The Word JOHNNY MARR Really Likes
30 April 2025
Free Johnny.
Tour 2025
(Image on top: Cover of his ‘Best Of’ album)
Month: April 2025
20 BEST TRACKS OF THE MONTH – APRIL 2025
– 1 –
Press photo by Damien Sayell
Band: MCLUSKY
Who: Notorious Welsh noiseniks fronted by angry man
Andrew Falkous (also the mastermind of Future Of The Left).
Track: CHEKOV’S GUNS
Piece from their upcoming album #4, titled The World Is Still
Here And So Are We . It will shock our stereos from May 9th on.
TUTV: Post-punk aggression at its Mclusky‘s sharp-biting best,
gas-powered by a cast iron bass/drum tandem, schizo guitars
and Falkous‘s intimidating sneering.
Chop, chop, chop.
.
Instagram – Linktree
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 2 –
Art design by Jason Zucco
Band: REAL BEAUT
Who: Rackety rockers
from Boston.
Track: POLITICS ON THE INTERNET
Piece from their new 4-track EP, named
Politics. Stream/buy here.
“‘Politics on the Internet’ is about caring for yourself enough not to engage in the beast battle
all the time. You can talk to your brothers, parents, and friends. Prioritize your family and fight locally. Flinging verbal excrement at a screen isn’t the way. Love yourself, love others. Love, sex, being strong through kindness, the weight of political turmoil and technology on what is human in humanity.”
TUTV: Blimey. This pyrotechnics juggernaut has a knockout vehemence
that floors you in 150 seconds. To hell with shitty politics on the Internet,
these motherrockers are the real riff-raging deal.
Helter-skelter.
.
Instagram – Facebook
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Artist: MARK STEWART
Who: One of the most adventurous/inventive/original post-punk & dub artists/performers
ever. He was a founding member of genre-bending new wave group The Pop Group and released lots of solo and collaborative records. Unfortunately, he passed away 2 years ago,
only 62.
Track: MEMORY OF YOU
First shared taster from Stewart‘s solo album The Fateful Symmetry,
that was completed early 2023, not long before his passing.
TUTV: Haunting, synth-symphonic and boom-tastic
with Mark‘s characteristically energetic voice on top.
Mark Stewart Facebook – Mute Records
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 4 –
Photo Credit Katie Silvester
Band: THE NEW EVES
Who: Must hear/see indies from Brighton (where everybody is in a band).
They cruise from folk to punk, using, besides traditional instruments (guitar,
bass and drums) also cello, flute, violin, and other classical gear.
Photo by Turn Up The Volume
New single: HIGWAY MAN
First new music in 2 years, out
now via Transgressive Records.
It’s a darkly-energised, female-first retelling of
writer/poet Alfred Noyes classic 1906 romantic
poem.
TUTV: These four musical mavericks don’t care about rock ‘n’ roll rules. Only 4 singles in, and it’s clear they do what they want, the way they want, annex unseen visual presence on stage and in video clips. On Highwayman they rattle and brattle full speed ahead motorized by restless drum/bass teamwork.
Here and there the tune, goes, eh, out of tune, and it sounds totally perfect for this emotional belter. No arty farty production for TNE. Winder-Lind‘s awesomely agitated vocals put a spell on you. Pure present-day punk. I want more.
The accompanying, eye-catching video is quite special too.
Instagram – Linktree – All Singles – Tour Dates
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 5 –
Photo by Laurens Wille
Band: WHOLES
Who: A fresh, rowdy hit team led by Belgian, musical chameleon Wolf Vanwymeersch,
who played with several bands (pop, rock, sludge metal) and released a pure singer-songwriter pearl with solo debut album The Early Years back in 2022. Wholes are what remains after a soul has been detonated, what struck those around it, what could no longer be contained.
Track: TILL WE DON’T MEET AGAIN
Their debut single.
TUTV: Stoner rock dynamics and spiky garage blues disturbance work together to inject your eager ears with doom and gloom disturbance. Like dark clouds predicting a storm, like demons challenging each other, eye to eye, face to face. Wolf’s near-whispering, Josh Homme-esque vocals complete the ominous sonic picture.
Roasting ripper.
Instagram – Bandcamp
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 6 –
Photo Credit: Meg Moon
Band: THE BEACHES
Who: 4 Canadian pop-rock indies.
Track: LAST GIRLS AT THE PARTY
Third single from their 3rd LP, called
No Hard Feelings, out August 29th.
