ZERO SUN – fading.
Release Date: 29th May 2026
Self-sabotage and grief are, unfortunately and along with most facets of mental health struggles, fantastic storytelling vehicles and that’s what ZERO SUN have honed in on with ‘fading.’. On first listen it’s an engaging alt-rock track, one that brings you in and encompasses you in the bassline while the vocals stroke your hair. When you take a step back and realise that this is only the second song the band have ever released, it becomes a whole new experience as you marvel at how tight the four work together already. This is going to be a fun and emotional ride.
Gudewife x Pleiades – Millennial Rot
Release Date: 24th July 2026
We don’t tend to cover an awful lot of instrumental music so, for our sins, Gudewife is a band we’ve not touched upon. When ‘Millennial Rot’ landed though, that had to change. the experimental nature of the music is still there in bucketloads. Intricate drumming mixed with guitars that traverse from math rock through post-metal and as many other niche genres as you could name, it’s all there. On ‘Millennial Rot’ though, it’s joined by Pleiades and some vocals that turn the whole track into the most interesting post-hardcore-esque song you’ll hear in 2026.
Red Light Acid Test – Stooge
Release Date: 9th July 2026
With a new album out in October, ‘Stooge’ sees Red Light Acid Test lay the foundations of what they’re doing in the next episode of their career. Merging classic rock vibes with modern signatures, ‘Stooge’ demands attention. Once you add in gritty vocals that would pass the test in any of the past few decades, you have a track that feels timeless. Built on their inspirations but given a unique twist.
Bureau De Change – The Gammons Lament
Release Date: 25th June 2026
Given the title, you almost don’t need an introduction to what style of music Bureau De Change involve themselves in. Described as a “protest song”, ‘The Gammons Lament’ is the British band’s attempt at describing life in the 2020s and what better way to do it than with a clangy, punky effort with a vocal edge that has the feeling of a conversation down the pub. If a revolution is coming, this is the sort of track that will soundtrack it as the billionaires are finally given a taste of their own medicine. Get it on, get it loud and get angry.
A Very Special Episode – But I’m A … Starr
Release Date: 25th June 2026
Heading to the USA for the final track here, we get A Very Special Episode with the interestingly named ‘But I’m A … Star’. The opening track from their EP AVSE that was released at the back end of July, the track is a sauntering alt-rock anthem that catapults Kasey Heisler, the band’s bassist/singer, into the role of rock goddess. Filthy in places and chaotic in others, ‘But I’m A … Star’ feels like a return to what rock ‘n’ roll should sound like.