On a pair of singles issued in 2024, Keep This Up shared a strong blend of melodic post-hardcore with more than a hint of emo. On ‘Blossom’, in particular, the way the band fused speed driven angst with vocals that sounded if they were either on the verge of tears or exploding under the weight of pent up fury owed as much to the mid 00’s as the present.
THE REAL GONE SINGLES BAR #131
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 few weeks. This time around, we welcome back a cult Canadian act and an equally cult Boston based singer-songwriter. We also share a couple of metal oriented tracks pitching at very different influences, and applaud the most inventive single to date from a genre-bending Italian band. Between those, you’ll find other tracks from the underground and, as always, we hope you’ll find something new to enjoy…
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KPT – Tramp EP
In May 2025, electronica musician KPT shared the ‘Claw’ EP. Taking a massive sidestep from some of KPT’s more “pulse” oriented sounds and tracks with a distinct melody, the EP’s trio of tracks ventured into bleaker territory. With one number presenting six minutes of industrial noise, one blending drone with a collection of found sounds and field recordings, and one splicing dark ambient elements with unforgiving, machine-like industrial sounds (taking industrial right back to its origins) it certainly wasn’t a lightweight listen.
FLIPPEUR – Plastique / Pour de l’Avion
In June 2025, French punks Flippeur released ‘Pacman’, a frenetic single that took punk’s energy, added a bunch of bending synth sounds and a relentless jangle to create a really punchy track that hit its audience so hard that, even for those non-French speakers, it couldn’t fail to impress. In and out in just seventy nine seconds, it barely gave the listener time to over-think what they’d just heard, and that feeling of pure, unrestrained energy went a long way to suggesting Flippeur would be worth keeping an ear for in future.
ROT FESTER – Death Row EP
Rot Fester’s debut EP – 2024’s ‘Condone Or Condemn’ presented eighteen minutes’ worth of old school death metal fury. With the bulk of the material adopting a bass heavy approach coupled with a guttural roar, the Swedish duo were certainly heavy, but the sludgy tone of the recording ensured they didn’t just sound like they were casually retreading a traditonal death metal path.