TUTV: An instantly sticking, surf-pop shaker.
Two words: irresistibly catchy. Let’s toast to
Beaches and join their showy party..
Instagram – Website
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 7 –
Press photo by Danny Clinch
Band: ARCADE FIRE
Who: The famous pop-rock
collective from Canada.
Track: YEAR OF THE SNAKE
First single from their forthcoming 7th album, named
Pink Elephant ready for release on May 9th. 2025 is
the ‘year of the snake‘ in the Chinese Zodiac.
TUTV: It’s a sublime, crystalline pop pearl, with its hypnotizing guitar riff, the non-stop
banging drum beat and the intertwined, spellbinding vocals of Win Butler and his spouse Régine Chassagne.
Sterling stroke.
Instagram – Shop
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 8 –
New album artwork
Band: PULP
Who: Sheffield‘s guitar-pop heroes
fronted by the charismatic songsmith
Jarvis Cocker.
Track: SPIKE ISLAND
First single from their first LP in 24 years. It’s named
More and will be shared with the world on June 6th.
TUTV: A vintage, mid-tempo, pop thrill with a grandiose
chorus. Wake up common people, here’s some more pulp.
Instagram – Linktree
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 9 –
Artist: ANDY BELL
Who: Best known as vocalist of British synth-pop duo Erasure with
former Depeche Mode/Yazoo keyboardist/songwriter Vince Clarke.
Track: HEART’S A LIAR
Newest single from his upcoming 3rd solo album Ten Crows,
which lands this Friday, on May 2nd. It features Blondie icon
Debbie Harry.
TUTV: Two glamourous voices, one glamourous disco
tune. It’s a fervid break-up pop gem to fill dance floors
with.
Catchy as fuck.
Instagram – Linktree
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 10 –
Artist: LIFE COACH
Who: The musical project of singer-songwriter-poet Jamie Cameron. Hailing from
the Scottish Borders, the music blends lo-fi beats, synths and guitars with spoken word lyrics in which he discusses subjects ranging from politics and premonitions to self help culture, and a modern society obsessed with economic thinking.
Track: SQUADDIES IN HAIR NETS
Piece taken from the upcoming 2nd album, named
‘A Love Letter To Your Yearning Heart’, which is due for
release on May 30th.
TUTV: Life Coach are on fire, again. This new rattling rap ‘n’ punk roll crackerjack
swings you forth and back, left and right and Jamie Cameron’s adrenalizing word-flow
energizes all of your insatiable limbs before he relaxes towards the synthy end. Another kinetic kick. Hands up for the coach.
Let the siren blare.
.
Instagram – Facebook
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 11 –
Image Credit: Euripides Altintzoglou
Band: LIONS OF DISSIDENT
Who: Electrifying outfit from the Midlands (UK).
They released their debut album Ghost Behind You
in 2022.
Track: SIRENS AT THE SEA
Tim Baker (founder and creative director): “The best of what we do in one song,
it’s a tune that really carries the soul of everything good we have stood for over the
last ten years”.
TUTV: Expect electrifying energy from the kick-off. Delirious guitars set the haywire tone and hyperventilating vocals augment the buzzing fuzz. A modern-day post-punk roller coaster.
Rapturous ride.
.
Instagram – Linktree
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 12 –
Photo by Turn Up The Volume
Artist: SALVIA
Who: The moniker of Belgian, Ghent-born,
singer-songwriter Nicole Selivan.
Track: YOU AND ME
TUTV: Only two singles in, and it’s already clear that Salvia‘s songwriting skills,
and her impressive vocal performance will bring her musical journey pretty far.
You And Me is an entrancing jam with a rotating guitar riff that gets under your skin
from start to finish. Salvia‘s seductive vocals match the trancy vibe perfectly well.
Today Ghent, next week Belgium, next month the world.
Instagram – Linktree
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 13 –
Artists: peach I melba
Who: Queer femme indie duo,
half Brighton and half Los Angeles.
Track: WORST TRIMESTER
With blistering lyrics delivered at a rapped pace, the riot grrrl duo
explore the gender politics of pregnancy, in their style of both members
singing every word together over minimalist bass guitar and driving drums.
TUTV: There’s good news and bad news. Bad news first? World peace is an illusion.
From the moment Adam & Eve fucked up, shit started to happen and dirty wars are
still fought, its part of human nature.
