So much for dry January. It was ruddy bloody sodden. Sodden?!? It means very wet. Congratulations to all those who gave up the demon drink, mother’s ruin, supping the ale for 31 days. I bet the hangovers were good yesterday.
Here’s 8 blindin’ tracks to get absolutely aurally shit faced on. It’s TOTW again. Because it’s Monday. Keep up. How much did you drink on Saturday?!? It’ll be the same next week. And the one after. And every Monday (besides over Christmas) until the end of time. Which could be sooner than you think. So cheer the fuck up. Merry February.
The Gentle Good – Ten Thousand Acres
Why we love it: The simplicity in ‘Ten Thousand Acres’ is everything. Acoustic guitar and atmosphere lull and pull, soft understated vocals warm and thicken a bold two thirds the way through – Gareth Bonello aka The Gentle Good lives outside the law of conventions – with unexpected fuzz and feedback drawing the song to a close.
‘Ten Thousand Acres’ is taken from Bonello‘s forthcoming album Elan, due in the spring. The record was written in an off-grid cottage during a year-long residency in the Cambrian Mountains. Elan is a psychedelic portrait of the Elan Valley in Powys, Wales. Featuring songs in both Welsh and English, it explores the landscape, history and politics of this remote area, which was flooded to provide water for Birmingham at the end of the Victorian era. The second single from the album following on from November’s ‘Tachwedd’, ‘Ten Thousand Acres’ is an ode to the valley’s many expressions and a meditation on ownership and our perception of landscape throughout time.
“Mr Groves is a Wiltshire gentleman, who purchased ten thousand of these almost worthless acres a few years since, and is making a paradise of the wilderness…” – Benjamin Malkin, 1803*
Elan is slated for release on 16th May 2025 via Bubblewrap Collective (Cath Holland)
The None – My People
Why we love it: THE NONE are a band of lifelong musicians, comprising bassist Gordon Moakes (Bloc Party, YoungLegionnaire), vocalist Kai Whyte (Blue Ruth, Youth Man), guitarist Jim Beck (Cassels) and drummer Chris Francombe (Frauds). They have released their new single ‘My People’ taken from their forthcoming second EP CARE, which is set for releaseon14 February on Bandcamp only. On the new single, ‘My People’, bassist Gordon shares:
“I think of this as the archetypal NONE song – a big ugly bassline that the dynamics and personalities of the band weave in and out of.”
Big, bold and brash, THE NONE create an aura around them as a result of their music. Visceral and uncompromising their music is unpredictable with sharp tangents and off kilter sections which head hither and thither. These four individuals have come together to create a tight unit, just listen closely to ‘My People’, which is evidence enough. On the EP CareThe Noneagain opted to record everything live with amps blaring, no click track, and minimal overdubs. Their sound has been honed by months of playing shows with the likes of Metz, Mannequin Pussy and Les Savy Fav. The theme of honesty runs through the lyrics, as well as topics including poverty, identity and substance misuse.
“I think we’d only done around three or four practices with Kai [vocals] when we recorded the first EP,” says guitarist, Jim. “It was pretty seat-of-the-pants stuff. This time we had a much clearer idea of who we are as a band, and how we wanted everything to sound.”
Anyone who has seen THE NONE live already with be fully aware of their dramatic live shows which shake the crowd to the very core of their being. For those who haven’t, the good news is that they will tour throughout February in support of the EP, headlining Oslo, London on 28 March. (Julia Mason)
Casper Skulls – Roddy Piper
Why we love it: because you surely can’t go too far wrong when you name your latest single after the late great Canadian professional wrestler, Rowdy Roddy Piper, a man described as “the greatest villain” in the entire history of pro-wrestling. And what is even more on ‘Roddy Piper,’ Casper Skulls – the Canadian indie rock band from Sudbury/Toronto, Ontario – use Piper’s legendary rivalry with Hulk Hogan during the mid-80s as a metaphor for “confrontations within relationships.”
‘Roddy Piper’ is the lead single from Casper Skulls’ upcoming album Kit-Cat, which is set for release on April 11, 2025, via Next Door Records. Here, their new trio line-up of longtime friends Melanie St. Pierre-Bednis (guitar/bass/vocals), Neil Bednis (guitar/bass/vocals), and Fraser McClean (drums/bass) come on strong like some freshly fuzzed-up unit who have recently spent some time listening to old albums by The Cure and My Bloody Valentine. (Simon Godley)
Dead Pioneers – PO$T AMERICAN
Why we love it: because the protest song is still alive and kicking. As the United States of America descends even further into an oppressive, anti-woke, tariff-wielding oligarchy there can still be a legitimate voice of dissent and reason in what was once the land of the free.
And that voice belongs to Gregg Deal, frontman, lead singer, and songwriter with American punk heavyweights Dead Pioneers. Here he howls in anguish at the current state of the nation on the title track and second single to be taken from the band’s upcoming album, PO$T AMERICAN which will be out on the 11th off April via Hassle Records.
