The feeling is back in the feet, the head is at least a bit less fuzzy and the liver is just about in normal working order after Focus Wales. Some of us have been to gigs since too. What a bunch of maniacs.
So let’s start, at least, a bit sedately. Sit in your favourite easy chair, stick your feet up and stick this in your ears.
Lizzie Reid – Staines
Why we love it: because Lizzie Reid is a songbird, a stunningly beautiful and delicate voice in these harsh times. ‘Staines’ is her first release for nearly three years after two incredible EPs, Cubicle and Mooching, in the space of a year in 2021 and 2022. It’s another beautiful effort whilst everything sounds effortless, instinctive and graceful, the natural melancholy running through it like a river of sorrow.
She says “When recording ‘Staines’ I wanted to make the recording process as simple and as short as possible. Partly because I’m new to producing and mixing and I didn’t want to overwhelm myself, but I also find I perform better if I’m only given rightly three takes of anything, particularly singing it playing guitar. I don’t enjoy over labouring trying to find the perfect take or sound as it tends to suck the energy out of the song for me. Often the first or second way I sing something is my favourite in terms of energy and performance and the less I’m in my head about the little details the better I think” (Jim Auton)
Andrew Butler – Love Is Not Your Enemy
Why we love it: Because it’s utterly stunning, pouring light through that narrow veil between the spiritual and the physical. Glorious harmonies weave melismatic motifs through a buoyant bed of delicate finger-picked melodies His lyrics delve deep into the psyche and range from heart-on-sleeve confessionals to abstract dream-like collages. ‘Love Is Not Your Enemy’ is an upbeat two and half minute indie-folk song that playfully juggles existentialism and the trials and tribulations of a fragile and faltering relationship.
Rhetorical questions about God and the cosmos are pondered, juxtaposed and countered by the earnest sentiments of the chorus which longs for a return of a lost love and a restoring of their wavering faith. Everly Brothers-like guitars and harmonies reminiscent of Fleet Foxes add a carefully crafted sonic cloud for the witty and philosophical lyrics to float upon. ‘Love Is Not Your Enemy’ is a taster of Butler’s new album ‘I’m Sorry For Bringing You Down’ out 16th May on all streaming services- Be sure to check it out! (Carmel Walsh)
Todd Modern – break the glass <333
Why we love it: Because it’s sun- drenched slacker rock at it’s finest. Hazy, with hypnotic reverb, resonant vocals and anthemic outros. It’s the perfect laid-back soundtrack of the summer. Liverpool-based lo-fi artist Todd Modern has done it again with his second single ‘break the glass <333’ Built around fuzzy, distorted guitars and crunchy, loose drums, “break the glass <333” captures the messy energy of a turbulent relationship—those moments where everything feels like it’s falling apart, yet somehow still worth salvaging. While the chorus line “I think I’m over it, you say not yet” nods to friction, the song closes with a tender touch—grabbing hands rather than walking away. It’s a reflection on connection, misunderstanding, and sticking around anyway
The single coincided with his appearance at Sound City Liverpool, where he performed as part of the Modern Sky Showcase—marking a standout moment in his rise. The track is accompanied by a video shot and directed by Todd’s visual collaborator, Mike Poynton, capturing the nostalgic yet forward-facing energy of the track. Todd draws inspiration from lo-fi and slacker rock icons like Sebadoh, Sparklehorse, Pavement, and The Velvet Underground. His sound is raw but purposeful. There’s a wryness to his delivery, even when things get heavy—balancing vulnerability with a shrug and a smirk. His music feels handmade, worn in, and lived through—like something you’d stumble across and want to keep. It’s fresh, authentic and effortlessly cool. (Carmel Walsh)
CMAT – Take a Sexy Picture of Me
Why we love it. Because CMAT is the real deal. She’s the Celtic Queen that the world needs right now. With her soulful rich, melismatic vocals she sleekly shines a light on the absurdity of internet with wit, talent and charm. She said,
“With the internet, every woman is now in the public eye. And no matter who you are, or what you look like, somebody will take umbrage with the fact that you even exist, and there’s no escaping it. ‘Take a Sexy Picture of Me’ was born out of that, because I held back for so long; not out of frustration or sadness for myself, because I AM in the public eye, but I realised it’s actually like this for every woman. It’s all women, all the time. That song is me calling out anyone who criticised my weight or how I looked… and it’s one of the best songs I’ve ever made.” Preach! It’s no wonder she’s had so many prestigious accolades so far including a BRITs Best International Artist nod; and ‘Best Album’ nominations from the Ivors; Mercury Prize and the Choice Music Prize in her native Ireland for her 2023 album Crazymad, For Me (an award she won for her debut album If My Wife New I’d Be Dead ).