The good news? These two DIY Amazons swear to release a new song every six weeks until world peace has been fully achieved. So, we’re ready for a looooong wild and rough ride, starting with this fun, outspoken and catchy 100% indie thrill. Don’t miss their bus, all you music junkies out there.
Instagram – Follow PM
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 14 –
Band: SUGARBUNNY
Who: Seasoned, high-powered
pop outfit from Belgium.
Track: SHADOW
Their newest single.
Photo by Turn Up The Volume
TUTV: Frontwoman Hannah Vandenbussche‘s voice is the heartbeat of this fresh
act, composed of experienced musicians. With Shadow they released their 4th single.
A spellbinding and haunting piece of captivating music, moving around a bewitching
guitar riff. Tension in the air throughout. Compelling tune. Sugarbunny is going places.
Instagram – Linktree
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 15 –
Band: LEDHER BLUE
Who: The product of two distinctively different individuals, Zé and Pedro,
that the waves of life comically decided to beach in a northern town of
Portugal – Guimarães.
Track: CRAIC
Piece from their brand new, excellent debut
album, titled Fait Divers. Stream it here
TUTV: What starts as a both moody and amplified reflection, explodes
on the let’s all sing together chorus, like if this cracking anthem was recorded
at a Premier League football game. It sticks after one spin. Score!
Raise your glass and
join the party.
Instagram – Linktree
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 16 –
Band: TV SUNDAZE
Who: Wired indies
from France.
Track: DON’T MIND ME
Single from their brand-new 2nd LP, named
Plastic Bags / Packing Tape. Stream it here.
TUTV: When I just say that my excited ears hear jangly Parquet Courts echoes, you already should get excited too. The sharp-edged riffage, explosive eruptions now and then, and fidgety vocals will drive your mind and stereo mad.
Instagram – Linktree
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 17 –
Photo credit: Ebony Alexander Media
Band: VIRGINS
Who: Belfast-based shoegaze band who transcend that reductive tag to deliver a noise which is thrillingly loud and weightily light. Last year they released their notable debut album nothing hurt and everything was beautiful.
Track: BLOOMS
TUTV: Heavenly melodiousness, edged layers of shoegazing guitars, forceful
drumming, crystalline vocals, and a non-stop bass riff pushing the pace
throughout combine for a breathtaking score.
Instagram – Linktree
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 18 –
Artist: FIR CONE CHILDREN
Who: The musical moniker of
Berlin-based indie Alexander Donat.
Track:YOUR VOICE
Single from FCC’s brand new CD
Gearshifting. Stream it here
TUTV: From the first chord on Donat takes you on a head-twisting and power-driven
trip. No brakes, no breaks. Always pedal to the metal. Raise your voice and absorb
this flat-out ripper. Bingo.
.
Instagram – Facebook
——————————————————————————————————————————-
Band: THE HIVES
Who: The notorious Swedisch
punk ‘n’ roll dropouts.
Track: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Lead single from their 7th LP, baptized The Hives Forever,
Forever The Hives. It’ll land on 29th August.
“Everyone’s a lil fuckin’ bitch!
And I’m gettin’ sick and tired of it!”
TUTV: Beware folks, and watch boxer
star Howlin’ Pelle hit left and right.
Instagram – All Albums
——————————————————————————————————————————-
– 20 –
Band: GREAT HARE
Who: Swedish pop indies, making noise since 2010.
They released their debut album In Another Shape
in 2013.
Track: CALM BACKWATERS
TUTV: Never a dull guitar-pop moment with this seasoned Swedish combo. This lazy tune, for lazy days is one that Scottish melancholic heroes Teenage Fanclub would be proud of. It feels as if Spring invites you to have a feel-good Summer.
———————————–
30 April 1976 – Wild Party Animal KEITH MOON Did It Again
30 April 2025
The Who’s legendary drummer KEITH MOON was great at three things.
One, hitting his gear like a madman. Two, non-stop partying. Three, thrashing hotel rooms.
To do that last thing he was very inventive. On 30 April 1976, this day 49 years ago he paid nine cab drivers to block-off both ends of a New York street so he could throw the contents of his hotel room out of the window. Crazy, just crazy.
But fate would hit the at times self-destructive star.
In mid-1978, Moon moved into a flat in Mayfair, London renting from Harry Nilsson.
Singer Cass Elliot of the Mamas & the Papas had died there four years earlier, at the
age of 32. Nilsson was concerned about Moon getting in, believing it was cursed.
Moon, alcoholic by then, died in September that year of an overdose of
medication to battle his drink problems. Like Mama Cass he was only 32.
