Towards the end of the first quarter of 2025, Sean Whalen & The Benson Highway Band released ‘The Retirement Age’, an Americana track with a knowing lyric and a strong musical hook. Their follow up, ‘Carriage Park Blues’ is even better.
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Watch: Nightblade share new video for ‘Speak As You Find’
Opening with a fat bassline, Nightblade’s current single ‘Speak As You Find’ immediately catches the listener’s attention. Adding a chopping guitar riff, it initially sounds like the British rockers are about to venture into early Franz Ferdinand territory, but with the spikier elements offset by a broad, melodic vocal, it isn’t long before a slightly more familiar Nightblade sound takes centre stage.
Watch: Manchester’s The Fear share crushing cover of James classic ‘Sit Down’
British indie pop band James are beloved by many and have released a fine run of singles over the decades. ‘Come Home’, ‘Sound’ and ‘Getting Away With It’ are arguably among their best, but it’s only really ‘Laid’ and mega-hit ‘Sit Down’ that get heard on radio or in public with any kind of regularity. ‘Sit Down’ has become so overplayed over the years that you might not feel like you ever want to hear it again.
Listen: Stephen McCafferty shares new track ‘I Only Want To Hear Sad Songs’
Throughout the first half of 2025, Scottish singer songwriter Stephen McCafferty has released a run of excellent singles, and here’s another. ‘I Only Want To Hear Sad Songs’ features a distinctive voice, but otherwise sounds very different from his rocky ‘Rubber Glove’.
Listen: Jo Quail releases minimalist track ‘Rex’ ahead of new album
Following tours with post rock band God Is An Astronaut and Wardruna, sound designer and musician Jo Quail is preparing to release her seventh album on 12th September. Prior to its release, a digital single ‘Rex’ has been shared, and its the ultimate slow burner.