THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #129

Welcome back to the Real Gone Singles Bar, the place where we explore some of the more interesting individual tracks that have landed in our inbox over the previous couple of weeks. This selection is potentially amazing, with a track that blends a soul vibe with light psych, a very strong alt-pop number, a genre defying piece from an up and coming singer songwriter, a synth based slice of dream pop – and more besides. As always, we hope you find something new to enjoy.

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HARD TO EXPLAIN – Hell To Pay

Northern Ireland’s Hard To Explain emerged in a post-lockdown world, and before long, began what was to become a run of impressive single releases. ‘Hell To Pay’, the band’s debut album (released at the tail end of 2025) makes good on all of the band’s early promise, sharing a collection of varied and hard edged tracks that showcase strong vocals, thoughful lyrical themes, and – above all – a succession of massive riffs.

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SOFTSUN – Eternal Sunrise

The debut album from desert rock duo SoftSun was one of the greatest releases of 2024. Guitarist Gary Arce had already put his name to some really enjoyable work with improvisational collective Yawning Balch over the course of the year leading up to SoftSun’s unveiling but, as part of that duo, there was something truly special about the way he was able to weave deep psych and desert rock sounds against Pia Isaaksen’s vocals. It was a release that set a high bar, but also one that suggested a “lightning in a bottle” moment; that a follow up might not follow especially quickly…or even at all.

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