In 2024, Newcastle based pop punkers Monkie Mind released a double single ‘Ocean Road’/’Surrealio’, which provided a very effective snapshot of their very melodic sound. If anything, their brand new track improves on those recordings, bringing their chorus writing into particularly sharp focus.
In June 2026, British band Forget Them Wendy released ‘Wise Guy’, a track that blended pop and indie with lax vocals to share something that, if not entirely original, came with just enough sparkle and sass to make it hold up on its own terms.
A few months on, and their ‘Next Big Thing’ offers more of the same…only better.
In the spring of 2026, a year on from stand-alone track ‘The Insane Ones’, alternative rock band Amongst Liars released an enjoyable single, ‘Repair Myself’, it showed the UK act in better shape than ever when blending a fuzzy groove-laden heaviness with an almost industrial tinged mechanical quality at times, whilst clinging onto some strong vocal melodies that really helped the track become memorable.
At the end of the first quarter of 2026, singer songwriter Kyle Boswell released a great single. ‘The Way It’s Always Been’ introduced many to a performer with a striking voice, but also someone capable of sharing a great melody. That track’s classic pop rock stance also showcased some fine guitar work and thoughtful lyrics, creating a small package that suggested Kyle would share other enjoyable songs in the near future.
From the moment ‘Desolate’ crashes in, Asylum Road sound like a band that means business. The number’s earliest riffs borrow, in part, from Testament and Machine Head but toughen them up considerably, and even before allowing their signature groove to take a hold, it’s pretty much guaranteed they have their audience’s attention.