Speaking about ‘PO$T AMERICAN,’ Gregg Deal – who is also a visual artist, activist, and member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe – says: “We, like many people in our communities, are incensed by the overt and jarring political and social moves of United States Politics. From the current administration to the administrations before it, there has been a trajectory in this country that has brought us to the critical moment we are all looking at. Our hope in this song, is maybe, just maybe we are saying something you feel too. “PO$T AMERICAN” is an unapologetic song.
I wrote this song on White people’s day of Independence, July 4, 2024. I wrote it sitting next to my oldest son while watching fireworks and having a discussion on what this day was supposed to mean. It went into a discussion of everything that was happening in that moment. Little did I know at the exact moment, that the relevant things would escalate, and become more stark. This was written to be scathing, honest, saying the quiet thing out loud. As we look upon the United States political landscape, this is very much how we feel.” (Simon Godley)
Shady Nasty – SCREWDRIVA
Why we love it: When pushed, Sydney trio Shady Nasty describe themselves as an “experimental blend of post-punk and hip-hop”. Its an intruiging mix and on the evidence of new single ‘SCREWDRIVA’ seems a pretty accurate description. The lyrics allude to Australia’s franchise Mad Max: “Got chrome on my lips / Got chrome on the whip / Got blood on my wrist / Brah I swear the screwdriva musta slipped”. However the pace is purposely slowed right down, which creates a hynoptic effect, the repetition adding to the mesmeric nature of the track. It’s a bold move as the expectation is for more bounce but that is just not appropriate here. Vocalist/guitarist Kevin shares the following:
“I accidentally slashed my wrist at work fitting roof racks with a screwdriver. I saw what was clearly gonna be a scar, shrugged it off, and kept going.”
Is this a metaphor for the dependence on chrome signified by the volume of cars zipping along Sydneys motorways? Shady Nasty craft music, lyrics and images from the banality of our everyday routines and ‘SCREWDRIVA‘ is no exception. Contemporary life is littered with examples of material possesssions which are supposed to represent success. Shady Nasty release their debut album TREK independently on 21 February. It tackles themes such as the struggle of remaining “creatively uncompromised amidst Sydney’s cost-of-living and housing crises.” This listener will be paying close attention on the 21st of next month to hear just how Shady Nasty interpret these sadly all too common challenges for the creative community. (Julia Mason)
Logan Richard – Up from Here
Why we love it: because ‘Up from Here’ brings the listener sunshine after the rain. The new single from Logan Richard, the Canadian songwriter and music-maker from Charlottestown, Prince Edward Island is a delightful slice of folk-pop music that thematically “offers a clear-eyed expression of support for a family member living with addiction issues.”
The song is the second single to arrive from Logan Richard’s second album, Character Traits, which will be out on May 23rd via his new label home, Outside Music. It comes accompanied by a beautifully fitting video directed by Bailey Dockendorff and Jacob Puiras. As Dockendorff explains, “the music video explores the concept that there is always a sunrise, even after the darkest of nights.” (Simon Godley)
Jacob Alon – Liquid Gold 25
Why We love it With a stunning voice and impeccably poetic lyrics, Jacob Alon is broadly tipped as one to watch in 2025. They turn their soul inside out at their live shows and it’s beautiful. They spellbind, weaving soul churning magic with words. Juxtaposing the onstage beauty with wit and bitter sweet darkness, Jacob said of ‘Liquid Gold 25‘ “This song is about poppers and Grindr. So grab yer bottles babes.” They said,
“Someone described this song to me as anti-romantic. It was written after a series of particularly degrading Grindr hook-ups which left me feeling worthless and empty. To me, it’s about the tormenting cycles of self-love and loathing… The self-harming practice of chasing after something that you know will hurt you. Holding my breath until it stops hurting… Of seeking connection in a place of such superficial desire and objectification… Seeking validation through sex and how that ultimately leads to a deep loneliness.. And yet I keep coming back for more. Looking to find a different outcome.”
The listener can’t help but be won over by Jacob’s honesty, warmth and talent. Produced by Dan Carey, entrusted with producing all of Jacob’s recordings to date including last year’s debut tracks, ‘Fairy in a Bottle‘ and ‘Confession,’ Jacob possesses a devastating, effortless vocal that tremors and soars whilst recounting these scarred memories of their childhood and of fleeting connections. They are the voice of a generation. Follow Jacob Alon here (Carmel Walsh)
Lone Striker – Blip One
Why we love it: because rather than adopting a false 9 position, Tom Brown plays as a Lone Striker. It is the latest project from a man familiar to many on the DIY scene from his work with the Teenage Tom Petties and Rural France. The self-titled debut album will be upon us come the 14th of March but to further herald its arrival the second single from the record has just crept tantalisingly into view.
‘Blip One’ is the new single’s name and riding high on the lonesome plain is its veritable game. Along with the rest of the tracks from the upcoming album, Tom Brown has created this mini-masterpiece in the confines of his own home. From an atmospheric lo-fi base, Lone Striker transports an American pastoral scene to the other side of the Atlantic where he evokes those wide open spaces with striking lyricism and strong melodic charm. (Simon Godley)
