close. I realised how clueless I was as a teenager, but also how much fun I’d had. I think the lyrics reflect that duality and fondly reminisce on a period of life that can’t be experienced again. I think, for all of us, this song felt like the start and the end of something indefinable." The single comes accompanied by a video - directed by Hermione Sylvester - that depicts the raw, unfettered energy of a Tooth show, documenting a raucous London date in late 2025. Take a watch and dive right in below.
For those looking to get in on the action, the band play a sold-out headline London show at The Lexington for Abbie McCarthy's Future Karma Ones to Watch 2026 tomorrow night (29th January), the So Young Weekender this weekend in Southampton and make an appearance at Dublin's Borderline Festival next month.
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