The promotion for Josaleigh Pollett’s upcoming album ‘If I Let It Quiet’ has been a slow and measured affair. From the release of ‘Radio Player’ – a complex, multi-layered number – in October 2025 – each successive single has presented a slightly different aspect to the singer-songwriter’s sound and influences. Each one has promised that, if nothing else, ‘If I Let It Quiet’ will be an interesting listen.
Within a couple of seconds, the brand new single from post rock band The Fierce And The Dead commands attention. During the intro of ‘Shake Hands & Exit’, the band couple a riff that’s as direct as their fan favourite ‘Truck’ with a stoner rock edge to create something quite sinister. It also represents one of the heaviest moments in their catalogue to date.
Back in 2022, singer songwriter Ken Newman released ‘What Am I Afraid Of?’, an album loaded with thoughtful, narrative pieces that chimed with an increasingly uneasy world. Between the roots rock sounds of ‘Nothing To See Here’, the politically charged ‘I Can’t Breathe’ and ‘I Dream of Guns’, and the retro power pop meets Americana sounds of ‘Away From You’, the album showcased a thoughtful wordsmith, adrift in an ever failing US. For those not into lyrical concerns, Ken ensured the music was always of a standard that allowed the songs to flow on their own terms, presenting a great arranger at work.
In a celebration of Canada Day, the legendary Bryan Adams has released a protest song, ‘51st State’. The track comes in the aftermath of D*nald Tr*mp making comments that allude to the US taking over Canada and how Canadians would love him to be their President.
In 2025, Stephen McCafferty released a string of impressive singles. The best of the bunch, ‘I Only Want To Hear Sad Songs’ shared a strong pop rock sound that hinted at a love of The Killers but added a distinctive Scottish accent, while ‘I Am The Buffalo’ took a similar sense of the melodic and added a light folky touch. ‘Rubber Glove’ leant a little further into an indie pop sound, but with the help of a buoyant melody and hooky lead guitar part, created another number that really helped to give the performer’s debut LP ‘Monsters and Lullabies’ a strong musical backbone.