GETDOWN SERVICES Drop New Hip-Activating Slo-Mo Jam ‘EAT QUICHE, SLEEP, REPEAT’ – Move, Groove And Approve, Folks
Daily electricity to load your batteries
30 April 2025
GETDOWN SERVICES is a wacky and ironic disco-rap-punk duo from Bristol, UK
who made an instant impression in their home country with their invigorating
2023 debut LP Crisps.
Last summer, they followed it with a rapturous 6-track EP, named Crumbs
Slowly but surely the madcap tandem’s tunes found their way into Europe‘s
indie scene.
Meanwhile, they started touring non-stop (as I witnessed myself
in Brugge, Belgium last January) and will do for the rest of the year.
Photo by Turn Up The Volume
Yet, they have found some time and a studio for a new EP. It’s baptized Primordial Slot Machine and will be released – digitally and on vinyl – on June 6th. At the same time their previous EP Crumbs also gets a vinyl treatment.
To get attention to it all, the highly entertaining duo dropped
brand-new, slo-mo jam EAT QUICHE, SLEEP, REPEAT.
Move, groove and approve, folks.
May-August
August-December
EZRA FURMAN – Chicago’s Evocative Songstress Releases 10th LP ‘GOODBYE SMALL HEAD’ Next Month
30 April 2025
Artist: EZRA FURMAN
Who: Flaring singer-songwriter from Chicago. He started
his career with a band called The Harpoons who released
3 albums.
New album: Goodbye Small Head.
It arrives on May 16th. Pre-order info here.
New album artwork
Furman: “Twelve songs, twelve variations on the experience of completely losing control, whether by weakness, illness, mysticism, BDSM, drugs, heartbreak or just living in a sick society with one’s eyes open. These songs are vivid with overwhelm. They’re not about someone going off the rails, they are inside that person’s heart. The songwriting here is a revision to William Wordsworth’s famous proclamation that “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.” I can agree with that, except for the tranquility part. This poetry, my poetry, arrived in the midst of the storm. It was written as I teetered toward the edge.”
Singles: Grand Mal / Jump Out / Power Of The Moon
– GRAND MAL –
– JUMP OUT –
– POWER OF THE MOON –
CRUEL WORLD FESTIVAL In Pasadena CA – 17 May 2025
BON IVER’s Mastermind JUSTIN VERNON About His Lyrics
HAIM – The Three Power Pop Sisters From L.A. Release New Album In June And Will Tour It Afterward
Crazy Country Legend WILLIE NELSON Who Turns 92 Today Released His 77th Solo LP
29 April 2025
Country superstar WILLIE NELSON is a singular musical phenomenon.
Last Friday the Texas-born released his, yes, his 77th (!!) solo longplayer,
his 154th overall (including collaborations, soundtracks, and compilations)
with Oh What A Beautiful World. A longplayer featuring 12 vintage country
songs written by fellow celeb Rodney Crowell.
.
And today he celebrates his 92th birthday. He was born in Abott, Texas
on 29 April 1933. A perfect occasion to play his countlessly covered 1961
pearl Crazy.
LONELY LITTLE KITSCH Channel Mental Health Problems With Rigid Rocker ‘ILL AT EASE’
Daily electricity to load your batteries
29 April 2025
Band: LONELY LITTLE KITSCH
Who: Two-piece alt-rock band from Niagara, Canada featuring
vocalist Kristen Goetz and guitarist Nolan Jodes. What started as
a way to pass the time during the pandemic, soon became a more
serious project as fully formed songs took shape.
Goetz: “This song is a particularly personal one for me. As someone who has severe
anxiety and constant panic attacks, it’s always interesting to speak to anyone who has
never experienced either one. So “ill at ease” is sort of an answer to the question, “what
does a panic attack feel like for you?”
Jodes: “I think the music was built around that opening riff…I had been stuck in a loop with no clear transition to the chorus or bridge so there was natural suspense and uneasiness building in my mind, and I almost scrapped the whole song when Kris came in with this really great melody and honest lyrics showing her vulnerability- it clicked!
TUTV: I know (I struggled for several years with bipolar issues) that it’s damn hard to
open up about mental health. Kudos to vocalist Kristen Goetz and husband Nolan for doing it with this liberating and rigid rocker that cruises from left to right and back, pushed by an unyielding bass/drum collaboration, psyched up guitars, poigant singing and a bonkers chorus. Again, music show its healing strength.
WATCH
STREAM