We can’t wait to hear her Her upcoming album EURO-COUNTRY due on August 29th. It promises to be a sonic tight-rope walk that balances big themes including the impact of economics on a small country, being a woman and the attention that comes with increased fame (not all of which is good) CMAT is a trailblazer: the Queen that the world needs right now. (Carmel Walsh)
SunYears – Last Night on the Mountain (ft. Lisa Hannigan and Sam Genders)
Why we love it: because Peter Morén invites us to dream. On his new single ‘Last Night on the Mountin,’ in these darkest of times the man who was once one third of the indie-pop/rock band Peter Bjorn and John and is now making similarly great music under the name of SunYears affirms there is still good in the world.
The single comes from SunYear’s upcoming album The Song Forlorn which is coming out 21st August and features collaborations with Madison Cunningham, Nicole Atkins, and De Clair. On ‘Last Night on the Mountain,’ Morén joins forces with the Irish singer Lisa Hannigan and Sam Genders (Tunng/Diagrams).
Speaking about this collaboration on the new single, Peter Morén says: “Sam Genders was a delight to work with. ‘Last Night On the Mountain’ feels almost sea-shantiesque. The verse stood against a bigger rhythmical chorus and a middle-eight that is very “me” somehow. A nice construction, feel and sentiment on the whole. I can’t exactly remember how we did it, but I do think the majority of the lyrics came from Sam and the majority of the music came from me. I was happy with the result, but I always heard more voices. And the first voice I thought of in this context was Lisa Hannigan. I love her records, I’m a longtime fan, and just knew it would fit.”
“This lyric about trusting the good in people, in these awful times we’re in at the moment, feels a bit over-optimistic. Too many people out there are really not caring about others at all – rather the opposite. But we need hope and trust. And we need comforting stories in song. I wanted the recording of this to reflect the acoustic folky nature of the composition but also have something grand about it, like the mountains and valleys; a hint of Spector Wall of Sound.” (Simon Godley)
Los Fabulosos Cadillacs – Matador
Why we love it: because the Argentinian rock legends Los Fabulosos Cadillacs will be celebrating 40 years of hits with a performance at Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 5th June and to mark the occasion, we have gone back a mere three decades for their signature song ‘Matador.’
This rousing song speaks of the military dictatorship and police repression prevalent in their home country in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s and those people who had the courage and resilience to fight back against this oppression.
It is anthem in songs like ‘Matador’ that have rightly earned Los Fabulosos Cadillacs the reputation as being one of the most innovative and influential Spanish-language rock bands of all time. (Simon Godley)
autocamper
Why we love it: because I remember catching autocamper supporting Californian jangle-pop legends The Umbrellas in Leeds last year and thinking, wow, this band is going places. And autocamper’s latest single ‘again’ – taken from their debut album, What Do You Do All Day? which is out on 11th July, via Safe Suburban Home (and Slumberland in the US) – certainly reinforces that view.
Formed in Manchester two and a half years ago, autocamper have honed their skills in the interim and developed such an effervescent, ebullient, pop-leaning sound that just invites the listener to bop ‘til they drop. (Simon Godley)
