In June 2025, US rockers Rattle Bones released ‘Desert Heart’. The single marked a slight shift from their usual sound, since they traded in some of their hard rock swagger for a smoother approach which introduced a pinch of Americana to the Rattle Bones musical blend. It may have not had as much of an edge, but from a songwriting and arrangement perspective, it was a single that suggested the band’s forthcoming album would definitely be worth checking out.
Tag Archives: rock
Listen: Beat Me Outta Me have ‘Nowhere To Hide’ on new track
The second single from Peterborough’s Beat Me Outta Me is a pleasingly downbeat affair. It’s first two minutes comprises slow, acoustic strums and a mournful vocal, drawing the ear very casually. The music isn’t exactly minimalist, but has certainly been arranged in such a way that the listener is made to focus almost exclusively on Annie Dickson’s fantastic voice. This is a smart move; from the outset, she shows an ability to weave a fantastic, almost mournful tone that suits the arrangement perfectly.
LUNISON – Fakepink
Lunison’s debut EP ‘See Me As A Friend’ – released in 2024 – presented five tracks where a rock sound was twisted into some very interesting shapes. Its key cuts showed how varied the band could be: ‘Name 3 Songs’ managed to open with a riff that mixed garage rock and an almost post-grunge dirtiness, only to turn that on its head with a huge, melodic chorus full of ringing guitars sounding like a throwback to a great Gin Blossoms tune; ‘Smile, Cruel World’ borrowed from a couple of The Black Keys’ more groove-centric numbers, but added a more melodic vocal, again, calling back to a world of 90s pop-rock sounds, and ‘Velcro’ introduced a reverbed, 50s guitar twang in places, which set against a pumping bass and harmony vocals ended up sounding like a funky take on something from Arctic Monkeys ‘AM’.
Watch: Beauty In Chaos share “almost acoustic” version of ‘Made Of Rain’
Back in 2024, Beauty In Chaos released ‘Made of Rain’, a brilliant single featuring Ashton Nyte that blended the melodic air of 80s goth with a slightly heavier chorus. A year on, the number has been reworked in an “almost acoustic” format, and it is absolutely gorgeous.
SILVER DOLLAR ROOM – It Can’t Rain All The Time
With ‘Gilded Echoes’, Scotland’s Silver Dollar Room released one of the best albums of 2024. The band’s sound wasn’t particularly groundbreaking, but they clearly recognised the value of taking influences and using them very effectively. With strong call backs to Bush, an influence from early Smashing Pumpkins, and nods melodic post-grungers like Moist, the material adopted a solid sound throughout, and with the aid of various thoughtful lyrics – often touching on themes of mental health – a familiar sound still had a great relevance at the time of release.